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DENON D5200 vs FiiO FT13 with Tuning Foam Mod – a Comparison Review

November 26, 2025 12 Min Read
Denon D5200 vs FiiO FT13
ByChris - Mr.Headphoneer

In this comparison review, I will compare the Denon D5200 to a slightly modified FiiO FT13. The FT13 has been altered in the simplest possible way: an acoustic filter placed directly in front of the driver. I refer to this as the “tuning foam mod”. 

THE MOD 

The mod is simple, non-intrusive, and won’t affect the warranty. You just remove the FT13’s ear pads, place a piece of acoustic foam over the drivers, and reattach the pads so they hold the foam securely between the drivers and your ear. 

Foam filter mod FiiO FT13 Headphoneer

The foam I use is a set of pads made specifically for this type of application, but originally designed for the Sennheiser HD 600 series. I chose the thicker 4–5 mm version from a third-party seller and trimmed each piece with scissors for a better fit.

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Here are links to the HD600 style foam filters I used, I believe my set came from the eBay link: 

  • Tuning foam for the mod: “Thin & Thick Inside Foam Disk .. HD600 ..” – direct links here: eBay or AliExpress. 

I elaborate on the mods in my full FT13 review: 

FiiO FT13 

The FiiO FT13 builds heavily on the successful FT1 and aims to offer a higher-end version based on the same principles. Though the technical performance is good, I’m not a fan of the stock tuning. However, with my “tuning foam mod”—a simple and fully reversible tweak—the FT13 becomes, in my opinion, an upgrade over the FT1 not only in technical performance but also when it comes to the tuning. 

The FT13 has Purpleheart wooden cups and 60mm dynamic drivers. It retails for around 300 USD/€329, almost double the FT1’s price.

DENON D5200 

Denon D5200 has been on the market for several years and builds on Denon’s proud heritage when it comes to making reference wooden back headphones. The D5200 comes with Zebrawood ear cups and 50 mm dynamic drivers. It is priced significantly higher than the FT13 at 799 USD/€599. 

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DENON AH-D5200 SPECIFICATIONS

  • Type: Closed back 
  • Cups: Zebrawood
  • Driver type: 50mm dynamic nano-fibre/paper
  • Impedance 24 Ω
  • Sensitivity 103 dB/mW
  • Maximum power input 1.800 mW
  • Frequency response 5 – 40,000 (Hz)
  • Detachable cable: 3.0 m length
  • Termination plug: 3.5 mm with 6.3 mm adapter
  • Headphone connectors 2 x 3.5mm
  • Pads and headband: pleather
  • Weight 385 g

Current price and availability: 

FiiO FT13 Headphoneer

FIIO FT13 SPECIFICATIONS

  • Closed-back dynamic headphones
  • Driver: 60mm dynamic
  • Impedance: 32 Ohms
  • Sensitivity: 98dB/mW@1kHz or 113dB/Vrms@1kHz
  • Frequency Response: 7Hz-40kHz
  • Natural Purpleheart wood
  • Headband: Adjustable magnesium alloy with a lambskin headband
  • Earpads: 2 types – lambskin and suede 
  • Cable length: 1.5 m detachable
  • Cable material: mono crystalline copper and silver-plated OFC
  • Headphone connector: Dual 3.5mm TRS
  • Audio cable plug: 3.5mm/4.4mm
  • Storage/transport case included
  • Weight: 356g

Current price and availability: 

BUILD AND COMFORT

The two headphones are fairly similar in build and design. The FT13 features larger ear cups and higher-quality materials in the pads and headband, using sheepskin instead of pleather. Both have detachable cables with 3.5 mm connectors on the headphone side and are comparable in weight. I find both comfortable to wear, though I slightly prefer the FT13.

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LISTENING COMPARISONS

Associated equipment: 

Note: As mentioned, the FT13 used in this comparison is lightly modified with acoustic tuning foam placed over the drivers. This simple change significantly alters—and improves—the tuning.

22 Variation by Mats Eilertsen with Franje and Strønen 

The D5200 offers excellent, well-balanced tonality and great timbre. The FT13 has a similar overall balance, but with slightly less forward mids and a more spacious presentation, giving instruments more room to breathe. I also find the FT13 to deliver a higher overall level of detail.

Mysig by Maridalen 

The D5200 is warm and midrange-focused. The FT13 has slightly more polite mids, but the overall character is similar. It offers better instrument separation, imaging, and depth.

Form Before Meaning by Greg Spero

The FT13 delivers powerful bass and is generally dynamic and detailed sounding. The D5200 has less bass and more emphasis on the mids, with a smaller soundstage and weaker imaging, yet it remains a very enjoyable listen. 

Rambling Man by Laura Marling 

Vocals on the D5200 are upfront, warm, and intense, with excellent tonality that feels natural and engaging. The FT13 has more polite but highly nuanced vocals that are less intense yet carry more detail. Its soundstage is larger, and its imaging is better.

Sunrise by Norah Jones 

The D5200 has more intense and warmer vocals. The FT13 has stronger bass, a larger soundstage, and better imaging and detail.

Limit to Your Love by James Blake 

The D5200 is very good, with warm and delicious vocals. The FT13 has less pronounced vocals but offers fuller yet tighter bass and a darker, cleaner background.

Bullet in Your Head by Rage Against the Machine 

Here the D5200 sounds brighter and more upfront due to its stronger upper-mid presence and lighter bass. It feels tighter and more energetic than the more laid-back FT13.

Midnight City by M83 

The FT13 is detailed and offers great layering. It is a bit more laid back than the D5200, which sounds more upfront and crisper, though also slightly less refined.

Summer 3 Vivaldi Recomposed by Max Richter 

I love the energy and vibrant feel of the D5200, with its excellent timbre. The FT13 is a bit more laid back but sounds more refined, detailed, and offers superior layering and imaging.

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WRAPPING IT UP 

Sound Signature

The D5200 is warm, leaning toward neutral, with prominent mids. The FT13 with the foam filter mod has slightly more bass and a more restrained midrange, but overall the two are not that different.

Treble

In terms of presence, I find them broadly similar. The FT13 is noticeably more resolved.

Midrange

The midrange is more pronounced on the D5200, particularly in the upper frequencies. The FT13 has a slightly recessed midrange in direct comparison but sounds more detailed and refined.

Bass

Both have good bass presence, but the FT13 is generally more pronounced and extends deeper. It also delivers more detail, with tighter, better-textured bass.

Soundstage and Imaging 

While the overall soundstage size is fairly similar, the FT13 comes out ahead. It also excels in instrument separation, background blackness, sense of depth, and overall imaging. The differences are not huge, but they are significant and consistent.

Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre

I find the FT13 with the tuning foam mod to be more detailed across the frequency spectrum and, simply put, more refined sounding. Both headphones excel in dynamics. In terms of timbre, the D5200 is often exceptionally nice, but the modded FT13 is also very good, though slightly less energetic in the mids.

FiiO FT13 Headphoneer
FT13 with tuning foam mod

CONCLUSION 

The FiiO FT13 with the tuning foam mod compares impressively to the much more expensive D5200. It is more refined, detailed, and spacious, with tighter bass, better layering, and superior imaging. The D5200 delivers warmer, more energetic mids and vocals with a more upfront, intense presentation.

I enjoy both, but the FT13 is not only technically superior, with the tuning foam mod installed, it also comes very close in tuning and timbre. 

Without the tuning foam mod installed on the FT13, I prefer the D5200 for its superior stock tuning. With the foam mod installed on the FT13, however, the FT13 becomes a much more balanced and better-sounding headphone, and I generally prefer it over the D5200. 

Considering that the D5200 costs twice as much, this is quite impressive from FiiO. I just wish the tuning had been right out of the box.. On the bright side, however, it’s fun for us headphone enthusiasts to get a little challenge and something to experiment with once in a while.

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Written By

Chris founded The Headphoneer in 2013 after spending years going down the rabbit hole of searching for the perfect high fidelity headphones. Having gained experience with lots of gear and spent way too much time discussing on online forums he wanted to write the reviews he rarely encountered: Thorough reviews with lots of comparisons. This was also a way of putting his growing collection of gear to use for the benefit of humanity.