Introduction

No, you are not looking at a different company named FiiO. This is the same audio brand we've covered numerous times before and the same team that has impressed us with products ranging from IEMs to portable DAC/amps to higher-end more powerful sources, all at various price points. FiiO has decided it needs a new logo in 2023 along with a new plan to take over the desktop audio game for PC users, among others. The so-called "FiiO HiFi Desktop Setup 1.0 Version" was unveiled earlier this year and began with the novel FiiO R7 network streamer/DAC/preamp/headphone amplifier which merits another look at our review to know more about everything that device is capable of. The R7 was slated to be the base of this new desktop audio setup, so naturally now we have transducers to look forward to.


FiiO has several lines of in-ear monitors, including single dynamic driver sets, all BA driver sets, and hybrid-driver sets. This year will see the launch of its first tribrid driver IEMs as well as an entry to the increasingly popular planar magnetic IEM market. But those are not what we are talking about today. Indeed, with the PC desktop being targeted as the work space, FiiO decided to get into the over-ear headphones game! I should point out that the company did release a set of closed-back ANC headphones a couple of years ago but it might as well have been an OEM product and certainly did not make a lot of waves. For all intents and purposes, especially given that EH3 NC is already discontinued, we might as well consider the all-new FiiO FT3 a fresh start and it ends up being an open-back set of headphones at that! We've seen another IEM brand get into headphones recently to middling success, so I was certainly intrigued to see how FiiO would fare. Thanks to the company for providing a review sample to TechPowerUp as we aim to find out for ourselves in this review which begins with a look at the product specifications in the table below.

Specifications

Packaging and Accessories

Having reviewed multiple different FiiO products already, I knew to expect a more premium unboxing experience than others. I was still left pleasantly surprised at how much FiiO includes here with the FT3—especially once you find out what this costs. The product box is large and uses thick cardboard which gets the same black base with iridescent coating on top that makes for the company logo—still the older one on this box—as well as the product name shine in different colors depending on the viewing angle. The customary Hi-Res Audio logo is also seen here as is a render of the headphones from the side. Contact information for FiiO is provided on the back and a look from the side reveals not a lot more except that this is a 2-piece product box with the lid lifting off to reveal the contents inside. We immediately see a black drawstring bag which is placed over a multi-language product manual going over the setup and maintenance of the headphones. On the side and protected by foam is a set of replacement ear pads.


These spare pads are round in shape without any significant contouring and use protein leather on the outside with memory foam filling. Note also the fenestration on the outside and suede lining in the inside to make these effectively hybrid pads that should certainly have a strong impact on the overall sound signature of the headphones. There is a foam space where the plastic inserts clip into the ear cups no doubt, and this will help maintain a good seal without allowing sound to leak either way.


Now we get to the soft fabric drawstring bag which contains a hard carry case! This reminds me of the cases provided with the more expensive Sivga and Focal headphones, is a tan brown in color, uses a faux leather finish, and has an inset FiiO logo on the front. The carry strap goes from front to back in a fashionable choice and the zipper is self-sealing too! The zipper tags feel substantial and durable enough, and opening the case reveals a set of molded compartments to safely protect and store the headphones in addition to other accessories. The cable is placed in its own little area and held in place by elastic hook-and-loop straps, and there are some more cable accessories included here in the form of a 3.5 mm to 6.35 mm (1/4") TRS single-ended adapter, a 4.4 mm TRRS to 4-pin XLR balanced adapter, and a 4.4 mm TRRS cable connector itself. Note that the first batch of FiiO FT3 orders will also come with a free FiiO-branded headphones stand as pictured above.