Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 25 Plus. Both are rated 4.1/5 for sound quality (#55 and #47 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the Sennheiser HD 25 Plus costs $199.95 against $219.99 for the FiiO FT3, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
The case for the FiiO FT3: The FT3 scores 85 for preference in the median of five hobbyist measurements on squig.link, with a 1.71 dB deviation from target and a warm tilt. The catch: At 350 ohms it needs a dedicated headphone amplifier to reach full volume and control.
Why pick the Sennheiser HD 25 Plus: A preference score of 83 in crinacle’s measurement is excellent for a closed-back headphone, and a slightly warm tilt of minus 0.28 suits listeners who like a smooth, full sound. The tradeoff: It is a wired design with no wireless or ANC features.
Buy the Sennheiser HD 25 Plus. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $20.04 less than the FiiO FT3.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| FiiO FT3 | Sennheiser HD 25 Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $219.99 | $199.95 |
| Ranked | #47 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #55 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 84 (median of 5 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 83 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.71 dB standard deviation | 2.15 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.47 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.28 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.0 dB at 30 Hz) | - |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 60mm dynamic | - |
| Impedance | 350 ohms | 70 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 105 dB/Vrms | - |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (391 g) | 0.3 lbs (140 g) |
| Frequency Response | 7Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 16Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How FiiO FT3 compares with other leading options:
- FiiO FT1 Pro vs FiiO FT3
- AKG K701 vs FiiO FT3
- FiiO FT3 vs Sivga Oriole
- FiiO FT3 vs AKG K612 Pro
- Sennheiser HD 25 Plus vs AKG K612 Pro
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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
FiiO FT3: $219.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: The FT3 scores 85 for preference in the median of five hobbyist measurements on squig.link, with a 1.71 dB deviation from target and a warm tilt. Bass runs about 1.4 dB above target and holds within 2 dB at 30 Hz, so the low end has real body for an open dynamic headphone. Its 60 mm driver suits listeners who like a warm or bassy tuning.
Cons: At 350 ohms it needs a dedicated headphone amplifier to reach full volume and control. A 5 dB dip near 6.3 kHz followed by a 6.5 dB peak near 10.7 kHz makes the treble uneven, so some cymbals sound recessed while others stand out. The open back leaks sound and offers no isolation. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full FiiO FT3 review and specifications →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.71 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 60mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 7Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 84 (median of 5 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 350 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 105 dB/Vrms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.47 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (391 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sennheiser HD 25 Plus: $199.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 83 in crinacle’s measurement is excellent for a closed-back headphone, and a slightly warm tilt of minus 0.28 suits listeners who like a smooth, full sound. At 140 g it is very light, and 70 ohms is manageable for most sources. Its closed back keeps sound in and offers some isolation.
Cons: It is a wired design with no wireless or ANC features. It costs more than the Audio-Technica ATH-R50x at the same rating.
Full Sennheiser HD 25 Plus review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.15 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 16Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 70 ohms |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.28 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.3 lbs (140 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.8 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 | +6.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 89 Hz | -6.3 dB | 0.65 |
| Peak | 5,384 Hz | +4.8 dB | 1.87 |
| Peak | 347 Hz | +2.2 dB | 0.84 |
| Peak | 2,055 Hz | -1.5 dB | 0.79 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +5.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,635 Hz | -2.2 dB | 1.35 |
| Peak | 37 Hz | -0.9 dB | 3.57 |
| Peak | 51 Hz | +1.1 dB | 5.00 |
| Peak | 6,437 Hz | +1.4 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons