FiiO FT7 Open-Back Planar Headphones

FT7 Gold Diaphragm Open-Back Planar Headphones 

106mm large planar driver 
Patented gold + silver multi-layer coating 1μm thin special diaphragm | Zebrawood grille 
Uniform magnetic field Dual-sided neodymium magnet push-pull magnetic circuit system
427g light weight | Carbon fiber construction| Lambskin/Breathable fabric ear pads included
Liquid nitrogen frozen monocrystalline copper cable | Custom Yaoli linen storage bag

106mm large planar driver
Maximized dimensions for perfect acoustic fulfillment

1μm thin special diaphragm
An ideal balance between acoustic performance and reliability

Gold + silver multi-layer voice coils
Driving power joins acoustic excellence

Open-back acoustic structure
Experience natural sound with an expansive soundstage

Carbon fiber construction
Reduced weight for enhanced wearing comfort

Dual-sided push-pull magnetic circuit system
Each headphone driver has 9 on one side and 18 on both sides of high-performance N52 neodymium magnets

High sensitivity, easy-to-drive 
110dB/1Vrms@1kHz
94dB/mW @1kHz

A liquid nitrogen frozen monocrystalline copper cable included 
Premium materials, crafted with dedication

Dual kinds of interchangeable ear pads included 
Lambskin/Lambskin/Breathable fabric ear pads

Dual interchangeable audio plugs included 
Universal compatibility for all your needs

Proprietary driver
A culmination of many technologies 
106mm large planar driver

"When I listen to a 15-inch large speaker, I can feel its abundant energy reserves, how effortlessly it presents sound, and the low-frequency energy that pushes air forward that the listener can feel - creating a true sense of presence. This time, I've brought that experience to headphones, with a newly self-developed and designed 106mm full-size planar driver. Multiple innovative acoustic patent technologies are applied to further discover the ultra-low frequency response capabilities of planar headphones." - Joseph, Chief Engineer FiiO IEMs R&D Center

Gold and silver
Bringing out the best in each other
Patented gold + silver multi-layer coil plating

The FT7 employs FIIO's self-developed planar driver technology- a patented multi-layer coating system. The planar driver uses high-performance PET as the diaphragm substrate and selectively applies 24K gold and pure silver to create a multi-layer coated driver - leveraging the advantages of both of those precious metals. This allows the FT7 to have a highly detailed, yet charmingly rich sound.

Gold is highly dense, and also has very high internal resistance and excellent ductility. The addition of a gold coating layer, enhances the damping of the diaphragm, making the mid and low-frequencies sound relaxed and enjoyable.

Silver boasts low resistance and high electrical conductivity. High-frequency currents travel quickly through pure silver material with minimal loss, resulting in highly detailed treble. Additionally, silver is not very dense and is lightweight, improving the driver's sensitivity.

Top-class planar driver
1μm thin diaphragm

Engineers have constantly strived to achieve thinner and lighter diaphragms for planar drivers. After two years of independent research and development, FIIO has created for the FT7 a class-leading 1μm ultra-thin diaphragm, using high-performance PET as the substrate. The difference between even a 2μm and a 1μm diaphragm thickness results in noticeable performance differences when the diaphragm is vibrating at high speeds, which ultimately affects sound quality. The FT7's 1μm ultra-thin diaphragm is exceptionally lightweight, allowing it to respond with lightning-quick speed. It faithfully reproduces even subtle sounds in the ultra-high frequency range, as well as providing exceptional dynamic range.

Advanced technology for advanced sound
28 nm-grade process technology

To have its driver diaphragm manufactured with sufficiently high quality, the FIIO FT7 driver is made using a 28 nm-grade process. This technique, inspired by coating technology used within the semiconductor industry, completely isolates the conductive trace material from the surrounding air. The trace material exists in a vacuum state at a pressure of 6.6 × 10⁻³ pascals, and the temperature is raised to 120°C. The trace material is transformed into ionized particles, which then accumulate on an ultra-thin 1 μm film through charge attraction principles. This process creates the desired coating thickness for optimal acoustics and significantly enhances the durability and lifespan of the traces*.

*Regarding the typically-held notion that planar drivers have a short lifespan - the proprietary driver has undergone over one year of aging tests in FIIO Labs. During this testing period, there have been no occurrences of detachment, separation, or wire breakage in general. Sound quality still remains within standards.

Flowing stripes
A natural work of art
Natural zebrawood grille

The FT7's grille front cover is made from zebra wood, sourced from West Africa from trees that typically grow at an altitude of 1,600 meters. Its grain resembles the flowing patterns on a zebra, a dynamic animal that well represents the unique wilderness of the West African highlands. Each grille strip aligns precisely with the magnet positions, leading to reducing sound wave interference caused by reflections off of the grille.

Balanced energy
Uniform force
Patented uniform magnetic field design

Finite element analysis shows that traditional rectangular magnet designs exhibit uneven magnet fields, with some areas particularly strong and others weak. This results in uneven forces acting on the voice coils within the magnetic field, which can lead to driver breakup due to uneven movement and thus lead to distortion. The FT7 is equipped with FIIO's patented acoustic technology - the uniform magnetic field design. By optimizing the arrangement of the magnetic circuit and utilizing rounded-corner magnets, we are able to achieve a uniform magnetic field, ensuring all parts of the planar driver diaphragm are evenly stressed. This reduces driver breakup and minimizes distortion.

Typical magnetic field design

As seen in the finite element simulation diagram, with conventional designs the magnetic field is uneven, with some areas particularly strong and others weak. This leads to uneven forces acting on the coils within the magnetic field, which increases the chance of breakup in the diaphragm and thus distortion, which degrades sound quality.

FIIO uniform magnetic field design

FIIO's uniform magnetic field magnet design incorporates rounded corners on the sides of the magnets, which expand the magnetic field. The result is a more evenly distributed magnetic field, and thus the planar diaphragm is more evenly stressed. What you hear is a more refined tone.

Patented technology
N52 high-performance neodymium magnets

Thanks to the patented uniform magnetic field design, the magnetic field range is expanded. This not only helps to ensure high sensitivity of the FT7's large 106mm driver, it also helps to reduce driver weight and thus improve wearing comfort.

The FT7 features a dual-sided push-pull magnetic circuit system, with 9 on one side of each headphone driver and 18 on both sides of high-performance N52 neodymium magnets with a magnetic flux of up to 1.5T. The magnets provide abundant energy reserves that make for excellent transient response, textured bass.

5-40kHz wide frequency response
Hear every last detail

Flagship quality
But light to wear
427g weight

Wearing comfort is always something that FIIO has paid attention to. The FT7 may have a large 106mm planar driver, but it only weighs 427g, which is exceptional among high-end planar headphones.

Large carbon fiber body

No cost was spared in reducing the weight of the headphones as much as possible. Thus, many of the headphones are made of lightweight, high-strength carbon fiber so that the FT7 is comfortable to wear even for longer listening sessions.

-192°C cryogenic treatment Liquid nitrogen frozen monocrystalline copper cable

A new cable, made of over 6N OCC (99.99998%) high-purity monocrystalline copper, was specifically crafted and fine-tuned for the FT7 and its sound characteristics. The copper undergoes cryogenic treatment with frozen nitrogen kept at -192°C for 7 days. This accelerates the elimination of internal stress within the metal material, as well as aligning and tightening the crystal boundaries to enhance electrical conductivity and signal transmission. This ensures that free electrons in the conductor can flow smoothly from one atom to another for improved sound clarity. Additionally, PFA with a dielectric constant of only 2.1 is chosen as the insulation layer for the cable. PFA has damping and shock-resistant properties, which also can contribute to the resulting sound. Planar headphones typically are highly resolving but tend to sound somewhat "dry." The PFA insulation layer not only retains the high resolving nature of the single-crystal copper wire but also helps adjust the mid and low frequencies, giving a touch of tonal richness for a more relaxed and enjoyable sound.

• Conductor cross-sectional area: 4x21AWG
• Conductor material: 6N OCC (99.99998%) high-purity monocrystalline copper
• Conductor structure: Coaxially twisted
• Insulation material: PFA
• Dielectric constant: 2.1
• Internal sheath: TPU
• Outer sheath: Nylon
• Length: About 3m
• Cable outer diameter: about 7.5*4.5mm

Note: Cryogenic treatment refers to processing the copper wire at an ultra-low temperature of -192°C, excluding the outer protective jacket of the cable.

Wide compatibility
Two audio adapters included

The FT7 features a 4.4mm balanced cable that is simple to replace and easy to use, with carbon fiber to form a unified design language with the headphones themselves. Two adapters are also included:

• 4.4mm to XLR-4 balanced adapter
• 4.4mm to 6.35mm adapter

A rich listening experience
Two sets of ear pads included

Lambskin: clear sound, wide soundstage, highly detailed

Breathable fabric: skin-friendly and breathable, enhances the atmosphere of the music, and improves the depth of vocals

Included a headphone storage bag

The custom storage bag included features Yaoli linen, which is both comfortable thanks to its soft texture and subtly luxurious thanks to its soft luster. It is tightly woven, wear-resistant, and does not pill.

Hi-Res Audio certified

The FT7 has been certified by the Japan Audio Society (JAS) and by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) to be Hi-Res Audio capable. This is a testament to the headphone's abilities to faithfully and accurately reproduce audio as it was meant to be heard.

Basic specifications

• Headphone type Open planar headphones
• Driver 106mm proprietary planar driver
• Frequency response 5Hz-40kHz
• Impedance 25Ω±15%
• Headphone sensitivity 94dB/mW@1kHz, 110dB/Vrms@1kHz
• Weight About 427g (excluding cable)
• Earpad pressure 4.2N±0.3N
• Cable material 6N liquid nitrogen frozen monocrystalline copper cable
• Cable length About 3m
• Headphone cable connector Dual 3.5mm TS
• Audio plug 4.4mm balanced

Packing list

• Quick start guide*1
• Headphone cable*1
• XLR-4 male to 4.4mm female balanced adapter*1
• 4.4mm to 6.35mm adapter*1
• Lambskin ear pads*1 pair (pre-installed)
• Breathable fabric pads*1 pair
• Headphones*1
• Linen storage bag*1
• FT7 box*1