Following up on the recently released FH19 in-ear monitors, FiiO has circled back with the release of its FT1 Closed-Back Headphones.
The FT1 is the latest in FiiO’s FT over-ear wired headphone range which includes the FT3 and FT5.
FiiO’s goal with the FT1 is to offer a stylish and comfortable headphone with good sound quality at a very affordable price. Let’s take a closer look.
FiiO FT1 Overview
In terms of style, the FT1 incorporates real American Black Walnut Wooden Ear-cups. For all-day wearing comfort the FT1 has breathable fabric earpads. The high-density breathable mesh design efficiently dissipates heat buildup between the ear cushions and your ears. The side of the ear cushions is made of protein leather.
The FiiO FT1 ear-cups are made from FAS-grade American Black Walnut. The wood’s smooth grain is unique to each pair of FT1s, and this highly dense solid wood helps to effectively reduce cavity resonance and minimize standing waves. Inside the earcups and behind the fabric earcups, the FT1 incorporates a second-generation 60mm dynamic drivers.
Its larger-than-average size enhances energy conversion efficiency and provides support for solid bass response. The larger size also results in lower low-frequency resonance points, ensuring a deeper dynamic bass response.
The FT1’s diaphragm consists of paper wood fibers, and light PU (Polyurethane) is used in the W-shaped suspension gasket. This enables high internal resistance, which supports better sound quality.
The FT1 incorporates an imported Japanese ultra-fine CCAW (Copper-Clad Aluminum Wire) Voice Coil with a diameter of up to 25mm.
A longer voice coil copper wire can directly enhance transducer efficiency and drive capacity, improving transient response and resulting in purer, more comfortable sound.
Each wire core in the CCAW coil has a diameter of approximately 0.035mm.
A U-shaped sound Damping Tube developed for the FiiO FT1 not only enhances passive noise attenuation but also allows sound energy to pass through at a specific length and angle. This increases air viscosity and reduces cavity resonance frequency contributing to providing more effective bass extension.
FiiO provides a Conical Baffle Plate for the FT1 drivers. This means that the driver is positioned parallel to the human ear; breaking up sound convergence and avoiding standing waves.
This results in minimal high-frequency attenuation, further enhancing sound quality.
To ensure the new FT1 can be used with PCs and Macs, Digital Audio Players, FiiO’s new portable CD and cassette players, and more, there are two interchangeable headphone cables included: a 3.5mm single-ended plug, and a 4.4mm balanced plug.
Both cables contain Oxygen-free Copper-plated Silver Wire with 392 wires. This helps to support a transparent and robust sound signature.
The FT1 uses the same ergonomic headband design found on the FT3 and FT5 Open-back headphones. The 3-axis Adaptive Headband allows for free rotation at multiple angles, ensuring a comfortable, snug fit with minimal sound leakage.
There are 12 levels of fit adjustment; the horizontal rotation angle is 35°, the pitch rotation is 45°, and the sliding travel of the headband is 38mm.
Comparison
| FT1 | FT3 (350 ohms) | FT3 (32 ohms) | FT5 | |
| Price | $149 | $299 | $299 | $449 |
| Headphone Type | Closed-back Dynamic | Open-back | Open-back | Open-back Planar Magnetic |
| Ear-cup Material | American Black Walnut | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Ear-pad Pressure | 4.5N±0.3N | 4.0N±0.3N | 4.0N±0.3N | 4.0N±0.3N |
| Driver | 60mm Dynamic | 60mm Dynamic | 60mm Dynamic | 90mm Planar Magnetic |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz-40kHz | 7Hz-40kHz | 7Hz-40kHz | 7Hz-40kHz |
| Impedance | 32Ω | 350Ω | 32Ω | 36 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 113dB (Vrms) @1kHz | 105dB (1Vrms) @1kHz | 110db (1Vrms) @1kHz | 110db (1Vrms) @1kHz |
| Cable Material | Silver-plated Oxygen-free Copper | Furukawa Monocrystalline Copper | 392 Wire High-PuritySilver-plated MonocrystallineCopper Cable | 392-wire High-purity Silver-plated |
| Cable Length | 1.5M | 3m | 1.5m | 1.5m |
| Headphone Connectors | Dual 3.5mm | Dual 3.5mm | Dual 3.5mm | Dual 3.5mm |
| Weight | 340g (Excluding cable) | 391g (Excluding Cable) | 391g (Excluding Cable) | 456g (Excluding Cable) |
| Supplied Accessories | 1 x Storage Bag 1 x 3.5mm Single-ended Headphone Cable 1 x 4.4mm Balanced Headphone Cable 1 x 3.5mm to 6.35mm Adaptor 1 x Quick-start Guide | 1 x Leather Storage Case 1 x 3.5mm Single-ended Interchangeable Plug 1 x 4.4mm Balanced Interchangeable Plug 1 x 3.5mm to 6.35mm Single-ended Adaptor 1 x 4.4mm to XLR-4 Balanced Adaptor 1 x Headphone Cable 1 x Removable Protein Leather Earpads (Pair) 1 x Removable Suede Earpads (Pair) 1 x Instruction Booklet | 1 x Leather Storage Case 1 x 3.5mm Single-ended Interchangeable Plug 1 x 4.4mm Balanced Interchangeable Plug 1 x 3.5mm to 6.35mm Single-ended Adaptor 1 x 4.4mm to XLR-4 Balanced Adaptor 1 x Headphone Cable 1 x Removable Protein Leather Earpads (Pair) 1 x Removable Suede Earpads (Pair)1 x Instruction Booklet | 1 x Leather Storage Case 1 x 3.5mm Single-ended Interchangeable Jack Plug 1 x 4.4mm Balanced Interchangeable Plug 1 x XLR-4 Male to 4.4mm Female Balanced Adapter 1 x 6.35mm Male to 3.5mm Female Adapter 1 x Velvet Bag 1 x Protein Leather Earpads (Pair) 1 x Suede Earpads (Pair),1 x Headphone Cable 1 x User Manual |
Initial Impression
If you prefer over-ear or on-ear closed-back headphones, the new FiiO FT1 look like a rather compelling option for only $149. If they offer a similar level of performance of their more expensive siblings — these could be a steal.
The walnut earcups are not typical at this price point, and we rather like the design overall.
But what matters is how these perform in a very crowded market against some good options from Grado Labs, Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, and HiFiMAN.
Based on our experience with their other models, the FiiO FT1 could be one to consider at the rather low asking price.
Price & Availability
The FiiO FT1 is available for $149 at Amazon (USD) in walnut, as well as internationally for £139 or €159 through authorized sellers.
A FT1 beech wood edition is expected in October 2024.
For more information: fiio.com/ft1
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