I tested FiiO’s brand-new audiophile headphones, and they’re my new go-to recommendation for beginner hi-fi nerds

The FiiO FT13 are serious contenders for the best headphones title. For audiophile newbies, I don’t think you can get much better. With rich, warm bass and prominent treble, the sound signature will impress those coming from Bluetooth headphones and reference cans alike.

Thanks to the robust 60mm dynamic drivers, I was grooving along to every bassline and melody. While experienced audiophiles might boo-hoo the bassier sound signature, I loved the decadence that the louder low-end provided. On top of expansive, rich sound, the FT13 come with three connectivity types. Oh, and you don’t need a DAC to get high-quality audio. Score!

But are they the cans for you? I’ll discuss everything in full in this FiiO FT13 review.

FiiO FT13 review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? Some entry-level audiophile-grade headphones for those dipping their toes into the world of wired audio
• What does it cost? $329 / £289
• What do we like? The sound is really deep, rich, and warm
• What don’t we like? That sound can be a little harsh in the treble, but only in some genres

FiiO FT13 review: Specs

FiiO FT13 review: Price & availability

The FiiO FT13 are $329 from Amazon U.S. and £289 from Amazon U.K., which is a pretty reasonable price for audiophile reference headphones like these. I’ve tested the new Meze 99 Classics Gen 2, which are priced at $349, and would be better for super-long listening sessions in the studio due to the lighter headband.

Sennheiser’s HD 505 are priced identically: $329 at Amazon. Sennheiser also makes the premium HD 650, which are $579 at Amazon. I’d recommend checking out the Sennheiser models if you want open-backed cans with similarly robust sound. If you’re not sure on the difference between closed- and open-back headphones, open-backed headphones lack the casing around the rear of the drivers. This lets in more air and provides a wider soundscape, but, naturally, also sound seeps in and out.

I would recommend the FT13 for those just dipping their toes into the world of audiophile-grade listening. You should be aware that you might want a headphone amplifier to get the best sound, which adds an extra cost.

I tested the FT13 plugged into my laptop and the FiiO K11. The K11 is $175 from Amazon, and is a great investment if you’re serious about experiencing hi-fi audio.

However, the FT13 still sounded good when connected to my MacBook Air M2. Sure, they sounded better with the K11, but if you’re looking to save money, I don’t think the difference is that major.

FiiO FT13 review: Design

• No vegan option
• Plasticky earcups
• Very comfy

The FT13 are a gorgeous pair of headphones. They truly are remarkable. But there’s one major flaw holding me back. I really think FiiO was onto something with the FT13’s design, and then… faceplanted at the final hurdle.

Look at the FT13. They’re gorgeous. The purple wood, the velveteen cups, the floral mandala decoration on the driver casing. They really could’ve been something special. Something for the history books.

But the plasticky coating is so cheap-looking, and completely negates the sumptuous luxury of the purpleheart wood backing. Why? Why ruin such beautiful wood with a plastic-looking varnish?

I hope that FiiO takes a leaf out of Meze’s design books for the next generation of these headphones. The Meze 99 Classics Gen 2 are similarly priced and also constructed of wood, but the difference between the Mezes’ matte wood and the FiiOs’ shiny wood is like night and day. The 99 Classics just look so much more sophisticated.

While on the topic of the next generation of the FT13 (not that I know anything about that, this is pure speculation/wishful thinking), I would really like to see a vegan option on offer in the future. I would never buy a pair of headphones with leather earcups, purely for the fact that the headphones have leather earcups. I would always go for the vegan option.

I know other high-end brands like Bowers & Wilkins — the PX8 S2 for example — use leather cups, but this is still a major turn-off for me.

Anyway, that’s literally the only negative thing I have to say about these headphones. Both the leather and suede earcups are very comfortable, and the headphones are made well. Functionality-wise, they’re perfect. I just wish the wood didn’t look so shiny, and there was a vegan option.

FiiO FT13 review: Connectivity

• Comes with 2 3.5mm jacks, ¼ inch jack, and an XLR jack
• Long, braided copper cable
• Work with or without a DAC

As I said in the “Price & availability” section above, I used the FT13 with and without the FiiO K11 DAC. True audiophiles will boo-hoo me for saying this, but I don’t think a DAC is 100% necessary if you’re a newbie or looking to stretch your pennies.

The K11 made my music sound more immersive, wider, and deeper, but the FT13 still sounded great sans-DAC. It’s up to you if you want to buy the DAC to elevate your listening experience or not.

The FT13 come with four connection types: 2 x 3.5mm (for repairs), a ¼ inch, and an XLR. This is great for studio musicians, as FiiO has covered all bases for all equipment types.

FiiO FT13 review: Sound quality

• Deft bass for audiophile cans
• Some sibilant treble in heavier genres
• Fantastic, expansive soundscape

This is why you’re here, right? You want to know how the FiiO FT13 sound. They are, after all, audiophile headphones.

Despite being closed-back cans, I found the sound to be relatively expansive. Obviously, open-backed headphones are better suited if you want the widest soundscape physically possible, but the FT13 are still expansive for closed-backs.

To test the FiiO FT13, I listened to various genres on Qobuz, our best music streaming service for audiophiles. I listened to much more music than this, but I’ll discuss three standout tracks now.

I listened to ‘Golden Brown’ by The Stranglers. This track has a really immersive, atmospheric section towards the end, with stereo vocals layered over the harpsichord melody. I truly felt like the vocals were being sung directly into my ears, and the music sounded as if it was being played into one ear at a time. The bass was rich and warm, which surprised me. Rich bass is mostly absent on other audiophile headphones I’ve used.

After, I played ‘Angel’ by Massive Attack. The radiant, circular bassline climbed up and down its notes deftly, and the low-end was notably impressive. The bass excelled when layered over the slightly sibilant percussion, and this space really allowed the FT13 to show me what they’re capable of. I found the vocals a little pushed back, but I was more than happy to groove along to the bass.

I also listened to ‘All I Am’ by Ninajirachi, which is an effusive EDM track with glowing synths and squelchy bass, layered over soft vocals. I thought this track sounded immense. Everything from the glitchy synths to the pounding drum machine made me want to get up and dance.

Overall, the sound quality of the FT13 is just what you’d expect from premium headphones. The instrument separation is fantastic, and there’s a tangible expansiveness in every genre. I will say that heavier genres (‘Unravelling’ by Muse and ‘RIDING WITH MY GIRLS’ by Die Spitz’) suffer from slightly sibilant treble, but this wasn’t notable enough to hugely impact my listening experience.

FiiO FT13 review: Verdict

All in all, the FiiO FT13 are a pair of standout audiophiles that could hold their own in a room filled with Focals and Mezes. Of course, serious audiophiles might want something with a touch less bass and a more faithful mid-range, but I think the FT13 are the perfect stepping stone cans for new audiophiles.

With more bass than Meze’s similarly priced cans and a less complex midrange, the FT13 are more my personal taste than the 99 Classics 2nd Gen. Even so, the 99 Classics are more comfortable for longer listening sessions and have a more faithful midsection, so would be my recommendation for studio musicians or producers.

All that being said, I’m still a huge fan of these cans. The FiiO FT13 are a stellar pair of headphones that will make a burgeoning baby audiophile very, very happy indeed.