There is no doubt — Fiio’s FT1 Professional are the very best planar headphones underneath $300

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 a great worth made the product the plain alternative within the sub-$300 class, they usually nonetheless maintain up nicely.

That mentioned, there are many nice selections obtainable at the moment; Sivga’s Luan is a good possibility at $299, and Fiio is displaying that it could 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 a number of months in the past, and all three fashions stand out in their very own means.

With the FT1 Professional, it is clear that Fiio took all of its learnings within the final two years to create a product that actually 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 state of affairs. Even then, they seem to be a respectable worth when you think about simply how good they sound.

The FT1 Professional share an analogous aesthetic as the remainder of their siblings, and whereas you aren’t getting 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 a great job with the suede headband lining and liberal utilization of metal within the building of the headphones.

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The headscarf permits for a great 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 is not any scorching spot whereas utilizing the FT1 Professional. The pads are barely angled, they usually match nicely.

The FT1 Professional join by way of 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 straightforward to take the FT1 Professional anyplace.

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 totally 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 stability; the bass is not fairly as vibrant, however you continue to get loads of vigor, and the change to planar drivers means the bass transient is quicker. In case you predominantly hearken to bass-heavy music, I might nonetheless counsel the FT1 — they’re designed to have a weighty low-end — however if you need a impartial sound whereas nonetheless getting respectable bass, the FT1 Professional are the best way to go.

Mid-bass is tight and targeted, 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 gratifying. That is the place the FT1 Professional come into their very own, and the sound high quality is much like the HD6XX however with the good thing about planar drivers.

There is a good sense of airiness with the treble, however you aren’t getting any harshness or sibilance, which is sweet. The soundstage is certainly 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 after I switched to a conveyable supply. So if you happen to’re eyeing these, I might counsel utilizing an amp that has a good quantity of energy. It is not that they are onerous to drive, however you will must good supply to unlock the total potential of the sound.

General, 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 a great possibility if you need a planar headset on a funds.