Fiio’s FT7 stands as the brand’s supreme over-ear headset thus far, and it ranks among the top choices under $1,000 currently available.
For the past 18 months, Fiio has consistently been releasing products, with over-ear headsets being one area where it excels. I evaluated all models in this series, beginning with the FT1, FT1 Pro, FT3, FT5, and now the FT7. As suggested by the naming, the FT7 occupies the top tier, with its design and planar drivers clearly reflecting that.
The FT7 is now accessible worldwide, priced at $699 on Amazon U.S. at the time of this writing. Naturally, this is more expensive than the FT5’s $499 retail price and twice that of the budget-oriented FT3 and FT1 variants, but as is typical with Fiio, the value offered is remarkable.
Focusing on design, the FT7 shares a similar look to its predecessors, yet it features distinct changes. The headset is built with a carbon-reinforced chassis, which noticeably impacts its weight, making the FT7 weigh in at 427g, 29g lighter than the FT5’s 456g. Despite the figures indicating its lightweight nature, it feels lighter than its dimensions would lead you to believe; this contrasts with the issue often encountered with products from Audeze.
The craftsmanship is exceptional, and the FT7 undoubtedly resembles a premium headset. It is significantly larger than the FT5, largely owing to the size of the planar drivers. Consequently, this headset isn’t intended for outdoor use — it is designed for indoor listening experiences.
The design exudes elegance, with the exterior of the earcups adorned in wood, which enhances its aesthetic appeal. The sizable grilles effectively showcase the planar drivers contained within, and in line with the chassis, the headband is crafted from carbon. The headband offers a versatile range of adjustability — though it can feel somewhat stiff at times — and the leather padding is similarly firm straight out of the box.
While I had initial concerns regarding the fit given the headset’s size, those worries were unfounded. The lightweight design ensures there is no discomfort during prolonged use, as clamping force is minimal. In fact, the FT7 fits snugly against your head, making it seem less cumbersome than the design suggests. For reference, I compared the FT7 with Audeze’s new LCD-S20, and Fiio has made strides in enhancing comfort with this headset.
Leather ear pads come standard, and Fiio also includes fabric pads within the packaging. Both types of pads feature an angled design that contributes to overall comfort, and although the fabric pads offer better airflow, I opted to use the leather ones during my evaluation.
Additionally, the included cable measures three meters in length — twice that of the FT5. I found the cable length satisfactory, but I would have preferred Fiio to provide a shorter cable as well. As it stands, only one cable is included, and instead of interchangeable connectors, you receive a standard 4.4mm connector with extenders for XLR or 6.35mm plugs as needed.
The cable itself is of high quality, and after four months of regular usage, I encountered no issues whatsoever. The outer sheath adds to its durability, and I have complete confidence in its robustness. Similarly, the hard shell case ranks among the best available, providing excellent protection for the FT7 when it’s not in use.
Featuring a 106mm planar driver, the large size of the driver accounts for the increase in dimensions over the FT5. Notably, Fiio mentions employing a multi-layer coating system that utilizes PET as the diaphragm substrate, incorporating 24k gold and silver.
Remarkably, the diaphragm is extremely thin at merely 1µm, and it is produced on a 28nm node. While that may appear outdated compared to devices like the Find X9 Pro, which operates on a 3nm node, it is groundbreaking within the audio industry.
With a 25Ω impedance and a sensitivity of 94dB/mW, a solid source is essential to unlock the full potential of this headset. I paired the FT7 with my Fiio K19 and K17 DAC, with the K19 being the perfect match for this headset. Regarding the audio performance, the FT7 delivers a distinctive Fiio tonal quality with a neutral character and a touch of brightness.
The bass is extraordinarily detailed —
