The world of planar magnetic headphones has grown rapidly, offering listeners a wide range of options that balance technical innovation with high-quality sound. For audiophiles, build quality, comfort, and tonal accuracy are often just as important as raw performance. With so many choices available, it can be difficult to know which model stands out and best suits your listening style. Let’s take a closer look at the Fosi Audio i5, exploring its design, comfort, and sound to see how it stacks up in today’s competitive headphone market.
What You Get
- i5 Headphone
- 6.35mm Adaptor
- 3.5mm Cable
- User Manual
Look & Feel
I’ve listened to my fair share of large headphones from the likes of HiFiMAN, Audeze, and HEDD Audio, but Fosi’s i5 is one of the biggest I’ve worn in a while. It’s almost comical how big these headphones look, especially if you have a smaller head. In terms of build, the i5 is a combination of a few other open-back headphones I’ve used in the past. HiFiMAN’s design comes to mind, with the i5’s aluminum frame and grille pattern. Then there are the walnut wood cups, which remind me of Meze’s recent headphones, like the 105 Silva, except much bigger.
When you wear these headphones, the i5’s largeness doesn’t really come into play, as the headphones are moderately comfortable. My only gripe with its fit is the headband adjustment, which is not the easiest to handle when the headphones are on your head. The genuine suede pads are large and encapsulate your ears circumaurally. I would have preferred a bit more pinch, but I think most people will like the softer security of the cups that don’t push too much on your head.
Design
The Fosi Audio i5 is built around a 97 mm planar magnetic driver featuring an ultra-thin (~2 µm) diaphragm coated with a 1.3 µm silver alloy using targeted sputtering technology. This is suspended in a symmetrical array of 44 N50 neodymium magnets (22 per side) to ensure precise diaphragm control, low distortion, and fast transient response, with a quoted frequency range of 10 Hz–50 kHz, sensitivity around 98 dB/mW, and impedance of 28 Ohms.
Soundstage
My initial impression of the i5 was its soundstage, which I found to be a bit too narrow and centered in the middle. It was a much more intimate presentation than what I was expecting, especially since the imaging took on an airier appearance in the mix. The more I listened, the more the i5 started to open up, although after many hours of listening, I still don’t think the soundstage breaks out for me. Separation and channel identity are very good, but everything exists on the same plane. Layers are slightly stacked forward and back, but not in a way that features significant dimension or depth. The meat of the frequencies was always somewhere around the middle and facing inward.
Low End
There’s a clear bass presence with the i5, but it’s not the most energetic part of the sound signature. I like the smooth tone and general clarity of the bass frequencies, but I don’t find them to feature much depth. They sit in a tight space that has some thump to it, but it’s nothing I find too significant to find all that satisfying. Sub-bass extension is minimal, and its impact is a bit too soft, but notes are clear enough to showcase tight grooves with balance.
Mids
The midrange has the most consistent response on the i5. Its tone is pushed forward to project an engrossing body of sound. The timbre is neutral, which leaves some performances sounding a bit too plain, but the clarity and detail of the instruments are fully intact. Everything feels elevated, but sometimes the mids lack a level of texture that allows the response to appear full. Vocals take the biggest hit by this, fulfilling a direct presence, but without the power to be authoritative.
Highs
While the soundstage doesn’t do the frequency response any favors, the highs help extend the height of the sound signature. It’s at its best when dealing with wispy textures and airiness. However, the highs seem to have a hard barrier to how resolving these frequencies can be. There’s a hard roll-off that dulls the tone quite a bit, but the gain of the treble is still satisfying.
Summary
The Fosi Audio i5 headphones make a bold first impression with their large, stylish design and impressive technical specs. While the soundstage feels more intimate than expansive, the headphones deliver clean mids, airy highs, and a balanced low end that favors clarity over punch. Comfort is solid, even if the headband adjustment could be smoother, and the suede pads provide a soft, enveloping fit for long listening sessions. For listeners seeking a unique entry into the planar magnetic world—one that prioritizes detail and midrange presence, the i5 is a compelling option. They may not fully compete with the soundstage depth of more established brands, but at their price point, the Fosi Audio i5 offers an intriguing alternative for audiophiles looking for a fresh take on planar design.
a compelling option for anyone serious about immersive, high-fidelity listening.
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The Fosi i5 is available at Audio46.
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