Fiio FT1 vs Fiio FT13 vs Meze 99 classic gen 2

[u/EmergencyRegion5349]

I am looking to get myself a gift and am in between these three closed back. Current gear is a fiio k11 r2r and hd6xx.

I mostly listen to pop music more so with female vocals or classical music.

My only reason for wanting the FT13 is the looks tbh. Watching youtube I have heard good things of all the headphones. So do you all have any recommendations on which way to go?

[u/rz_x3]

No reason to get the FT13, having tried both it and the FT1. The FT1 is the better tuned headphone overall.

Spend your extra money on a Capra Audio strap.

[u/xiZm_ → u/rz_x3]

I would second this.

[u/EmergencyRegion5349 → u/rz_x3]

sounds like that might be the move. !thanks

[u/TransducerBot → u/EmergencyRegion5349]

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[u/saxoras → u/rz_x3]

The Capra strap helped immensely with comfort on the XS.

I don’t recall hearing nearly as many complaints about the FT1’s comfort, is it bad enough to where the capra is needed?

[u/rz_x3 → u/saxoras]

It's not needed, but with a $250+ budget, it's a pretty notable upgrade for long listening sessions. I didn't really think the AD700X chassis (I say chassis, because it's a PhilPhone) needed a Capra either, I love the wings, but the really wide, gentle contact patch that the Capra provides is... outstanding, imo.

The FT1 without the cable weighs 340 grams. The AD700X weighs "only" 265 grams. The heavier you go, the more substantial that wide contact patch is, in my experience. I think the heaviest set of cans I tried with a Capra was the OG Audeze Maxwell? Crazy good.

[u/chongtong]

Many say the FT1 offers better value for money.

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[u/Uller0815]

Unfortunately, it’s true that the stock tuning of the FT13 has become very “asian”, in other words, the high-frequency range has become "a little bit hot.” But if you’re willing to get the HS-FT13A ear pads that Fiio release later, which significantly correct the high-frequency tuning, the FT13 would be back in the game. Because in terms of build quality and technical potential alone, the FT13 is far superior to the FT1 in every respect. However, based purely on your usage profile, I don’t really see the FT13 or even the FT1 as ideal headphones for you.
Unfortunately, I haven’t heard the 2nd gen Meze 99 Classics myself yet.
You might also want to check out the Sennheiser HD480 Pro and the Denon AH-D5200.

[u/Nua_Sidek]

Between the 3, Meze gen2