Hands down one of the best headphone reviews I have seen in a long time. The variety in the comparisons is what sold me as you mentioned every other headphone I had been even half way considering in the closed back category. You have sold me on getting this for my father and I might even get one for myself at this point. Thanks!
Wow, thanks so much for the kind words! I was nervous because this video was so long that people wouldn't like it. So glad you found it helpful, and i hope your father loves it!
@@GadgetryTech alot of these headphones cost 200-500$ and up, watching a detailed 40 minute review with alot of comparisons is very helpful in making the most of that money. Dont mind longer videos at all
I don’t think I’ve ever seen another reviewer talk about comfort while wearing glasses. Really appreciate that detail. Comfort can be pretty important. I’ve worn headphones that clamped so hard I ended up with a sore jaw, so it’s now something I pay more attention to these days.
There are 2 Major problems with Closed Back Headphones that there is no solution. Health , the air pressure developed by the driver membrane hit the eardrum and then doesn't escape and keep building pressure this destroy slowly the hearing capabilities. The Second problem is how airwaves move , there are 2 membranes the headphones and the Human ear drum , what happens is imagine water inside a bottle and put your finger inside the wave move and hit the walls of the bottle ,imagine that the walls are the eardrums first waves are ok but when u hit them again and again u gone see something... Waves go to each other deformed, so imagine that water again but with the one side wall and the other sides no wall at all the waves hit the eardrum and come back but now they have no wall to hit and go back again they go out and slowly fainting...This is what Open backs have the air waves to do not bounce back and front that's why our brain feel that this is more natural sound.
1st, please don't change the format, I really love the build quality part so much as almost no one talks about the materials used to build the headphones. 2nd, this is the best value for the money headphones and imo they are perfect for traveling, and what I love the most about them is they don't have that scoop in the mids as 90% of the headphones.
Hi there, I'm very undecided between these and the AKG K371. I do travel (backpack) a lot and seem like the AKG371 are lighter and foldable, is the diff in sound and build quality worth the extra bulk and space in my backpack?
@@davandj I haven't travelled with the FT1s, but the case is still fairly compact, and conforms to the shape of the headphones and is only a tad larger than my momentum 3 case in volume (which fold). Obviously can't say much about longevity, but they felt suprisingly light, yet well built and incredibly comfy. Only worry i've heard in reviews is the swivel mechanism design, but they seem very sturdy. There's also potential issue of humidity and wood, but basic care should alleviate this. The isolation is also also suprisingly great for me, they beat my M3 (ANC disabled) and compare favourably to my old DT-150s in terms of passive isolation. So, I imagine better than the K371 (not that i've owned them). That IMHO would make them more appealing to travel with. I'd say they're worth it, but preference is obviously a factor and I don't imagine you'll feel disappointed with either.
@@davandj I'd imagine the AKG is less reliable as a travel headphone because of the chassis being iffy and in some cases even just straight up splitting in half in the middle.
Phenomenal review! I very much appreciate the lack of video cuts and your ability to communicate in a concise and natural flow. Even with the longer format, there was no frills or fillers and all the information felt pertinent. Great job!
As some have already said, the best thing about this review is the number of comparisons made. After a certain point, the fidelity matters less and personal preference matters more. If own some of these headphones, hearing comparative feedback is helping me a lot when I might be trying to find something with better bass extension or tamer trebles.
You are my favorite headphone reviewer, keep up the great job. I especially like the part that you aren't afraid comparing $150 with flagship headphones. My experience with headphones I've tried (I need closed headphoned personally) there's probably equally much chance to find something I like in the 100 to 1000€ range, I've had a few 750€ headphones but stuck to some 129€ headphones for the longest time. I also picked up recently FiiO JT1 because how cheap they were and the great feedback they've recieved got me curious, excellent headphones for the price and with some precise EQ'ing really can make them compete easily with 300€ or so headphones if not more, the only thing EQ won't solve with those is the somewhat reverby/boxy midrange, the highsrange sounds excellent in comparison, it's quick, dry, without any graininess, very detailed, the midrange even if you attempt to ever so slightly push down the lower-mids just a tad the boxiness/reverb can't be properly fixed as it would probably be fixed internally. The other thing is the bass which gives just awesome punch and impact (I quite enjoy that with the JT1 being an EDM lover) and it's hard to find headphones which gives that visceral punch and impact without abusing EQ a lot, the JT1 definitely will do that but if I'm honest it's not perfect when it comes to tightness or control, it's quite medium decay, ideally I'd want something just a tiny bit snappier and more controlled and detailed while still giving me that nice impact and punch, that's where the discontinued cheap M-Audio Q40 excells to me (apart from not having the boxiness in the midrange in exchange for a slightly thinner one but without sounding recessed either). I might have to grab these FT1's now as it sounds a bit like they could be what I wish the JT1 ideally was (even with precision EQ applied, I'm a hobby mastering guy so EQ'ing headphones is a natural thing for me to do). I think the tuning of the cups probably is done better by the looks/sounds of it in the FT1 so even with the EQ differences factored in, I guess FT1 will get a notch higher in sound quality.
Excellent review. I've been waiting for reviews to come out since the product was announced. I had a lot of questions and they are all answered in the video. Thanks a lot.
Congratulations for this very detailed review. I was looking for a video to understand the value of these headphones and thanks to you I understood that they are the perfect headphones for my use. I'm Italian and at the moment no one in Italy has reviewed them.
I’m a bass player and have been looking for a closed back headphone for recording and silent practice that had good bass definition as well as body and good mids. The beyer dt770 both new version and old, audiotechnica m50x, Sony 7506, akg 371 and these fiio ft1 was recommended. I can’t find a store with all these so had to start researching. Thank you so much for such a detailed comparison. Here in the uk it seems the fiio ft1 aren’t out yet. From your comparison I will just wait for them to be released and snag them. I play and listen to jazz, Motown, old skool rnb, funk and hip hop. I think the fiio ft1 will do me nicely. Thanks again
Never encountered your channel before, gave it a watch out of curiosity and was blown away by how in-depth the review went and how knowledgeable you are a presenter. Subbed!
Thank you for the review. There are no normal or accurate reviews about the FT1, and I hope that it has good BASS, which is important for me and what I expect from a 60MM driver.
This review earned a sub, I will look for other reviews to compare subjective opinions, but surely not for more information or comparisons ! Very well done, sir!
Just got them yesterday. The hype is justified. Love the comfort, love the look, love the sound they produce. I also have the HD560S and the Fostex TH-X00 Purplehearts. The Fostex is known for their excellent bass, and I don't feel like I am missing a lot with the FT1 in terms of bass. Just a great headphone overall.
So in summary, you're saying that it's one of the best under $500. Got it. I love my JT1s. I think they are one of the best under $300. Might as well go for this one, too. Fiio is really crushing it. Thanks for the detailed review, man!
Yeah it's so hard to not just make a 5-10 min video and say it's amazing/trust me, but I really wanted to explain reasons why I enjoyed the FT1 so much. Glad you love the JT1s! I spoke highly of those in my JT1 review as well
@@GadgetryTech Yes, I saw your review. And you're one of the reviewers that do not evaluate in relation to price. I mean you mention price, but you're not afraid to say that a $150 headphone can actually compete in the $500 range. You're one of the good ones. More power to you, man.
@@GadgetryTech How good is FT1 for competitive gaming like COD or BF2042? Better than Hifiman HE 400i ver 2020 that are not too good at pinpointing enemy footsteps? Thanks!
Just got these today from Amazon and they are everything Joe says. These are an absolute BARGAIN at $150 Bucks. They actually sound more like an Open Back HP than a Closed Back HP. Nice Bass. Nice Impact and Slam. FT1 is a total Home Run
Thanks for your thorough review. As someone who is just starting to dip my toes into audio I appreciate your attention to detail and comparisons to other headphones. Subbed !
Got mine yesterday as a present for my birthday and holy are they good with some EQ!! (I only had to contribute 70€, so they're 100% worth it for me) I took DMS measurement and EQed the Treble to the Harman Target and damn they're endgame levels of sound quality for me. They're honestly comparable to my Studio Monitors + Subwoofer with the only mayor difference being the missing tactile feel and soundstage o.O Thank you very much for this review!
@@FabioGrenkh I'm not sure if i can send you the values or if YT will flag them as spam or something like that. Write me again if you don't see a second message send after this one :)
@@FabioGrenkh Preamp: -3.8 dB Filter 1: ON PK Fc 65 Hz Gain 1.3 dB Q 1.908 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 154 Hz Gain -4.3 dB Q 1.000 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 1050 Hz Gain -1.2 dB Q 3.966 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 1826 Hz Gain -2.3 dB Q 2.509 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 2787 Hz Gain -4.6 dB Q 2.252 Filter 6: ON PK Fc 3135 Hz Gain 6.6 dB Q 1.105 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 6122 Hz Gain -5.6 dB Q 3.873 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 6857 Hz Gain 4.2 dB Q 5.542 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 7865 Hz Gain 0.7 dB Q 1.000 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 12536 Hz Gain -2.7 dB Q 3.000 I add a 105Hz -3dB Low Shelf and a 1500Hz -2dB High Shelf for a neutral response. (neutral as in Harman 2018OE)
I have bought some highly rated Open back's but they are useles sin a noisy room. These FiiO FT1 seem better value. I am surprised they get close to the Azury's. Nice review.
This review is SUPERB. Thanks for going into such thorough detail and illustrating the qualities of the FT1 headphone by comparing it to MANY different models. It's no exaggeration to say that your videos provide the best descriptive evaluation of headphones I've found anywhere. You may have saved me quite a lot of money on my next headphone purchase, as well. I kept looking at higher-priced models and even considered the Dan Clark Audio E3 (which is 1333% more expensive than the FT1...!). The E3 is great to dream about, but the FT1 seems to be an excellent value and the right model for me, right now.
Hopefully you can replace the headband easily enough once the pleather inevitably goes to crap. Great review! It's nice to have some more competent closed back options.
amazing review, thank you!! you have definitely convinced me to buy one, I have the Beyer 700 Pro X and find them very nice and well tuned, I'm looking for an alternative closed-back and definitely the FT1 seem to be perfect! thanks a lot for the thorough comparisons
This is awesome for this price. Received 2 hours ago. I can compare to Fiio FD5 which I like more in general, but FT1 really close despite the over ear and in ear
Thank you very much for the comprehensive review and the comparisons! ❤ I have the JT1 and eq them. I wonder if an eqed FT1 would be an upgrade from your point of view?
I came here to say thank you. I got mine today, and used some coupon to bring it down to $130. I have been rocking a Dunu Davinci and Simgot Supermix 4. $130 is such a small risk to take, so I did it, and my oh my it's such a steal. The look, the sound (not what I expected from a "budget" close-back), the comfort. It's so natural sounding for a close-back. The tone and timbre is also great and punches above its class. I was going to keep the Maxwell as I needed a close back for use at work. But the weight and comfort of this one is much better. I usually like to spend more on the open-back, and the opposite for close backs. This one really does it for me.
I have Supermix 4 and I'm interested in FT1 for fps, open-world games and movies how different in sound is it compared to SM4? (is it worth having or is SM4 enough?)
@@kerkOOO I’m not sure. I use FT1 only during night when kids are back from school. I don’t like the supermix 4 so I sold it 2 months ago and I don’t miss it. For headphones I main the hd490 pro. For IEM I just got the new Xenns tea pro and been loving it. FT1 is so inexpensive I don’t think one can go wrong with it
@@WorldKeepsSpinnin if I have to pick between this or the Maxwell, it’s this no brainer. But that’s not for sound only, I just think the value and comfort are much much better on this. But you do need to plug it in though.
Awesome review! I own a 6XX and a Focal Clear OG for my open backs, and am looking for a more affordable everyday closed back for the noise isolation benefits. Originally, I thought the Focal Azurys would be my perfect for that warm-neutral with 'fun bass without being muddy' signature, but given the price (azurys is so expensive in my country) the FT1 looks surprisingly similar without breaking the bank. These direct comparisons really do help contextualize the review. Thanks again.
Hey man, I'm curious what are the main differences between those two? I mean k371 vs ft1, especially in terms of sound first of all, build and comfortability? I'm thinking to purchase between these two
Need a gaming recommendation between this and JT1, highest priority is 1) comfort, especially weight and light clamp force 2) immersion, including nice punchy yet clear bass 3) compatibility to add a decent quality boom mic to the headset for party chat 4) good positioning for footsteps and cues in FPS. Thanks!
@@shadyguy7920also, I'm glad I went with the FT1 over the JT1 because the FT1 is a bass monster, I can't them imagine how the JT1 would be lol. At least the bass is clear and not muddy though!
@@shadyguy7920 PS5, plugged directly into the controller. The only drawback is it drains the controller battery quicker (not really an issue if you have a backup controller). Otherwise, I love this setup now, such better sound quality than my Arctis 1 Wireless that I was using before and my friend couldn't even tell I was using a different mic.
Previous issues have been smoothing out with bun in time. The upper midrange shout is much improved, but still present. The overall sound continues to open up. They don’t sound like closed backs in any negative ways. They just keep getting better with time. I can’t wait to hear how good they sound when they’re fully broken in. I previously mentioned I had a high end CD system, and I wouldn’t even imagine a closed back at this price to sound this good. But this Can is a truly remarkable achievement. There’s an intangible element at work here that’s very compelling. I just go from disc to disc for hours. Simply stated, They bring the music! Is it better than my high end system? No, but it’s just as musically engaging, and it definitely scales. Whatever level your system, don’t dismiss these Cans out of hand. You’re going to miss out. They’re not perfect in the audiophile dialect, but they bring an engaging presentation of music, and isn’t that what we all want?
Thank you for the amazing review. In my search for an upgrade from a dt770 80ohm, I completely missed these headphones and initially went with the hd 620s. Turns out the bass on these feel kind of lacking even with eq and after finding this review I think I'm set on picking up a pair of the ft1s. Definitely gonna compare the two cans myself when the ft1s arrive but based on your review and my current impression, i think I'm gonna be able to save 150 dollars. Thanks again.
I think of headphones like this the same way I think of Beyerdynamic. Even if there's a weak slider, people will figure out how to improve it and 3d print it. As long as the thing is well made, I'll gladly keep repairing the weak parts.
Do you happen to have any idea of the lifespan of drivers? I know wires can be soldered, headbands replaced etc but the only thing I worry about with lesser known brands is if the drivers die out of warranty
@@TheHulksMistress We don't know anything about their longevity, we must wait and see. Drivers for some headphones can actually be bought. They cost a lot usually thohgh.
Thanks Joe as always for the detailed review! End up bought FT1 based on the review here! Could not be happier! Really found the review helpful and insightful! Just a quick Q though as I could not find it elsewhere - is there anywhere I can find the replacement pads? or is there aftermarket pads are compatible? thanks!
here in poland they are 200$ is it still worth the price or are there better alternatives at 200$? should i wait for them to go down to 150$ like they seem to be in the US?
Nice and honest review as always 👍 STILL I would be careful with these suspiciously cheap yet "better than everything" type of new headphones. I was happy to see a comparison with the Beyer DT 770 Pro X... but let's be honest, It's not hard to sound better than that. 😆 So many cheering up comments here, any other opinions on the FT1? I already know someone who is trying to sell it after few hours use.
Yep, I was also disappointed by the DT 770 Pro X LE. Also by the DT 700 Pro X, and even the AKG K-361 didn't cut it for me (however, I didn't try the K-371). I kept the classic DT 770 Pro 80 Ohms, they had the most well-rounded sound for me. Would be interesting to see how the FT1 compare with them!
@@VeitLehmann So, I pulled the trigger and got an FT1. I need to admit, I love it. It felt great right from the beginning and probably the most comfortable headphones I ever owned. No pressure on the top, roomy ear pads. They felt a bit rough (cheap?) and noisy for a few days, and probably the cable too. The sound has a warm tilt with a sexy bass that I really enjoy. No matter what journal of music they sound great and no signs rough edges. It’s just a joy for music, movies and gaming. Most people will like the FT1’s sound signature, but when directly comparing it to a DT 770 Pro they are totally different. The Beyer has better separation, better details retrieval and much more resolving sound in general. Still, I haven’t heard a headphone (not even a open back) that sounds this engaging for such a low price. This FiiO as a whole package it’s just the best deal out there right now!
@@kutasimusic Congrats on your purchase, I'm happy you like them so much! And thanks for the comparison, sounds like I still made the right choice with my Beyers since what you pointed out as its strengths are exactly the things I value most. I came to a similar conclusion when comparing them against other cans.
Great review. How would you say the FT1 compares in the isolation department vs the 620s and maybe dt770? The FT1s are 220 usd and 620s is 280 usd in my country. Need isolation because of noisy neighbours. Currently have dt770, theyre almost isolating enough for me. I'd really appreciate a answer, thanks!
Hi Joe - Firstly, fantastic channel. I just discovered you recently and your reviews are awesome! I've been searching for a good pair of closed back headphones for competitive FPS and your videos have been super informative. At the moment I'm leaning towards the HD 620s, but was curious if you had a favorite between that and the DT 770, DT 700, MMX 300 Pro, and Focal Azurys? If I remember correctly, you had said the MMX 300 Pro was up there with your favorite closed backs for gaming but I wasn't sure what that favorite actually was.
Thanks for the review. These look awesome. I'm wondering: Do IEMs around the price sound better than this? If I was trying to avoid buying both an IEM and a closed-back, (covers the same use-case for me, want to save money), do you think I should go for this or an IEM? (For sound, but also for comfort, durability, whole package?) Or are they too apples and oranges to compare like that? Thanks again.
I purchased the JT1 and have been enjoying them. All of a sudden i am noticing just how microphonic the entire outside of the headphone is. Are your JT1's and FT1's like this? If i tap on the band or cups while wearing them it is extremely audible. If by accident i bang them with them on it is REALLY bad. I don't remember them being like this when i first got them but they sure are now. Have you experienced any of this? thnx
Hi what would be the best for open world gaming immersion? I'm currently thinking of the 3 you recommended sir, Aunne ar500, the bt770 pro limited and this one.. Thank you for doing reviews like this!
What is your opinion of the Sennheiser HD400 Pro? I absolutely adore them for their accuracy and fidelity. The comfort and lightweight is also wonderful.
Yay Focal Azurys, waiting for the Azurys review. I have the Focal Celestee but Celestee is not something you can easily carry around or add a mic to it.
@@GadgetryTech Can't wait for Azurys review, my hope is that the Azurys might be a good "all around" headphone for both music and games with little or no EQ. My current plan is just to add a mic to it and have a high-end(ish) easy to drive headset on the go. Portability is my focus right now.
hi☺️ great review, especially the comparisons, I find that this helps a lot because the more comparisons you have, the more chance there is that someone has listened to at least one of the headphones mentioned, and therefore you can get a more detailed idea! I ask you how they compare with the beyerdynamic dt 700 beauty? I use them for practically everything, music, games, films, and also given the fiio of these I was thinking of replacing them with the ft1! thank you very much and sorry for the mistakes, I use google translator
I have an Arya Stealth, which is totally open and my wife doesn't always enjoy listening with me, this could solve that problem, and I will have two sound signature options, neutral open and neutral closed (+ not too expensive).
Hands down one of the best headphone reviews I have seen in a long time. The variety in the comparisons is what sold me as you mentioned every other headphone I had been even half way considering in the closed back category. You have sold me on getting this for my father and I might even get one for myself at this point. Thanks!
Wow, thanks so much for the kind words! I was nervous because this video was so long that people wouldn't like it. So glad you found it helpful, and i hope your father loves it!
@@GadgetryTech was really great. good work as always
@@GadgetryTech alot of these headphones cost 200-500$ and up, watching a detailed 40 minute review with alot of comparisons is very helpful in making the most of that money. Dont mind longer videos at all
I don’t think I’ve ever seen another reviewer talk about comfort while wearing glasses. Really appreciate that detail. Comfort can be pretty important. I’ve worn headphones that clamped so hard I ended up with a sore jaw, so it’s now something I pay more attention to these days.
So happy that see affordable, well tuned closed backs back in the market.
Same! People shouldn't have to spend a fortune to get something truly wonderful
Me too)
There are 2 Major problems with Closed Back Headphones that there is no solution. Health , the air pressure developed by the driver membrane hit the eardrum and then doesn't escape and keep building pressure this destroy slowly the hearing capabilities. The Second problem is how airwaves move , there are 2 membranes the headphones and the Human ear drum , what happens is imagine water inside a bottle and put your finger inside the wave move and hit the walls of the bottle ,imagine that the walls are the eardrums first waves are ok but when u hit them again and again u gone see something... Waves go to each other deformed, so imagine that water again but with the one side wall and the other sides no wall at all the waves hit the eardrum and come back but now they have no wall to hit and go back again they go out and slowly fainting...This is what Open backs have the air waves to do not bounce back and front that's why our brain feel that this is more natural sound.
@@Tripokaridos22 Brother, u gotta wear headphones less lol
@@Tripokaridos22any study to see if this is true? You just make me sad about closed headphones.
1st, please don't change the format, I really love the build quality part so much as almost no one talks about the materials used to build the headphones.
2nd, this is the best value for the money headphones and imo they are perfect for traveling, and what I love the most about them is they don't have that scoop in the mids as 90% of the headphones.
Hi there, I'm very undecided between these and the AKG K371. I do travel (backpack) a lot and seem like the AKG371 are lighter and foldable, is the diff in sound and build quality worth the extra bulk and space in my backpack?
@@davandj I haven't travelled with the FT1s, but the case is still fairly compact, and conforms to the shape of the headphones and is only a tad larger than my momentum 3 case in volume (which fold). Obviously can't say much about longevity, but they felt suprisingly light, yet well built and incredibly comfy. Only worry i've heard in reviews is the swivel mechanism design, but they seem very sturdy. There's also potential issue of humidity and wood, but basic care should alleviate this.
The isolation is also also suprisingly great for me, they beat my M3 (ANC disabled) and compare favourably to my old DT-150s in terms of passive isolation. So, I imagine better than the K371 (not that i've owned them). That IMHO would make them more appealing to travel with. I'd say they're worth it, but preference is obviously a factor and I don't imagine you'll feel disappointed with either.
@@davandj I'd imagine the AKG is less reliable as a travel headphone because of the chassis being iffy and in some cases even just straight up splitting in half in the middle.
Phenomenal review! I very much appreciate the lack of video cuts and your ability to communicate in a concise and natural flow. Even with the longer format, there was no frills or fillers and all the information felt pertinent. Great job!
I see you have hit the 70k milestone, very nice Joe. I hope you do something special when you hit the big 100 :D
Thanks so much!! Definitely doing a give away and something else hahaha
This is an awesome review and the comparisons were great, one of the best reviews I've seen for months, thank you !!!
As some have already said, the best thing about this review is the number of comparisons made. After a certain point, the fidelity matters less and personal preference matters more. If own some of these headphones, hearing comparative feedback is helping me a lot when I might be trying to find something with better bass extension or tamer trebles.
Thanks
You are my favorite headphone reviewer, keep up the great job. I especially like the part that you aren't afraid comparing $150 with flagship headphones. My experience with headphones I've tried (I need closed headphoned personally) there's probably equally much chance to find something I like in the 100 to 1000€ range, I've had a few 750€ headphones but stuck to some 129€ headphones for the longest time. I also picked up recently FiiO JT1 because how cheap they were and the great feedback they've recieved got me curious, excellent headphones for the price and with some precise EQ'ing really can make them compete easily with 300€ or so headphones if not more, the only thing EQ won't solve with those is the somewhat reverby/boxy midrange, the highsrange sounds excellent in comparison, it's quick, dry, without any graininess, very detailed, the midrange even if you attempt to ever so slightly push down the lower-mids just a tad the boxiness/reverb can't be properly fixed as it would probably be fixed internally. The other thing is the bass which gives just awesome punch and impact (I quite enjoy that with the JT1 being an EDM lover) and it's hard to find headphones which gives that visceral punch and impact without abusing EQ a lot, the JT1 definitely will do that but if I'm honest it's not perfect when it comes to tightness or control, it's quite medium decay, ideally I'd want something just a tiny bit snappier and more controlled and detailed while still giving me that nice impact and punch, that's where the discontinued cheap M-Audio Q40 excells to me (apart from not having the boxiness in the midrange in exchange for a slightly thinner one but without sounding recessed either). I might have to grab these FT1's now as it sounds a bit like they could be what I wish the JT1 ideally was (even with precision EQ applied, I'm a hobby mastering guy so EQ'ing headphones is a natural thing for me to do). I think the tuning of the cups probably is done better by the looks/sounds of it in the FT1 so even with the EQ differences factored in, I guess FT1 will get a notch higher in sound quality.
did you end up getting it? how does it compare?
This is the best review I've seen in a while, raised the bar just like the FT1 congrats
I join this review
Excellent review. I've been waiting for reviews to come out since the product was announced. I had a lot of questions and they are all answered in the video. Thanks a lot.
4:52 Waiting for this soooo long,someone who measures earpats ...thank you!👏👏👏
Many thanks, wonderful review. Informed by this I bought the FT1 and I'm enjoying the great looks, finish, build, comfort and of course the sound.
Hi how do these sound for games also for movies
Dude, you have me so hyped for this. I'm looking for a warm, bass focused closed back that still leans neutral. I think this might be it
Congratulations for this very detailed review.
I was looking for a video to understand the value of these headphones and thanks to you I understood that they are the perfect headphones for my use.
I'm Italian and at the moment no one in Italy has reviewed them.
Fantastic review...now subscribed....tons of useful info. thanks so much.
@@davidbarbour5153 thanks so much!! Glad you found it helpful
I’m a bass player and have been looking for a closed back headphone for recording and silent practice that had good bass definition as well as body and good mids. The beyer dt770 both new version and old, audiotechnica m50x, Sony 7506, akg 371 and these fiio ft1 was recommended. I can’t find a store with all these so had to start researching.
Thank you so much for such a detailed comparison. Here in the uk it seems the fiio ft1 aren’t out yet. From your comparison I will just wait for them to be released and snag them. I play and listen to jazz, Motown, old skool rnb, funk and hip hop. I think the fiio ft1 will do me nicely.
Thanks again
The worst decision i made was buying into the hype of grado 325x. Quickly returned and bought these. Fantastic review of these wonderful headphones.
best headphones review ever! this is what an unbiased, experience based riview looks like. great job bro! keep up the great reviews!
Never encountered your channel before, gave it a watch out of curiosity and was blown away by how in-depth the review went and how knowledgeable you are a presenter. Subbed!
Thank you for the review. There are no normal or accurate reviews about the FT1, and I hope that it has good BASS, which is important for me and what I expect from a 60MM driver.
This review earned a sub, I will look for other reviews to compare subjective opinions, but surely not for more information or comparisons ! Very well done, sir!
Just got them yesterday. The hype is justified. Love the comfort, love the look, love the sound they produce.
I also have the HD560S and the Fostex TH-X00 Purplehearts. The Fostex is known for their excellent bass, and I don't feel like I am missing a lot with the FT1 in terms of bass. Just a great headphone overall.
So in summary, you're saying that it's one of the best under $500. Got it.
I love my JT1s. I think they are one of the best under $300. Might as well go for this one, too. Fiio is really crushing it.
Thanks for the detailed review, man!
Yeah it's so hard to not just make a 5-10 min video and say it's amazing/trust me, but I really wanted to explain reasons why I enjoyed the FT1 so much. Glad you love the JT1s! I spoke highly of those in my JT1 review as well
@@GadgetryTech Yes, I saw your review. And you're one of the reviewers that do not evaluate in relation to price. I mean you mention price, but you're not afraid to say that a $150 headphone can actually compete in the $500 range. You're one of the good ones. More power to you, man.
Are these blutooth?
@@wesleyhobbs9 They're wired.
@@wesleyhobbs9wired…no Bluetooth.
Played this for sleep and ended up listening to the whole video 😂😂😂
Dang! Now you can dream about headphones! Thanks :)
@GadgetryTech more like now I want to get that FT1 🤣🤣, JT1 was too boomy for me, and I need another closed back for my rotation with 7507 🫡
@@GadgetryTech *now waiting for this one to come to my country*
@@GadgetryTech How good is FT1 for competitive gaming like COD or BF2042? Better than Hifiman HE 400i ver 2020 that are not too good at pinpointing enemy footsteps?
Thanks!
😂😂😂😂
New subscriber here. The quantity and quality of your comparisons and objective data as well as subjective opinions are fantastic! Thank you
Great review. The FT1 looks absolutely gorgeous. Can't wait for them to start selling in Australia!
Addicted to audio now have them up for sale. I have a set coming this week! :)
@@krammis76 nice! They told me it was coming soon last month. I hadn't been checking, but I guess I don't need to wait anymore! Cheers buddy!
Thank you so much for all those fantastic reviews! Been checking on those for a while now.
Legend. Great video.
Thanks Jay! More people should check out your vids as well!
Just got these today from Amazon and they are everything Joe says. These are an absolute BARGAIN at $150 Bucks. They actually sound more like an Open Back HP than a Closed Back HP. Nice Bass. Nice Impact and Slam. FT1 is a total Home Run
Thanks for your thorough review. As someone who is just starting to dip my toes into audio I appreciate your attention to detail and comparisons to other headphones. Subbed !
Got myself a pair of these to enlarge the collection 😊 usually using HE1000 Stealth’s but still felt like this is a fun addition
I also use the stealths and decided to cop these since I didn't have a close back pair and everyone is saying these are amazing for the price.
Thanks for the detailed review! I have just ordered the headphones.
Got mine yesterday as a present for my birthday and holy are they good with some EQ!! (I only had to contribute 70€, so they're 100% worth it for me)
I took DMS measurement and EQed the Treble to the Harman Target and damn they're endgame levels of sound quality for me.
They're honestly comparable to my Studio Monitors + Subwoofer with the only mayor difference being the missing tactile feel and soundstage o.O
Thank you very much for this review!
Hey, how exactly did you EQ it? If you don’t mind could you tell me which frequencies you changed to how much db and Q?
@@FabioGrenkh I'm not sure if i can send you the values or if YT will flag them as spam or something like that. Write me again if you don't see a second message send after this one :)
@@FabioGrenkh
Preamp: -3.8 dB
Filter 1: ON PK Fc 65 Hz Gain 1.3 dB Q 1.908
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 154 Hz Gain -4.3 dB Q 1.000
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 1050 Hz Gain -1.2 dB Q 3.966
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 1826 Hz Gain -2.3 dB Q 2.509
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 2787 Hz Gain -4.6 dB Q 2.252
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 3135 Hz Gain 6.6 dB Q 1.105
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 6122 Hz Gain -5.6 dB Q 3.873
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 6857 Hz Gain 4.2 dB Q 5.542
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 7865 Hz Gain 0.7 dB Q 1.000
Filter 10: ON PK Fc 12536 Hz Gain -2.7 dB Q 3.000
I add a 105Hz -3dB Low Shelf and a 1500Hz -2dB High Shelf for a neutral response.
(neutral as in Harman 2018OE)
@@plompudu2529 Thanks for the reply! I‘m afraid I can’t see it though 🙃
Hmm :/
You got discord or something like that?
I'll like your response if i can see your username
Thanks for bringing up the Beyers, I was looking for a comparison. Much appreciated! 👌
Very good review, you seem to be very knowlegeable and nice to watch with extensive comparisons on this. Im looking to buy one of the fiio Thanks
Absolutely made it to the end of the video, great review, thanks!
I might consider this in the future once it is being sold on amazon, This headphone just trumped some solid headphones, I am bewildered by it
I have bought some highly rated Open back's but they are useles sin a noisy room. These FiiO FT1 seem better value. I am surprised they get close to the Azury's. Nice review.
This is a great find, thank you for reviewing this headphone.
This review is SUPERB. Thanks for going into such thorough detail and illustrating the qualities of the FT1 headphone by comparing it to MANY different models. It's no exaggeration to say that your videos provide the best descriptive evaluation of headphones I've found anywhere. You may have saved me quite a lot of money on my next headphone purchase, as well. I kept looking at higher-priced models and even considered the Dan Clark Audio E3 (which is 1333% more expensive than the FT1...!). The E3 is great to dream about, but the FT1 seems to be an excellent value and the right model for me, right now.
Great video, finally a review on the FT1 and a great one at that, thank you very much :)
thanks!
Hopefully you can replace the headband easily enough once the pleather inevitably goes to crap. Great review! It's nice to have some more competent closed back options.
Great closed back headphone, especially for the price. Great video
I came across these yesterday on the Fiio website by chance. They made some very interesting choices with this one.
I like this dude!!! Dope review videos without all the extra shenanigans 👍🏿
Thanks to Your measurements and AutoEQ I was able to adjust the JT1 FR to the Harman Target. The effect is astounding! :O
i absolutely love the comparisons. im going to pick these up.
Well that was a fun ride. Cheers for all the comparisons.
amazing review, thank you!! you have definitely convinced me to buy one, I have the Beyer 700 Pro X and find them very nice and well tuned, I'm looking for an alternative closed-back and definitely the FT1 seem to be perfect! thanks a lot for the thorough comparisons
WoW! I am impressed!! Thank you for the excellent review!!!
I think its will match with my Q15 dac/amp! I like fiio better and better year by year!Thanks for the review!
Ordered yesterday
This is awesome for this price. Received 2 hours ago. I can compare to Fiio FD5 which I like more in general, but FT1 really close despite the over ear and in ear
What an amazing review. I appreciate your style. Thank you
Thank you very much for the comprehensive review and the comparisons! ❤ I have the JT1 and eq them. I wonder if an eqed FT1 would be an upgrade from your point of view?
I came here to say thank you. I got mine today, and used some coupon to bring it down to $130. I have been rocking a Dunu Davinci and Simgot Supermix 4. $130 is such a small risk to take, so I did it, and my oh my it's such a steal. The look, the sound (not what I expected from a "budget" close-back), the comfort. It's so natural sounding for a close-back. The tone and timbre is also great and punches above its class. I was going to keep the Maxwell as I needed a close back for use at work. But the weight and comfort of this one is much better. I usually like to spend more on the open-back, and the opposite for close backs. This one really does it for me.
I have Supermix 4 and I'm interested in FT1 for fps, open-world games and movies how different in sound is it compared to SM4? (is it worth having or is SM4 enough?)
@@kerkOOO I’m not sure. I use FT1 only during night when kids are back from school. I don’t like the supermix 4 so I sold it 2 months ago and I don’t miss it. For headphones I main the hd490 pro. For IEM I just got the new Xenns tea pro and been loving it. FT1 is so inexpensive I don’t think one can go wrong with it
Would u say this is better sounding then the maxwell?
@@WorldKeepsSpinnin if I have to pick between this or the Maxwell, it’s this no brainer. But that’s not for sound only, I just think the value and comfort are much much better on this. But you do need to plug it in though.
@@k.w5804 so its sound is better to you? Or only comfort
Thanks, another quality review!
Another winner...and so is the headphone. Great review as always.
haha thanks. I see what you did there
Awesome review! I own a 6XX and a Focal Clear OG for my open backs, and am looking for a more affordable everyday closed back for the noise isolation benefits. Originally, I thought the Focal Azurys would be my perfect for that warm-neutral with 'fun bass without being muddy' signature, but given the price (azurys is so expensive in my country) the FT1 looks surprisingly similar without breaking the bank. These direct comparisons really do help contextualize the review. Thanks again.
Not to mention, it looks gorgeous
How the hell do
U remember all
This bro. Damn. Props!
Thanks for a good review, first on TH-cam
Thanks for this review! It's really hard to see good closed backs for cheap, aside from the AKG K371
Hey man, I'm curious what are the main differences between those two? I mean k371 vs ft1, especially in terms of sound first of all, build and comfortability? I'm thinking to purchase between these two
Really great review, man! Thank you
Well, thanks man...Now i had to get these...arriving in a couple of days
Need a gaming recommendation between this and JT1, highest priority is 1) comfort, especially weight and light clamp force 2) immersion, including nice punchy yet clear bass 3) compatibility to add a decent quality boom mic to the headset for party chat 4) good positioning for footsteps and cues in FPS.
Thanks!
What did you go with? Trying to decide if the FT1 are worth the premium as I'd need to buy a mic separately too
@@shadyguy7920also, I'm glad I went with the FT1 over the JT1 because the FT1 is a bass monster, I can't them imagine how the JT1 would be lol. At least the bass is clear and not muddy though!
@@joshs2235 Are you using them on ps5 or pc?
@@shadyguy7920 PS5, plugged directly into the controller. The only drawback is it drains the controller battery quicker (not really an issue if you have a backup controller). Otherwise, I love this setup now, such better sound quality than my Arctis 1 Wireless that I was using before and my friend couldn't even tell I was using a different mic.
@@joshs2235 For mic you’re using the Meze boom?
Incredible review!
Previous issues have been smoothing out with bun in time. The upper midrange shout is much improved, but still present. The overall sound continues to open up. They don’t sound like closed backs in any negative ways. They just keep getting better with time. I can’t wait to hear how good they sound when they’re fully broken in.
I previously mentioned I had a high end CD system, and I wouldn’t even imagine a closed back at this price to sound this good.
But this Can is a truly remarkable achievement. There’s an intangible element at work here that’s very compelling. I just go from disc to disc for hours. Simply stated,
They bring the music! Is it better than my high end system? No, but it’s just as musically engaging, and it definitely scales.
Whatever level your system, don’t dismiss these Cans out of hand. You’re going to miss out.
They’re not perfect in the audiophile dialect, but they bring an engaging presentation of music, and isn’t that what we all want?
Incredible review covering literally everything 👑
Is there a chance of a full Bokeh closed review?
ordered. thanks. sounds like the one I want. within budget.
Great review especially the comparisons. 👍
Thank you for the amazing review. In my search for an upgrade from a dt770 80ohm, I completely missed these headphones and initially went with the hd 620s. Turns out the bass on these feel kind of lacking even with eq and after finding this review I think I'm set on picking up a pair of the ft1s. Definitely gonna compare the two cans myself when the ft1s arrive but based on your review and my current impression, i think I'm gonna be able to save 150 dollars. Thanks again.
hey bro,so which one is better 770 or this one?
@ I prefer the ft1 for sure. 770s are solid but they needed a bit of eq for me cause of the beyer peak
Great review, do you think are good for gaming?
Rode NTH-100. I have those. I proceeded to rip the felt pads off. Now they sound less muffled. Great pair.
To fix the headband check out the comfort strap from capra audio.
Im absolutely sold on these. Love the walnut finish, especially since I have some wood look finishes on my Triangle Speakers and Orbit Vinyl Player.
i want some so bad but i cant justify buying that beech color
Thank you for your wonderful review. Have you tried the TAGO T3-01 or TAGO T3-03, which are closed-back headphones that are highly rated in Japan?
I've had the ft3 for a while and think they are quite capable and extremely quick, for a large driver. The comfort is top notch.
FiiO FT3 and FT1 are both amazing headphones
These look great will you be reviewing the Fiio FT1 Pro as well in the future?
A quick addendum to my previous novel.
Can you tell me how many hours your FT1’s had on them when you did your superb review?
Cheers!
Thanks for the review.
I think of headphones like this the same way I think of Beyerdynamic. Even if there's a weak slider, people will figure out how to improve it and 3d print it. As long as the thing is well made, I'll gladly keep repairing the weak parts.
Do you happen to have any idea of the lifespan of drivers? I know wires can be soldered, headbands replaced etc but the only thing I worry about with lesser known brands is if the drivers die out of warranty
@@TheHulksMistress We don't know anything about their longevity, we must wait and see. Drivers for some headphones can actually be bought. They cost a lot usually thohgh.
Thanks Joe as always for the detailed review! End up bought FT1 based on the review here!
Could not be happier! Really found the review helpful and insightful!
Just a quick Q though as I could not find it elsewhere - is there anywhere I can find the replacement pads? or is there aftermarket pads are compatible? thanks!
A very good review,, 👍🌟👍
Thank you,, 💖🙏💖
here in poland they are 200$ is it still worth the price or are there better alternatives at 200$? should i wait for them to go down to 150$ like they seem to be in the US?
Awesome review, thank you! Would you consider doing a review of the Heavys H1H?
34:20 I got the chills when you mentioned it grabbing your beard hairs.
Unless you have a beard, you don’t know what that pain feels like!
Nice and honest review as always 👍 STILL I would be careful with these suspiciously cheap yet "better than everything" type of new headphones.
I was happy to see a comparison with the Beyer DT 770 Pro X... but let's be honest, It's not hard to sound better than that. 😆
So many cheering up comments here, any other opinions on the FT1?
I already know someone who is trying to sell it after few hours use.
It's great. Better than my AKG361 in sound and build quality. No issues.
Yep, I was also disappointed by the DT 770 Pro X LE. Also by the DT 700 Pro X, and even the AKG K-361 didn't cut it for me (however, I didn't try the K-371). I kept the classic DT 770 Pro 80 Ohms, they had the most well-rounded sound for me. Would be interesting to see how the FT1 compare with them!
@@VeitLehmann So, I pulled the trigger and got an FT1. I need to admit, I love it. It felt great right from the beginning and probably the most comfortable headphones I ever owned. No pressure on the top, roomy ear pads. They felt a bit rough (cheap?) and noisy for a few days, and probably the cable too.
The sound has a warm tilt with a sexy bass that I really enjoy. No matter what journal of music they sound great and no signs rough edges. It’s just a joy for music, movies and gaming.
Most people will like the FT1’s sound signature, but when directly comparing it to a DT 770 Pro they are totally different. The Beyer has better separation, better details retrieval and much more resolving sound in general. Still, I haven’t heard a headphone (not even a open back) that sounds this engaging for such a low price. This FiiO as a whole package it’s just the best deal out there right now!
@@kutasimusic Congrats on your purchase, I'm happy you like them so much! And thanks for the comparison, sounds like I still made the right choice with my Beyers since what you pointed out as its strengths are exactly the things I value most. I came to a similar conclusion when comparing them against other cans.
Great review. How would you say the FT1 compares in the isolation department vs the 620s and maybe dt770? The FT1s are 220 usd and 620s is 280 usd in my country. Need isolation because of noisy neighbours. Currently have dt770, theyre almost isolating enough for me. I'd really appreciate a answer, thanks!
Hi Joe - Firstly, fantastic channel. I just discovered you recently and your reviews are awesome! I've been searching for a good pair of closed back headphones for competitive FPS and your videos have been super informative. At the moment I'm leaning towards the HD 620s, but was curious if you had a favorite between that and the DT 770, DT 700, MMX 300 Pro, and Focal Azurys? If I remember correctly, you had said the MMX 300 Pro was up there with your favorite closed backs for gaming but I wasn't sure what that favorite actually was.
Thanks for the review. These look awesome.
I'm wondering: Do IEMs around the price sound better than this? If I was trying to avoid buying both an IEM and a closed-back, (covers the same use-case for me, want to save money), do you think I should go for this or an IEM? (For sound, but also for comfort, durability, whole package?) Or are they too apples and oranges to compare like that? Thanks again.
Truthear Nova are same price and sound very good!
My opinion full size headphones always will be better
Just there is more options in IEMs so
So informative and great..Super great reviewer. Thank you so much...
I purchased the JT1 and have been enjoying them. All of a sudden i am noticing just how microphonic the entire outside of the headphone is. Are your JT1's and FT1's like this? If i tap on the band or cups while wearing them it is extremely audible. If by accident i bang them with them on it is REALLY bad. I don't remember them being like this when i first got them but they sure are now. Have you experienced any of this? thnx
Hi what would be the best for open world gaming immersion? I'm currently thinking of the 3 you recommended sir, Aunne ar500, the bt770 pro limited and this one.. Thank you for doing reviews like this!
What is your opinion of the Sennheiser HD400 Pro? I absolutely adore them for their accuracy and fidelity. The comfort and lightweight is also wonderful.
Honestly, I haven't heard the HD400 pro before so I'm not sure how it compares. If you have something you love, I would run that for a long time!
@@GadgetryTech I highly recommend them. You really should listen to them yourself.
Yay Focal Azurys, waiting for the Azurys review. I have the Focal Celestee but Celestee is not something you can easily carry around or add a mic to it.
Azurys indeed! Amazing headphone
@@GadgetryTech Can't wait for Azurys review, my hope is that the Azurys might be a good "all around" headphone for both music and games with little or no EQ. My current plan is just to add a mic to it and have a high-end(ish) easy to drive headset on the go. Portability is my focus right now.
Great review!!! Thanks
hi☺️ great review, especially the comparisons, I find that this helps a lot because the more comparisons you have, the more chance there is that someone has listened to at least one of the headphones mentioned, and therefore you can get a more detailed idea!
I ask you how they compare with the beyerdynamic dt 700 beauty? I use them for practically everything, music, games, films, and also given the fiio of these I was thinking of replacing them with the ft1!
thank you very much and sorry for the mistakes, I use google translator
I have an Arya Stealth, which is totally open and my wife doesn't always enjoy listening with me, this could solve that problem, and I will have two sound signature options, neutral open and neutral closed (+ not too expensive).