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

[@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.

[@CoffeeGameMovie]

I love mine too, using it with the suede pads as the sound is fuller this way and just very warm, calm, like a better HD650. Its actually good sounding with 2 pad setts for different signatures, i think reviewers have to appreciate more the excellent build quality and accessories. I lot of expensive HPs coming with shitty cables and with not too good quality materials, fiio doesnt.

[@dtz1000]

This is one of the few reviews I actually agree with. It does sound a bit hollow to me, especially compared to my favourites, the Aune AR5000. I can see where he's coming from too when he says they could be good for gaming. It does have an explosive sound to it that fits with gaming.

[@martincassidy8581]

I wonder if the case fits into the bag for protection maybe !!!

[@MasterMarslander]

@martincassidy8581 I tried it briefly and it was really cumbersome. The case itself is more than you need anyway, super nice. I imagine the bag is more for if the case it too big to put into your luggage or something.

[@calvinyip364]

Pls review aune ar5000

[@bobbastian760]

When did headphones become singular? 😂

[@MasterMarslander]

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

[@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.

[@AlexandreCunha-b5v]

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]

@@AlexandreCunha-b5v 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.