FiiO's new $499 planar headphones pair a wooden shell with a diamond-coated diaphragm

FiiO is usually the first brand to come to mind when thinking of digital audio players (DAPs) and digital-to-analog converters (DACs), but the brand also offers a wide range of IEMs, headphones, desktop amps, and cabinet speakers. Along with regular headphones, the brand’s lineup also includes planar headphones for richer audio with better instrument isolation, and it has now announced a new model in the category.

FiiO has announced new open-back headphones, the FT15, with a planar magnetic driver design. Unlike standard dynamic drivers, planar magnetic headphones use an ultra-thin diaphragm with a conductive coil etched into its surface. The diaphragm moves in response to the magnetic field from both sides, thereby generating audio waves, thereby acting as a voice coil itself. The complex design makes these headphones rather uncommon

FiiO already has another pair of open-back planar magnetic headphones, the FT7, but says the new ones feature a diaphragm that’s 86.7% thinner than that model. In absolute terms, this diaphragm measures just 0.8µm and comes with a “proprietary diamond coating” across the entire diaphragm to make it sturdier and reduce distortions. The result is a 6,443.5 mm² radiating surface from the 101mm drivers, which, FiiO says, leads to the sense of an open soundscape.

The FiiO FT15 headphones have a moderate sensitivity rating of 95dB/mW along with a low impedance of 24 ohms. That makes them easy to drive with a variety of hardware, from DAPs to smartphones (via USB-C DACs).

Externally, the headphones feature a walnut finish with tri-arrow cutouts on the outer mesh, lending them a premium appearance. The headphones also feature a carbon fiber headband that helps keep the weight at 425 grams, making them suitable for longer usage. The FiiO FT15 is available to buy on the company’s website for $499.99.