Fiio FT3 - Fiio's Attempt at a Headphone, Success or Flop? - Honest Audiophile Impressions

A BIG thanks to Apos Audio for providing the Fiio FT3 for review, much appreciated. First headphone from Fiio with a linear, analytical sound signature. How does it compare to the Audio-Technica R70x and the Sivga Luan?
Purchase:
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Chapters:
00:00 Intro/Specs
00:44 Box/Hi-Res Sticker/Accessories
02;40 Build/Design
03:33 Pads
04:55 Comfort
05:40 Source Pairing
07:28 Sonic Impressions
07:42 Bass
09:04 Mids
09:56 Treble
11:16 Technical Abilities
13:50 vs Audio-Technica R70x
14:44 vs Sivga Luan
15:20 Conclusion
16:25 Outro
I am not a professional sound engineer, producer, musician, or vocalist, etc. I have not done any scientific research, measurements, or in-depth testing of any kind; just my own listening, comparing and internet reading/research. I have limited, real-life experience with recording, mixing and mastering gear. I have been involved since my teenage years with various churches as an amateur sound booth technician.
Please take these thoughts, opinions and reasonings as just that, my honest audiophile thoughts, opinions and reasonings.
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[@zeta7643]

great review! could be great too a top headphones for movies

[@christophers.mosson6266]

Hi-Rez quality video as ever, Dave. 👍

[@johnsoriano3812]

Hi Rez is the bomb. Thanks for this, Dave

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

My pleasure, you're welcome.

[@SpiritualPsychotherapyServices]

😇 May God Bless You Always, David! 😇

[@svilenp]

👍👍

[@Hijynx87]

I have the 350ohm version, love it. 32ohm is different.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Glad you enjoy the FT3. I've not heard about a 32ohm variant.

[@towsifshahriarshovo]

In background we can see Verum 1. Have any plan to review them? Heard good things about that .

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Review coming soon

[@bestcocbaseswithlink5069]

Dave, how does the FT3 compare against Senn HD 6 series?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

FT3 has way more bass extension, impact, less mid forward presentation and treble is more extended. FT3 also has wider stage. Details and resolution are similar.

[@viderethevaccinatorfromhol7536]

Nice. I bought one months ago. Not enough time to gjve it a try. Yesterday my OLLO arrived. So I'm way behind 😂

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Awesome 💯 You've got some quality listening sessions upcoming. Enjoy.

[@Hijynx87]

It’s a good headphone, also great for games and movies.

[@sorcerermax5111]

Hi THA, how are ya doin, I just bought AKG K702, I need a suggestion from you for a good amp for it. Superb clarity, details, soundstage etc but two problems with it. Thin note weight and while the bass is very tight, not much extension or depth in bass. Running it off of a dongle Ibasso DC04 Pro for now which has like 125 mW in single ended

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Are you looking for a desktop amp? What would be the budget range?

[@sorcerermax5111]

@@TheHonestAudiophile Yes Desktop amp/dac stack or AIO, budget $300 and below, or just an amp is also fine without the DAC

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

@sorcerermax5111 I'm gonna suggest that you pair with something slightly warmer or tubes. The JDS Labs Element would be a good start but that might exceed the budget slightly. The iFi Zen DAC Signature V2 is another option that would pair nicely with it's warmer signature.

[@sorcerermax5111]

@@TheHonestAudiophile Thanks THA, I was also thinking that this headphone needs a warm full bodied sounding Dac/amp with good note weight but not sacrificing in the highs. Will check em out. The kind of bass this headphone has, if it only fully extended with full depth, it'll hit us in the chest but sad, doesn't extend at all lolz at least with my low powered Dongle for now. Thanks anyway THA, much appreciated

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

@sorcerermax5111 I look forward to hearing your impressions of what you pair it with. You're welcome. Glad to help, my pleasure.

[@aliens4143]

What would you recommend, the Audio-Technica R70x (or other AT), the Sivga Luan, the Fiio FT3 or the Hifiman Sundara? I had the Sundara, and liked it very much for many reasons, but... lost it. I would buy it again, but I wonder if there is something else for the price.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Depends on what your preference in sound is. If you prefer a Sundara then you'd probably like the Fiio FT5. The FT3, Luan and R70x aren't very similar sounding to the Sundara.

[@aliens4143]

@@TheHonestAudiophile I just like natural and overall audio quality.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

R70x has a wide stage with good tone and timbre but are a bit light and airy in note weight. Luan has slightly better note weight than R70x, good tone and timbre, little more bassy and not as wide stage. The FT5 is probably more up your preference than FT3 if the budget will allow. kzbin.info/www/bejne/amWrm3yQhph0bbssi=CiHA0PkmJmqV3tdW

[@shawnpwatsons1]

Dave would like this headphone used at $175 or the HarmonicDyne Athena at full price?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Different presentations. Athena is warmer, has thicker note weight, less treble elevation and extension, slight less detail and resolution. The FT3 is more neutral and analytical.

[@shawnpwatsons1]

@@TheHonestAudiophile Thanks my friend.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

@shawnpwatsons1 my pleasure, you're welcome

[@arthurhaywood2184]

Been rocking these since March. I would disagree with you about portable powering options. Mine do just fine with my A&Al Kann Alpha, FT7 and Q7. I also am not experiencing any of the sonic issue you’re describing. Curious….. I find the FT3 to be very Sennheiser 6 Series-like but with better bass extension. Maybe slightly more treble extension and better soundstage. Midrange is closed to but a touch less refined than on the Sennheiser’s but that may also be due to perception because of the better extension at both frequency extremes. They may be slightly overdamped and I consider the more of a semi open rather than open headphone. As a package, it a very good value.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Glad you enjoy the FT3. Thanks for the impressions.

[@carminedesanto6746]

GM ☕️

[@carminedesanto6746]

Pass …but a nice showing from Fiio 🙂

[@ImAWSMDanny]

Dave back at it again with an attempt on my wallet

[@henryksandomierski6797]

I wonder why YT reviewers (excl. Z) criticise FT3. For example it blows Senn HD6 out of the water, packaging is incredi le... OK, put Audeze or Focal branding on FT3 and all those "unpaid and honest" reviewers will go crazy and scream: best value headphones of all time

[@SnobAudiophile]

Huh? Dave is very honest & keeps things in perspective when it comes to brand names or price. Dave doesn't give 2 💩what brand name is on the box; he's honest 24/7/365.

[@thierryfaquet7405]

It’s just the reality of small channels. They just live with the "gifts" of some brands so they can’t really approve products outside of what they are allowed to say. The FT3 is indeed an excellent pair boxing way above its price.