Naturally magical colours - Creation of the FT13’s Wooden Earcups
After the success of our FT1 wooden headphones, we began searching for new types of wood to let more people experience their unique appeal.
This time, our search led us to a "purple treasure" from the ancient rainforests of South America: Purpleheart wood. This wood is not only exceptionally hard but also boasts a unique colour. Over time, its light brown hue will gradually transform into an unforgettable, deep purplish-red. To create the vivid wooden earcups, a blend of nature's magic and FiiO's meticulous craftsmanship is required.
Purpleheart has been used for instruments, furniture, and other items since the 1920s. After a long journey from South America, the wood arrives in Lianyungang, Jiangsu, where it is stabilised in a hot kiln and precisely cut. It is then aged for months in a dark room where it slowly “brews” its mesmerising, wine-like colour. This wood then undergoes a final, intensive process of selection, cutting, CNC carving, polishing, and lacquering before it's ready to become the final product.
Due to its rarity in nature, purple has long been seen as a symbol of mystery, power, and individuality – with deep cultural meaning. This very colour, which matures beautifully with time, is our inspiration. It allows us to perfectly express the original intention of our wooden headphone series - to blend with the natural world and evolve gracefully with time.
Natural purpleheart wood earcups - Natural colours, Solidly hard
The headphone shells are crafted from Purpleheart wood, a species native to South America. To achieve their rich colour, each piece of wood is allowed to naturally age for 90 days. Each wooden earcup features a unique grain and hue based on its individual characteristics, making every pair of headphones truly one-of-a-kind.
The raw wood is first precision-cut with CNC machining. To achieve a perfect finish, we then apply a high-gloss lacquer process, which involves repeatedly sanding, polishing, and filling the wood's natural pores and imperfections until the surface is perfectly smooth. A final coat of high-gloss lacquer is then applied, allowing the wood's unique, natural grain to shine through.
With a density and hardness well beyond that of ordinary woods, Purpleheart wood is not only naturally resistant to corrosion but is also a huge contributor in minimising resonance within the headphone earcups. This result is a faster and cleaner sound.
*Hailing from the tropical rainforests of South America, this wood is famous for its stunning purplish-brown hue and superior strength. It is often used in high-end furniture, musical instruments, and decorative items. Its unique colour is not artificially applied but is the result of natural oxidation. Prolonged exposure to light and air results in the wood’s colour gradually darkening, eventually turning a deeper purplish-brown or chestnut brown.
Large 60mm dynamic driver - Enjoy deep bass and a wide soundstage
The FT13, like the FT1, features a massive 60mm dynamic driver, a size almost unheard of in its category. This larger driver generates more power and is more efficient at converting electrical signals into sound. The result is sound with less distortion, quicker transients, and deeper, more powerful bass.
W-shaped diaphragm - Proprietary acoustic tech, for higher efficiency
The headphone features a W-shaped diaphragm design inspired by speaker cones. Compared to the driver diaphragms typically found in headphones, this design increases the effective vibration area of the diaphragm by 25.8%.
The diaphragm is made from a hard dome and a flexible surround. This rigid dome covers a larger surface area than traditional diaphragms, and since the voice coil drives it directly, there is less energy lost during vibration transfer. Compared to a more flexible material, the hard dome features reduced internal loss, resulting in higher efficiency and reduced distortion caused by driver breakup.
Closed-back design - Greater immersion through reduced noise
Beyond the natural isolation of its closed wooden earcups, the FT13 features an integrated system of passive noise-reduction components. This includes a standing wave dissipation chamber, specially designed rear cavity sound-absorbing cotton, and a noise-reducing U-shaped tube. Together, these components can reduce everyday ambient noise by up to 26dB. This closed design also prevents sound from leaking out, making the headphones perfect for quiet environments like offices, libraries, or dorms without disturbing others.
U-shaped damping tube - Reducing resonance
Inside the FT13, a U-shaped damping tube cleverly uses the air inside the headphones to tune the sound. This tube's design has been carefully optimised to lower the cavity's resonant frequency, resulting in deeper and higher quality bass.
Low impedance, high sensitivity, easy-to-drive
The FT13's impedance, sensitivity, and frequency response make it an ideal choice for listeners dipping their toes into the world of personal audio gear. It's a perfect match for mainstream, non-audiophile devices like smartphones, tablets, and PCs. Experience high-fidelity, audiophile-grade sound without having to invest in expensive or complex gear.
Lambskin and sueded earpads - Reliable and durable
Included are two types of ear pads, both featuring a skin-friendly, breathable, and durable outer material. Inside the earpads are low-density, slow-rebound memory foam that conforms to the shape of the ear. Compared to the artificial leather ear pads typically found on headphones, these offer an upgrade in both comfort and durability.
Four detachable plugs included - Widely compatible
The FT13 includes four detachable audio plugs, allowing one cable to work with various kinds of audio sources.
Large CCAW voice coil - Lightweight and broad, Powerful
The FT13 features a Japanese-imported CCAW voice coil with an ultra-thin 0.035mm wire and a lightweight KSV former. These components dramatically reduce the moving mass of the diaphragm, resulting in faster sound response and reduced unnecessary reverberations.
The voice coil has a diameter of 25mm. In a fixed magnetic field and with a constant current, a larger coil diameter means a longer voice coil wire. Thus, a longer copper wire results in greater driving force and higher efficiency, leading to a richer midrange and quicker transients.
Three-axis swivel - Swivel however you want
After extensive ergonomic testing, we've implemented a three-axis adaptive swivel that continues the tradition of excellent ergonomics on the FT series. This design not only ensures the headphones comfortably adapt to various head sizes and shapes, but also allows you to adjust them to ensure a perfect fit without sound leakage.
Yaoli linen storage bag - Stylish and dust-proof
A premium Yaoli linen storage bag is included with the earphones to further enhance the ownership experience. With materials and craftsmanship on par with premium French brands, its exquisite quality and excellent texture provide dedicated protection for your cherished device.
