Fiio continues to develop its complete audio system which currently consists of music players DACs and amplifiers and in-ear headphones and its new full-size headphones. The company has introduced its new flagship full-size headphone which is named FT5. This headphone employs planar drivers instead of dynamic drivers which his brother the FT3 uses. The main competitors of the FT5 which has a listed price of approximately 12 million VND will be Hifiman Edition XS and Sennheiser HD650 and Beyerdynmic Amiron Home. What does Fiio’s flagship have to offer to compete with these rivals? The answer will emerge through this article.
Packaging and Accessories: It must be said that Fiio has put a lot of care into its creation. The FT5 package presents itself with extreme care and luxurious design which matches its status as a premium product. The accessories we need to access emerge after we open the initial two cardboard box layers. The Fiio FT5 package includes a leather carrying case and two pairs of earpads and adapters which convert between 4.4 to XLR and 3.5 to 6.3. The FT5 cable features a braided design which connects through a 3.5mm mono connector and provides users with two different jack options for switching between balanced 4.4mm and single-ended 3.5mm connections.
The Fiio FT5 maintains its basic design structure from its previous model the FT3 because its earcups use complete open design instead of semi-open design. The headband consists of two parts: a leather piece to support the wearer’s head and a rigid steel frame to secure the headphone frame. The design of this product to looks less attractive than Focal headphones with their monolithic appearance yet Focal headphones require special design for comfort because their flat-frame structure increases their weight. The Fiio FT5 uses magnesium alloy material for its frame construction which results in both lower weight and increased strength. I consider the Fiio FT5 build quality to be better than other Hifiman headphones that cost the same because it provides additional comfort during use.
The Fiio FT5 audio system requires 36 ohms of impedance and 110dB of sensitivity to produce sound which requires minimal operational effort. Planar headphones need powerful sources to deliver their maximum sound performance capabilities. I tested both devices and discovered that the Fiio K9 and iFi Zen DAC plus Zen Can Signature combination work optimally with the Fiio FT5 headphones.
The Fiio FT5 produces sound which differs completely from the FT3 warm and sweet sound. The overall sound produces bright tonal quality together with transparent sound which allows listeners to hear every detail. The bass range shows less abundance than the LCD 2C but it maintains excellent control because it decays rapidly which produces fast sound results that become clear during A-ha’s “Take on me” listening session. The FT5 midrange produces a thin and dry sound but it delivers excellent detail through its low and high-mid range frequencies.
The midrange of this product requires listeners to have specific musical tastes because it does not suit people who prefer listening to music with thick warm midrange sounds which the FT5 lacks. The FT5 treble produces listening pleasure through its energetic and smooth and airy qualities which no previous Fiio headphones have achieved. The Fiio FT5 provides decent sound stage and layering capabilities which fall short of the Hifiman Edition XS and Ananda sound performance. The FT5 and HD600 soundstage create better listening experiences for me because their acoustics create an intimate atmosphere through their narrower sound spaces.
I consider the Fiio FT5 product to be a valuable product. The FT5 outperforms its price range competitors because it offers better accessories and build quality than both the HD650 and Edition XS. The FT5 requires less power than most planar headphones because its specifications need only a mid-range DAC/Amp for good sound performance. The Fiio FT5 delivers clear sound quality with detailed audio which meets audiophile standards for Classic and Acoustic and Jazz music listening.
FiiO FT5 90mm Open Planar Magnetic Headphones:
Tech Reviewer & Product Analyst
Định Bia has spent over 10 years testing consumer electronics with a focus on smart technology. He work as a product advisor at Biareview where he helped customers find the right devices for their needs. He personally tests every product featured on this site using a consistent evaluation framework covering quality, durability, and value. All reviews are based on experience, not influenced by the manufacturer.
