If youre after balanced and adaptable sound, though, there are more compelling options.
But, in the established FiiO manner, the company has done its utmost to provide value for money.
Comfort is good, and the FiiO FT1 are as pleasing where tactility is concerned as they are visually.
For instance, the FT1 are supplied with two 1.5m lengths of silver-plated oxygen-free copper cable.
Each one is backed by a W-shaped suspension gasket and features an oversized (25mm) voice coil.
FiiO reckons this arrangement offers wide frequency response 10Hz to 40kHz, so it says and minimal driver break-up.
Theres nothing theoretical about the FT1s hi-res audio capability, though.
Both the Japan Audio Society and the Consumer Electronics Association have certified these headphones to be Hi-Res Audio capable.
Certainly they dont lack where drive and attack are concerned.
This forward, up-and-at-em attitude generates a fair amount of sonic excitement, no two ways about it.
The frequency range hangs together well, with no area given particular prominence and no area underplayed.
But where soundstaging is concerned, the FT1 begin to struggle a little.
Their presentation is narrow and flat, with no real front/back definition available to complement the left/right.
FiiO reckons the FT1 provide class-leading sound insulation for a product of this jot down of -26dB.
Fiio FT1 review: Value
Youve read this far, so you know whats coming.
The value proposition is quite fundamentally undermined by the headphones forceful and confined audio characteristics, though.
Should I buy the Fiio FT1?
I even used them on an aeroplane, which got me looks that were not all admiring.
And I did all of this, on and off, for the best part of a working week.
