Short answer: the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X. Both are rated 3.2/5 for sound quality (#101 and #96 of 134 over-ear headphones), and the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X costs $149.99 against $164.99 for the FiiO FT1, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
What the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X does well: The open-back 53mm driver gives a wide, airy sound, and the air region above 10 kHz is nearly on target. The tradeoff: Sub-bass sits about 11 dB below target and bass from 60 to 200 Hz is roughly 3 dB low, so kick drums and bass lines sound thin.
Why pick the FiiO FT1: Sub-bass and bass both sit about 2.6 dB above target, so kick drums and bass lines have noticeable punch and rumble without bloating the midrange, which stays within a third of a dB of target. The tradeoff: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 5 dB low with a 8.7 dB dip near 9.5 kHz, which dulls cymbals and takes the edge off sibilance.
Buy the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $15 less than the FiiO FT1.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X | FiiO FT1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 | $164.99 |
| Ranked | #101 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones | #96 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 63 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 64 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.47 dB standard deviation | 2.56 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.48 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.20 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 53mm dynamic | 1 x 60mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 38 ohms | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW | 98 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (265 g) | 0.7 lbs (340 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How FiiO FT1 compares with other leading options:
- 1MORE Triple Driver Over Ear vs Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X
- Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X vs Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
- Sennheiser HD 280 Pro vs Anker Soundcore Space One
- Sennheiser HD 280 Pro vs Sony WH-CH510
- Audio-Technica ATH-M20x vs Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X: $149.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: The open-back 53mm driver gives a wide, airy sound, and the air region above 10 kHz is nearly on target. At 38 ohms and 100 dB/mW it runs directly from a phone, and it weighs only 265 g.
Cons: Sub-bass sits about 11 dB below target and bass from 60 to 200 Hz is roughly 3 dB low, so kick drums and bass lines sound thin. A 11.8 dB dip near 7.2 kHz, with presence about 6 dB low, dulls vocals and cymbals, and a 3.47 dB deviation makes it less even than most. The open back leaks sound and offers no isolation.
Full Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X review and specifications →
| Released | 2012 (14 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.47 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 53mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 63 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 38 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.48 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (265 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.5 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +6.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,422 Hz | -4.8 dB | 0.87 |
| Peak | 2,626 Hz | +6.9 dB | 1.24 |
| Peak | 157 Hz | -3.2 dB | 0.48 |
| Peak | 6,954 Hz | +5.0 dB | 3.00 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,990 Hz | +3.5 dB | 5.55 |
| Peak | 4,063 Hz | -2.6 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 51 Hz | +0.9 dB | 3.36 |
| Peak | 77 Hz | -0.6 dB | 2.81 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
FiiO FT1: $164.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Sub-bass and bass both sit about 2.6 dB above target, so kick drums and bass lines have noticeable punch and rumble without bloating the midrange, which stays within a third of a dB of target. The 32 ohm, 98 dB/mW closed-back design runs directly from a phone or laptop, with a smoother response than most at 2.56 dB deviation.
Cons: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 5 dB low with a 8.7 dB dip near 9.5 kHz, which dulls cymbals and takes the edge off sibilance. A 3.7 dB peak near 5.2 kHz and air about 3 dB high make the top end uneven. At 340 g it is on the heavier side.
Full FiiO FT1 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.56 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 60mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 64 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.20 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (340 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.3 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -2.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 155 Hz | -3.4 dB | 1.47 |
| Peak | 7,882 Hz | +4.5 dB | 1.99 |
| Peak | 3,835 Hz | +4.6 dB | 3.54 |
| Peak | 5,303 Hz | -5.6 dB | 4.56 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,735 Hz | -1.9 dB | 3.24 |
| Peak | 61 Hz | +0.9 dB | 2.22 |
| Peak | 579 Hz | +0.8 dB | 1.78 |
| Peak | 239 Hz | -0.5 dB | 2.59 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples