Today, we will review and test the unique FiiO FT1 closed-back headphones, which have beautiful, natural, solid wood inserts in the earcups. The presence of wooden elements in electronic devices has always signified premium quality to us. It has always been impressive – and expensive. We remember when Philips released a series of mahogany-cased televisions that cost as much as a car. The same was true for audio products – vinyl players, cassette and CD decks, amplifiers, and wooden speakers immediately stood out. Of course, headphones, an important part of the music and audio world, were also affected by this trend.
Today, well-known manufacturers have wooden headphone models in their catalogs. American brands Audeze and Grado, Japanese brands Audio-Technica, Denon, and Fostex, and the European brand Meze come to mind immediately. Wood finishes are now used not only in full-size headphones but also in in-ear ones.
Of course, Chinese manufacturers, particularly the well-known company FiiO, did not remain on the sidelines. Despite the fact that they introduced their first full-size model, the FiiO FT3, just a year and a half ago, they have expanded their catalog in this short time to include the FiiO JT3, FiiO FT5, FiiO FT1 PRO, and more. Most recently, they introduced the next full-size and first wooden FiiO FT1. Not only is the FT1 design distinguished by its wooden elements, but these are also the first full-size closed headphones from FiiO. These headphones are attractive for both their design and price. So, what does the new, beautiful FiiO FT1 offer? Let's start our review of the FiiO FT1 and take a look at these headphones' specifications!
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Best Price on FiiO FT1
The FiiO FT1 stand out in their price segment as well-built headphones with strong bass, smooth midrange, and premium aesthetics paired with a solid accessory package. |
Classic Package
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FiiO didn't create special packaging for its new full-size headphones. Instead, they used a thin, black cardboard outer sleeve. The sleeve features a photo of the headphones, the model name, and the Hi-Res Audio certification logo. Inside is a black, thick cardboard box containing a hard case. According to FiiO, the FT1 comes with a "Premium headphone storage bag", which is hard to disagree with. The case is covered in synthetic fabric, and its shape and color resemble a nut. This is not surprising since walnut wood is used for the headphones' finish. The well-made case has a zipper and is decorated with the company's metal emblem. It also has a loop handle for easy transport. Note that the case is carefully sized to fit the headphones. This means you have to disconnect the cable from the ear cups every time you use it, but that's not a problem.
Opening the case reveals the FiiO FT1 and its accessories. The set includes two cables. The first is an unbalanced cable with a straight 3.5 mm (1/8") mini-jack. The second is a balanced cable with a 4.4 mm jack. This time, FiiO has moved away from the system of interchangeable plugs and includes two cables with fixed jack connectors.
The cable's main conductor material is oxygen-free, silver-plated copper with 392 wires total (24AWG thickness). The cables are covered with a fabric sheath and a rubber tie. Each cable is about 1.5 meters long (4.9 ft). Ideally, we would like to see an unbalanced cable that is 3 m long for stationary use and a balanced cable that is half that length for portable use. Of course, these are just our personal preferences. The set also includes a 3.5-mm-to-6.3-mm (1/8" to 1/4") jack adapter and quick start guide. The cables are of medium thickness, relatively soft, and it does not tangle easily. Overall, we were impressed with the FiiO FT1 set. We especially like the hard case, which is excellent quality. We would give the set a score of 9/10. If the set had included replaceable ear pads, we would have given it a score of 11/10!
The main feature of the FiiO FT1 design is undoubtedly the use of American black walnut wood for the ear shells. This wood is renowned for its elegant and delicate appearance and is used to craft high-end products such as yachts, luxury cars, and custom-made special furniture. Using walnut for the earphones adds to the FT1's visual appeal and makes each pair unique thanks to its distinctive pattern. According to FiiO, a light-colored version of the FT1 exists, which uses native Chinese beech wood instead of North American walnut. Natural materials not only look aesthetically pleasing but also improve the acoustic properties of headphones by suppressing sound distortions.
The structure of the ear pads, which consist of two parts, is also well thought out. The side parts are made of black protein leather. The part that comes into direct contact with the ear is covered with a textile material that allows air to pass through, preventing the ears from overheating, a common issue with closed-back type of headphones. As aptly noted on the FiiO website, "Say goodbye to stuffiness."
The top of the headband is covered with a material that resembles eco-leather. Beneath that is velour that feels nice to the touch. The wide, adjustable headband has 12 fixed positions. The ear cups can rotate 35 degrees horizontally and 45 degrees vertically. Thanks to their design, the ear cups adapt well to each listener's head and ears. The large size of the ear pads allows them to fit snugly over the ears, which has a positive effect on passive noise isolation.
The FiiO FT1s are not the lightest full-size headphones at 340 grams. However, the correct weight distribution, thoughtful design, and tactile-friendly earpad material eliminate discomfort. Nevertheless, it is advisable to take breaks from listening after a certain period of time, as the closed design and increased weight can start to take their toll (of course, this varies from person to person).
We had no complaints about the headphones' ergonomics. They are quite comfortable, and we can only praise FiiO in this regard. Three members of our SoundGale editorial team tested the headphones and their ergonomics, and none of them had any problems. This is quite rare, as our employees are usually quite picky and demanding when it comes to audio equipment.
According to FiiO, wood was used to make more than just the ear cups of the FT1. It was also used in the form of nanofibers in the diaphragm. However, this wood is different – it's select 90-year-old Northern European spruce, which is used to make musical instruments and is known for its clear, natural sound. When we see wooden headphones, we subconsciously imagine an energetic, emotional sound with warm notes, which is best suited for "live" music. Do the FT1s fit my idea of sound? Most likely, yes. For this test, we used a Denon Ceol N10 stationary player and a FiiO M15S player and connected them to our Apple laptop.
FiiO developers strive to strike a balance between technicality and musicality for most of their audio products. The FT1 follows the same path. The only difference is that musicality takes center stage, which I consider a positive, as there are already plenty of good monitor models in this price range. The FT1s are closed-back models that offer a relatively spacious soundstage in which instruments are well positioned and do not overlap. The depth of the soundstage is quite good, with an attempt to reproduce the lowest frequencies.
Bass. The bass feels powerful and deep. Although it is not fast, it is well controlled, so there is no rumbling. The FT1 lacks low frequencies, but they are delivered tightly and are not muddy. Depending on the composition, all this adds drive when listening through headphones. The FiiO FT1 effectively conveys the vibrations of wooden instruments, such as the double bass and drums. We can't remember the last time we felt the urge to nod our heads to the beat of classic rock and sunny reggae while listening on headphones. But with the FT1, that's exactly what happened.
Midrange. We liked this range the most in the FiiO FT1 headphones. It is dynamic and full-bodied with a pleasant quality that demonstrates the tonal richness and depth of the compositions. Fortunately, the so-called "warmth" does not dominate the FT1; it doesn't turn the music into a continuous stream of blended sounds. The midrange is relatively clear, intelligible, and textured. It can immerse you in an atmosphere of pleasant impressions and convey the emotions of the performers and the natural sound of the instruments.
Treble. This range is delivered cleanly but without deliberate brightness or energy. The headphones lean more towards the macro side, so the high frequencies are not overly detailed. At the same time, however, the high frequencies are transmitted clearly, distinctly, and dynamically. For most listeners, we can assume that the high-frequency tuning of the FT1 will not be a critical factor in their overall impression of the headphones.
Last year, we reviewed the FiiO JT1, calling them pleasant headphones for listening to music but not for working with sound. The new FiiO FT1 continues this trend, building on it. According to the FiiO developers, the FT1 is the art of sound. Our overall impression of the sound quality of this headphone model is very positive. Considering their price, they rival headphones in the $200–$250 range. And if you are looking for headphones for professional audio work, FiiO has an excellent solution in the form of the FiiO FT1 Pro planar magnetic headphones, which we have also reviewed in detail.
Finally, we've reached the end of our FiiO FT1 review, so it's time to summarize the results. FiiO continues to actively develop its full-size headphone segment by experimenting with technologies and designs. The FiiO FT1 model boasts a unique appearance, excellent ergonomics, high-quality craftsmanship, a generous set of accessories, and an affordable price, thanks to its wooden construction. Additionally, the FT1 has a rich sound palette. These headphones are a versatile tool for listening to music. They are specifically designed for listening to music with decent detail, dynamics, and emotional expression. We definitely recommend checking them out, and we can even recommend buying them blind without hesitation.
We hope you enjoyed our review of the FiiO FT1 closed-back headphones. Please feel free to leave your comments, questions, and suggestions in the section below. We will be happy to answer them all as soon as possible. If you own the FT1 and have used it for a while, please share your impressions and tell us what you liked or disliked about these headphones.
Pros
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Cons
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8.7
/10
Our Score
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