Short answer: the FiiO FT7. It ranks #15 of 481 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $699.99; the Dan Clark Audio Ether CX ranks #54, rated 4.2/5, at $696.78. With prices this close, go by the sound-quality ranking rather than the cost.
What the FiiO FT7 does well: Superb measured tuning: the median of 5 measurements scores 91 on the Harman preference scale with a 1.59 dB spread, and everything from bass through the treble sits within about 1.5 dB of target. Watch for: Sub-bass falls about 4.5 dB short at 30 Hz, as is common for open backs, and a peak near 12 kHz in the measurements can add sharpness on bright tracks.
The case for the Dan Clark Audio Ether CX: Measured response gives it an excellent Harman preference score of 86 with a 2.20 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. The catch: Sub-bass is 5.7 dB short at 30 Hz, so deep bass lacks rumble.
Buy the FiiO FT7. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $3.21 with the Dan Clark Audio Ether CX does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
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Superb measured tuning: the median of 5 measurements scores 91 on the Harman preference scale with a 1.59 dB spread, and everything from bass through the treble sits within about 1.5 dB of target.
Amazon $699.99 eBay
Measured response gives it an excellent Harman preference score of 86 with a 2.20 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural.
Amazon $696.78 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 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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Specifications Side By Side
| FiiO FT7 | Dan Clark Audio Ether CX | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.99 | $696.78 |
| Ranked | #15 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones | #54 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Planar | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 106mm planar magnetic | - |
| Impedance | 25 ohms | 23 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 94 dB/mW | 92 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (427 g) | 0.9 lbs (430g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 91 (median of 5 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 86 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.59 dB standard deviation | 2.20 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.10 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.06 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.5 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 56 Hz (-5.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
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