the Fiio FT3 aren’t good

[@cheapaudioman]

FIIO RT3 bit.ly/3NRhEVF check out my other channel www.youtube.com/@cheapwatchman_official Intro graphics by johnvilardi.com Support the Channel! Shop on Amazon amzn.to/3W8vsgK Crutchfield shop-links.co/cguPK8XEGmt Join the best hifi community out there! patreon.com/cheapaudioman TRY ROON www.rofjdjk3ns.com/33G977/2CTPL/ Tidal Deal bit.ly/3siuqSF Amazon Unlimited Music Trial amzn.to/3DRAVj9 Crutchfield shop-links.co/cguPK8XEGmt Best Buy Deals shop-links.co/cf9yDZeYtUH amzn.to/3GkNaop CAM Store (New Products!) bit.ly/30Lgu4K apos.audio?sca_ref=552340.TY98BPcZ6P

[@CardinalsFanever]

Drunk?

[@D1N02]

He doesn't drink @@CardinalsFanever

[@milosCivejovidar]

I own the FT3's and for my ears they are good. I run them with the Fiio K7 DAC on 50% volume just fine. They are not the most exciting headphones, that is sure, but compared to my HD6xx headphones they have better soundstage and are more comfortable, and compared to my DT990 Pro's they are less sharp. So sound wise I think they kinda fit with that class of headphones. I still haven't tested any Hifiman headphones (that might be my next year budget spending) but my ears are very treble picky, so I am worried on spending money on something that will make my ears bleed.

[@EclecticMusicMan]

I hate it when you get stung by misleading hype, I got stung when I bought a Pro-Ject debut Carbon EVO. Biggest pile of shite I ever bought.

[@SmallChurch]

Hi Randy - thought you said you were going to avoid headphone reviews... ; - ) Loving the channel; you've been knockin' it out the park all year, man!, You must be one of the hardest-working hi-fi YT reviewers across the whole network. Hope you manage to get some really special r&r over the Festive Season. Warmest regards to you & your family, and a very happy, healthy & rewarding New Year! G. in Japan (ex-Scotland... 1/1 is my birthday... Yikes! Hide all the Single Malts)

[@robstivers1994]

Hey, Randy. Usually I 100% agree with your opinion and I always enjoy your reviews. I disagree with you on this one, though. I really like the FT3. I'm not going to try to explain to you why you should like it though. Different people hear things differently. These aren't for you, and that's cool. I did notice, though, that you have the pleather pads installed on your FT3. I was curious if you tried them with the suede pads and whether that improved things at all for you? Keep up the good work! I'll keep watching!

[@arthurhaywood2184]

In my opinion, you definitely got this wrong. You clearly seem to prefer the quickness of planar drivers and that’s okay. These are not difficult to drive but I’m guessing that you experience with 300 Ohm headphones is limited. IMHO, these somewhat fall in line with Sennheiser’s 600 Series of headphones. They too have a midrange focus to them. The FT3 surpasses them for me because they offer better frequency extension at both ends and a superior soundstage. I would also add that the included accessories, if purchased separately, would probably cost $100 which essentially makes the FT3 a ~$200 headphone. This greatly increases the value proposition! The velour pads give you more bass while the protein leather pads tighten up the bass and give you better treble extension. I prefer the protein leather. While the FT3 sounds good out of the box, they need about 60 hours minimum to settle in. I think that they are fantastic for the innovation they contain and for the value they offer.

[@BunnyslippersEUC]

The Fiio RT3 streamer/dac/amp is definitely a jack of all trades, master of none. Good for people on a budget. I got 4 different headphone amplifiers to test the FT3 on. - The Rupert Neve can give all the current needed for the Fiio FT3 for all frequencies. Bass will be there. The Rupert hits fast and hard. - I got the Musical Fidelity m1 hpa with Class A power. It will open the FT3 soundstage even more. - My Cayin tube amplifier will give an even more out of head experience and it sounds so lush+warm. It even has a setting for dynamic headphones over 300 Ohm. - The JDS Labs EL AMp 2 is very dry sounding and analytical, but it will have enough gain for the FT3.

[@robertdragon7604]

Looking for your help I want to get into headphone listening I don't know as much as audiophile headphone listening because first off I am almost 60 I got ringing in my ears but I do love listening to music and was looking to set up very affordable headphone listening setup I want to use my phone through my wiim mini. I'm guessing I would need a headphone amp and decent set of headphones would not like to spend over $300 to $400 for everything and do I need to listen to tidal? Or is regular Spotify okay? Looking for some decent equipment suggestions thanks

[@rotaks1]

Randy, di you try to change the gain on the R7 when driving the RT3?

[@franklinmurphy821]

Thanks!

[@realbingus]

Hey, would it be possible for you to do an updated video on "audiophile system under 350$"? My friend is looking into getting a budget setup, and I've given him some advice like the Sony SSCS5 or the Dali Spektor II. But maybe you have some better suggestions.

[@jorgo2059]

Totally on your side, I got them and sold them the next day. Nothing bad about them but there is so much better stuff out there...soundwise rather bland and nothing I would pay 300 bucks for...I am reading about the new FT5 that sell for 500 bucks and were promised as the Audeze replacements...more and more negative reviews coming in...I have a feeling Fiio just kicks out products way too soon before really mastering them...

[@skyhero1888]

Same like the fiio jt1 . I mean it sounds very good for a 80€ headphone but the build quality is a joke ,it have a metal headband that’s fine but it have thin little plastic strips to hold it on your head.

[@moviemanstuff]

I 💯 agree ! I returned them. I ended buying some other amps with current headphones.

[@arrowzen7433]

What other amps did you try it with?…

[@christopherfrancisrealtor]

heeeeeeyyyyyyy Randy! Darko did a review of the Fiio R7 and said that when you change out the power supply(a separate Fiio product) there is a distinct difference in sound quality. do you think this will help with the headphones, or further expose them?

[@Audioholic42]

love to see more headphone reviews. I have to agree with you. Due to my listening space, I'm more of a headphone guy than a speaker guy but I agree with most of your headphone reviews. Fav Headphone at the moment fall right into your recommendations . F$@K the algorithm, etc If you have any Headphones, IEMs, Speakers, AMPs you want to talk Just do them. It will grow your subscription base and all in all its about sharing the love of music right.

[@sorysrgee]

I think the big issue with the ft3 is fit. If they aren't fitting on your head right, the sound will be completely off. The FT3 is also a bit harder to drive than it probably should be but i would also say they dont play well with dead sounding sources like the R7 tends to be

[@greenman1282]

Did you try them on the ghesehli labs archel and j2?

[@EskWIRED]

I would love to see more reviews of this type. I find that contrarian views often raise considerations which are glossed over or ignored by other reviewers.

[@guillermobrito4987]

hi there Randy, i know im just a recent follower (over a year) , i dig all your videos, im a fan of Sith Audio, and bought my first system thanks to your reviews. All that just to say im getting a weird vibe from your recent videos, i guess the rant video about how much u make wasn't cathartic enough. Keep the great work, keep the fun, and u'll see us as a community will grow. There's so much need for the CAM. Till ur next video.

[@SyzygyNoon]

I feel the same way. I guess that’s the problem with transparency when one is a full-time KZbin content creator. It’s weird when they pull back the curtain and show the bits and pieces you didn’t really want to know about. Randy’s a good guy, though, and a submariner who has served with good folks. I respect him. The KZbin machine is a fickle mistress. He serves her as best he can. I miss the irreverent sense of humor his old vids had, but he upped his game as necessary. (Kind of like 90’s Conan vs 2000+ Conan.) I’m just glad he’s still here, just as you are.

[@moonabhinav]

Tried swapping pads?

[@m4nc1n1]

These are also available in 32 Ohm for the same price. JT1 is a way better deal @ $69. They are fantastic! And very fun.

[@skyhero1888]

Yes the jt1 sounds good but the thin little plastic stripes for holding the headphone on your head is a bad joke.

[@RolftheRed]

I actually have diffrent headphones (and speakers to a lesser degree) for different genres of music . Kinda like really tight Harmon curve for Jazz, large soundstage for Classic and like Grados for Punk. Heck LOVE my old ATH's for computer crud as well. SO much is the ears on your head. I've had a advantage of friends and co-workers into their Can's big time, and heard a lot of really good ones. But price does not equal enjoyment often. I'm way to paranoid to go to the beach with 300+ can's! Let alone lose them in a Plane. Train. Subway. Back of truck in rain (shudder of recall). So just relax and find a good working can's and life can's balance (O = crud - that sounded almost intelgent buzz wordy - sorry) Kick back and enjoy the music where ever your comfortable!

[@enriquevaldeza]

Pretty accurate review.. I have no complain about these headphones… probably ‘cause I’m not a bass fan, too much bass hurt my ears.

[@systembooms69]

You are sooo damn right!

[@glmb8072]

I appreciate your input as someone who doesn't have them but is slightly interested in them. I have some other Fiio experience and always found them overrated, by the way. So I was suspicious even the first second I saw a review by someone, although I gradually got convinced that they might be truly special.

[@brettjensen4760]

I love headphones reviews! I hope you keep reviewing them. Not keep reviewing these ... Just reviewing headphones in general. Thanks for doing this!

[@Simon_Hawkshaw]

Keeping it real, brother. Thanks for your review and perspectives on this equipment. Stay well, Sir.

[@aristidisgioulis8044]

Pleaase more fiio products!🫶

[@jackstraw1756]

Kind of like the overhype of wiim products.

[@jackieblank4249]

Hi Randy. I bought the fosi sk1 n paired it with Grado Sr 60x. I'm in nirvana. Put the small pads on the cans and it is so much better.

[@skyhero1888]

I got them yesterday and I’m with u for me they sound not good . Philips Fidelio X3 and Meze 109 Pro are Million Times Better. The Fiio FT3 Build quality is good better than the most with their plastic crap. The Ear Cups are too small (I have small ears) it hurts so much after a while. I testet both ear pads. The fake leather pads have too boomy uncontrolled bass ,the heights are way too harsh and the mids are too far in the background. The Velour have way less bass and no deep bass but uncontrolled too,heights are bitt better but for me still too harsh,the mids are still too far in the background. Soundstage with both pad is crap in my opinion ,the singer sounds like he is directly next to you. They are not audiophile or fun. No recommendation.

[@fiddlix]

I would like to see you review the FiiO FT3 32ohm variant. Easier to drive and better tuning is the word I hear.

[@JoseFerreira-zb7wh]

✌here

[@jorgo2059]

They are exactly the same...

[@JoseFerreira-zb7wh]

@@jorgo2059 haven't heard them but graphs say otherwise.

[@lmartins2797]

Well, if he uses the same PLEATHER pads he is not going to like it either. Its really weird he did not use the VELVET pads which delivers what he found missing.

[@bengleason508]

Thank you Randy!!!

[@davidsmith9407]

I heard these at CanJam SoCal and I thought they sounded like total garbage. They literally sounded broken. Their bass was weak, their mids were hollow and thin sounding, and their highs were harsh. Do not buy these. Get the waaaaay better sounding HiFiMAN Sundara instead for the same price.

[@donpadawan]

Gotta try the FiiO BR13 DAC/Receiver. It’s got opt in/out, line out, usb, coax, aptX adaptive BT. And the best part is the app with its EQ. Sounds amazing & only $60. Was released in Sept. I like it better than the SU-1 sonically.

[@thomasdix8453]

Thanks, Randy!

[@deathowner88]

Question Randy, does headphones need to be broken in? I think they might need to possibly?

[@spamcan9208]

If you don't like the way something sounds after you've given your brain time to adapt (few hours to a few days) no amount of time afterwards will change your opinion of it. Any changes in sound will be marginal.

[@jorgo2059]

Some do some don't

[@skyhero1888]

@@spamcan9208finally someone see the truth . your ears/brain have to get used to it. But it doesn't change the sound of a headphone

[@asan1050]

Thank you for posting.

[@LarcR]

Different people like different headphones depending on the types of music they like. I still enjoy my Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 250 Ohm headphones for music listening, but they don't fill the bill for everybody.

[@RolftheRed]

Your so right. I actually have diffrent headphones (and speakers to a lesser degree) for different genres of music . Kinda like really tight Harmon curve for Jazz, large soundstage for Classic and like Grados for Punk. I'd get caught running out of the room to avoid the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro's (laughing through the grin). They felt like knifes in the high end to me! SO glad you like them but EVERONES ears are different. Thanks!

[@skyhero1888]

That’s true . Like me I love the Philips Fidelio X3 in my opinion one of the best under 200€

[@stonefree1911]

Same price a HiFiman Sundara...no contest.

[@skyhero1888]

Sundura is soooooooo boring 🥱 and build quality is the biggest joke.

[@stonefree1911]

@@skyhero1888 Whatever

[@memoli801]

I agree in build and dont forget comfort! Very bad in that category. But the souund , mmmmhh. Love it

[@Feliciano12v]

I hear these come alive with OTL amps. I find the FiOS sound to be Shouty, so makes sense what you heard.

[@D1N02]

Try them with another headphone amp, dig up the Aune S17 from the "to be reviewed stack" It's class A so leave it on for at least half an hour before listening ;)

[@martinfox2244]

I haven't heard the Fiio. I am a headphone/DAP listener so keep those reviews coming. BTW I am looking for a Sundara upgrade that keeps the tonality/organic Sundara sound.

[@Gwilson275]

I read somewhere you are an ex navy rating? Is that true ?

[@joshuastephens3926]

I wonder if the model you received was broken. Weird it’s not doing the things others are saying it does.

[@DavidB-ec7bm]

One of my buddies, talked me into the new Fiio headphone. I hope that it is better. I have or have owned the Sennheiser and Hiffman you mentioned. Nice for the price.

[@corymarcotte5853]

Would like to hear your thoughts on woojer

[@LithicKing]

Garbage. Absolutely flat. Flat erratic vibration. Worthless. Perhaps with the implementation of AI that can distinguish between low mid and high, and a much larger range of "drivers" that can give distinct feeling to the range all at the same time, there could be a niche for it, but as an early adopter I felt it was complete garbage. Total gimmick. Wether for music or gaming. The flat indistinguishable buzzing does absolutely no justice to anything. Just my opinion, but I could not have been more disappointed.

[@earthoid]

If the FT3 really is brilliant (as some say) it could mean that you have been to too many Matallica concerts. Just wondering. I have tha Sundara and like them a lot.

[@Lovelacewatkins139]

QED era 1 planar , magical sound

[@bikdav]

Judging from your review, I’ll stay with my AKG K-92.

[@CammyFi]

Get a pair of HD560S

[@ericelliott227]

I've never even heard of these cans until now. That said though, there is no such thing as a good set of headphones or IEMs anyway.

[@Nordraw]

What? Way wrong on that

[@ericelliott227]

Calm down, it is opinion as I clearly stated and as is everything audio playback. I have tried at least 45 sets of cans ranging from $20 to $3100 and to me, none of them sound good out of the box. They all need EQ and what really bothers me personally is the complete lack of staging with headphones, but that is their nature unless one runs them through some special software, which is not convenient unless a computer is one's source or system. You can't have staging without room interaction. It is just a personal preference. I just don't like feeling like I am being squeezed by sound.

[@TheHammerofDissidence]

​@@ericelliott227I'm with you. I use headphones out of necessity, not out of choice. Cans have never compared to even a modest speaker setup imo, but that's just me.

[@ericelliott227]

Yes, I also use headphones out of necessity on occasion (checking restoration work), but other than that, I'm a speakers guy. Sometimes I wish I could occasionally use cans for listening, but it's just no good for me,....unless I want to be strapped to my PC and only use it because there are a couple of software programs that can simulate staging for headphones, but I prefer to use my rig since my preferred medium of choice is vinyl records and CDs (stronger lean towards vinyl).

[@CardinalsFanever]

Horrible review, trust me.

[@ShikataGaNai100]

I'll stick with my Austrian-made AKG 712 Pro setup.

[@DAlan0909]

Please review the Heavy’s by the Senheisser engineer. I see all these positive comments but I think they are wayyy over hyped. It’s all marketing bs.