Lynn evaluations the FiiO FT13, a brand new closed-back set of 60mm dynamic driver headphones with eye-catching pure purpleheart picket earcups. They’re presently priced at $299.99.
Disclaimer: I acquired this pattern in change for my trustworthy opinion. Headfonics is an unbiased web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or providers. I wish to thank FiiO for his or her help.
You’ll be able to click on right here to be taught extra concerning the FiiO audio merchandise beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This publish follows our present scoring tips, which you’ll be able to learn in additional element right here.
FiiO FT13 Evaluation
Abstract
There may be the enjoyable facet of the FiiO FT13 sound signature that can enchantment to those that want a extra upbeat tuning, however some listeners may want to make use of EQ to even issues out.
Professionals
The headphones have a stunning look to them.
Altering pads provides two pretty distinct signatures.
Soundstage is aggressive.
Cons
The sound signature lacks cohesiveness, with both finish preventing the opposite.
The midrange is a bit too darkish.
The FiiO FT13 is the newest headphone from the corporate, that includes attractive purpleheart wooden cups for this closed-back design.
There was some debate about which mannequin the FT13 “replaces” or “upgrades” on the FT1, however I’ll deal with it as a mannequin that stands by itself.
Lately, I reviewed the most recent powered bookshelf audio system, the SP5, and I got here away very impressed with their efficiency, understanding that they had moved upmarket into one other tier.
The FT13 takes a barely totally different strategy, staying within the lower-end of mid-tier, however with a construct high quality and look about it that may flip heads.
As for the efficiency? That’s but to be determined till the top of this testing interval. As per standard tips, the unit was allowed a correct burn-in time of at minimal 75 hours earlier than important listening occurred.
Options
You can’t deny that your eyes are first drawn to the polished purpleheart wooden cups, and for good cause. They’ve an excellent look about them, conveying an upscale nature, guiding one into the mechanics of the inner design.
The bigger 60mm dynamic driver comprises a wool-composite nano-wood fiber diaphragm (birch from northern colder climates), which controls extra noise suggestions by dampening potential suggestions.
The massive CCAW voice coil helps to maintain tempo with the music, furthering management of the sonic traits.
The w-shaped diaphragm helps improve the vibrational space (+/-26%), which may improve sonic qualities whereas lowering potential inner lack of sonic qualities.
The U-shaped damping tube, together with the closed-back design, helps to focus sound in the direction of the consumer’s ears, permitting for a extra managed side to the music. This helps decrease the cavity’s pure resonant frequency, reportedly growing bass depth.
Two units of earpads, lambskin and suede, enable for user-controlled choices to the sound.
The straightforward-to-drive 32Ω headphone, together with a sensitivity of 98dB/1mW @ 1 kHz, permits the FT13 to be pushed by just about something.
So one needn’t fear about having to make use of a robust amplifier. Whereas utilizing a robust amplifier, the FT13 was capable of promote good sound qualities with out punishing the consumer.
The Furukawa monocrystalline copper + silver-plated oxygen-free copper cable appears to be like the half too, whereas having no microphonics in any respect. Whereas barely stiff, the flexibility to lie with out subject was a lot appreciated. I’d have appreciated one other 6-9” in size, although.
The closed-back design purportedly reduces exterior noises by as much as -26dB. I did discover that there was seemingly an excellent quantity of exterior noise, but it surely was diminished when the music was taking part in.
Design
I can’t complain concerning the appears to be like of the FT13. From the ear cups to the yoke/stanchion/headband design, the FiiO appears to be like the half, with high quality. Some may complain that the sliders look a bit beneath degree, however they perform with out subject and keep put as soon as adjusted.
The only headband matches effectively, permitting good strain, however not an excessive amount of, to carry the headphones in place, with out trouble. A sub-band may give somewhat higher angular adjustment to the headphones, however cautious bending can alleviate any potential drawback.
I’ll add that there was a peculiar creak from the left yoke because the earcup rotated from high to backside. This was not current with the headphone on, solely when shifting to regulate it.
The match of the bigger earcup opening allowed for a snug match with the 2 forms of earpads. The perforated Lambskin pads allowed for lengthy listening periods, even in hotter temperatures, selling good treble response, a cleaner midrange and bass, which was on the faster facet.
The Suede pads felt luxurious whereas presenting richness and added bass observe high quality to the sound. Of observe, some have acknowledged that the suede pads “overdid” the bass response.
I did like the best way the pads connect, utilizing clips as an alternative of the “lip” that goes right into a slot. I’d warning the consumer to watch out when eradicating the pads, because it does take a good quantity of effort.
As well as, the inclusion of three adaptors means you’ll be able to change the jack to six.35mm SE, 4-pin XLR bal, and three.5mm SE. Of observe is that the 4-pin XLR makes use of the 4.4mm plug inserted into one finish.
I discovered connectivity points when utilizing the mix and resorted to an aftermarket XLR adaptor.
Consolation & Isolation
As talked about above, the only headband will be fashioned a bit to assist fine-tune match, however I didn’t must bend the magnesium alloy for match. The tight match was cosy, however not constricting, and I might put on the FT13 for lengthy periods with out trouble.
Isolation was totally different with the 2 decisions of pads, as anticipated. The suede truly remoted a bit higher than the perforated lambskin pads.
Each had been equally snug. Whereas music was taking part in, the isolation was a bit higher at blocking out the sound, whereas utilizing the suede to me.
The lambskin pads did compress a bit extra, which ought to have helped isolate exterior noises out higher, however the material sample of the suede evened (bettered?) this out.
Packaging & Equipment
The FiiO FT13 is available in a now-familiar slide-off high, full with near-life-size pictures of the headphone and pertinent data laden on the field.
Inside is a paperboard reduce insertion, which homes the headphone case, and a pop-up pocket the place the additional pads and cleansing fabric reside. I’ve lengthy preferred the newer FiiO circumstances, and that is no totally different, with good tactility to it.
A consumer information rounds out the equipment in addition to the adaptor jacks talked about above.
Case
I do like the newest FiiO circumstances, with one exception: on some fashions, the angle coming in the direction of the deal with is an excessive amount of, and may end up in a less-than-confident grip. The FT13 case fortunately doesn’t have that and will be simply held by the deal with or the case itself.
Plus, the mesh material used provides to the tactility. The brown colour with tinges of purple appears to be like sensible, too.
Sound Impressions
The FT13 was allowed 75 hours of burn-in time earlier than important listening was performed, with the compulsory occasional examine throughout that point interval.
Objects used within the testing included the YULONG DA-ART Aquila III, EarMen CH-Amp Signature, pushed by the HiBy R4 and FiiO JM21, and that iTelephone 16 Professional Max tethered to the EarMen L-Amp.
Abstract
The FT13 presents a slight mismatch of signatory sonics. Darker midrange sound pervades, whereas an nearly overly shiny treble area causes a little bit of disjunction.
Bass is essentially dependent upon the selection of pads, with the suede presenting a bit extra depth, however with much less management.
Those that want a good bass area will lean in the direction of the eminently snug lambskin pads however lament a loss in true depth.
The midrange darkness fits itself effectively to sure genres that depend on a “darker setting,” whereas those that may need a extra stable basis of management and element could also be left wanting.
The FT13 is nonetheless a pleasing listening expertise when paired with the right amplification and genres.
Bass
The FT13 is likely one of the extra fit-dependent headphones I’ve tried of late. And whereas the earpads give a superb match, sound does are inclined to leak in, particularly with the lambskin pads for some odd cause.
This performs into the bass response, with the suede reaching deeper, however with much less management. I do assume the combined material of the suede performs into this lack of management down low, however I additionally really feel that beneath sure circumstances, that is to be desired, including to the low-end “aptitude” of music one hears.
When management isn’t of the utmost significance, this may be useful. However utilizing the suede is not going to be mistaken for giving one of the best detailed response.
Readability suffers, however there’s a sure enjoyable issue concerned with the looser management. All of us probably have headphones that present us with the utmost management of readability and accuracy, so the FT13 may very well be regarded as a counter to this.
Mids
I’m drawn to the midrange beneath sure genres, the place the basement membership sound relishes the low lights and sultry sound.
In that regard, the FT13 thrives. However with regards to an in depth sound, that darkness fails to offer the mandatory management, changing into too unfastened.
Utilizing the lambskin pads overproduces the midrange the place it goes into the treble notes, changing into a bit too harsh, even for my tolerances.
Nonetheless, when mixed with the right style, similar to one which performs into the higher reaches (and those who lead into these frequencies), the FT13 can present a darkish airiness to the sound.
Right here is the place that considerably jumbled remedy of the mids can profit from the suede, protecting the harshness in examine properly, whereas experiencing the sound of option to that basement-dwelling membership sound.
Treble
The lambskin pads really feel phenomenal, offering wonderful consolation that may considerably conceal the tough tendencies of the higher reaches. Extension is superb, however a scarcity of management hinders the airiness of the observe, making for a thinning to it that comes throughout as almost sibilant and overextended.
For many who want music that tends to this finish, the suede will assist to quell these fears, however you’ll lose the readability of management. A trade-off the listener will probably be requested to make for themselves.
I discovered the extension was tolerable utilizing the suede, and even the lambskin, however in longer periods, I leaned in the direction of the suede pads, even with the lack of element retrieval wrought from the selection.
Staging
When one combines the impression above, one may assume that the mismatch leads one in the direction of an off-putting soundstage. That may not be the case.
The extension up high permits for the enlargement upward, giving the darker midrange room to develop up as effectively. This lightens the sound a bit however doesn’t utterly cowl the darkness that pervades.
The width comes throughout as barely out of ear, with good proportions to the opposite two dimensions. There is no such thing as a cubic impact, however one which tends to tie all collectively in a extra rectangular 3D goal.
The depth tends to observe the width, with good fore/aft attain, which permits for good inserting from the entrance to the again of the stage.
Layering, whereas good, does undergo from the dearth of midrange management, however there’s a distinct sound the place one can principally separate devices, and the imaging is aided by the expanded width.
Evidently the soundstage is attempting to counter the mismatches from above, and principally, it succeeds.
Click on on web page 2 beneath for my beneficial pairings and chosen comparisons.
