FiiO FT5 planar headphones

I have been hemming and hawing for the last few months about getting a new set of headphones. I had been looking at several sets, but no deals had blown me away.
I had been looking at the FiiO FT5's but couldn't find any deals, which makes sense as they are brand new. Finally Amazon.ca dropped them to $599.00 (in Canuck bucks) and I bit.

Out of the box I was impressed by all the extras.
When I finally got them going I was less than impressed with the sound.
I chalk this up to a few things:

1) These are Very different from my Ambrosia's with DCA Ether leather pads that I was using the day before.

2) The stock cable has cup inputs with one band which I read as 3.5mm dual mono. I used my Hart Audio cable that I was using with my Ambrosia's. I need to also try stereo 3.5mm's.

3) Lastly, I was using the stock suede earpads that it came with.

First of all I did something I never do and pulled out the stock cable ("392 wires of high-purity, silver-plated monocrystaline copper cable") and put the XLR connector over the 4.4mm. Then I put on the leatherette pads on and things seemed to improve. Then I noticed that I had my iFi amp on the 2nd level of bass boost and I just turned it right off. I do use 3D sound effect with planar's though.

Now it was sounding better and I think I was adjusting to the sound. They are very bassy, the mids are a bit recessed and the treble is muted/softened. On day two the closest comparison I could make is to the iBasso SR2's. Also, I should mention that I love my mids and today they don't seem as recessed?

Started the day with lots of John Coltrane from the "A Giant Step In Jazz" collection. Then it was on to The Budos Band, some Glorious Sons and I am currently in the middle of Ayron Jones new album, Chronicles of the Kid.

I am really enjoying the sound, but of course part of that is likely "shiny new toy syndrome".

I will be rolling pads and cables going forward as I explore more of my music collection.

Forgot to mention they feel substantial in your hand as they are pretty much all metal. I like the look and the feel. I will weigh them in a day or two.

So far, I am a happy camper.