FiiO FT5 Review - Planar Mafia Approved 👀

Get the FT5 (affiliated): bit.ly/FiiOFT5
Get the FT5 (Amazon Store / Non-affiliated link): www.amazon.com/FiiO-FT5-Audio...
Video Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:43 - Package Contents
02:17 - Build Quality & Comfort
04:06 - Tech Inside
05:44 - Sound Performance
08:46 - Tonality
10:02 - Dynamics
11:58 - Soundstage
14:37 - Bass
15:19 - Midrange
16:02 - Treble
16:43 - Wrapping Up
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Desktop headphones I’m using:
🎧 Hifiman Susvara: bit.ly/3a39pm2
🎧 Hifiman HE1000SE: bit.ly/3gwkXRW
🎧 Hifiman Arya Stealth: bit.ly/3HORBss
🎧 Audeze LCD-5: bit.ly/3nb5KbD
🎧 Audeze LCD-4: bit.ly/35LFYAK
🎧 Kennerton Rognir: bit.ly/3zD1IxT
🎧 Meze Elite: bit.ly/3RPojys
🎧 Erzetich Phobos V2021: bit.ly/3HMWBhf
🎧 Sennheiser HD800S: amzn.to/3T5FX2J
🎧 Sendy Peacock: bit.ly/3EyZxQf
🎧 Apos Caspian: bit.ly/3nab1QO
Wireless headphones I’m using:
🎧 Sennheiser Momentum 4: amzn.to/3CodrCc
🎧 Sony WH1000XM5: amzn.to/3RUfQKu
🎧 Apple AirPods Max: amzn.to/3rGHQqr
IEMs I’m using:
👂 7Hz Timeless: bit.ly/3q7RNgm
👂 Meze Rai Penta: bit.ly/3j2EhVa
👂 FiiO FH9: bit.ly/3zSWka5
👂 FiiO FH7S: bit.ly/3fYOgi9
👂 FiiO FD7: bit.ly/3nEqw4h
Loudspeakers I’m using:
🔊 KEF Reference 3: amzn.to/3qZKbMm
🔊 Natural Sound NS17: bit.ly/2TuUXx3
🔊 Sound Of Eden Crescendo UNO: bit.ly/3f5jO1X
Integrated/Power Amps I’m using:
💪 Chord Electronics Ultima 5: amzn.to/3CLWVxi
💪 Burson Timekeeper 3X GT: amzn.to/3Ext5hm
💪 Benchmark AHB2: amzn.to/37jcR9M
💪 Topping LA90: bit.ly/3SPThbj
Best DACs I tried so far (in no particular order):
🥇 Gustard R26 Discrete: bit.ly/3TemlZP
🥇 Gustard X26 PRO: bit.ly/2ORB7Ko
🥇 Chord Electronics DAVE: amzn.to/3Tbs2aY
🥇 Denafrips Terminator Plus: bit.ly/3rLr35m
🥇 Rockna Wavelight: bit.ly/3hD33xl
🥇 Audiobyte HydraVox: bit.ly/2VXJjZM
🥇 Musician Aquarius: bit.ly/2U9qwwT
🥇 Matrix Audio Element X2: bit.ly/3Eryerb
🥇 Matrix Audio X-Sabre 3: bit.ly/34oBFyG
🥇 SMSL VMV D2: bit.ly/3q9lIF7
Best Mid-Fi DACs:
🥈 Gustard X18: bit.ly/3CMcJ2W
🥈 Gold Note DS-10 Plus: bit.ly/3f7pYie
🥈 Topping D90SE: bit.ly/3gC5FcO
🥈 Musician Pegasus: bit.ly/2OvCOgn
🥈 Matrix Mini-i Pro 3: bit.ly/3t97FkN
🥈 SMSL SU-10: bit.ly/3Eq9jEm
🥈 SMSL VMV D1SE: bit.ly/3nbaTjT
🥈 SMSL M500 MKIII: bit.ly/3yvztl8
🥈 Soncoz SGD1: bit.ly/36IUQ5r
Best Entry-Level DACs:
🥉 Gustard X16: bit.ly/3SQr6ZL
🥉 Topping D30 PRO: bit.ly/3taPWcE
🥉 Topping E50: bit.ly/3q9e6CE
🥉 Topping D10S: bit.ly/3r1hWNh
🥉 SMSL DO200 MKII: bit.ly/3elkZO4
🥉 SMSL SU-9N: bit.ly/32U7qj3
🥉 Soncoz LA-QXD1: bit.ly/3gf8ONt
Best DAC + Headphone Amp combos:
🎶 Burson Conductor 3X GT: amzn.to/2xcfSKx
🎶 FiiO K9 PRO: bit.ly/3ejKRd3
🎶 Topping DX7 PRO+: bit.ly/3rH6siH
🎶 xDuoo XA-10: bit.ly/39UsS7K
Best Headphone amps:
💣Trafomatic Primavera: bit.ly/3Co8wAZ
💣Trafomatic Head2: bit.ly/3VdNrC1
💣Enleum AMP-23R: bit.ly/3CV2QQN
💣Ferrum OOR + Hypsos: bit.ly/3tbjNSn
💣Burson Soloist 3X GT: bit.ly/3q7nrus
💣Flux Lab Acoustics Volot: bit.ly/3fJegep
💣Benchmark HPA4: bit.ly/2xb6hn5
💣Sparkos Labs Aries: bit.ly/2xcOps1
💣SMSL SP400: bit.ly/3sAUEO2
💣Topping A90 Discrete: bit.ly/2YBwCnZ
💣Singxer SA-1: bit.ly/3eI6aCC
Best USB Dongles & Bluetooth DAC/Amps & Portable DAC/Amps:
📱 Chord Mojo2: amzn.to/3fWXYkM
📱 FiiO BTR7: bit.ly/3fJUhij
📱 Shanling UA5: bit.ly/3yuksQR
📱 xDuoo Poke II: bit.ly/3CIewWO
📱 Topping G5: bit.ly/3Evjs2p
Best DAPs:
🎵 Hiby RS8: bit.ly/41VQEtL
🎵 Hiby RS6: bit.ly/3t9mUKw
🎵 Hiby R5 MKII: bit.ly/3KSqiyE
🎵 Hiby RS2: bit.ly/3EgakPb
🎵 FiiO M17: bit.ly/34pgo84
🎵 FiiO M11 Plus: bit.ly/3Ew0l8K
🎵 Shanling M9 Plus: bit.ly/48AlquC
🎵 Shanling M7: bit.ly/3I9rldH
🎵 Shanling M6 Ultra: bit.ly/3RXGsKQ
These are my honest opinions in different categories. Some of them are affiliated links that help me manage this KZbin channel at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
#fiio #planar #headphones

[@Flavius7]

Headphone of the year 2023 for me WITHOUT ANY DOUBT. Accessories, details, price, design...GREAT PACKAGE. FIIO managed THEIR VERY BEST for the price and I'm sure that was the plan from the beginning.

[@nusu5331]

one of the best ft5 reviews i have seen, thank you!

[@Soundnews]

Thank you 🤜🤛

[@Untilitpases]

Perfect review. Keep the graphs coming. Especially when you showed a distortion graph I knew I had to sub!

[@Firebottleman]

I purchased a pair this morning about 6 hours before this video was published. I had bought a pair of Edition XS, but had to return them. They were just way too big for the size of my noggin. The new FT-5s will be powered by my Fiio K7 in balanced mode. It should do ok for now. I've been waiting for a set of planars with real bass that are smoother up top. I could not pass them up. Thank you for a great review once more. Keep them coming! God bless.

[@tradehut2782]

How is it?

[@Firebottleman]

I just ordered them this morning.@@tradehut2782

[@Untilitpases]

Let us know how the 2 compared.

[@Firebottleman]

Will do. Looking forward to comparing them both.@@Untilitpases

[@Untilitpases]

​@@Firebottleman did you receive them? Any chance for a quick comparison? Thanks man

[@danjones7561]

Always superb photos and colors. Is that your primary job?

[@Soundnews]

Thank you, www.soundnews.net and this KZbin channel are my only jobs since April 2019 ;)

[@kermeetton]

Thank you for the review! Do you think it's worth it buying a Fiio amp for these, will it ensure some special synergy? I'm looking at Fiio Q15, do you think it will be able to do justice to FT5? Thanks in advance!

[@Soundnews]

There won't be a special synergy between a FiiO DAC/Amp and these FT5, but if you want my personal opinion: I won't go with the Q15, I would go with their desktop K9 AKM or with the regular K9 (ESS).

[@kermeetton]

@@Soundnews Thank you so much!

[@revan.3994]

Hello and thank you very very much for your insights! Which headphone amplifier would you recommend especially for the FT5 in the 500-1000 Euro class? ...or would the new FiiO M23 portable DAP, with it's ability to output 1000mW + 1000mW (2 channel) when powered with a 30W USB-C fast charger be enough?

[@alessandroparma6297]

Fiio K9 pro or FiiO R7 that are a ESS SABRE flasghip DAC + THX 788+ Amp

[@Rob1966x]

Hi, I have the sheneisser HD 660s with the IFI Audio NEO iDSD 2. Would it improve with the ft5?

[@alessandroparma6297]

Yes, i have both of them and compared to HD660s, FT5 is a huge upgrade for sure

[@mcnaugha]

Do you think these will be ok with the FiiO KA17? It has desktop mode.

[@Soundnews]

KA17 should be enough for loud SPLs (90-100 dB), but for crazy impactful dynamics? I'm not to sure.

[@bestcocbaseswithlink5069]

Great review overall! Fiio said in its website that it is has such a low impedance and high sensitivity that it could be driven from even a smartphone or laptops headphone jack. Have you tried it? Is this true?

[@alessandroparma6297]

It's true, but at cost to sacrifice dynamics, bass resolution, and details. They deserve a good dac and amp to shining like a crazy diamond.

[@gabrielcolaco1094]

Greatly appreciate the through review! Im between buying this or the ananda nano. I have to say that my prefered sound signature is generally a warm, inviting, relaxed and just easy to listen to for long hours without fatigue. Has anyone had any experience with one/both the ananda nano and the ft5, and can share some thoughts that could help me. Any help would be appreciated.

[@alessandroparma6297]

i had experience with FT5 and edition XS... after tried both of them, i decided to give back the edition XS and keep the FT5. the FT5 sound signature is just warm, more funny with a really good punchy and detailed bass, natural and detailed, relaxed and just easy to listen to for long hours without fatigue than the edition XS. Edition XS have only a more soundstage, and a bit more sparkling treeble response, that you could have the same rendering in treeble region with the leather pads on the FT5, but overall more controlled and balanced. in addition to this, there is something to add that the hifiman edition XS need more juice and without a good balanced cable ( not included ), it sounds really "meh"

[@cimen9793]

do you prefere fiio ft5 or hifiman edition xs for soundstage and imaging?

[@Soundnews]

Stretch your budget a little and get the Ananda Nano, better than both tonality wise and it's also the biggest sounding headphone I've experienced at around ~$500.

[@YTjuanchicod]

The new gustard H26 is out

[@Soundnews]

Thanks for letting me know

[@TheMaurob1979]

Hi..in your opinion how this stack compare to hifiman xs?thanks

[@alessandroparma6297]

i had experience with FT5 and edition XS... my source is a FiiO K9 PRO ESS . after tried both of them, i decided to give back the edition XS and keep the FT5. the FT5 sound signature is just warm, more funny with a really good punchy and detailed bass, natural and detailed, relaxed and just easy to listen to for long hours without fatigue than the edition XS. Edition XS have only a more soundstage, and a bit more sparkling treeble response, that you could have the same rendering in treeble region with the leather pads on the FT5, but overall more controlled and balanced. in addition to this, there is something to add that the hifiman edition XS need more juice and without a good balanced cable ( not included ), it sounds really "meh"

[@TheMaurob1979]

@@alessandroparma6297 i also drive edition xs eith fiio k9 and a tripowin balanced cable...pretty happy with the result..but till now havent try thr ft5

[@Soundnews]

XS is an extraordinary headphone if you like your sound big and spacious, but FT5 is more of a "daily driver" headphone. Everything works on them and most importantly - no brightness and listening fatigue.

[@markhogquist2000]

So daps aren't really an option with these? Fiio markets them as easy to drive, but I don't want them if they're not going to sound full, or sound thin. I was really looking forward to trying them. I have a Shanling M8 and M6 Ultra. Maybe I'll grab the Fiio K9 AKM in the near future, but I was hoping to get away from desktop gear and stay strictly portable.

[@revan.3994]

I wish I had an answer for you, but I'm exactly looking for the same... A portable DAP which can not only drive the FT5, but hopefully also brings out it's strength. Please anyone, is there a recommendation?

[@markhogquist2000]

@@revan.3994 Most every review I've seen states they're best with desktop gear. Best bets would probably be the Fiio M15s or new M24... Maybe the Ibasso dx260.

[@revan.3994]

@@markhogquist2000 thanks! I just was looking at the new M23 with 1000mW (x2) in USB-C powered ultra high gain mode... Might also be enough? ...but I'll have a look at the M24 then, you say it's also new... Thanks again for your input!

[@markhogquist2000]

@@revan.3994 No problem. I'd be looking for something that has at least a full watt per channel. Let me know what ya get and how it turns out 👍

[@ramza102]

FT5 vs LCD-2C?

[@quadrannilator]

If you had to pick 3 amps from your collection which you actually tested, which one would be able to drive the FT5 to their full potential? (Maybe cap the price tag to 5k dollars.)

[@Soundnews]

Flux Lab Acoustics Mentor would be MORE than enough for these

[@quadrannilator]

@@Soundnews Thank you! Any other note worthy synergies?

[@Soundnews]

@@quadrannilator Aune S17 PRO (if you have some space around it for a nicer hear dissipation). I can recommend pricier amps (Burson Voyager, Enleum AMP-23R), but those would be overkill for FT5

[@quadrannilator]

@@Soundnews Thank you very much... You Being a fellow audiophile, especially someone who has tested the entire spectrum of performance of audio devices, I am sure you'd understand the desire that even if things like the 23R maybe overkill price wise, but if they make your gear shine, then you'd ideally want it!

[@Soundnews]

@@quadrannilator The absolute best solid state headphone amplifier, IMO it's still the AMP-23R, there is something about it that others didn't replicate yet and the best tube amp I've tried is still the Trafomatic Primavera with the right tubes. Both are pricier than 5K, but man...these sound like being on cloud 9 all the time when helped by a world class DAC and streamer.

[@wahid-lg1kk]

Why do these, and most headphones, have only 3.5 mm inputs on the set, only 3pole? Putting a balanced adaptor on the other end does not give balanced result in headphone, just more power.. It's just putting the ground to a common ground again first.

[@aceofspades6667]

Looks interesting for a budget set