After launching their first over-ear headphones, the FiiO FT3, audio specialist FiiO has followed up with a new product in this line; this time introducing their first planar magnetic headphones, the FT5. Let’s give it a listen in this review!

Contents and specs

On the official FiiO AliExpress store, the FiiO FT5 currently retails for €533 and comes with the following items:

 

Specs of these planar magnetic headphones are as follows:

FiiO FT5 hardware: premium build and some familiar accessories

While planar magnetic headphones don’t usually come cheaper than the FiiO FT5, this product packs a build quality that is reflective of the price. Its all-metal body, made of magnesium aluminium alloy, attests to that. I also grew fond of the sleek pattern that compliments the open-back design. The finish looks and feels sturdy, and the metallic body adds a premium-feeling heft to the headphones. 

Such types of headphones aren’t usually light either, and the FiiO FT5 isn’t an exception. At around 456g (excluding the cable), it is quite hefty for a pair of headphones. It can be felt over very long stretches of use but for moderate uses, it isn’t uncomfortable.

In fact, FiiO has much improved the comfort side of things with the FT5, especially in comparison to the FT3. The latter had shallow and rounded earcups which didn’t deliver an exactly pleasant experience. The company has remedied this downside with the FT5 which features oval-shaped ear openings and deeper earcups. These go a long way to make for a more comfortable listening experience and I’m glad that FiiO considered the feedback from its previous model and improved upon it. 

With the 3-axis swivelling earcups and resistance-based headband, the FT5 can adapt to various head shapes/sizes for a custom fit. These components are also well padded and don’t exert excessive pressure on the ears. However, I would still prefer for the earcups to be thicker and more roomy so as to provide more room to accommodate glasses. If you wear glasses with thicker arms, the FT5 might provide a tight fit, but it is still better than what the FT3 offered.

As with the FT3, FiiO has included a number of accessories in the FT5 package. These include a hard carry case, swappable audio plugs and two different types of earpads (suede and protein leather). Such inclusions are very welcome to make the product feel like an all-in-one package, especially considering the cost. I also appreciated that the company provided a shorter and lighter cable (the one on the FT3 was needlessly long) without compromising on the quality as they are made from high-grade monocrystalline copper. Again this shows that the company is integrating feedback from its first outing and improving on subsequent models.

 

Powerful, versatile planar magnetic headphones 

With the FT5, FiiO went for an unusual yet welcome approach for a planar magnetic headphone. Packing 36Ω of impedance and a sensitivity of 96dB/mW, it is not too demanding on power (considering planar magnetic headphone standards). I could use it easily across my laptop, smartphone and FiiO’s M15S portable DAC without any issues. This versatility as a pair of high-performance headphones makes it really standout, although for the best experience, you’d want a proper source that can power the 90mm drivers.

The FT5 indeed delivers high performance. As planar magnetic headphones, the output is faithful without discernible distortion with vibrant bass while mids and treble are balanced. The soundstage isn’t that expansive on the FT5; but it still delivers detailed and rich sound. You can further tune the subtle cues by swapping the earpads. The suede pads deliver a more balanced soundscape with punchy bass while the leather pads offer more details and a clearer output. I favour the latter pads but having the option to swap based on your preference is a welcome bonus. 

Of course, the audio output will depend on the audio source as well but when paired with a decent audio unit, you’ll find in the FT5 a great audio companion to enjoy high-fidelity audio on a matching audio. I’ve used it to game on my PC as well as listen to my music playlist and the FT5 really enhances the audio experience. 

Overall, FiiO has produced an improved and an impressive over-ear headphones with the FT5, especially compared to their first model, the FT3. These new pairs not only pack a premium build but are also versatile. While they do somewhat compromise on the soundstage, the audio output is still rich and faithful. The weight of the FT5 is also a downer, especially considering its versatility for use with portable audio sources. But this downside is practically expected with planar magnetic headphones and the FT5 provides a well rounded package as one.