The FT3 ($299). was FiiO’s first venture into the world of over-ear headphones. It was launched as recently as in the spring of 2023 Since then, they’ve expanded their headphones lineup with several models: the open-back planar magnetic FT5 ($449), a 32-ohm version of the FT3, the budget-friendly open-back JT1 ($69), and now FiiO’s first wooden closed-back headphone, the FT1 ($149). There’s also been released a white version of the FT3 in both impedance versions.
The FT3 features a 60mm dynamic driver with an impedance of 350 ohms, and uses a diamond-like carbon (DLC) diaphragm. The FT3’s cups are made from aluminum alloy, giving it a premium feel while remaining fairly lightweight. I find it very comfortable to wear. Some might consider the ear cups and pads a bit small—this isn’t an issue for me.
There are two pairs of ear pads, each offering distinct sonic characteristics. The pads use a proprietary mounting mechanism that works well, but I’d much rather have a universal pad mount like the latest FiiO headphone, the FT1.
Anyway, the first pair is made of a synthetic suede-like material, while the other is a hybrid: suede-like on the inside, protein leather on the face, and fenestrated protein leather on the outside. The foam doesn’t feel the same, and the sound difference is significant. I can say right away that I generally prefer the suede-like pads, but the hybrid pads have some advantages.
With the hybrid pads, the FT3 delivers a crisper, thinner sound, which can sometimes push the treble too far, making it overly bright and sharp while losing some bass impact. Initially, the sound feels more detailed and spacious, but I feel the detail is still present with the suede pads—it’s just presented in a lusher, warmer, and less harsh manner. I find the suede pads offer a more balanced and enjoyable listening experience overall and will stick with them throughout this review unless stated otherwise.
FIIO FT3 SPECIFICATIONS
- Headphone type: open circum-aural.
- Driver type: 60mm dynamic driver
- Diaphragm material: berylium-plated gasket + DLC diaphragm
- Impedance: 350 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 105 dB (1Vrms)@1 kHz
- Frequency response: 7Hz-40kHz
- Weight: About 391g (excluding cable)
- Earpad pressure: 4.0N±0.3N
- Cable length: About 3m
- Cable material: Furukawa monocrystalline copper wire
- Detachable cable with dual 3.5 mm connectors on the headphone.
- Exchangeable plugs and adapters are supplied for amplifier connection.
- 2 types of pads with distinct sound signatures: suede and hybrid pads
Check the current price on Amazon here: FiiO FT3
Image Copyright: The Headphoneer
LISTENING IMPRESSIONS
For this session, I listened to the FT3 with the excellent, but very pricey, Bryston FT3, with the RME ADI-2 DAC FS as a source. I’ll comment on amplification later, but I can say right away that this headphone is relatively flexible with regards to amplification.
If I Were a Bell by Keith Jarrett
This is a nice live classic jazz piece. The trio is led by pianist Keith Jarrett. This sounds very good on the Fiio FT3 with suede pads: spacious and dynamic, well-balanced and entertaining.
With the hybrid pads, the sound is more detailed and appears clearer. However, I find the warmer tonality and timbre of the FT3 more appealing, but both are good.
Limit to Your Love by James Blake
The bass is well handled, but it’s in the midrange, specifically the vocals, where the FT3 with the suede pads excels. It has a nice soundstage, not anything extraordinary. The hybrid pads are clearer and more open-sounding, generally with more pronounced detail, the suede pads are warmer and fuller sounding.
Smile by Pearl Jam
This sounds excellent with the FT3 with suede pads: full-bodied, well-rounded yet detailed. The FT3 with hybrid pads sounds sharper, and there’s an annoying level of sibliance whenever Eddie Vedder sings “smile” or anything else with an “S”.
Image Copyright: The Headphoneer
Furniture by Fugazi
With the FT3 suede, you get a nice and thick sound. The double-tracked electric guitar riff blends together with the bass line yet, but if you listen for it, it’s not difficult to tell them apart. The hybrid pads make things more detailed, sharper, and thinner sounding. It’s a trade-off.
Higdon’s Violin Concerto: Fly Forward by Hilary Hahn
The FT3 with the suede pads is good but might lack some sparkle and energy. It offers a slightly warmer tonality and fuller timbre that is nice.
With the hybrid pads, it gets more sparkle and opens up, retaining most of the nice timbre it has with the suede pads.
Holberg Suite by The Norwegian Chamber Orchestra
With the suede pads, the presentation is smooth and warm. It sounds nice, but not outstanding. The extra clarity and cleaner sound of the hybrid pads make this piece sound more enjoyable.
Midnight City by M83
This track by indie-rock-pop group M83 sounds good, but somewhat thick and slow. It’s delicious in its own way, with a thick and warm sound signature.
With the hybrid pads, the FT3 gets a more open soundstage, but it sounds less full-bodied.
Lovers on the Sun by David Guetta
This track is often quite bright and harsh, but the warmer and thicker-sounding FT3 with suede pads does a good job. It’s more rounded than most headphones. The bass kicks hard with a nice thump.
The FT3 with hybrid pads makes it a lot brighter and crisper. I clearly prefer the suede here.
As Before by Olga Konkova
The cajôn drum sounds absolutely fantastic with the FT3 with the suede pads. The vocals are velvet-like and very nicely rendered; the piano too.
The FT3 hybrid sounds brighter and more open. It is also a good presentation, although not as lush and inviting.
Bored by Deftones
The FT3 suede is full-bodied and enveloping, with lots of bass presence and warmth. I really like the way this song sounds—intimate and powerful.
With the hybrid pads, the FT3 sounds sharper and crisper, much more technical and analytical. I prefer the suede pads.
Cadenza by Marcin Wasilewski Trio
This track sounds wonderful with the FT3 suede. The standing bass is full-sounding and has nice warmth. The saxophone is smooth and delicious, and the percussion is snappy and engaging.
With the hybrid pads, the soundstage is more open than with the suede pads, the sound is crisper and tighter. There’s a higher sense of detail.
Image Copyright: The Headphoneer
COMPARISONS
HIFIMAN XS vs. FT3
The Hifiman Edition XS is the most affordable of the oval “egg-shaped” headphones from Hifiman. It is uses a large planar magnetic driver with dual-sided magnets. Edition XS has a list price of $499, but has been selling for as low as $350 lately.
Image Copyright: The Headphoneer
The sound signature is relatively different from the FT3, especially with the suede pads. The FT3 with hybrid pads is somewhere in between the XS and the suede. Because the XS and FT3 have different frequency responses, the differences between them vary from track to track. Sometimes they are very different, sometimes they are quite similar.
The FT3, especially with suede pads, has more bass quantity, a warmer midrange and softer highs than the XS. It’s generally a darker sounding headphone, whilst the XS is neutral to bright-ish.
The treble of the XS is excellent for its price. It’s clear and bright without becoming harsh. The FT3 also has a good treble, albeit a little darker and not quite as clear, especially with the suede pads. With the hybrid pads, the FT3 gets a clearer and brighter treble with more detail, but I have experienced occasional, annoying sibilance – not so with the XS.
Compared to the XS, the midrange of the FT3 sounds slightly warmer with both pads, while the XS has more midrange detail.
The XS has fabulous bass quality, and I would not call it bass-light, its bass is very solid. There’s, however, less quantity than the FT3, especially with the suede pads, but the XS is tighter, more textured never rolls off or gets muddled.
When it comes to sound stage size, the XS is in a league of its own. It’s better than most headphones, regardless of price, though.
The Hifiman XS is one of the better deals in headfi currently, but the FT3 offers a different sound, albeit not with quite the same level of detail. I think they are worthy competitors and personally, I prefer the tuning of the FT3.
- Amazon: Edition XS
Read my full review here
Image Copyright: The Headphoneer
SENNHEISER HD660S2 vs. FT3
Launched in 2023, the HD660S2 succeeds the discontinued HD660S, continuing the legacy of the HD600 and HD650, which remain in production. It features a 38mm dynamic driver, rated at 300 Ohms.
When it comes to the sound signature, the HD660S2 has a warmer, more midrange focused sound, while the FT3 has comparably more bass and highs.
The FT3 not only has more treble quantity but also better quality, giving it a cleaner and airier sound, though it can occasionally be a bit bright, especially with the hybrid pads. The HD660S2, however, arguably has better treble dynamics, being more articulate despite its warmer tonality.
As mentioned, the HD660S2 excels in the midrange, with better timbre and dynamics, consistently bringing the mids forward. The FT3 has a great midrange too, but the Sennheiser’s is something special, like its predecessors.
While the HD660S2 has quite good bass quality and delivers better bass than its older siblings, it rolls off in the lowest regions. The FT3 goes much deeper, and has a more detailed and dynamic bass presentation.
The FT3 also offers a wider, deeper soundstage with better imaging, and generally comes off as more detailed.
The Sennheiser HD660S2 is more contingent on finding the right amplifier pairing. If interested you can read my dedicated comparison review where I go in depth with regards to amplification, see here.
- Amazon: Sennheiser HD660S2
Image Copyright: The Headphoneer
FiiO FT1 vs. FT3
Unlike the FT3, the FT1 is a closed-back design, featuring solid walnut ear cups and a 60mm dynamic driver with a nano-wood fiber composite diaphragm. It’s impedance is 32 ohms. I have done a separate review of the FT1, and I must say it is a stunning performer, especially considering the low price.
Despite differences in driver design and housing construction, the FT3 and FT1 share a similar sound signature. The treble is similarly tuned and comes off as equally detailed. The midrange is slightly lusher and fuller on the FT3, though the difference is not huge. Both headphones offer excellent detail in the midrange.
Although the FT3 has good bass, the FT1 mostly is a tad better, with slightly better definition and extension. Depending on the track, the FT1 also offers more bass quantity.
The FT3 features a more open soundstage, with greater width and height. In contrast, the FT1 provides better depth and generally even better instrument separation and imaging. When it comes to timbre and tonality, however, I more often than not find myself preferring the FT3.
- Amazon: FT1
You can read my full comparison review here.
Image Copyright: The Headphoneer
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
Starting with the FT3 equipped with suede pads, I find the sound signature to lean towards neutral with a slight warmth and a touch of richness. The midrange has a pleasing warmth, while the bass is full-bodied, particularly in the midbass, without overwhelming the overall balance. The highs are clear and well-present, though not overly sharp or crisp, contributing to a smooth and enjoyable listening experience.
With the hybrid pads, the treble gets brighter and crisper, and the midrange and bass are not as full, relatively speaking.
Treble
The FT3 with the suede pads has a present, articulate, and nicely detailed treble. It’s more resolved than, e.g., the HD660S2, but not as much as the Hifiman XS.
With the hybrid pads, the FT3 gets a clearer and brighter treble with a higher sense of detail, but I have experienced occasional, annoying sibilance with, e.g., the vocals on “Smile” by Pearl Jam.
There’s a tendency to sibilance on those tracks with the suede pads too if you listen for it, but it’s within what’s to be expected and not annoying.
Midrange
The midrange of the FT3 with suede pads is slightly warmer than neutral, especially since it gets some help from the nicely elevated mid-bass. I like the FT3 midrange tonality with both pads and find that the midrange is the part that changes the least when swapping pads on the FT3, but it sounds a little clearer with the hybrid pads. Even though the midrange is a bit warmer sounding than onthe Hifiman XS, it’s not as warm sounding as the Sennheiser HD660S2.
I prefer the tonality of the FT3’s midrange to the Hifiman XS, but it’s not as delicious as the HD660S2. In terms of resolution, it’s more detailed than the Sennheiser, but not quite as detailed as the XS.
Bass
The FT3 has very good bass quality. It is not all flat; there’s a lift in the mid-bass , especially noticeable with the suede pads. The FT3 gets a bit tighter and less meaty sounding, but not as linear, tight, and textured as the Hifiman XS, which is a planar magnetic after all. Compared to the HD660S2, however, the FT3 is better, both in quantity and quality.
Soundstage and Imaging
The FT3 with the suede pads has a good and open soundstage. It isn’t class-leading; the Hifiman XS is significantly more spacious, but this is mainly because the XS has a huge soundstage by any standard, not because the FT3 isn’t good.
Imaging capabilities are decent; it’s not the strongest side of the FT3. Especially image depth is better on, e.g., FiiO FT1.
Putting on the hybrid pads, the FT3 gets a bigger soundstage and more precise imaging.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
With the suede pads, the FT3 has good detail, but the hybrid pads give even more clarity, albeit not as detailed as the Hifiman XS. That being said, I think the FT3 does better than many of the competitors in this price range (e.g. HD660S2), even with the suede pads.
The FT3 are dynamic-sounding headphones that can throw a punch when needed. Compared to the HD660S2 , it’s more dynamic in the bass but less so in the mids and maybe also the highs. Compared to the XS, it’s quite similar, although they’re differently tuned. In terms of microdynamics—the articulation of details—I find the XS to be better.
AMPLIFICATION
An advantage of the higher impedance of the FT3 is that 350 ohms normally goes much better with amplifiers with high output impedance, especially OTL tube amps. It certainly sounds great with my Woo WA2, better than with most solid state options. The Sparkos Labs Gemini hybrid tube amp is also excellent; in my experience, it also sounds very good with higher impedance cans.
In contrast, I find the Topping A90 to sound a bit flatter than many of the alternatives. The Mytek Liberty Amp also doesn’t sound its best with the FT3. The Monolith THX AAA 887 does a better job, and the Schiit Magni Heretic is surprisingly good, Fiio’s own K5 does an excellent job considering the price. So does the Rebel Amp. My favourite solid state amp is the he Bryston BHA-1, but it’s not by a large margin, and it certainly doesn’t defend it’s massively higher price, in this case.
Image Copyright: The Headphoneer
CONCLUSION
FiiO undoubtedly made a strong debut in the headphone market with the FT3. Its detailed sound and slightly lush signature make for an enjoyable listening experience. Within its price range, the FiiO FT3 stands out as one of the top performers.
Thanks for reading. You can support us by purchasing anything using any of our affiliate links:
- Amazon here: FiiO FT3
Any purchase you make on Amazon or Linsoul with any of our affiliate links will give us a small provision at no cost to you.
We only get a provision for items that are not returned, so there’s no incentive for us to recommend something that’s not good.
Linsoul : Headphones, Earbuds, Wireless Earbuds, Desktop DAC/AMP, Portable DAC/AMP, Digital Audio Players,
Amazon: Headphones, IEMs, Headphone Amplifiers, Home Audio or Anything else.
.
If you enjoyed this article or other content on The Headphoneer, you might consider leaving a small donation to keep this website up and running. No donation is too small. Thanks for supporting us!
If you like our work please follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter , it will help us grow. Sharing is caring 🙂
