Fiio FT1 Pro vs. Audio-Technica ATH-R50x Comparison Review

Affordable headphones just keep getting better and better these days. Just recently, we’ve reviewed several entry-level headsets that we’ve enjoyed quite a bit. Without a doubt, though, two of the most promising open-back headphones under $200 are the Fiio FT1 Pro and the Audio-Technica ATH-R50x. At $199.99 at $159 respectively, these headphones take vastly different approaches, yet both deliver outstanding listening experiences. But which is the right one for you? We’ll break that all down in this review. 

Unboxing the FT1 Pro and R50x:

Look & Feel:

With the FT1 Pro, Fiio tried to combine sophisticated design and high-quality components into an affordable package. In doing that, they incorporated a metal headband with a steel slide rail complimenting its protein leather ear pads and headband cushion. Its grills are also made of metal, and overall, the FT1 Pro feels pretty solid given the price. The one place where they could use a touch more refinement is on its connecting pieces. Screws and hinges around the headphone do feel like they could falter under wear and tear. Either way, weighing in at 374 grams, it’s a very comfortable headphone. It seems Fiio wants these to show off the potential luxury they can provide throughout their product line. I think they succeed at making a model that functions as an entry point to their higher tier models. 

The R50x goes for a more minimalist approach. Coming in at an incredible 207 grams, the R50x is a pleasure to wear on the head. But even with its radically lightweight frame, it still feels durable and substantial. Like the FT1 Pro, it also uses metal components throughout, like on its yokes and headband. It uses velour for its ear pads, and overall, it has a very open feel to it. This is also due in part to its very open grills, which allows for better airflow and transients. Compared to Fiio, it’s much more modest in scope, but the two headphones achieve equal success while taking vastly different approaches. 

Design:

Look and feel aren’t the only places where Fiio and Audio-Technica diverged when crafting these headphones. The FT1 Pro uses a 95x86mm planar magnetic driver with a 1μm thin diaphragm. This design is meant to enhance the headphone’s overall tuning and signal flow properties. At 20 ohms and with a 95dB/mW @ 1kHz SPL, the FT1 Pro is fairly easy to drive. It does come with a balanced cable and in my testing, I found it to perform better with more power. While you should be able to run it off of anything, it will definitely scale up with better power. 

The R50x uses a 45mm dynamic driver and prioritizes unrestricted airflow throughout the transducer. I mentioned the open grills, and this is what they’re meant for. In theory, this design should provide faster transient response and lower distortion. Similar to the FT1 Pro, its 50 ohm impedance and 93.3db/mW @1kHz SPL makes it moderately easy to drive. But again, like the Fiio, it will scale with more power as well. 

Sound Impressions:

Low End:

The FT1 Pro’s bass response can be characterized by a deep sub bass, thanks to its planar magnetic driver, and subdued midbass. This allows for fast bass hits, though they may lack some body in those middle frequencies. But that works well for the overall sound signature, as it makes for a punchy and lean response. Notes don’t bleed into the midrange, but still feel visceral due to its quick sense of attack and decay. And don’t sleep on the FT1 Pro’s ability to resolve low-end detail, specifically in that sub bass area. 

Meanwhile the R50x is a bit more neutral. While it has a little less slam in its sub bass, it’s more even in its midbass transition, leading to a more delicate and textured sound. Where the FT1 Pro might be a bit more exciting due to its quick dynamics, the R50x is more suitable for critical listening and professional use cases. In a way, the bass on the FT1 Pro and R50x compliment each other quite well as their differing approaches achieve their own distinct sound properties. 

Midrange:

Moving up to the mids, the FT1 Pro offers a well-balanced midrange with a smooth, and slightly forward presentation. Instruments and vocals are well-defined, though it seems to prioritize timbre over texture and resolution. While instrumental separation is solid, there is a heavy concentration of midrange information that can feel a bit more intimate and engaging, rather than laid back and spacious. 

The R50x goes that other direction and leans into its more laid back and resolving capabilities. With its more expansive soundstage, it pulls off a nice sense of articulation and clarity. Instruments sound detailed with an organic tonality, and at its price point, it resolves details quite well. So again, these two headphones stand apart from each other in their approaches, but reach their own distinct sounds. 

Highs:

The FT1 Pro has a well-managed treble range with a nice sense of height and extension. There’s a slight sparkle in the highs that adds some flavor without overpowering the mix. In specific tracks, there was just a little extra pizzazz in cymbal hits and higher frequency instruments that spiced things up in a nice way. It’s also the most detailed portion of the frequency response, making good use of its ample headroom to resolve smaller intricacies.

On the other hand, the R50x features a more subtle treble response, with details presented in a smooth and even manner. In avoiding excessive brightness, it’s more suitable for long listening sessions without fatigue. The high frequencies are technically sound, providing a balanced approach and top-notch resolution for the price range, and overall, I think this balanced and refined presentation makes for a headphone for long term listening and professional use. 

Soundstage:

The FT1 Pro has a wide and immersive soundstage, offering an impressive sense of space where instruments seem to float around the listener. The soundfield expands beyond the head, creating an almost cinematic feel. However, its spatial imaging prioritizes spectacle over pinpoint precision, making it more suited for an expansive listening experience rather than accurate instrumental placement.

In contrast, the R50x is more accurate with its sound localization, but perhaps a little more grounded in its stereo width. Don’t get me wrong, the R50x has a solid sense of space and its wide-open ear cups help create an excellent stereo field. However, where the FT1 Pro maximizes range and depth, the R50x feels more like a well-placed set of studio monitors, keeping sounds true to the recording. 

Final Verdict

These two headphones demonstrate what makes the audio world so fascinating. While these headphones don’t seem to have much in common, they ultimately provide their own excellent sound experiences. I’d break it down like this: if you want a fun and engaging headphone, the FT1 Pro is a great choice. Its quick bass, lush midrange, and dazzling top end make for a highly engaging frequency response, and its wide soundstage has many nooks and crannies to get lost in. But if you want accuracy and resolution, particularly for professional uses, then the R50x is probably a better choice. Of course at such reasonable prices, I think these headphones make excellent compliments to each other and could each find a place in any audiophile’s collection. At the end of the day, it comes down to each listener’s personal preferences. 

The Fiio FT1 Pro and Audio-Technica ATH-R50x are both available at Audio46.