Fiio FT1 Headphone Review - This Hype Train Might Be On the Right Track

[@fishbarbeque8540]

When it FIRST came out, I knew you would get the light brown one!!!!! great review, I hope you review the Isvarna!

[@husamalden2897]

Since the 1980s, the Beyerdynamic DT770 has been, and remains, one of the best price-to-performance headphones. But can we say the FT1 has dethroned the DT770?

[@laLakshya]

770 is way too bright in a bad way. This is way better

[@MinghaoLi-c7d]

Looking forward to the FT7!

[@JTB--]

I snagged the Walnut FT1 early on. For $150 Bucks I doubt there is a better value than the FT1. Wood Cups, 4.4 cable, Case. The HD 560S when on sale for $150 is another steal at that price. I'll be curious to hear the FT1 Pro now. Not on Amazon yet

[@wavetheorysound]

Agreed. Remarkable value.

[@stevendavis1135]

You know what we are all waiting for wave. Just go ahead and drop that arya unveiled review man 😂

[@BilboTaybaggin]

all i need for a intro choo choo… darn it i don’t lived a train station anymore😤

[@Bootrosgali]

the same company dropping entry level benchmarks in both open and closed of this level of disruption simutaneouly deserves a special type of consumer award. Throw the K11 R2R dac in there too.

[@williambracken9339]

The Honest Audiophile called these a "headache waiting to happen" because he found the soundstage so narrow and forward. I don't understand how two good, straight-shooting and very experienced reviewers can be so far apart in their evaluation. Unit variation? Burn in? Differently shaped heads/ears?

[@ZoneZero253]

It isn’t narrow. A bit forward? Sure. But it’s clean.

[@SoundMike]

Maybe the slight aggression on the midrange that the professor commented upon bothered Dave more. I really respect his opinions also. But that is why I try to read or watch as many reviews as I can about something before buying. Everybody has a slightly different perspective on things. In this case however it has to kept in mind that this is at the end of the day an entry level headphone. As good as it may be.

[@wavetheorysound]

Your questions at the end mostly answer your own question, I think, with the exception that personal preferences also have a lot to do with it. I agree that Dave is a straight shooter so I don't question that that is his opinion. So it mostly is that the way the FT1 fits his combination of preferences, ear/head shape, and also source gear doesn't work for him. The unit variation thing I think we have to be careful on. I'm not saying that unit variation isn't real, but I'm also not sure that the hypothesis deserves the legs it gets in our hobby. There are rather rare instances where we know unit variation was a thing - early Audeze being an example because they told us directly they had unit variation problems in their early drivers. In fairness to Audeze, that ceased to be a major problem years ago. I have yet to see a systematic study that clearly shows that unit variation is one of the primary causes of disagreement between listeners. I'm wandering from the point a bit here but I'll also throw out that it amuses me a bit that we're in a hobby where we have a vocal group of people who simultaneously claim that things that are made to sound the same sound different and things that are made to sound different sound the same. That's off topic haha. Thanks for the view and comment. I appreciate it. Cheers.

[@Bootrosgali]

The word he used was "Cramped". And that's a you done me down and dirty descriptor for soundstage. Evocative.

[@TheVeganVicar]

@@williambracken9339 If everyone liked the same thing, they would make only ONE pair of headphones. 🎧

[@Cardas_Copper]

Great review. What do you think the next step up from the FT1 would be? Closed-back.

[@wavetheorysound]

I'd have to think about that...and I haven't heard ALL the options are there are just too many. The Senn HD620 is solid but probably is not quite the value proposition of FT1. Focal Elegia has the technicals but a wonky tuning. I would say be prepared to spend at least 2-3 integer multiples of the price of FT1 to get a meaningful closed back upgrade...and I don't say that kind of thing about gear very often.

[@max10hoop]

Probably the Focal Azurys, which is almost 4 times the price at $550

[@Bootrosgali]

And thats close. And down to a personal subjective preference​ , either or. If you couldnt return the Azurys i wouldnt even risk it.@max10hoop

[@TheVeganVicar]

Professor, thank you for another wonderful headphone review! 👌 Reverend Dr. Thomas, ✝️ The Vegan Vicar 🌱

[@wavetheorysound]

Always appreciate you Rev. Dr. 🍻

[@MrSaproling]

And it comes with a decent carrying case! I bought one a few month ago and they are great, but I do have a hot spot on the headband, and they don’t isolate that much for a close back. Still would recommend.

[@wavetheorysound]

Right! I didn't even mention the case 🤦‍♂A great value as a complete package for sure.

[@Bootrosgali]

My next HP after these , just to make sure, and be end game, will br Noire x.. Thhat the stepping stone for me.. Sony XM3, Shure 840a, Fiio FT1,,, Noire X... Im going to stick with FT1s for a year and enjoy how nice they are because i am aware of what better technicalities are like now,, from this over the Shures,, and knowing that the FT1s are very, very good,, im not gonna bother with being slightly more impressed for a year. So to be blown away again and call it a day. Noire X!

[@calvinyip364]

Pls review ft1 pro

[@Bootrosgali]

HERE WE GO LISTENING ON MY FT1 CHOCHOOOOOOOO

[@sidesup8286]

How do those compre to the HiFi Man 400i 2020 version, except for efficiency, which we all know is the HFM's weakness. According to the Old Guy hifi channel in his words the HiFi Man model in the video was "smoked" by the Fiio.

[@manrajdha]

How does this stack up against the Focal Radiance especially in the bass department? Would be great to hear your impressions... Cheers!

[@WakeUpB2P]

I really hope you will be abble to review the FT1 Pro later maybe

[@wavetheorysound]

I have one of those too. Still in the box but in the queue. Been a little busy lol.

[@WakeUpB2P]

​@@wavetheorysound Nice that you have one ! No worries i'll wait for it hope you enjoy whatever make u busy :)

[@dustydynasty802]

Do you recommend the FT1 over the Hifiman Re-10D that’s discounted to $200 now?

[@AryanC130]

Review the unveiled hps and fiio Ft5, if u can

[@vanapagan34]

We all strive for a better sound experience, at least those of us who think $150 is a reasonable price for headphones. Family members shake their heads even at the amount of money spent on these toys. I hope the f1 is an improvement over the ultrasone hfi580. And it matches the onix alpha. Unfortunately, living here in the woods, it is not possible to get a listening experience before buying and everything comes from the hype of the recommenders. I also listen mainly to metal, perhaps the heaviest sound on the planet. Some songs that help to clarify the sound assessment are Once Human-Scar Weaver and Harkla-The Living Mountain. I hope these ft1 headphones don't sound more clinical than the ultrasone. Greetings from the woods and if anyone has experience with these two headphones, let me know which one sounds better with these songs.

[@IrenESorius]

Bravo FiiO,, 👍‍‍😎👍‍‍ Thx Professor,, ✨❣🙏❣✨

[@ImiuCosta]

Please review FT1 Pro

[@nonchalantd]

Toot, toot!

[@wavetheorysound]

Would an actual train whistle sound effect be better? 😆

[@dominich.9745]

I bought the oak version first liked it so much I bought the beechwood version and then the FT1 Pro planar.These are proof positive that unless you are a self described “Audiophile” whatever that means,these are great cans and would suit most people who love headphones for listening to music instead using headphones to listen to equipment.I say all of this as a guy who owns over 35 cans and that has been a victim of chasing the hype myself.FIIO is making the case that you don’t have to spend 3k-8k for headphones.

[@Armand-v5c]

Mines still in a cargo boat

[@sunderlanddashcam]

at the price point, the people who it will attract will plonk these on there heads and think they are amazing. and they are not really wrong, are they ?

[@wavetheorysound]

they are not wrong

[@Bootrosgali]

Also the rest of the headphone builders with excuses also are a bit lucky to exist in a market that in general is hidden from the out and out audio consumer mass market. Because if this was on everyone's radar like the mass BT market these would be shaming the lot of them and the mass public would be putting two fingers up and everyone would be walking around in these after Xmas.

[@danielsamson9505]

👌👍

[@jcoate4925]

For the algo

[@danieleturrin5625]

Very impressive headphone. A 660S2 on tubes will be more natural and vibrant, but for a much higher price

[@danm203]

I find the FT1 shrill and sibilant on many poor recordings. Often pretty bad, actually. I tend to not listen to poorly recorded music when listening to headphones so not a problem. My old punk tunes etc are typically flowing out of speakers when I'm not critically listening.

[@sidesup8286]

The host says that some open back headphones could beat it around that price. Are open back generally clearer and flatter in frequency response? Then why bother with closed back. I understand there are certain situations that require aural isolation, but listening at home, which I assume is the main listening scenario for most; it sure would be an odd situation where you would need isolation. Except for isolation, which is possibly a rare occurence for most, what advanges if any, do closed back designs offer? Are there any ways tgey are superior? "Closed" is a good word for them, concerning soundstage.

[@danm203]

@sidesup8286 I have many open back headphones. Closed for me are needed when I'm in bed next to my wife and don't feel like using an iem. I'm also up earlier in the morning than my wife reading in an adjacent room and listening to music often. Again, for situations when I don't want to bother someone else AND I don't feel like having something stuck in my ear is the reason for a closed back for me personally. That being said, when I don't need that sound isolation, then I'm using open back.

[@planewreck4214]

Wave theory… I like your content but your recent videos are on products people won’t ever buy so it’s not engaging or relatable. This is a good start but plz start doing tierlist and more comparison video

[@sensoryexpanse]

What are you on about?

[@ZoneZero253]

Is this not an affordable set of headphones?

[@planewreck4214]

It is my opinion I am giving him construction criticism