I think itās a lot of dampening I can see my phones flashlight through most of it (besides where the wheel grill covers lol) but Iād put staging as similar width to Sennheiser HD6-- line but a bit better forward/back
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Iāve mostly stepped away from buying new gear, but these are really tempting me. Iām a bit of a FiiO fanboy and always wondered if they would try their hand at headphones at some point. Most first impressions seem really positive as well.
Next time I get a bonus I may have to cave and give these a shot.
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German reviewer who gets a lot of review samples from the official German fiio distributer seems to got a pre production sample of a FT3 with 32 Ohm. Tuning seems to be a little more bassy.
I was thinking that the outside design was a little bold, but it looks like they are using that area to affect the sound in some way with all of those little pyramid shaped plastic nubs that donāt look like theyāre serving any other purpose. They line up with the outside design, but are a separate layer in the buildā¦
I have my FT3 now, and Iām really impressed for the money. Iād say the sound is at least worth the $300. The bass extension in an open back (well, semi open, at least) is kind of awesome. The accessories would probably push most companies into the $500 range, but I think itās clear that Fiio is hoping to make a splash with these. From what Iāve seen/heard so far they deserve to.
For me, these are ādisappearā levels of comfort and not all that heavy for a headphone with almost entirely metal construction. As Iāve noted before, however, I have the ear size of a prepubescent hobbit, so ymmv.
Sound-wise, these sound good with pretty much everything Iāve thrown at them, music-wise, so Iād definitely categorize them as an all-around sort of headphone. The bass isnāt quite as detailed as a good planar, but it extends really well, and I think the mids and treble both have a pleasing sound for vocalists and percussion sounds good o me too. Theyāre open, but theyāre not that open. I personally like that, because itās approaching summer, I donāt have central AC, and you canāt put headphones on a puddle of melted flesh (maybe IEMs would work?). The sound of quiet AC in the background isnāt going to totally destroy the experience as it would going to even something like the HD560S, which sounds completely open in comparison. I would still say that the sound on the FT3 has the characteristics of an open back, however. Soundstage isnāt huge, but not tiny either. Imaging seems to be pretty darned good. I was noticing that sounds tracked across the soundstage really well, and quite accurately to my hobbit-sized ears.
Unfortunately I blew my tube amp money on a defective Focal Clear (brand new), so Iām limited to Fiio K7 and Zen Dac V2 and SMSL SH-8s amp (my SU-8s is still in transit to me). Thatās too bad, because Iām hearing that these tube well, as you would expect from a higher impedance headphone (some reviewer pronounced that as āimpotenceā the other day and now I canāt unhear it).
The case is as awesome as it looks online and the swappable plugs for the cable work really well. So you can switch from 3.5 to 4.4 balanced without needing to change cables. Included 4.4 to 4 pin XLR is a really nice add, and everything about the connectors and wires feels premium (aluminum) and weighty. The cable, on the other hand, is light, and cloth covered and has little to no memory. Itās very nice for any price range. My only wish is that theyād included a shorter one, since I listen at my desk, and 3 meters is way more than I need.
Overall Iām still listening and learning it, but all of my impressions so far, for what theyāre worth, place it as something that more than deserves its $300 price tag. Iād have paid more for this. The sound is $300-$400 good. The presentation would push it even higher than that with companies that were a little more established in the over-ear game. I think Fiio deserves to get their foot solidly in the door with these, but I suspect that once they do we might see the price become more competitive (ie, increase) with the Sennheiser 600 range and the āmid-fiā to āhi-fiā Hifiman cans (I hate using those categories to describe price so much).
For someone looking for a headphone to get into the āaudiophilia realmā this should be one of, if not THE recommendation at $300. I canāt see recommending a $300 Hifiman over this combination of sound, construction, and presentation.
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Would it work from cayin ru6 dongle running off of 4.4 balanced ?
should be fine think I ran mine at about 30-40 volume
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Just got a pair of HD6XX (first time listening to the 6X0 line), and the FT3 and it share a lot in common. Good mids on both, but maybe a little more detail on the 6XX in the mids. FT3 felt like more detail across the board, otherwise. FT3 is definitely a little faster with slightly cleaner bass (and better extension, of course). Also, a little more sparkle up high, but cymbals and such still sound pretty natural. 6XX probably a little better for long sessions, but again, really close. Both sound great on Bellari HA540 Mk2 hybrid tube amp (that amp doesnāt get enough attention, in my opinion).
Overall, I think I slightly like the FT3 better, but itās really close. You really canāt go wrong with either of these. Fiio cable and accessory situation is far better, though.
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Funny you mention Bellari, I was looking at their PA555 Tube Preamp. I think I could have some fun with that piece.
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Ft3 IS 320ā¬
Sundara 299ā¬
Sundara Closed 199ā¬
Which one is the correct buy. I have Focal Clear as main over ears headphone.
whatās the use case?
FT3 with the alt pads is more fun (imo) than the Clear
Sundara OG is a pretty different headphone
not sure how people are feeling about the Sundara closed since the even bigger price drop
probably would just wait for the ft5 over ft3 since its sounds alot better
Maybe I should wait. I use for music. Only