Fiio PLANAR! Fiio FT5 review

[@TonkyTronicus]

I almost bought the FT5 a few months ago but ended up going with the Edition XS and never looked back.

[@SuperReview]

Edition XS pretty good.

[@JeroenNietDoen]

@@SuperReview For over a year now I've been trying to replace my Fidelio X2HR. I loved everything about that headphone except that the bass is a tad overdone and the bass/kicks don't come in that fast/punchy. I purchased an Edition XS because that came up a lot as suggestion as the perfect upgrade to the X2HR. I was pleased with the sound, detailing/imaging was so much better and the bass was exactly what I expected. However, I had a QC issue with a screw on the headband/earcup. Also the headband was uncomfortable for longer sessions (I do 6-8H sessions on weekends) and the headband even on it's lowest setting was too big (and I don't have a small head!), just didn't sat correctly on my ears. So I sold it. Now I've been searching for a while looking to replace that X2HR. I've tried a Drop HD6XX, that's not my taste at all. Now I was looking at the Fiio FT5, and I see you and other reviewers mentioning the Edition XS as being much better. Considering how I liked that Edition XS my questions is more like, what is an alternative for the Edition XS but without that terrible headband? Any suggestions?

[@arktez9307]

If you can compare them, why XS is better for you? I tested out both headphones and i can't decide.

[@marchuvfulz]

I think a headphone or IEM should sound good out of the box, with EQ for adjusting the tuning to what you personally prefer.

[@audio_tron]

This tracks. I easily preferred the FT3 over the FT5 when I heard them side-by-side at CJ.

[@SuperReview]

I haven't heard FT3 but just sniffed some graphs... and FT3 def looks more normal.

[@dtz1000]

Also doesn't sound as good as the Aune AR5000. Will try the FT3 next.

[@calvinyip364]

Pls review aune ar5000

[@dtz1000]

Definitely my favourite headphones ever. Try other KZbinrs as some of them have reviewed it now. Also the ASR website has a good review on that one.

[@MML66]

They are close in price, whichever one you think is better Edition XS vs FT5 I prefer FT3 because it has a dynamic driver, while this one has a level one, and I feel that dealing with it is more difficult and requires a company with more experience.

[@duchieu235]

how does the edition xs compare to the moondrop variations though? do headphones sound better than iems?

[@lewismackay9533]

Yes and no. It's all preference. $1000 headphones can sound better than $500 iems and vise versa. You can also find headphones and iems are the same price and some may prefer the iems and some may prefer headphones. There's no better or worse it's all down to the quality of the product and it's tuning. Then personal preference comes into it for people.

[@SuperReview]

I don't really like comparing headphones to IEMs on sound, I don't think it's helpful.

[@ricenoodles632]

I didn't like XS

[@dr3ifach]

It’s like the old saying: build quality, good price, or sound quality. Pick two.

[@SuperReview]

Or... pick HD 600 😏

[@dtz1000]

Aune AR5000 has all three.

[@joegarcia6276]

Are getting the new m23

[@SuperReview]

Mmm it's not high on my priorities, what's new about it that's interesting for you?

[@Opeth1483]

What can you recommend. I want something like hd650, but better 200-350 bucks....Thanks

[@dtz1000]

Aune AR5000. He refuses to review it for some reason, but other KZbinrs have reviewed it now. Best headphones I've ever tried and they beat several $1000+ headphones in my collection.

[@dtz1000]

I have the hd600 and the AR5000 is like that only clearer sounding and with more subbass, which is the big thing missing from the Sennheisers.

[@NightmareFactory830]

I've heard that the JT1, their 70 dollar headphone, is better than the rest of thier line. i ordered it last week and will receive it in a couple days

[@rajeebdas1724]

What do you drive the Edition XS off? I've been concerned about its power requirements.

[@SuperReview]

I wouldn't be concerned, I run it off everything from my DAPs to my MacBook.

[@sleepyrhythms6668]

Have you been getting a lot of sun lately?

[@ha31222]

Hi Mark, can you do the Tangzu Xuan Nv please? Wondering how it compares to the Hexa. Thanks in advance!

[@AlexandreCunha-b5v]

Thanks for the review! I would appreciate some words between this and the Sony MDR MV1. Searching for something with better bass and musical sounding without sacrificing too much detail (I’m also sensible to treble)

[@SuperReview]

I like MV1 better. Also consider Sennheiser HD 490 for bass.

[@cargath]

Interesting, were did you get that suspension strap for the XS? I didn't even know this is a thing you can do. I like the sound, but unfortunately it's just too big for my head.

[@SteveHuffer]

Looks like a good one, although it appears it might require the removal of the yokes. Custom Cans do a couple of adhesive versions that are pretty decent.

[@GadZookz]

Since waking up this morning the Super Review background music has been playing endlessly in my head. Could that mean a new review is drawing near? 🤔

[@SuperReview]

Finally over a nasty cold, so... soon.

[@AlexanderMorokhovets]

I have a radically different experience with how ft5 sounds. Vocal is not forward agree, but pure clean punchy bass with clear highs and details. What I noticed is that you use 3.5 connector When I tried it against 4.4 back and forth, the difference in quality was night and day in favor of balanced 4.4 I drive them with EF500 Also leather pads are much better for my taste So, I use balanced connection and leather pads and am very happy with the sound The only issue is hard rock like situations where highs can become somewhat distorted with many things happening at once

[@AlexanderMorokhovets]

What I am trying to say is that changing connection to true balanced and using leather pads can remove all the muddiness you mentioned

[@SuperReview]

That is not what balanced cables do. I tried both stock pads and slightly preferred the suedes.

[@ChrisStoneinator]

@@SuperReview It is if the amp's badly designed Chinese crap and operates poorly on single-ended!

[@GadZookz]

Thanks Mr. Ryan. Almost tempted to buy it for the nifty case, cable and accessories but not quite. Looks nice too. Maybe next time.

[@SuperReview]

They've got the cable for sale on their AliExpress shop. I think this is it: www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806461817972.html There's another $200 model with some meme cable claims, not sure what else is the difference.

[@GadZookz]

@@SuperReview Just went there and got one. Thanks for letting me know!👍🏻

[@pliedtka]

Would you review Avantone Pro Planar?

[@SuperReview]

Probably not, sorry.

[@7in1]

Good luck to self paid testers aka buyers of a first product in a company's line 🤣

[@SuperReview]

A bit cynical for my tastes.

[@Ducbloke]

Another great review Mark.

[@SuperReview]

🙏