FiiO FT7

The FT7 is FiiO's large open-back planar headphone, built around a 106 mm driver that FiiO developed itself to bring the scale and low-bass weight of a big speaker to headphones. The diaphragm is a 1 µm PET film with a patented multi-layer coating of 24K gold and pure silver, applied with a 28 nm-grade vacuum process, and the rounded magnets (18 N52 magnets per side, pushing from both sides) are arranged for an even magnetic field, which FiiO says keeps the whole film moving evenly and lowers distortion. Open-back means it lets sound in and out: very spacious, but for a quiet room, not for travelling. At 25 Ω and 94 dB/mW it needs more power than a phone delivers, so pair it with a desktop amp or a strong portable player with a 4.4 mm balanced output. Carbon fibre keeps the weight at about 427 g, the grilles are West African zebrawood, and two sets of pads are included: lambskin (fitted), which FiiO describes as clear and wide, and breathable fabric, which it says adds depth to vocals. The 3 m cable is 6N monocrystalline copper, cryogenically treated, with a 4.4 mm balanced plug and adapters to 6.35 mm and XLR-4.

• 106 mm planar driver, 1 µm gold/silver-coated diaphragm
• Open-back, 25 Ω, 94 dB/mW
• 3 m 4.4 mm cable, 6.35 mm and XLR-4 adapters