I purchased Sennheiser’s HD6XX 4 years in the past, and I really useful the headphones extensively; the mixture of sturdy construct high quality and phenomenal sound backed by worth made the product the apparent alternative within the sub-$300 class, they usually nonetheless maintain up nicely.
That mentioned, there are many nice decisions obtainable at this time; Sivga’s Luan is a good choice at $299, and Fiio is displaying that it might ship one best-seller after one other with its FT vary of headsets. I examined the FT3 and FT5 after they debuted, and the budget-focused FT1 just a few months in the past, and all three fashions stand out in their very own method.
With the FT1 Professional, it is clear that Fiio took all of its learnings within the final two years to create a product that really stands out. The headphones price $279 on Amazon, with the common FT1 going as much as $209 on the retailer as a result of ongoing tariffs scenario. Even then, they are a first rate worth when you think about simply how good they sound.
The FT1 Professional share the same aesthetic as the remainder of their siblings, and whereas you do not get a wood-backed design just like the FT1, they’re comfy to put on, and do not trigger any fatigue even with prolonged use. Coming in at 374g, they don’t seem to be heavy, and Fiio did job with the suede headband lining and liberal utilization of metal within the development of the headphones.
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The headscarf permits for rotation, and I did not see any points in getting a cushty match. The protein leather-based pads include a material lining, and the breathable design ensures there isn’t any scorching spot whereas utilizing the FT1 Professional. The pads are barely angled, they usually match nicely.
The FT1 Professional join through 3.5mm jacks, and Fiio bundles two cables within the field; one with a 3.5mm plug, and the opposite being a balanced 4.4mm cable. Just like the FT1, you get a high-quality storage field that makes it simple to take the FT1 Professional wherever.
Coming to the sound, the FT1 Professional use Fiio’s customized planar drivers, and mixed wit the open-back nature of the headphones, you get a distinctly completely different sound to the common mannequin.
The FT1 have a clearly exaggerated bass with a definite rumble and power, and the FT1 Professional have a greater steadiness; the bass is not fairly as vibrant, however you continue to get loads of vigor, and the swap to planar drivers means the bass transient is quicker. In the event you predominantly take heed to bass-heavy music, I would nonetheless counsel the FT1 — they’re designed to have a weighty low-end — however if you would like a impartial sound whereas nonetheless getting first rate bass, the FT1 Professional are the way in which to go.
Mid-bass is tight and centered, and also you get a clear mid-range the place the vocals are detailed and full-bodied. Devices have good tonality, and there is a bit of heat to the sound that makes utilizing the headphones extremely pleasurable. That is the place the FT1 Professional come into their very own, and the sound high quality is just like the HD6XX however with the good thing about planar drivers.
There is a good sense of airiness with the treble, however you do not get any harshness or sibilance, which is sweet. The soundstage is unquestionably wider than the FT1 (as you’d think about), and there is higher imaging as nicely.
The one factor to notice is that the FT1 Professional want a strong supply — I examined them with the Fiio K19 — and there was a noticeable distinction in imaging once I switched to a transportable supply. So in case you’re eyeing these, I would counsel utilizing an amp that has a good quantity of energy. It isn’t that they are laborious to drive, however you may have to good supply to unlock the complete potential of the sound.
Total, Fiio did an impressive job with the FT1 Professional. They’ve a impartial sound that lends itself nicely to various genres, and also you get a cushty match. Whereas they’re costlier within the U.S. due to the tariffs, they’re nonetheless choice if you would like a planar headset on a price range.
The FT1 Professional are Fiio’s tackle a price range planar headset, they usually tick all the correct bins: you get design, fabulous sound, and a good worth.
