Over-Ear
FiiO Ft7
78Great
$1,040
Full review dataFiiO Ft7 vs HiFiMAN HE 1000se: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the HiFiMAN HE 1000se comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: HiFiMAN HE 1000se - Outstanding overall at around $1699.
Over-Ear
HiFiMAN HE 1000se
88Outstanding
$1,700
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
FiiO Ft7
Sound8.0
Value7.0
HiFiMAN HE 1000se
Sound9.5
Value6.5
Specifications
| Spec | FiiO Ft7 | HiFiMAN HE 1000se |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $1,040 | $1,700 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | - | 2018 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | planar | planar |
| Driver type | planar | - |
| Driver size | 106 mm | - |
| Drivers per side | 2 | - |
| Frequency response | 5Hz-40kHz | 8Hz-65kHz |
| Sound signature | - | Bright neutral |
| Impedance | 25 Ω | 35 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 94 dB/mW | 96 dB/mW |
| Sensitivity (dB/Vrms) | 110 | - |
| Features | ||
| Controls | buttons | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 427 g | 440 g |
| Balanced connection | Yes | Yes |
What reviewers said
FiiO Ft7
The FiiO FT7 is a premium open-back planar headphone that balances refined build quality with a natural, mature sound signature. It offers solid technical performance and practical drivability, though it truly shines with a capable amplifier and has a few ergonomic and tuning tradeoffs to consider.
- Pro:Large 106mm planar drivers deliver impressive detail and clarity
- Pro:Premium build with quality accessories included
- Pro:Natural, well-balanced tuning that avoids excessive emphasis
- Con:Sub-bass response could be more pronounced
- Con:Headband mechanism feels less refined than the rest of the build
- Con:Requires a decent amp to reach its full potential
HiFiMAN HE 1000se
The HiFiMAN HE1000se is a high-end planar magnetic headphone that delivers exceptional detail retrieval and a spacious, airy soundstage. Its bright-neutral tuning offers strong bass and treble extension, though the prominent treble can become harsh with lower-quality recordings. While its 35-ohm impedance and 96 dB sensitivity make it moderately easy to drive, it still benefits from quality amplification to perform at its best.
- Pro:Outstanding resolution and micro-detail clarity
- Pro:Wide, airy soundstage with excellent instrument separation
- Pro:Strong extension at both frequency extremes
- Con:Bright, peaky treble can fatigue on poorly mastered tracks
- Con:Requires a decent amp despite moderate sensitivity
- Con:Midrange lacks warmth and body for some tastes
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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