FIIO JT3 REVIEW

>>I am brazilian and I speak portuguese, so forgive my english, I’ll use translation tools to help<<

INTRO:

It’s been a while since I started bringing more headphones to the site, and there’s nothing better than reviewing headphones from FiiO. Today I have the opportunity to review the JT3, which is also signed by Jade Audio, a subsidiary of FiiO.

Price: $69.99 USD
Color: Silver or Black
Cable: With Mic

FiiO Reviews: FH3, KA1, HS18, JD7, KA5, FD11, Q11, M11S, KA11, JT1, BTR13, BTR11, JM21, FT1, QX13.

FIIO LINKS:

https://amzn.to/3YBq08F (US)

https://amzn.to/4bhFPcj (UK)

https://amzn.to/3ZDqWK1 (FR)

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2vLho1h

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c39GrIZD

SPECIFICATIONS:

Dynamic Driver:

• (1) 50mm Dynamic Driver (DD) PEK+PU Composite Diaphragm per side

– Open-back design
– Frequency: 10Hz – 40kHz
– Effective frequency: 20Hz – 20kHz
– Impedance: 80Ω
– Sensitivity: 97dB/mW@1kHz; 110dB/Vrms@1kHz
– Connectors: Dual 3.5mm with Mic
– Termination plug: 3.5mm palladium plated (straight design)
– Cable size: 1.5m
– Cable: Paracord OFC
– Shell material: aluminum-magnesium alloy + plastic
– Headband material: stainless steel + zinc alloy
– Headphone weight: 338.2g (without cable)
– Cable weight: 44.2g
– Total weight (packaging, headphone, etc): 734.7g
– Packaging size: 23.2cm [H] x 22.7cm [W] x 11.5cm [D]

UNBOXING:

PHYSICAL ASPECTS:

Construction:

• Great construction.
• Arches with metal structure. Very flexible.
• Leatherette headband with cushions.
• Plastic acoustic chamber.
• Open-Back design.
• Vent grid in aluminum-magnesium alloy.
• Arc adjustment: 12 levels. indicated by dots.
• Transport case: non-rigid.

Pads:

• Velvety fabric lining.
• Very soft, very comfortable.
• According to the company, the Pads are removable, but I was unable to remove them.
• I tried and it didn’t come off, I was afraid of damaging the product.
• I always say, it could be nice if detachable by magnetism.
• They don’t have L & R indication on the Pads (it would make it easier).
• Great internal space, they fit perfectly (JT1 was tight, HE400se was loose).
• The foam on the headband is also very comfortable.
• It could be a whole cushion, instead of the divided pieces (the headband).

Cable:

• Paracod (Nylon) cable.
• Very robust cable.
• Comes with microphone and controller.
• Low malleability.
• It tends to be heavier and thicker (in comparison).
• Doesn’t get tangled.
• It has creases along its length (comes folded).
• It has a lot of microphonics.
• The plugs have a metal part.
• Fitment indication by color: Red (right) and Blue (left).
• Possible need for cable upgrade (subjective).
• Upgrade suggestion: OpenHeart – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3vs80K7.
• I think FiiO could change this cable (it’s the same in all headphones).
  

Fit and comfort:

• Clamping: Smooth, I didn’t feel pressure (small head).
• Very comfortable.
• It’s not heavy.
• Good stability (much better than the HE400se).
• Good to be used for long hours (but I prefer IEMs)(subjective).
• Very good isolation (better than the HE400se).

Headphone kit (accessories):

• JT3 headphone.
• 3.5mm cable.
• Adapter 3.5mm to 6.35mm (P2>P10)
• Storage bag.
• Manual and warranty.

SOUND ASPECTS:

Sound:

• Neutral-Warm Tuning.
• Moderate bass, linear mids and treble.
• More natural sound.
• Relaxed and laid-back signature.
• Not fun or energetic.
• Comfortable sound, good for long listening sessions.
• Tonally very interesting, technically just good for the price.
• Good for calmer and more natural genres.
• The JT1 and FT1 are warmer and have more bass.
• The HE400se is more detailed, but colder/analytical (and needs AMP).
• I see the JT3 as a more balanced alternative to the JT1 and FT1.

Bass:

– Quantitative:

• Moderate.
• Not basshead.
• Mid-bass slightly more present than sub-bass.
• The difference between the two regions is small.

– Qualitative:

• While not a bass-heavy headphone, the bass isn’t weak.
• On the contrary, it has good texture, definition, physicality, and good extension.
• The impact isn’t very strong.
• The main issue is that the quantity is less (than, for example, the JT1 and FT1).
• They add a touch of warmth to the presentation. They are “full-bodied”.
• They aren’t the ultimate in speed and detail (compared to the HE400se).
• They don’t overwhelm the mids.
• They aren’t bloated, boomy, or muddy.
• Bass that accompanying the recording.
• Good for genres that don’t require a lot of bass.
• For calmer music, or for those seeking a “less bass-heavy” listening experience.

Mids:

– Quantitative and qualitative:

• Very musical and engaging mids.
• Neither too recessed nor too forward.
• Well-balanced pinna gain. Doesn’t sound harsh.
• Very comfortable upper-mids.
• I didn’t experience any hearing fatigue (in any recording I listened to).
• On the contrary, you can listen for quite a while without getting tired.
• Silky, soft, slightly warm mids. Good texture.
• Good definition and good transparency.
• Not the best in detail (it’s just good/okay).
• An HE400se has more detailed mids, although more “dry”.
• Not the best for those looking for more forward/”crisp” mids.
• The JT3 is great for those who like more euphonic mids.
• Snare drums sound very natural, with soft beats.

Voices:

• Voices with lower timbres performed slightly better.
• More texture and warmth for low/male voices.
• High/female voices also sounded good, but lacked projection.
• Headphones for those with a slightly larger library of low voices.

Treble:

– Quantitative:

• Moderate treble.
• Not for trebleheads.
• Well-balanced treble.
• Recommended for those sensitive to high frequencies.

– Qualitative:

• Comfortable, coherent, linear treble notes, good extension, good definition.
• Sparkle with a sense of naturalness/realism.
• Not shrill, not sharp, not harsh.
• I didn’t experience sibilance or coloration.
• I didn’t experience hearing fatigue.
• Guitar fingerpicking sounds very coherent.
• Drum cymbals sound natural.
• Good for any type of musical genre.

Soundstage:

• The soundstage I found to be average.
• It’s not a very deep soundstage, but it has good height and width.
• The sound has good spatiality, but it’s not something that huge.
• The FT1 and JT1 have slightly larger soundstages than the JT3.
• The JT3 is closer to the soundstage of the HE400se.
• My experience with open-back headphones is limited to the HE400se.

Imaging:

• I found the instrumental separation to be average to good.
• Because it’s not a headphone with a lot of bass, the presentation is clearer.
• It’s possible to hear and identify the instruments in their places.
• Preferably with better recordings and calmer music.

Amplification:

• Easy to push.
• Doesn’t need a powerful amplifier.
• A simple dongle is sufficient.
• I used the JT3 with the FiiO KA11 and the FiiO QX13.
• KA11 at 40% volume, and QX13 at 30% (High Gain, D.Mode and 3.5mm).
• I don’t usually listen to music at high volumes.
• I recommend having at least one dongle (KA11 is the recommended one).
• QX13 volume scale from 0 to 60 (Windows scale at 100%).

PROS AND CONS:

GRAPHS BY UNHEARD LAB:

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