The Hifiman HE600 and FiiO FT7 are two full-size, dual magnet planar magnetic headphones. They have very similar specifications with an impedance of 28 Ohms for the HE600 and 25 Ohms for the FT7, and both are rated with a sensitivity of 94 dB/mW.
Both launched in 2025 and are currently priced at 799 USD and 699 USD respectively.
The HE600 builds on the legacy of the highly successful and now legendary HE6, but it’s a very different driver, so it’s more “in the spirit of the HE6” rather than an attempted remake. The newly launched “HE6 Remastered,” on the other hand, is an actual attempt at a remake.
The FT7 is FiiO’s flagship headphone, currently the top of FiiO’s quite recent but very promising full size headphone venture.
HIFIMAN HE600 SPECIFICATIONS
- Open-back full-size headphones.
- Driver: planar magnetic
- Impedance: 28 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 94dB
- Dual-sided magnet driver
- NEO Supernano Diaphragm gen. 2
- Effective Diaphragm Area: appr. 80 mm diameter
- Frequency response: 8Hz-65kHz
- Cable: Detachable 1.5 mm
- Cable connectors: dual 3.5 mm
- Cable termination: 3.5 mm with 6.35 mm adapter
- Headband: strap design
- Pads: hybrid
- Weight: 389g
Current price and availability:
FiiO FT7 SPECIFICATIONS
- Open back full size headphones
- Driver: planar magnetic 106 mm
- Frequency response 5Hz-40kHz
- Impedance 25 Ohms ±15%
- Sensitivity: 94dB/mW
- Cable length: 3m
- Cable material: monocrystalline copper cable
- Headphone cable connector: Dual 3.5mm TS
- Cable termination plug: 4.4mm balanced with adapter to 6.35mm.
- Headband: strap design
- Lambskin ear pads + fabric pads
- Linen storage bag
- Weight: 427g
Current price and availability:
- Amazon: FiiO FT7
BUILD AND DESIGN
They both have circular open back cups and a headband with a strap. The FT7 features a wooden grill, the HE600 is metal.
The FT7 is the larger headphone. It also looks and feels more exclusive even though it is slightly less pricey. The HE600, on the other hand, is more compact and a bit lighter, which might be a pro for many users. I personally find them both comfortable and especially appreciate their headband straps.
PADS
The HE600 has hybrid pads. The FT7 comes with optional sheepskin or velvet pads. The sheepskin pads are pre-installed and also the ones that I prefer, so I will only use them in this review.
Both headphones have detachable and replaceable pads. They are both circular and use proprietary plastic rings to attach the pads.
However, if you plan on padrolling, I think the HE600 is easier to work with because it uses the plastic ring that Hifiman has used on many previous headphones, which is easier to make compatible with standard lip-and-groove pads.
CABLE
Both headphones use 3.5 mm connector sockets for the cable.
The FT7 comes with a thicker, premium-feeling, 3 m long, textile-covered cable – terminating in a 4.4 mm plug. Both 6.35 mm and 4-pin XLR adapters are included.
The HE600 comes with a very simple 1.5 m long, black cable, terminating in an angled 3.5 mm plug, with a standard 6.35 mm adapter included. The cable you see in the pictures is not the included cable from Hifiman. It is a third-party cable I use for practical reasons.
AMPLIFICATION
The specs are very similar, with 28 ohms impedance for the HE600 and 25 ohms for the FT7; both are rated with a sensitivity of 94 dB/mW. Despite nearly identical specs on paper, after trying out a range of amps, I have found that they respond differently to amplifier pairings.
Even quite neutral amps carry subtle sonic characteristics that affect the headphones. For instance, some can lean warm, others might be a bit crisp. In addition, different amps and headphones simply work better together in terms of bringing out the best technical performance (detail, dynamics, imaging).
Good amplifier synergy is often key for optimal headphone performance. The differences might be very subtle in direct comparisons, but still be important for the end result and long term satisfaction.
For this test, I used my two Topping A90s. While quite neutral, the A90’s slightly smooth, warm character subtly favors the FT7 over the HE600, which sounds even better with a more articulate and crisp leaning amplifier.
The reason I used the A90 nonetheless is because it is a very good all-rounder. It does a good job with both, but based on my experience with the HE600 and various amps, I consider the HE600 to be at a slight disadvantage when comparing it to the FT7 using the A90.
COMPARISONS
Associated equipment:
- Amplifier: Topping A90
- DAC: Ferrum Erco mk2
Golden Horn by Joe Lovano
The FT7 sounds extremely spacious. It’s also very nicely balanced, with all instruments sounding natural and present. The HE600 sounds less spacious; there is less blackness between the instruments. The tuning is slightly warmer and slightly darker. I prefer the FT7 here, but they are both very good.
Alt e bra by Building Instrument
Both are very good and quite similar. The FT7 is a bit brighter.
Terminal 7 by Tomasz Stanko Quintet
Again, the sound stage is larger with the FT7; the background is blacker. Instruments stand out more. The trumpet is a bit crisper, the percussion is a bit brighter. The HE600 is a bit more laid back and smoother.
Blessed Feet by Tord Gustavsen Trio
The FT7 is very snappy and spacious. Excellent detail. The HE600 is a bit more laid back, less articulate but also nicely smoother. The FT7 sounds more technical and precise.
Eye of the Day by Marta del Grandi
The FT7 is very nice. The female vocals are intimate and detailed, and there is a lot of space and sense of depth in the music. The HE600 has a similar vocal delivery, but a tad darker and with a bit less crispness. The soundstage is also more intimate.
Come Away With Me by Norah Jones
The female vocals are drier and crisper with the FT7; it’s warmer, darker and smoother with the HE600. The FT7 is more spacious and very detailed sounding.
Don’t Stay by Linkin Park
They’re not very different, but the FT7 is crisper and sharper cut. The HE600 is a bit darker and has less articulate detail delivery. Neither adds any extra bass, but the HE600 sounds a bit thicker.
Like Suicide by Soundgarden
The FT7 has a larger soundstage and better imaging; it sounds technically better but also a bit sharper compared to the more relaxed and laid back HE600.
Vicarious by Tool
The HE600 sounds nicely rich even though there’s no bass shelf. The FT7 sounds cleaner and has better instrument separation, but it’s also crisper.
Escape Route by Boris Blank
With the FT7 I think this sounds very nice and organic; the high detail level and great separation qualities make this track sound very complex, as it is indeed. The HE600 has a slightly richer bass presence and sounds thicker and less technical.
Young Vivaldi by Modo Antiquo
The FT7 delivers a textured, crisp and energetic string timbre rich in detail and with a good sense of attack and bite. The HE600 is darker and smoother, feels a bit more relaxed but also less detailed in direct comparison.
Summer 3 Vivaldi Recomposed by Max Richter
The FT7 has better instrument separation, stronger articulation, and better detail. However, it also feels on the crisper side, and the more laid-back delivery of the HE600 is quite appealing.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
Both are quite neutral with a linear sounding bass. The FT7 is brighter and more energetic, both in the mids and highs, though. The HE600 feels more laid back.
Treble
The treble is sharper and crisper with the FT7; it is a bit leaner and smoother with the HE600. The FT7 sounds more detailed, though.
Midrange
Also in the mid-range, the FT7 is consistently sharper and crisper. There is more texture, more detail, but also sometimes too much brightness. The darker mids of the HE600 can often feel more pleasant.
Bass
Both headphones have a relatively linear sounding bass response and very good detail. The HE600 typically sounds a bit richer and fuller, but it is not a big difference. Neither of these headphones has a bass shelf or bass boost. You can add it with EQ if that is what you want. Mostly I think this type of neutral bass is perfect, but for some music, a bass shelf can be very nice.
Soundstage and Imaging
In my setup, the FT7 consistently has a larger soundstage and better imaging, with especially better image depth.
The HE600 is certainly not bad, but it is a step behind the FT7. That said, I find that certain different amps can bring the HE600 to sound technically better, including a larger soundstage and better imaging than with the Topping A90 used in this review.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
The HE600 delivers a good amount of detail, but the FT7 is better. Dynamics are comparable between the two; neither is super dynamic or anywhere near thunderous, but they’re good enough – the music sounds alive and engaging.
That said, as mentioned before, the HE600 can sound technically better and will improve in detail and dynamics with certain amps that match better than the Topping A90 used in this review.
When it comes to timbre, they are similar but different. The bass is a bit richer with the HE600 and, to me, a bit more natural. The mid-range is a bit dark on the HE600 and a bit bright on the FT7; I would ideally prefer something in between. The treble weight is more to my liking on the HE600, but the FT7 sounds very nice too.
CONCLUSION
Both the FT7 and HE600 are excellent full-size planar magnetic headphones. They do not sound radically different, but still, they cater to somewhat different preferences.
When it comes to build and accessories, the FT7 is the more premium despite the lower price. The HE600, however, is more compact and a bit lighter.
In my comparison sessions, I find the FT7 generally sounds more technically accomplished, with a larger soundstage, better imaging, and sharper detail retrieval. It has a brighter, more energetic tonality.
The HE600, meanwhile, offers a darker, smoother, and more laid-back sound with a touch more bass richness. However, I must add that I think the technical performance of the HE600 improves with certain more upfront sounding amplifiers than the A90 I used in this review.
If you prioritize technical performance, space, and precision, the FT7 is the better choice. If you prefer a warmer, more relaxed and forgiving presentation in a lighter package, the HE600 is very compelling.
Personally, I really like both headphones. When comparing them directly, I naturally have to focus on the differences, but overall, I think they are both excellent headphones with different strengths and characters.
Both are cans I can simply put on, lean back, and enjoy the music with. And ultimately, that is what really matters.
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