In this article, I review the FiiO FT1 closed-back headphones. FT1 features natural solid wood earcups and large 60mm dynamic drivers. It’s priced at $149.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock or are new to the portable audio game, chances are you’ve heard of FiiO. Established in 2007, the Chinese HiFi (ChiFi) brand has been a leader in delivering affordable and high-quality audio products including DAPs, DACs, amplifiers, IEMs and headphones. This is not FiiO’s first full-size headphones but it’s the first closed-back cans. Let’s dig deeper.
Disclaimer: This sample was provided by FiiO for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own, based on my experience with the product.
FiiO FT1
Specifications
Frequency response: 10Hz-40kHz
Driver: 60mm dynamic
Impedance: 32Ω
Sensitivity: 93dB/mW@1kHz
Cable material: Silver-plated oxygen-free copper
Weight: 340g (excluding cable)
Headphone connector: Dual 3.5mm TRS
Audio cable plug: 3.5mm/4.4mm
Earcup material: Black walnut/beech


In the Box
- Headphones*1
- Storage case*1 FT1
- 3.5mm headphone cable*1
- 4.4mm headphone cable*1
- 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter*1
- Quick start guide

Design
One of the FiiO FT1’s most striking features is its wooden earcups. This natural material not only enhances the aesthetic but also introduces wood’s distinct acoustic properties. FT1 is available with either North American walnut or beech, both with distinct colours. The headphones feature a spring steel headband with pleather on the top and fabric-covered padding on the underside.
The FT1 isn’t heavy at 340g, but it feels heftier than my Meze 99 Classics (260g). Its frame and yokes are made of metal, which, combined with the dark walnut wooden earcups, gives the headphones a classy, premium appearance.
The plush earpads are a mix of faux leather and breathable fabric and have L + R labels on the inside for easy identification. The earcups have a 35° horizontal rotation angle and 45° pitch rotation angle. These, in combination with the headband’s 38mm of adjustment ensure that everyone can get a comfortable fit with the FT1.

Internally, the FiiO FT1 boasts impressive technical features, including large 60mm nanowood fibre composite diaphragm dynamic drivers. These are made by processing spruce wood from northern Europe—soaking, cooking, and beating it—before combining it with carbon fibre material. Impressive, right?
In addition to the advanced dynamic drivers, FiiO utilizes specially imported Japanese ultra-fine copper-clad aluminium wire to enhance the driver’s efficiency and drive capacity. Additionally, the FT1 incorporates a series of special sound insulation components to attenuate external noise and ultimately provide up to -26dB of passive noise isolation.
Cables
The FT1 comes with 2 high-quality 1.5m silver-plated oxygen-free copper cables. The cables have a braided fabric sheath that is supple but feels very robust. One has a 3.5mm termination and the other has a 4.4mm termination, making the FT1 widely compatible with almost any audio source. Having 2 cables is a wonderful addition, although I wonder why FiiO didn’t just add a single modular cable with exchangeable plugs.
Fit and Comfort
The plush earpads and rotating earcups make the FT1 exceptionally comfortable, even during extended listening. It offers just the right amount of clamping force, giving you a secure fit without causing any pressure on the sides or top of the head. Adding to that, the breathable fabric on the earpads dissipates heat and keeps your ears relatively cool.

Sound
Gear used for testing includes the iBasso DX180, FiiO KA17 and SMSL RAW-MDA1. The FT1’s low impedance and reasonably high sensitivity mean you don’t need much driving power, so you can use the headphones with almost any audio source.
So what does the FiiO FT1 sound like? Quite often, lower-priced closed-back headphones have a warm, bass-heavy sound signature with an attenuated treble. The FT1 has an underlying warmth, to be sure, but it’s balanced by well-extended highs and forward mids. This isn’t a strictly neutral headphone designed for studio monitoring — it’s tuned for content consumption, whether it be music, movies or games. What do I mean by that exactly? FT1 is a musical headphone, with added colour and presence for a more immersive and engaging sound.
Bass
The FT1’s bass is tuned for bass lovers. It’s boosted north of neutral, providing a fuller low-end presence with excellent extension. Sub-bass notes rumble with authority and assertiveness. The mid-bass is punchy and impactful and guaranteed to get your feet tapping.
The bass presence is substantial enough to provide the drive and impact needed for hip-hop tracks like Call Ticketron by Run the Jewels, yet controlled enough to work well with all music genres. There’s a little bleeding into the lower midrange but it’s not muddy or overpowering.
Midrange
The midrange is rich and full-bodied, yet maintains excellent clarity and detail. Male vocals sound strong and defined, while female vocals shimmer with clarity and radiance, without any harshness or nasal undertones. Instruments in the midrange, like guitars and pianos sound rich and lush yet accurate in tone.

Treble
The treble is an interesting one. It’s crisp and precise, upfront enough to counterbalance the elevated bass, yet never sharp or sibilant (to my ears). It has some sparkle and excellent extension, providing plenty of air and spaciousness. This detailed and clear treble is perfectly tuned and instrumental, in my opinion, to round out the FT1’s fantastic and engaging overall sound signature.
Soundstage & Technicalities
For a closed-back headphone, the FT1 has excellent soundstage width and height. The impressive stage dimensions create a perceived sense of space larger than average for a closed set. Instrument separation and overall resolution far exceed my expectations for headphones at this price point. Detail retrieval is good but still inferior to what most IEMs at a similar price can provide. The imaging is great, allowing for precise instrument and vocal placement.

Verdict
The FiiO FT1 makes one heck of a statement. These $159 headphones do pretty much everything right. The build quality and comfort are outstanding and the inclusion of 2 high-quality cables increases the value even more. But what’s truly outstanding about the FT1 is its sound. The dynamics, punchy bass, clear midrange and pristine but smooth treble are on the level of what we expect from more expensive cans. This product is a top performer, earning our esteemed recommended award.
