(Built Tough, Sounds Rough) Fiio FT5 - Headphone Highlights

Fiio is no stranger to the audio world, and has already seen some success with their FT3 dynamic driver headphone. The new FT5 is Fiio's first attempt at a full size planar magnetic headphone. Can Fiio capture the success of the FT3, or maybe even surpass it? There's a lot of competition in the sub-$500 planar market, so Fiio better come into the ring swinging.
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Fiio FT5 (Apos Audio) - apos.audio/products/fiio-ft5-...
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Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:48 Build
2:59 Accessories
9:43 Comfort
12:44 Sound Performance
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#audiophile #headphones #reviews​ #fiioft5 ‪@FiiOOfficial‬

[@AlexanderMorokhovets]

Owning FT5 myself for some time now and seeing all these polarizing reviews and comments I can only explain it that these headphones are source picky. I'm listening via EF500 and they sound amazing(!). EF500 is nothing fancy, a mid-range dac-amp I guess. But "hollow"? HF early cutoff? It is like we're listening to different headphones. Have you tried leather pads? I've tried suede and immediately switched back to leather ones, they sound much more detailed and... overall better. "something missing in the midrange" - I can agree, but to a small degree, especially if you listen to EDM, instrumental jazz. My FT5s shine there.

[@MasterMarslander]

Very glad you enjoy them! I rad them on an A90D, so give it a clean as possible source. I did try the leather pads, and they do definitely offer more shimmer and shine in the high end that feels like more definition, but for the tracks I was listening to they were also making vocals overly shouty for my ears. I have an FT3 coming in soon that I'll do a direct comparison to the FT5, see how things might be different there.

[@calvinyip364]

Pls review aune ar5000

[@TheVeganVicar]

It cannot be worse than the FiiO JT-1. 😅

[@MasterMarslander]

Man, I've heard so many mixed things about the JT-1. I feel so cautious with that headphone.

[@yudhanjaya]

@@MasterMarslander I have a JT-1. It's actually a surprisingly competent headphone, but is ultimately very boring to listen to: it seems to do nothing very well, but everything at an average level (with some truly annoying metallic noises from that headband). It's decent if compared against a SHP9500, but otherwise so middle of the pack as to be characterless. Like you said here, it seems very easy to listen to but it's almost like there's something surprisingly shallow about the midrange. This is odd because their in-ears don't seem to suffer from this kind of tuning. I use the JT-1 on the PC as a general purpose headphone. Listening to your review right now through it.

[@user-qf7bm7wp8i]

I own one of those, they have a warm sound tho it could be better balanced, I think they shine better with EQ, without EQ it might be too much depending on your tastes. With some EQ they become very musical. Good comfort, good quality, laid back and musical sounds good to me and I bought it for 400€

[@MasterMarslander]

@@user-qf7bm7wp8i I have heard a few folks with similar sentiments regarding EQ. I've no doubt you could make them pretty nice with a good profile.

[@calvinyip364]

I have the jt1 imo within that price range it's quite decent compared to many others. And it's so damn comfortable too.

[@bobbastian760]

When did headphones become singular? 😂

[@MasterMarslander]

Audio nerds bend grammar and meaning to their will. Kind of like a really lame super power.