FiiO 2026: Preview of New Over-Ear Headphones

In 2026, FiiO will launch numerous over-ear headphones, according to James Chung, Founder and CEO of FiiO. According to him, “FiiO has strategically chosen to concentrate its resources on the development of over-ear headphones, releasing relatively few in-ear monitors (IEMs).” If everything proceeds according to the company’s plans, James stated that “FiiO’s three brands [FiiO, JadeAudio, and SnowSky] will have complete over-ear headphone lineups” in 2026.

Before discussing the launches the company intends to introduce, however, the CEO of the Chinese audio equipment manufacturer provided an overview of over-ear development, demonstrating that it is significantly more costly than the development of in-ear monitors (IEMs).

Development Costs of Over-Ear Headphones at FiiO

According to James, developing over-ear headphones involves “major technical and capital barriers, as well as a shortage of standardized solutions in the supply chain for most domestic manufacturers” in mainland China. He explained that, unlike in-ear headphones, no over-ear models have been fully produced using 3D printing or metal CNC machining, making substantial investments in proprietary molds necessary for companies seeking market differentiation.

For the development of FiiO’s over-ear headphones, James revealed that the investment required to create molds exceeds RMB 200,000 (approximately USD 28,769). If the headband, ear cups, and other components are entirely new, the cost can surpass RMB 400,000 (around USD 57,539). By contrast, in the case of IEMs, when 3D printing and/or metal CNC processes are employed, mold costs are virtually zero.

James further noted that the development of in-ear monitors, due to physical constraints, has a “relatively low technological ceiling.” In “high-end IEMs” that employ balanced armature (BA) and/or electrostatic (EST) drivers, he stated that he is “not aware of any companies that develop these drivers entirely in-house.” Typically, “companies combine different driver technologies, invest in the acoustic design of the in-ear shell, and fine-tune the crossovers,” he explained.

As a result of the “strategic retrenchment of major international brands,” James said that FiiO identified an opportunity and “invested in the development of wired over-ear headphones over the past two years,” achieving positive results with models such as the FiiO FT1 and the JadeAudio JT7.

With that context established, the following is a preview of FiiO’s planned over-ear headphone releases for 2026.

SnowSky “OAK” Over-Ear Series

The SnowSky “OAK” over-ear series will feature what is already seen in other products from the brand: a “more fashion-oriented” design with “tuning more focused on pop music and vocals,” according to James. The models to be released include the OAK MAX, OAK PLUS, OAK PRO, and OAK MINI.

According to James, the FiiO sub-brand aims to offer “closed-back over-ear headphones, Bluetooth models with ANC, and even compact headphones.” No specific launch dates were provided; it was only stated that the over-ear models will be released gradually through the end of 2026.

FiiO FT15 Planar Magnetic Over-Ear Headphone

The FiiO FT15 will follow the closed-back design with wooden ear cups introduced with the FT1, but it will employ a planar magnetic driver. According to James, the entire “FT” lineup will henceforth “use wood as a signature visual element.”

The FT15’s planar driver employs ring-shaped magnets developed in-house by FiiO. James explained the new driver design as follows:

“Compared with the conventional parallel bar magnet arrangement, this ring design provides a more uniform magnetic field, helping to further reduce distortion—particularly nonlinear distortion caused by magnetic field irregularities. Compared with linear distortion, nonlinear distortion is more readily perceived by the human ear. This represents one of the current directions in the technological advancement of planar headphones (the other being diaphragm development).”

The FiiO FT15 is scheduled for release in August 2026.

FiiO FT9 Dynamic Over-Ear Headphone

According to James, the FiiO FT9 will feature a closed-back design because “many users have told us that there are very few truly excellent closed-back dynamic headphones available today.” The FiiO founder added that a second reason for choosing a closed-back design for the FT9 is based on the following rationale:

“From first principles, most recordings are made using dynamic microphones; therefore, on the playback side, a dynamic driver can reproduce sound more faithfully to the original recording. Moreover, the low-frequency extension and large dynamic capability achievable with a dynamic driver have not yet been fully matched by planar drivers from a physical standpoint, even though advanced diaphragms already offer excellent resolution.”

The FT9 has been under development for two years, and according to James, it has not yet been released because it is undergoing “meticulous refinement of sonic details, especially the diaphragm, which requires extensive prototyping and listening sessions.” He explained that “computer simulations help resolve some issues related to response curves and measurements, but they are still unable to fully address perceived sound quality.”

Before bringing the FT9 to market, FiiO intends to “collect as much listening feedback from enthusiasts as possible,” James said. The company believes that “a flagship product is, by nature, a process of evolving from excellent to extraordinary,” and therefore it is necessary to be “extremely cautious” in its development.

The FiiO FT9 is scheduled for release in September 2026.

JadeAudio JT9 Planar Magnetic Over-Ear Headphone

The JadeAudio JT9 is an open-back planar magnetic over-ear headphone, distinguished by its foldable headband design. According to James, the JT9 represents what the company refers to as the “democratization of planar driver technology.”

The JT9 will offer higher sensitivity than the JT7 and can essentially be regarded as a “JT7 Pro,” according to James.

The JadeAudio JT9 is scheduled for release in August 2026.