FIIO JT7 REVIEW

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

INTRO:

In the world of headphones, I’m still a beginner; I’ve only reviewed a few so far… but little by little, some models are appearing here, especially those from FiiO / Jade Audio. Today I have the opportunity to review one of the headphones that most catch my curiosity, the FiiO / Jade Audio JT7.

Price: $119,99 USD
Color: Black or Gold
Cable: 3.5mm & 4.4mm Balanced

FiiO Reviews: FH3, KA1, HS18, JD7, KA5, FD11, Q11, M11S, KA11, JT1, BTR13, BTR11, JM21, FT1, QX13, JT3.

FIIO LINKS:

https://amzn.to/3QN6w02 (US)

https://amzn.to/4w1phgD (UK)

https://amzn.to/4mQzkkd (DE)

https://amzn.to/4twiXfj (FR)

https://amzn.to/4t49B9F (JP)

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c32nRwh1 (PC)

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4eCWAaL (APP)

SPECIFICATIONS:

Planar Magnetic:

• (1) 95x86mm Planar Magnetic Driver (proprietary)

– Open-back design
– Frequency: 7Hz – 40kHz
– Effective frequency: 20Hz – 20kHz
– Impedance: 18Ω
– Sensitivity: 92dB/mW@1kHz; 109dB/Vrms@1kHz
– Connectors: Dual 3.5mm TRS
– Termination plug: 3.5mm and 4.4mm Bal (straight design)
– Cable size: 1.5m
– Cable: OFC PVC coated
– Shell material: metal + plastic
– Headband material: metal + plastic
– Headphone weight: 328.1g (without cable)
– 3.5mm cable weight: 46.5g
– 4.4mm cable weight: 48.4g
– Total weight (packaging, headphone, etc): 619g
– Packaging size: 17.5cm [H] x 15.5cm [W] x 11.5cm [D]

UNBOXING:

PHYSICAL ASPECTS:

Construction:

• Great build quality.
• I much prefer this JT7 design to the JT3.
• Headband with metal frame. Flexible.
• Removable headband pad (by velcro).
• Plastic acoustic chamber.
• Open-back design.
• Metal alloy ventilation grid.
• Headband adjustment: 11 levels. Line indication.
• Each level has a locking mechanism to secure the position.
• Carrying case: non-rigid (not the best option).
• A case like the FT1‘s would be very welcome.
• It would be an extra cost, but it would greatly enhance the product.

Pads:

• Central mesh covering and faux leather sides.
• Very soft, very comfortable.
• The ear pads are removable.
• I always comment, it could be great if removable by magnet.
• They have L & R markings on the pads (makes it much easier to use).
• Great internal space, they fit perfectly.
• The headband foam is also very comfortable (but could be bigger).

Cable:

• PVC-coated cable.
• 2 cables included: 3.5mm/3.5mm, and 4.4mm Balanced/3.5mm.
• They are lightweight and thin.
• Medium flexibility.
• Does not tangle.
• Has creases along its length (comes folded).
• It has some microphonic.
• The plugs are coated in plastic.
• Possible need for a cable upgrade (subjective).
• Suggestion: OpenHeart – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3cOmX1Z
  

Fit and comfort:

• Clamping: Smooth, I didn’t feel any pressure (small head).
• Very comfortable pads.
• Not heavy.
• Good stability.
• It was loose on the headband (even at the smallest adjustment) (subjective).
• My head is small, that’s why it was loose.
• A headband protector would solve my problem.
• Example of a protector: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3Puaf1t
• The headband pad is removable, but so far there isn’t a larger size available for sale.

Headphone kit (accessories):

• JT7 headphone.
• 3.5mm cable.
• 4.4mm Bal cable.
• Adapter 3.5mm to 6.35mm (P2>P10)
• Storage pouch.
• Manual.

SOUND ASPECTS:

Sound:

• Neutral Tuning.
• Moderate bass, slightly emphasized mids, and linear treble.
• Sound more geared towards natural/organic.
• Quite textured.
• I don’t consider it fun or energetic.
• Comfortable sound, good for long hours of listening.
• Tonally well resolved.
• Good for various musical genres.
• The JT1 and FT1 are warmer and have more bass.
• The HE400se is more detailed, cold/brighter, analytical.
• For me, tonally the JT7 is better than the HE400se.
• Technically the HE400se is slightly superior.
• They are distinct approaches, both are excellent at what they set out to be.

Bass:

– Quantitative:

• Moderate.
• Not for bassheads.
• Sub-bass and mid-bass in a line.
• No overlapping of one region with another.

– Qualitative:

• Neutral bass that tend towards natural.
• Great texture, good definition, good physicality, and good extension.
• The impact isn’t very strong, but it’s audible.
• Add a touch of warmth to the presentation.
• They don’t invade the mids.
• They aren’t bloated, boomy, or muddy.
• These are bass frequencies that follows the recordings.
• Good for acoustic/instrumental genres.
• For calmer music, or for those seeking a “less bass-heavy” sound.
• Wouldn’t be the best choice for EDM, Hip-Hop, Reggae, etc. (bassy genres).

Mids:

– Quantitative and qualitative:

• Slightly “forward” mids.
• The pinna gain is slightly prominent.
• I found the upper-mids to be comfortable.
• They have a great texture.
• Good definition and good transparency.
• I didn’t experience any hearing fatigue.
• I just wouldn’t recommend the JT7 for very intense genres (e.g., extreme metal).
• There were situations where the mids became too “crisp” in that type of sound.
• For example, distorted guitars and very fast drums… sounded overly textured.
• Other genres I tested all sounded very good, with great coherence.
• The JT7’s mids aren’t the ultimate drop in detail (they’re just good/okay).
• In that sense, the HE400se has more detailed mids (in comparison).
• The JT7 is great for those looking for more natural mids without sounding distant.
• Wind instruments sound silky and musical.

Voices:

• The open back design makes the voices sound “floating”.
• Voices with lower timbres performed slightly better.
• More texture and warmth for the low/male voices.
• High/female voices also sounded good, but lacked the same energy.
• 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 treble.

– Qualitative:

• Comfortable, coherent, linear, good extension, good definition.
• Sparkle with a natural/realistic feel.
• They aren’t shrill, not sharp, not harsh.
• I didn’t heard sibilance or coloration.
• I didn’t experience hearing fatigue.
• Acoustic guitar fingerpicking sounds very coherent.
• Drum cymbals sound natural.
• Good for any type of musical genre.
• The HE400se is more lively, bright and detailed in the treble.

Soundstage:

• I found the soundstage to be very good.
• Great sense of spatiality.
• This is the big difference between headphones and an IEM.
• Good depth, height, and width.
• The JT7 has a deeper soundstage than the Hifiman HE400se.
• The HE400se is more frontal in this sense.

Imaging:

• I found the instrumental separation to be very good.
• Because it’s a headphone with neutral bass, the presentation is clearer.
• It’s possible to hear and identify the instruments in their places.
• In this respect, the HE400se is superior to the JT7.

Amplification:

• Attention: Not easy to drive.
• Requires more amplification than “normal”.
• I tested the JT7 on the FiiO KA11, the FiiO QX13, and the Fosi DS3.
• First, the KA11 didn’t drive the JT7.
• Second, the QX13, using the 3.5mm output, did drive it, but it’s better to use the 4.4mm output.
• QX13 at 40 steps (out of 60), Windows at 100% (4.4mm Balanced, High Gain, Desktop Mode).
• The configuration mentioned above was the basic setup for good sound (in my opinion).
• I don’t usually listen to music at high volumes.
• I only tested the DS3 using the 4.4mm output (+ High Gain).
• Honestly, the DS3 is more suitable for IEMs and regular headphones.
• I believe the JT7 starts to perform well at 500mW and above.
• The review was based on the JT7 in the QX13 (4.4mm output).

PROS AND CONS:

GRAPHS BY AUDIO AMIGO:

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