Marcelo opinions the FiiO JT7, a brand new set of reasonably priced open-back proprietary 95x86mm planar magnetic driver headphones with a foldable design. They’re presently priced from $109.99.
Disclaimer: I acquired this pattern in change for my sincere opinion. Headfonics is an impartial web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or companies. I need to thank FiiO for his or her help.
You’ll be able to click on right here to be taught extra in regards to the FiiO audio merchandise beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This submit follows our present scoring tips, which you’ll be able to learn in additional element right here.
FiiO JT7 Evaluate
Abstract
The FiiO JadeAudio JT7 open-back planar headphones supply professional planar sound high quality at an entry-level value, and I’d advocate it to buddies, offered they’ve a strong and high-quality supply or amplifier to totally admire its functionality.
Execs
Close to impartial sound signature.
Clear and open-sounding.
Large soundstage.
Cons
Unsuitable for much less highly effective or weak sources.
Quick on the heels of my JT3 evaluate, FiiO despatched me their neat-looking entry-level planar headphones, the FiiO JT7, which sells at round $109.99 upwards at chosen retailers.
Many FiiO and JadeAudio headphones have been reviewed right here at Headfonics earlier than, from the high-end FT7 to the extra budget-friendly JT1, amongst others. Nevertheless, that is my first time reviewing a planar headphone from FiiO.
Planar headphones are recognized for his or her extremely resolving and detailed sound high quality, which made me surprise how the FiiO JadeAudio JT7 sounds, particularly when in comparison with price-sensitive opponents such because the MOONDROP Horizon and its extra reasonably priced sibling, the FiiO JT3. Let’s discover out.
Options
The JT7 is a set of open-back planar driver headphones. They characteristic a proprietary 95 x 86 mm planar driver with a 3-micrometer ultra-thin diaphragm. It has an impedance of 18Ω and a sensitivity of 92 dB.
The JT7’s planar diaphragm has an elastic suspension, which FiiO calls F.E.S. or FiiO Elastic System.
This refers to a strategy of embossing folds on the diaphragm so as to add flexibility, permitting higher displacement and amplitude. The result’s enhanced bass dynamics and depth, in addition to improved responsiveness at decrease frequencies.
The JT7 has a dual-sided magnet array, receiving a symmetrical driving pressure on the diaphragm in each ahead and backward instructions, leading to stronger, extra linear movement. The magnets mix high-energy neodymium-iron-boron with light-weight ferrite.
Light-weight design, multi-axis rotation, foldable design. The yokes can swivel and fold for consolation and a smaller storage footprint.
I like the standard of the mechanism as a result of it’s silent, with no creaky noise when shifting the earcups. The scarf cushion is well detachable, fixed solely by a Velcro strip, for simple alternative or cleansing.
Design
I like the combo {of professional}, utilitarian, and no-nonsense, straight-to-business design of the JT7.
The design can be utilized at residence or at an expert recording studio. I additionally like how the shiny planar diaphragm gleams via the magnet array and perforated display within the earcups.
Apart from the earpads and headband cushion, the JT7 is primarily made from plastic, with the one metallic elements being the display behind the driving force and the headscarf.
The earpads are detachable, and so they characteristic the standard fashion of earpad mounting, the place a leather-like materials from the earpads inserts into the slit across the circumference of the earcups. I discover it simple to take away however tough to place again.
The excellent news is that the reminiscence foam ear pads are delicate; they’re velour ear pads with artificial leather-based facet partitions.
Inventory Cable
My JT7 evaluate pattern got here with a 1.5-meter twin 3.5mm (TS) to three.5mm single-ended. The black cable seems to be like silicone-covered attributable to its softness.
Nevertheless, I acquired a evaluate reference doc in regards to the JT7, which states that the retail model comes commonplace with two headphone cables — a 3.5mm single-ended cable and a 4.4mm balanced cable.
Consolation
I listened to the JT7 final night time for over an hour, and it feels actually snug. The clamping pressure is good.
Mixed with the delicate headband cushion, average weight, and velvety delicate reminiscence foam earpads, the JT7 permits me to benefit from the music and simply neglect about it.
The clamping pressure is simply sufficient for my head, neither too tight that it’d shift with a sudden head motion, however not too unfastened that it loses the seal round my ears.
I can simply think about that even with longer listening classes, it might stay snug. I really feel a distributed and comfy strain, due to its swiveling ear cups.
Packaging & Equipment
I wasn’t in a position to take images of the packaging and equipment as a result of my evaluate pattern didn’t include the official field; as a substitute, it was inside a field with different evaluate samples. The one factor that’s included for the JT7 is the cable.
Nevertheless, in accordance with the evaluate reference doc I acquired, the package deal comes commonplace with the headphones, a material storage pouch, a twin 3.5mm (TS) to three.5mm single-ended headphone cable, a twin 3.5mm (TS) to 4.4mm balanced headphone cable, a 3.5mm to six.35mm adapter, and a fast begin information.
Sound Impressions
The FiiO JT7 has an SPL of 92 dB/mW, so it isn’t probably the most environment friendly headphone. I used varied sources with completely different capabilities to check which supply can drive the JT7 correctly.
The sources I used embody the iBasso DC-Elite, MUSE HiFi M5 Extremely, Shanling M3 Plus, and FiiO’s M15S.
Nevertheless, for the sound analysis and comparisons, I solely used the FiiO M15S for the explanations I’ll talk about within the synergy and pairing part.
Please observe that the JT7 solely features a 3.5mm cable, which suggests I’m restricted to lower than half the facility output potential of the sources. If the cable had been 4.4mm balanced, I may get a lot increased energy output from the sources.
Abstract
To make sure the drivers had settled, I spent roughly 35 hours on a burn-in interval, letting it play with a spare DAP for about two days earlier than I started critically listening to the JT7.
That stated, the JT7 has a impartial sound presentation with a linear bass response, barely elevated midrange, and energetic treble. This provides me a considerably mid-centric sound signature that’s delightfully detailed, ethereal, quick, clear, and musically communicative.
The bass is mostly neutral-sounding with only a gentle midbass increase, making the sound quick, clear, articulate, and impactful. Nevertheless, there’s not a lot subbass extension, nonetheless, it isn’t completely devoid of subbass, and the general sound isn’t lean however by no means thick both.
The midrange has this slight elevation, not simply within the higher midrange, however all through your complete midrange, together with the decrease, center, and higher, making it sound lush, detailed, and full.
This provides me the impression that I’m not lacking something, as all of the sounds and particulars are introduced in an insightful and balanced method. Evidently. The instrument note-weight is neither thick nor skinny, it’s good.
Due to the usage of a planar driver, the treble is excellent and open-sounding. It has a really prolonged and ethereal sound, able to numerous macro and micro element.
It delivers the transient with cleanliness, crispness, and pace, but sounds light when wanted. A well-implemented planar driver by no means fails to amaze me on this regard.
Coloration
I’ve heard many headphones, starting from low-cost to ultra-expensive, and I’ve by no means encountered one with out sound coloration, although some are fairly clear.
Fortunately, gone are the times when entry-level headphones can sound cuppy, nasal, or harsh. Entry-level headphones of immediately, notably these from unique Chinese language manufacturers, have good transparency and low coloration.
That stated, the one factor I observed in regards to the JT7’s sound is the gentle elevation in the entire midrange, which turns into considerably normal-sounding in lower than a minute as our listening to adjusts and normalizes it.
Staging
Due to the JT7’s planar driver, open-back design, and open-sounding treble, the soundstage may be very extensive, and the peak is excellent.
The depth isn’t so deep, although, giving me the phantasm that I’m in a rock live performance close to the stage, the place the audio system are positioned on the far left and proper relative to my place.
The depth isn’t dangerous, as I loved the extensive, excessive, and open soundstage rendition, which is great for some genres of music like rock, metallic, or dwell live performance music, to call just a few.
Nevertheless, I do want that there have been extra depth to offer me a extra holographic presentation, which I additionally get pleasure from loads.
Imaging & Dynamics
On account of its well-implemented planar driver and the readability in sound, the JT7’s imaging is sweet; it has good definition, and the middle vocals have a powerful presence.
There’s a good definition of the photographs and lateral separation. I particularly like that some pictures emanate from the acute left or proper.
There’s good lateral panning of the photographs, and the images don’t diffuse a lot throughout the panning, remaining outlined.
Nevertheless, because of the shallower soundstage, the front-to-back panning and layering undergo, leading to imaging that’s not as holographic as the perfect on this regard.
The JT7 is dynamic-sounding, responding properly to dynamic swings and having very quick transients. It sounds energetic within the bass, midrange, and treble, and it by no means sounds uninteresting. The JT7 is musically partaking to take heed to.
Click on on web page 2 under for my really helpful pairings and chosen comparisons.
