The $149 FT1, FiiO’s first wooden closed-back headphone, has been a huge hit in the headphone market, and for good reason. It offers remarkably good sound and has a superb build quality for a $149 headphone. It features a large dynamic driver and is available with real walnut or beech wood cups.
The $199 FT1 PRO, despite its similar name, differs significantly in key aspects. While the two headphones share the same headband, yokes, general housing design, and pads, the FT1 PRO is an open-back headphone. Additionally, it employs a completely different type of driver featuring a large planar magnetic driver instead of the FT1’s dynamic driver. It’s FiiO’s second planar magnetic headphone—the first being the FT5.
FIIO FT1 PRO SPECIFICATIONS
- Driver: Planar magnetic
- Driver size: 95 x 86 mm
- Impedance: 20 ohms
- Sensitivity: 95 dB/mW @1kHz
- Weight: 375 grams
- Detachable cables with 3.5mm connectors on headphones
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FIIO FT1 SPECIFICATIONS
- Closed-back dynamic headphones
- Driver diameter: 60 mm
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 98 dB/mW @ 1kHz
- Weight: 340 grams
- Detachable cables with 3.5mm connectors on headphones
- Ear cup material: walnut or beech real wood
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BUILD AND COMFORT
As mentioned, these two headphones share much of the same build. They feature the same headband and yokes, the same outer housing, and the same pads. While the FT1 has real wooden cups, the FT1 PRO replaces them with an open metal mesh grill. They feel identical when worn, and personally, I find them very comfortable. They have a well-balanced clamping force and good swivel action. Some users, however, find the headband slightly lacking in padding and opt to attach a third-party headband strap. Personally, I find the headband comfortable as is.
The pads feature protein leather on the inside and outside, with a velour mesh surface where the pads meet the skin.
In summary, these headphones are great-looking, feel high-quality, and offer remarkable value for money in terms of build.
AMPLIFICATION
The FT1 PRO appears to be more amplifier-dependent than the FT1. While it generally sounds very good with all amps tested, it doesn’t pair optimally with my standard testing amp, the Topping A90, as it occasionally exhibits a slightly shouty midrange and a somewhat unfocused character. The same issue arises with the Schiit Magni Heretic. However, this is not the case with the Monolith THX 887 AAA or the Rebel Amp, nor with my high-end amplifiers like the Woo WA22, EAR HP4, and Bryston BHA-1. The amp output of the RME ADI-2 DAC FS sounds good as well.
LISTENING COMPARISONS
Since the FT1 PRO does not perform optimally with my primary test amp, the Topping A90, I used the Rebel Amp and Monolith THX AAA 887, both with the RME ADI-2 DAC FS as a source.
Come Away With Me by Norah Jones
The FT1 sounds beautiful, and so does the FT1 PRO. Actually, they are very similar, with the PRO being a tad brighter sounding and the FT1 slightly more mellow. Characteristics such as detail level, soundstage, and imaging are comparable.
Aquela Muhler by Vinicius Cantuaria
The FT1 PRO is clear-sounding with terrific bass performance. Imaging is very good. Moving on to the FT1, the bass is more dominant but not as tight, textured, and defined. The imaging is similar.
Jambi by Tool
Again, the bass is tighter with the FT1 PRO and more voluminous with the FT1. This affects the perceived midrange presence, as the bass on the FT1 is relatively more powerful.
Kaetano by Tomasz Stanko Quartet
The FT1 PRO delivers a nicely crisp and textured rendition of the trumpet, with a natural-sounding piano and very good imaging. In comparison, the FT1 offers a slightly softer, more rounded presentation while maintaining excellent detail. Impressively, the FT1 achieves an almost equally wide soundstage despite its closed-back design. However, overall, I prefer the snappy tightness of the FT1 PRO with this track.
As Before by Olga Konkova
They are surprisingly similar with this great track, which basically is just a cajón drum, female vocals, and a piano. The FT1 has a bit more low-end presence; the FT1 PRO is slightly crisper, but in general they are not very different.
Eye of The Day by Marta del Grandi
With the FT1 PRO, the female vocals are crystal clear and the guitar is crisp. The presentation is very snappy. The clarinets are played in an interesting way, and you can really hear the nuances.
The FT1 is equally impressive. It also maintains a high level of detail, but with a warmer tonality.
Rolling in the Deep by Adele
I do not like the mastering job on this track. The vocals sound thin with neutral headphones, and the FT1 and FT1 PRO are no exceptions. I expected FT1 to sound warmer than the PRO, but it does not. The FT1 PRO sounds more natural here.
With Me by Cashmere Cat
This electronic track sounds very tight and punchy with the FT1. The bass is terrific. Moving over to the FT1 PRO, the low end is still good but less pronounced, and the general impression is a bit brighter.
The Unforgiven by Metallica
Here it is the other way around: the FT1 sounds thinner and also busier; the FT1 PRO is tighter and cleaner. It is not a huge difference, though.
Young Vivaldi RV 820… III Allegro – Adagio by Modo Antiquo
This piece sounds extremely good on the FT1. The tonality and timbre are perfect, the detail level is high, and the imaging is great. I find the FT1 PRO to sound similar, but slightly crisper, less dynamic, and not as three-dimensional.
Summer 3 – Vivaldi Recomposed by Max Richter
They both sound excellent. FT1 sounds calmer and slightly more organic than the FT1 PRO, which, although it sounds good, has a slightly drier tonality.
Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 III by Paavo Järvi
Although Mahler’s symphony sounds very good on the FT1 PRO, there is something extra about the FT1. It sounds seductive. Is smoother and lusher, but with great detail and dynamics. However, the FT1 PRO is doing a great job too, slightly tighter and more upfront, and I am certain many listeners would prefer this. It’s a preference thing, and the difference isn’t large by any means.
WRAPPING IT UP
As mentioned earlier, a couple of my amplifiers occasionally made the FT1 PRO sound a bit crowded and shouty, slightly lacking in terms of focus. In other words—not performing optimally. However, with most amplifiers, it delivers a gorgeous performance. The FT1, on the other hand, is not particularly dependent on amplifier matching, at least based on my experience.
While much of the FT1 PRO’s character remains consistent even with less optimal amps, the comments below are based on pairings with amplifiers that complement it well.
Sound Signature
I find both headphones to be very well balanced and admiringly well tuned. The biggest difference is in the bass region, where the closed-back FT1 has an elevated presence that the FT1 PRO doesn’t have. With the exception of the nicely elevated low end, the FT1 is very neutral sounding. The FT1 PRO is even more neutral, but with a slightly bright touch.
Treble
Although they are very similar I find the FT1 PRO slightly crisper and more articulate. Detail level is very similar.
Midrange
Also here they are very close, with the FT1 PRO slightly crisper with more bite and texture, the FT1 smoother and somewhat less upfront.
Bass
This is where the two headphones differ the most. The FT1 has an elevated bass presence, while the FT1 PRO is very neutral. The FT1 PRO offers tighter, better-defined bass, whereas the FT1 delivers a softer, fuller bass response.
Soundstage and Imaging
Given that we are comparing a closed-back dynamic driver to an open-back planar magnetic headphone, the similarities between them are astonishing. The FT1 PRO offers a slightly more open soundstage, but the FT1 is not far behind. Imaging is excellent on both, with the better performer often depending on the track. The FT1 PRO frequently comes out on top, but it can falter slightly with a poor amplifier match.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
The general detail level is impressively high on both headphones, especially considering their relatively low price. I generally find the FT1 PRO to have a more dynamic sound, though both perform well in this regard. In terms of timbre, the FT1 is lusher and smoother, while the FT1 PRO is crisper and sharper, yet both maintain a largely neutral tuning.
CONCLUSION
In summary, despite their different driver technologies and open-back vs. closed-back designs, the FT1 and FT1 PRO sound remarkably similar in most aspects and are clearly tuned towards the same quote neutral profile. Both are coherent and well-balanced sounding, delivering excellent performance. The most notable difference lies in the bass quantity, which is significantly higher in the closed-back model.
The FT1 is an outstanding closed-back headphone for its price, and even though the competition amongst open-back planar magnetics is stronger, the FT1 PRO is also impressive.
When comparing the two FiiO models, neither can be considered objectively superior overall. Rather, they represent variations on a similar tuning with excellent technical performance, each with subtle distinctions that cater to different preferences.
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