Sound comes from the vibration of material – thus, the choice of the driver is quite important in determining sound quality. The FT3 features a large 60mm dynamic driver, uncommon in its class. Compared to a smaller driver, the FT3 can push more air and convert energy into the sound more efficiently – resulting in a more natural yet robust sound with an expansive soundstage.

The FT3’s large dynamic driver also has other benefits. For example, due to its large size, the diaphragm is capable of bearing higher output power, leading to less distortion under large dynamic signals. Also, the larger driver is more easily able to produce lower frequencies for deeper reaching bass.

The diaphragm is one of the most important parts of a dynamic driver. And not just any diaphragm material can meet the demands of the FT3 due to the large driver size. After extensive testing at FiiO, a beryllium-plated gasket + DLC diaphragm was chosen for the 350 ohm version of the FT3. The FT3 driver gasket is plated with beryllium. This not only results in a lighter gasket (and thus a lighter driver), but also a more rigid gasket better able to handle the movement of the large dynamic driver for less distortion.

The diaphragm of the FT3 (350 Ohm version) is made of DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon), – which is both highly sturdy and lightweight compared to other diaphragm materials. This means that the FT3 (350 Ohm version) driver is less prone to breakup and thus nonlinear distortion, while also having an extremely extended frequency response and improved soundstage.

The FT3 was designed with great sound as the primary goal, and features 350Ω impedance to achieve that. Compared to lower impedance headphones, higher impedance headphones more effectively filter out noise to the listener resulting in a purer sound with higher signal-to-noise ratio performance.

The voice coil is made of ultra-fine Japanese copper-clad aluminium only 0.035mm thick in diameter. This finer voice coil allows the driver to better and more quickly follow signals, has anti-inteference capabilities, and allows for thunderous dynamics across a wide frequency response range.

To create a large 60mm dynamic driver that is also easy to drive with a low 32Ω resistance, the FIIO development team had to look beyond conventional materials to make the diaphragm. After much R&D and testing, the development team decided to equip the FT3 with an LCP aluminum-plated + aluminum metal composite diaphragm that not only makes the FT3 32Ω version easy to drive, but crucially allows it to retain high-quality sound.

According to Fiio, the 32 ohm version features increased and more responsive bass performance. As for the mid-frequency vocals, compared to the 350Ω version, the positioning is forward with enhanced vocal density. The sound of the 32 ohm version is relatively warmer and more suitable for pop music.

The exterior of the FT3 is made entirely of aluminium alloy that not only feels luxurious to the touch, but is also highly rigid yet lightweight.

The FT3 has undergone much fit testing in Fiio Labs, and the 3-axis swivelling design is one result of that testing. The 3-axis swivelling design was specifically made so that the FT3 could better fit a wide variety of head and face shapes.

All of these elements make the FT3 comfortable for hours and hours of music enjoyment.

The FT3 comes with 2 sets of earpads, each with their own sound.

• Suede earpads: balanced sound, enhanced ambience, a majestic experience
• Protein-leather earpads: Clear sound, large soundstage, highly detailed

The FT3 cable features swappable plugs of the following 4 kinds:

• 3.5mm / 4.4 mm swappable plugs
• 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter
• 4.4mm to XLR-4 balanced adapter