FiiO JD7 - Dynamic Driver IEMs

Disclaimer - I bought these with my own hard-earned cash. These thoughts are my own - I promise no one has a gun to my head forcing me to write this. Also thanks to @o0genesis0o for introducing this set to me. I bought these on his recommendation!

Build - Probably among the best-built IEMs I've tried, let alone at the modest price of 79$. This is not surprising, considering they share the exact same metal shell as the $320 Fiio FA7S! That said, the included cable is nothing to write home about - it is a cable. And the accessories included? Well, let's just say, the kit is very barebones! You're paying for the IEM though and not for fancy accessories that will just end up staying in the box or getting tossed out right?

Overall Sound - I'd describe these as a meatier Harman - the upper mids through treble follow the Harman curve almost exactly, but the JD7 has a good amount of midbass whereas Harman tuning would generally suck out the midbass. This makes for an incredibly fun listen - it is slightly-V in that the low and high ends are elevated but not so much that the mids suffer.

Bass - Oodles and oodles of slammy, punchy, tight bass. Quantity is ample, and quality is definitely there. I tested these along side Hexa and these really made Hexa's bass sound slow and poor quality. These will rumble when called for and have a good amount of impact. Basslets be wary though, there is a good amount of bass on this set!

Mids - Nice noteweight here, owing to the ample amount of midbass. Male vocals have a nice body and presence. Upper mids are slightly forward, so it does well with female vocals as well. Fairly good clarity here, certainly above average for the price range.

Treble - Smooth, with good air and sparkle. These are energetic IEMs. No offensive peaks or sibilance here, but they do lean bright - those of you who prefer to listen in the dark might need to be wary. I think the bass response balances out the treble a bit, so the brightness is kept in check more than the typical Harman-tuned IEM.

Techs - Above average detail retrieval and competitive even compared to IEMs like the Kato. The soundstage is wide, and the imaging is pretty good as well! Considering the energetic nature of this IEM, timbre is still good!

Closing thoughts - I'm surprised by how little attention this IEM has gotten. Fiio must not be spending many marketing dollars on this one, but they should! I bought these along with the Hexa, and while Hexa was getting all the hype at the time, I honestly thought the JD7 was the more interesting choice and ended up returning the Hexa. All in all, the Fiio JD7 is an engaging IEM that I highly recommend anyone looking for sub $100 take a serious look at - especially if you're tired of everything following the same curve these days. This is a fun listen with good technical chops that won't break the bank!

About me -
I don't think I have particularly good ears, but I do enjoy listening to music and trying new gear. I listen to a very wide range of music genres (folk, indie, EDM, jazz, blues, punk, classic rock, classical, trip hop, pop, kpop, mandopop, ballads, metal, rock, you name it, I listen to it) and thus prefer gear that can render a wide variety of music well. I prefer a balanced/neutral signature (not to be confused with boring). Gear that leans heavily into one certain aspect doesn't make too much sense to me. This also means that any gear with noticeable deficiencies or dips that affect certain vocal ranges or instruments doesn't really appeal to me. Keep in mind, these thoughts are mine alone. Our preferences may not align and I respect that, you should too.
Ranking lists of the things I have tried in recent memory with shorter form descriptions can be found here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...WS7nQ6nJ19ghZt3c9U0OnnOrs/edit#gid=2131069758

The review sample was kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review.
I didn't receive monetary or any other kind of compensation and I don't use affiliate links.
The price of the JD7 is $99 and you can buy it from here.

Jade Audio

As you may already know Jade Audio is a subsidiary brand of FiiO.
A stylish, technological, and youth-oriented brand aiming to provide high-quality yet cost-effective audio products with an excellent listening experience for the younger generation all around the world.
Previous products include the JD3 and JH3 earphones while all FiiO USB DAC dongles of FiiO (KA1, KA2, KA3) and the PL50 LPS are also branded as Jade Audio.




Jade Audio (FiiO) JD7

The JD7 is the flagship earphone of the brand and it features a 10mm dynamic driver with an internal and external magnetic circuit setup that greatly improves the magnetic flux density so that the driver can push more air for a more effortless sound. The JD7’s driver is put into a dual-layer housing where each layer features a damping system to better control unwanted vibration and resonances resulting in lower distortion – ultimately resulting in a quicker-sounding driver with deeper bass.
With the JD7 you can get great sound almost out of any source. Its magnetic conductivity enhancer increases the magnetic flux generated by the drivers to over 1 Tesla, resulting in a sensitivity of 108dB, meaning that even your phone can easily drive the JD7.



The JD7 features a polymer diaphragm with a PU gasket, specifically chosen for its unique and favorable characteristics. The polymer diaphragm is stiff enough so that there is minimal unwanted vibration and movement during large driver moments, yet is still responsive enough to quickly move according to analogue signals as they come.
The semi-open design of the JD7 has sonic benefits by allowing for a softer yet more natural sound in a wider soundstage. On top of that, the semi-open design balances air pressure in the JD7’s housing which eliminates pressure on the eardrum and ultimately protects your ears, for long fatigue-free listening.
Full technical specifications are available here.



Design, fit and build quality

The JD7 has a premium appearance, identical to the much more expensive FA7S and is made from the same high quality materials.
The lightweight and compact sized ear-shells are very comfortable to wear offering a tight and stable fit that doesn't cause any irritation even after a prolonged time of use but the semi-open design doesn't help with the noise isolation which is good but not the best.
The JD7 ear-shells are made of 316L stainless steel with metal powder that goes through an injection molding process and is sintered at 1000 degrees in a process called metal injection molding.



Cable

The JD7 has a detachable cable with MMCX connectors that is made from monocrystalline silver plated copper.
The anti-tangling sheathing is a little thick and adds stiffness to the cable but it has a low microphonic noise and it seems to be very durable.
The actual quality of the cable is very good for the price but it should be noted that most of the Chi-Fi competition now comes with modular plug cables.



Accessories

The JD7 package includes the plastic HB1 storage case, three pairs of white balanced silicone ear-tips, three pairs of the FiiO's HS18 ear-tips, one pair of medium sized black memory foam ear-tips and a MMCX quick removal tool.



Listening impressions

The JD7 was left playing music for about 100 hours in order to fully settle down.
With an impedance rating of 32Ω and 108db/mW of sensitivity, the JD7 is very easy to drive and you can use it straight out from your phone headphone jack.
But the truth is that it scales surprisingly well for the price so you can do a lot better with a USB DAC dongle or a DAP like the iBasso DC03 Pro or the FiiO M11S.



After a couple of hours of listening you can't fail to notice some certain similarities between the FiiO FD5 and JD7 tunings.
It seems that the FD5 was taken as the basis for tuning the JD7 but this time with a frequency response to more closely match the Harman (in ear) target curve.
From the sub-bass up to the lower treble both earphones sound almost identical, at least as far as the frequency response is concerned, then there is a deviation to further adjust to the Harman target instead of the more V-shaped tuning of the FD5.
The JD7 is an excellent example of a Harman oriented tuning with good sub-bass extension, mildly emphasized bass, balanced but not recessed mids and a smooth but still well extended and airy treble.



Great sub-bass extension and a tastefully emphasized bass make for a fun and youthful sound signature that feels at home with most kinds of music, modern and classic alike, as long as you don't mind the touch of bass coloring that mildly affects the tonality of the lower pitched instruments.
The mid-bass is not too accentuated so it doesn't cloud the mid-range which sounds clear, present and articulate.
Technicalities are surprisingly good, the bass is fast, controlled and well defined layering while it doesn't sound hollow or bloated.
The presentation is weighty and full bodied, the bass is punchy and impactful with plenty of dynamic contrast.

The mid range is balanced and transparent, very easy to the ear without inducing sibilance or fatiguing vocals.
The presentation is full bodied with a natural sounding timbre, voices and instruments are represented with a mostly realistic and lifelike tonality.
The JD7 is very musical and emotionally engaging, an earphone that can provide many hours of easy listening with all kinds of music without really disappointing since it doesn't have any major sonic flaws.

The treble is not the most refined or resolving but it offers plenty of airiness, transparency and detail retrieval without sounding artificial, metallic and in no way harsh or bright.
The tuning is smooth and controlled, the JD7 is forgiving but without lacking too much in extension and sparkle, it is not dull or slow sounding but don't expect a high spirited and energetic sound signature with plenty of inner analysis.

Thus said the Harman target curve is not addressed to the tuning extremity fans or the die hard critical listeners, it was made with the aid to please the majority of the users and with all kinds of music by providing an easy and hustle free listening experience with plenty of cozy warmth and the JD7 greatly succeeds in doing so.
And moreover with the added benefits of having technicalities that punch well above the price point and a really open and spacious sounding soundstage.
Truly enough the JD7 offers the listener a widely extended soundscape with precise imaging and good depth layering for the category.

The truth is that I am not the most loyal admirer of the Harman target curve but in this case I will have to admit that listening to classical music with the JD7 was a much better and enjoyable experience than expected at least when I was not in a critical listening mood.



A note about the HS18 ear-tips

The JD7 comes with a pair of HS18 ear-tips pre-installed from the factory and while they are more comfortable than the stock they mildly affect the frequency response and the overall texture of the sound.
You must switch to the normal ear-tips before making any final judgment because using the HS18 ear-tips results in a tuning with less extended sub-bass, not that emphasized bass and considerably leaner and drier texture with restrained dynamics than the white balanced ear-tips.



Compared to the FiiO FD3 ($109.99)

The FD3 is essentially the poor man's FD5 with an almost similar tuning but much lesser technicalities.
Compared to the JD7, the FD3 has a more "V" shaped tuning with a sharper, brighter treble and a more analytical character with deeper detail retrieval and a more energetic type of sound.
The JD7 is warmer, fuller and weightier on the bass with greater dynamic impact but the FD3 is slightly more controlled and tight although leaner, drier and not as lush sounding in the mid-range.
Subjectively speaking, the JD7 is more beautiful and premium looking but they both offer the same comfortable user experience while the FD3 is much more effective in blocking outside noises.



In the end

If you are a fan of the Harman target curve and you don't want to spend a fortune to treat your ears then look no further.
The JD7 is tuned as closely as possible and furthermore it has great technicalities for the category, it is easy to drive, it has premium looks, excellent build quality and a comprehensive accessory pack.

Test playlist

Copyright - Petros Laskis 2023.

Fiio JD7 Review​

Fiio JD7 ($79)​

I have always thought that Fiio is one of those companies that just…gets it. One thing you can count on with this company is getting more for your money. They seem to have always strived to connect with the consumer in ways that make the buying experience a fun experience. I have been purchasing Fiio iems and audio devices for quite some time and from their budget stuff to their…not-so-budget stuff, Fiio always puts together a fine package. Always one of the best unboxing experiences, always loaded with accessories, always crazy good build quality and always a good attempt at tuning. Now, not everything works, they’ve had some duds, but those duds are few and far in-between and normally those duds aren’t all too far off from being…not duds.

JD7 everyone…​

Today I am reviewing the Fiio “Jade Audio” JD7. I will simply refer to this set as Fiio JD7 and JD7 for short. I purchased this set for $79 on Amazon US, by some amazing miracle I should add. Finally, the US received one of the newer sets upon its release and most assuredly I picked them up like…pronto. I am a fan of Fiio and I realize not everyone shares this opinion but…to each their own and in this hobby it’s about as subjective and personal as a hobby can get.

I have owned many Fiio iems, Dac/Amps, BT Dac/Amps, DAPs and never seem to feel cheated or that my purchase wasn’t a fulfilling one. Dating back to the Fiio F9 is when I began my Fiio journey. Of the Fiio iems, I have owned the Fiio F9, FH1, FH1S, FD1, FD3, FD5, FH3, FH9 (My FH9 Review) and now the JD7, so I have a slight idea about the Fiio “House Sound”. However, I think that Fiio went in a slightly different direction with this one as they chose to tune this set to a more Harman sound. Now, whether they succeeded is another thing. Ahead is my full review of the Fiio JD7. The full review can also be found here.

Gear used for testing​

–Shanling UA2
–Ifi Go Blu
–Ibasso DX240 w/ Amp8 Mk2
–Shanling M6 Ultra

Packaging​

I am spoiled by the expectations I have from a normal Fiio unboxing. Fiio did not go to the normal extent with the JD7, however. Maybe because this is a Jade Audio product or maybe Fiio decided to put their money into the tuning/R&D or earphones themselves to keep costs down instead of the usual grade ‘A’ packaging. I really shouldn’t complain. Before I get started into this packaging description, I just want you to know that I expected more. However, in the grand scheme of unboxings within the “IEM’Verse” I’d say that the JD7 still has a nice unboxing with ample accessories in line with the price point.

What is included?​

Amazon dropped off at my front door a smaller than usual rectangular box with the usual Fiio graphic of the earphones amongst a black background. Opening the box, you will first be met with a smaller rectangular box which holds the eartips, and an mmcx removal tool. Behind that little box is the usual “HB1” hard pelican style case. The earphones themselves are actually inside the pelican case, set in raised foam and next to them is the cable.

Case​

The HB1 hard pelican case is always of great quality. I never actually use an earphone case, but they are nice to have in a pinch and especially the Fiio cases as they seal from the outside environment and are damn near indestructible.

Eartips​

The included eartips are very much different from eartips of the Fiio past. I received three pairs of “HS18” tips. The HS18’s has a medium sized bore with flimsy flanges and are actually of good quality. Fiio gives you small, medium, and large. They aren’t for me but I’m sure many will appreciate them. Fiio also added some narrower bore white tips which are quite common in the world of Chi-Fi. Again, Fiio gives you small, medium and large. Finally, Fiio added one pair of foam tips which are also of a nice quality.

I need to add that I did some tip-rolling, instead of using the included tips. I actually decided to use KBear 07 Large tips. By the way, Kbear 07 tips are actually identical to Fiio’s normally packaged orange/dark gray “Bass” tips. KBear 07 tips just always seem to do the job for me and pairing them with the JD7 was no different. They just seal really well in my ears with any iem I use them with.

Cable​

The cable provided is one which I am not very fond of. First off, I don’t enjoy how tight the ear-wraps are and Fiio insists on providing cables with that tight curvature. They hang up on the rest of the cable when unwinding and simply make more of a hassle putting them on. The cable is stiff and not the most aesthetically pleasing of cables either. I have to use a cable that I like the feel of, the way it looks as well as the way it sounds, and the included cable only got one out of three right for me.

Truthfully, the cable provided sounds perfectly fine and anyone who doesn’t have a replacement cable will be fine using it. Again, I have to divulge that I did turn to the Tripowin Noire cable for the entirety of this review period. It looks tough next to the JD7, sounds fantastic with it, and it is modular so I can quickly swap jacks to match my source.

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Design/Build/Fitment/Internals​

I absolutely adore the size of this set. Built in the same general form as other Fiio sets from the recent past, the FD3, FD5, FD7, FDX and the FA7S. In fact, the JD7 looks remarkably similar to the FA7S. Built out of 316L Stainless Steel from connectors to the nozzles the build quality is absolutely stellar. The faceplate is of a minimalistic design language with three vents in the form of three converging lines with a blue coloring to the mesh inside. Very striking and nice to look at. To the touch the JD7 has a solid and dense feel to them. The mmcx connectors are of normal Fiio quality as they are tight and give off the sense that they are very secure. In the ear the JD7 sit perfectly flush for me and feel like I am not wearing anything.

The look is premium all the way. Just dope looking for the price. I had much the same reaction when I first had the Fiio FD3 in hand. Simply put the JD7 challenge any iem out there for actual build quality and personally I feel for the same about the design as well.

Fitment​

The actual fit is a tricky one with this particular style of iem. I have heard complaints about the fitment on past Fiio iems which share the same general design. For me the fit could not be better. It does take me a second of moving the JD7 around in my ear to get them to sit right but once that is accomplished…it feels like this set grew there. I can tell you this, if you have ever tried any of the other Fiio iems which have this same shell type and they either did or did not fit well…the same will be true of the JD7.

Internally Fiio chose a 10 mm Single Dynamic Driver with a Semi-Crystalline Polymer Diaphragm using PU Gaskets. Fiio also added a dual magnetic circuit in a dual layer type housing fitted with its own damping system. Fiio uses these words to describe the effects of this new design. “To better control unwanted vibration and resonances resulting in lower distortion – ultimately resulting in a quicker-sounding driver with deeper bass”.

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Drivability​

The JD7 is easily driven from most any source. Certainly, from any source that I paired them with. I found the JD7 to have a very good dynamic expression from using the simple $10 Zooaux Dongle Dac. JD7 is rated at 32 ohms and a sensitivity of 108 dBs so I suspect that any decent enough dongle dac will be fine.

Better sources​

Obviously moving to better and more sonically gifted sources will upscale you're listening with this set. I don’t think more raw power really does the JD7 any more auditory justice. Perhaps, maybe, a bit more power will open them up a hair more, but the differences are not earth shattering. I have to admit that I didn’t spend a ton of time proving that as I really enjoyed the JD7 with each source I tried them on. The Shanling UA2 with its more analytical, neutral ES Dac chip had its own flavor with the JD7. Great driving power for a small dac/amp with a nice tuning and the JD7 reacted well. Moving to the Ifi Go Blu sounds fantastic for a Bluetooth source attached to the JD7. A slight bit more on the warmer side with a more colored sound is great with this set.

I loved how the JD7 reacts to using both the Ibasso Dx240 as well as the Shanling M6 Ultra. Both have their own takes on the sound and the JD7 sounded fantastic on them both. I won’t go into crazy detail about each because word count matters, precious digital ink matters and my time as well, but I have two good daps just for this purpose. To give two different flavors according to the iem of my choosing. Lucky for me the JD7 quite literally sounds pleasing on both daps and seems to adapt very well to any source I pair them with.

Quick Sound Impressions​

This set has a very nice balance of each third of the spectrum. The outward most expressive areas of the bass, midrange and treble all seem to balance each other rather nicely. The sound is full with a clean presentation and technically pretty sound as well. I have to admit I was pretty surprised by these little guys. Fiio states that the JD7 is tuned to the Harman curve and for the most part this is what I hear. I notice that certain technicalities seem to be enhanced to a degree as well as resolution and clarity. The JD7 sounds just south of neutral with a warmer lower half and a brighter upper half of the mix. I also hear a very full sound, enriched, tactile and colored in all the right areas.

How does the JD7 sound?​

Real quick, the bass is rotund, lifted enough, but not too much. Speedy enough for quicker tracks with a nice transient swiftness and plenty of rumble and thump when needed. There is some very nice and warm spill over into the midrange giving males a hefty but clean sound. Females have nice energy in a forward but not shouty manner with a more natural replay. The Treble has good extension and reach to entertain instruments which sometimes get attenuated and lost. I hear some nice levity and air to the sound up top, likely from the semi-open design.

Bass​

Sub-Bass​

Starting off with the sub-bass, there is a fairly deep, palpable & tactual sense of density to the rumble down low. This is not over-done though. Any tune with a deep and penetrating bassline will come across as it should on the JD7. Texture is evident. Fiio chose to boost the sub-bass just enough to be the anchor of the low-end but not to over-shadow the mid-bass. “Paradigm” by The Head and the Heart sounds so meaty and hard-surfaced and rigid and dense. The sub-bass has enough sonorous haptic vibration for any track demanding it. Again, this area is not over-done or exaggerated as it never seems to overtake any other frequency but more so balances out with the rest of the mix.

Mid-Bass​

The mid-bass rolls off just a hair while owning a nice amount of slam. Bleeding ever-so-slightly into the midrange but not at all muddy or messy. Notes have a fullness to them while not sounding particularly knife-edged, if that makes any sense. Not at all pillowy or fuzzy or hollow or any other descriptive word describing something soft or weak. Songs needing that good bass drop will carry a satisfying and booming slam but in the same sentence this area offers decent speed for tracks which demand a more agile bass section. Considering the tuning choice, I think that the mid-bass ebbs and flows very nicely with good clarity, layering (for a single DD) and separation.

Expressive low-end​

The low-end of the JD7 is relatively nimble yet very expressive. Obviously, there are sets in the price point designed for speed and handle quicker passages better, and also there are sets designed to boom with a more thunderous sound. The JD7 represents a nice sounding middle ground.

Bass guitar on a track like “John Wayne” by Whiskey Myers begins with a grizzly and dirty riff and the JD7 growls right through it with that fullness I’ve been expressing and with a textured and detailed clarity to pull off a gritty sound with gusto. This track has a lot of “steel” and the JD7 does steel very well. Kick Drums on the JD7 have an elastically rounded thud as in “Billie Jean” by Weezer, the cover of Michael Jackson. Or another cover on the same album “Take on Me”, I hear the same result…a thudding boom. Kick drums have mass, they have compactness all the while never sounding super hard at note edges. Not even close to soft but not concrete in hardness either.

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Midrange​

Low-Mids​

The lower midrange comes across warm, deft and energetic, they sound relatively forward with good resolution and a more natural sounding type of note thickness. “2016” by Sam Hunt is this poignant and yearning type of “If I could go back and change things” themed tracks, that begs for a more warm and full sound. Sam’s normal style is upbeat and hip, but this song captures something that so many of us can relate to and the JD7 do a great job of pulling the emotional elements out of the music whilst remaining clean and resolute.

Males in general do well with a set like the JD7. Whether a tenor or baritone, the budget JD7 has a great ability to sound both lush and smooth or sharp and elevated depending on the track. The JD7 simply does a nice job for the price and as far as vocals are concerned, well…nice is nice no matter the price.

Upper-Mids​

Females also find this middle ground on the JD7 where they can come across with a shimmery excitement but also, they can be more reserved as well. First off, note weight in female voices is again, more natural, not overly thick and not too thin and dry. Really a nicely balanced accommodation per the song playing in my ears. In “Still Rolling Stones” by Lauren Daigle, her melodic and full sounding, slightly raspy but energetic vocal on this track plays out well on the JD7. Females aren’t too forward on the JD7 or too aggressive and ambitious. I might even wish for a bit more buoyancy or levity, or the tiniest of hairs more shimmer. Still, for a $79 single DD the JD7 gives me a nice balancing act that handles multiple genres well enough to be considered a good budget all-rounder…if that is a thing.

“Crowded Table” by The Highwomen has this wave-like harmony sung to a thick bassline and almost sounds like the whole song is the chorus, just very melodic and mood inducing. Vocals on this track need to stay in their lane, so to speak. They cannot rise above the melody surrounding them but to sound authentic they should also have nice resolution so to not get lost to that same melody and they sort-of need to just…ride the wave. The JD7 does this song justice pretty well with their good clarity and separation but also more natural timbre and note weight and ability to sound expansive with good depth of sound, to my ears anyways.

To sum up the mids​

The midrange is good, not the best but very good. Nothing lacks in the midrange for me, and I see no cons. The JD7 don’t excel past the more vocal centric iems, but in the same breath they aren’t so pushed back and bland either. Instead, the midrange has good texture and has solid energy and vitality. Percussion & strings all sound rich and veer more towards organic with some splashes of color strategically enhancing the sound which is very welcome to me and not unnatural.

I really do enjoy the midrange on the JD7 as they are never harsh to me, or sibilant or out of tune. Pacing and cadence are nicely accomplished with a better than average transient attack and decay which still has enough weight and fullness. Not bad at all Fiio.

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Treble​

The treble region has a good amount of air and remains cohesive to the rest of the spectrum. Being a single Dynamic Driver cohesion should be expected but there is that theme of being balanced throughout which does not exclude the treble area. There is a nice transition from the upper-mids to the lower-treble that is smooth and without any unsightly and odd peaks. The treble remains sibilance free with enough luster and shine to sound pretty energetic overall.

Cymbals​

I hear a nice decay on hi-hats and cymbals which also have a full bodied “chisk” sound or however you’d describe the sound of a pretty good cymbal strike. Basically, cymbals aren’t lost on most tracks, unless of course the recording doesn’t really emphasize them. I certainly don’t hear a splashy and sheened out or a drowned-out cymbal.

Smooth and detailed… ​

The treble region sounds pretty well composed to me. Details are easy to pinpoint in comparison to similarly tuned iems at the price point and the treble stays in pretty nice control. It isn’t sloppy or metallic or grainy and there aren’t any piercing peaks but a pretty smooth and detailed sound.

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Technicalities ​

Soundstage​

The stage size is open sounding and above average in width, height and depth. Fiio did a great job creating a psycho-acoustic image that portrays a nice expanse of sound. No doubt the semi-open design helps to achieve this surrounding amplitude within my head space. These are iems though, so the stage can only grow so large, but I hear an almost 3D presentation from the JD7. In fact, I didn’t “almost” hear anything, I do hear a 3D replay listening to my music. Obviously, some tracks show off this effect better than others and insertion depth and tips play a role, but I do think that the JD7 has one of the wider perimeters of the under $100 iems that I have personally checked out.

Separation & Imaging​

Every element within a stage is pretty well separated and partitioned off with a layered sound and good control for a single DD with this particular tuning effort. The JD7 has many of the right Ingredients to induce the sense of freestanding parts of a whole. The imaging isn’t class-leading or anything, but the JD7 does well enough to delineate & mentally sketch sections of a stage. Left to right maps out well and to a slightly lesser degree is front to back imagery and layering. The JD7 replays an above average stereo image that stays mostly in control with its nice transients, good clarity and resolution and its more balanced and airier sound.

Details​

Like I’ve stated already, the details illuminated on the JD7 are better than I thought they’d be. Now, I can name a few iems around this price and even below which are better at bringing the minutiae to the forefront. However, there aren’t many of those iems which also bring this much dynamism. I can easily make out macro-details and even some micro-details (all depending on the track) and for a $79 single Dynamic Driver with such a melodic nature that is quite a nice thing to hear. No, this set isn’t a detail monster and I’m glad about that. It would be a shame to lose the other great attributes of this set to accommodate some micro-details, which would likely mean losing the unreserved and melodic atmosphere as well as the robust and assertive energy that the JD7 has.

Comparisons​

**These comparisons are not to crown one set better than the other but rather to highlight differences to hopefully further explain the Fiio JD7’s sound relative to some sets in its price range. One more thing, in the Midrange my comparison will mostly cover vocals as I want to keep these as short as possible.**

Moondrop Aria ($79)​

The Moondrop Aria is an iem which needs no Introduction. The Aria reached legend status quite rapidly, overtaking the acclaim given to its older sibling the Starfield. I would be hard pressed to find a “Top 5 under $100” list which doesn’t include the Aria.

Real quick the Aria is a single Dynamic Driver with a 10mm LCP Diaphragm and CCAW voice coil with a N52 Magnetic Circuit. Based on the Harman curve the Aria stays pretty true to the intended tuning and the masses seem to generally agree.

Low-end​

Beginning with the sub-bass area of the mix, the JD7 is a hair deeper in sound compared to the Aria. The Aria has very nice weight in this area but the JD7 sounds fuller. The Aria and the JD7 both have good texture here and both have more than enough sonorous vibration to be satisfying. The JD7 has quite a bit more slam and rumble in the mid-bass with a more hard-edged sound to the almost pillowy Aria. I said almost, I don’t want you Aria lovers jumping on my a&#. Throughout the bass section the JD7 has better resolution and perceivable texture of the low-end as a whole but tone and timbre are very nice on both sets.

Midrange​

Moondrop has always presented a nice midrange. It was this area which helped me to really enjoy the Starfield, Kato and now the Aria. As far as male vocals are concerned the Aria has a less full sounding and less weighty sound than the JD7. Both are very clean sounding but the overall surface texture of male vocals amongst surrounding instrumentation sounds cleaner to me on the JD7. Timbre sounds nice on both, but The Aria sounds the slightest bit less energetic and a hair flatter.

Females​

Female vocals on the Aria are really nice and I tend to enjoy them a lot. Between the two, it is the Aria that sounds cleaner in this area of the upper midrange. It is so very close that it almost isn’t worth noting but the Aria is a pinch more resolute. Granted the JD7 still has better body to notes with a smoother inflection and more realistic timbre as well as a more uplifted sound. However, the Aria seems to control this area a little better. I went back and forth for over an hour on three different songs trying to figure out which replay I liked better as well. I love them both.

Treble​

The treble region is well played on both. Both have a non-fatiguing and smooth overall sound up top and on both sets the treble does well to balance the tonality across the mix. The JD7 sounds a bit more alive but that does not mean better, just different. The Aria may be ever-so-slightly better at illuminating details but that is very much debatable.

Both of these sets are Harmon tuned, or Harman inspired, but the JD7 to me has the more full, robust and energetic playback. Still, this doesn’t mean it’s better. Imaging probably goes to the Aria while the more 3D and engulfing sound goes to the JD7. These are two very good options at the same price point.

Fiio FD3 ($99)​

The Fiio FD3 is a very nice set if you enjoy a more V-shaped sound. This set kind of gets overlooked in the under $100 crowd. I consider it more of a guilty pleasure type iem which has a very fun sound signature with emphasized mid-bass, slightly recessed but resolving midrange and a non-fatiguing treble region.

The FD3 incorporates a Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) Diaphragm single Dynamic Driver. It has interchangeable sound-tubes and a semi-open back venting system. The build is exceptional with a glass faceplate and a marble looking black design. The housing is darn near identical in footprint to the JD7 as it shares that lineage as far as design language is concerned.
I
’ll keep this short for those who want to know if it makes any sense purchasing the JD7 if they already have the FD3. The short answer is…sure. If it makes sense to you to pick up another beautifully crafted and well-tuned Fiio product with a different sound signature then yes, it makes sense.

Differences​

The main difference lies in the tuning. I should add that the actual real-world differences between these two aren’t by any great margins. On paper you’d think there is a huge contrast between them but in reality, there are only very subtle changes. The FD3 is a more V-shaped approach with more authority in the mid-bass and a more boomy sound on bass drops. The JD7 with its Harman approach has a cleaner and tidier low-end with a deeper sub-bass. As far as mid-bass goes the FD3 has a bit more in the tank and does offer more slam and a more thumpy sound. The difference is not by some large margin as the JD7 can hit pretty darn hard but there is a difference nonetheless.

Midrange​

The FD3 has a warmer midrange and is a bit more recessed with a thicker and smoother sound on male vocals to the JD7’s edgier, more organic and more resolute sounding male vocal. Females come across more forward on the FD3 to my ears. They sound a bit more biting, and sharper compared to the JD7. I do enjoy females on the FD3 as there is a nice energy there, but the JD7 does sound slightly more polished. The JD7 is a bit more smoothed over in the upper-mid region to steer clear of anything grating to the ear with a bit more body to higher pitched females but also with less shimmer.

Treble​

The treble sounds more lifted on the FD3 with a hair better extension but again the difference is so small as these sound as though they almost run on the same trajectory in this area. Both have a non-taxing / non-fatiguing treble region but the JD7 takes a more balanced approach as a whole. I do think that resolution up top on the JD7 is better as its balanced sound helps to distinguish details a hair better.

Both of these sets look and feel absolutely premium and replay very well in the under $100 price point. Both of these iems have above average soundstages though the JD7 comes across with better depth and closer to a 3D replay. I’d say that if you want a V-shaped set with a good-sized bass region and with a very fun, spirited, semi-aggressive and warmer sound than the FD3 is a very nice choice. However, if you are after an equally fun and engaging sound with a bit more balance and polish than the newer JD7 is also a very nice set for the price.

Is the JD7 worth the asking price?​

The ultimate question is whether the Fiio JD7 is even worth the $79 that Fiio is asking? That is a fantastic question. In my opinion the JD7 is a very attractive iem under that $100 price point. That said, there are some less expensive iems which get very close to them in flat-out auditory ability. What you will not find very often under that $79 is the build quality and dope look that the JD7 has. Couple that with the fact that Fiio did a very good job tuning this set with a clean sound overall and a dynamically balanced set. The JD7 is definitely Harman inspired but enhanced in certain fun areas of the mix. So, to answer for myself whether the JD7 is worth it, I say absolutely it is worth the asking price.

Conclusion​

To conclude my review of the brand new Fiio “Jade Audio” JD7, I hope I have helped at least one person gain some understanding about this set. I urge you to wait for other reviews to come out and to take in other perspectives about the JD7. People, we all have different likes and dislikes, we have different hearing abilities, different gear and not everyone has been down the same audio path as everyone else. What I think is amazing will not always be the same to the next man. These audio devices are ridiculously expensive at times, and I know not everyone has wads of cash cluttering up their bedroom closets, so it pays to try your best to make your purchase the right one. Please take in other thoughts about this and any set you are looking to purchase.

Fiio is on to something​

Fellas and ladies, I really have enjoyed my time with the Fiio JD7. I think that Fiio did a fantastic job creating an iem with an all-around tuning that will do well with many genres. The JD7 adds a new wrinkle (at least for me) into the under $100 debate. Some may not agree with that last statement, and some will say that the JD7 punch above their price.

I can say for sure that Fiio took a slick, premium looking, premium feeling and durable design which worked so many times in the past and really nailed this tuning in my opinion. However, not everything is for everyone, in fact, nothing is for everyone. It can’t be easy working so hard on a product only to have to endure the pain or praise and sudden death reviewer thoughts and opinions. As for me, great job Fiio! Another stellar iem that in my opinion does very well at the price it is at.

The JD7 is a very fun and engaging iem that does well to balance the dynamic expression in each area of the spectrum. They feel very good in hand and feel like nothing in the ear. I think that I will keep on enjoying the sound of this set for quite some time and really do look forward to finding out where Fiio is going next. Thank you very much for anyone who spent time reading this review. I truly love to write about my thoughts and experiences, the good and the bad. I enjoy hearing my favorite test tracks being played out of different devices and love to describe the differences that I hear. Thanks again, please stay safe, take care, and God Bless.

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What do you think when you see yet another set of IEM tuned according to Harman In-ear Target?

My first thought is, “what’s the catch?” I have yet to hear a set of Harman-tuned IEMs that does not suffer from a boring flat soundstage or blurry musical notes (a.k.a., “low resolution”). Therefore, when Fiio asked me to review JD7, the flagship of their budget IEM range with a Harman-inspired tuning, I had little expectation.

So, how is JD7? Spoiler: I bought a replacement cable and upgraded my portable DAC/AMP to pair with JD7 after spending a few days with these IEMs.

Forewords​

• This review is based on a sample provided by Fiio (Thank you!) I have bought an upgrade cable for JD7 with my own funds.
• You should treat this review as the subjective impressions of an audio geek rather than an “objective truth” about the IEM. Your experience with any IEM would change depending on your DAC/AMP, music library, ear tips, and listening volume.
• I rate IEMs by A/B testing them against a few benchmark IEMs, regardless of price point. This approach ensures the consistency of the ratings in my ranking list. It means that if two IEMs score the same, they perform more or less similar.
• I believe that great IEMs are the ones that can achieve multiple difficult things simultaneously: (1) high resolution (meaning lines of music are crisp, clear, easy to follow and full of texture), (2) 3D soundstage with a strong sense of depth, (3) bold and natural bass with a physical rumble, (4) natural timbre, (5) relaxing and comfortable tonality.
• Ranking list and measurement database can be found on my IEM review blog.

Specs​

• Driver: 10mm single dynamic driver (no fancy beryllium, LCP, CNT, or DLC diaphragm here)
• MMCX connector
• Impedance: 32ohm
• Sensitivity: 108dB/mW@1kHz

Non-sound Aspects​

Deja vu.

That was my first impression when I saw JD7 because they look exactly like FA7s, another set of Fiio IEMs that I spent too much time reading reviews. Though there is no confirmation from Fiio that JD7 uses the same shells as FA7s, I can tell you that the material, build quality, and finish of JD7 are as good as FD5, FA7s, and FD7.



Since JD7 is a budget set, the immediate question would be where the compromise is. Well, the first casualty is the presentation. JD7 comes in a tiny box without any fancy printing or magnetic flaps. To put this in perspective, the box of JD7 is noticeably smaller and less impressive next to the box of FF3, a lower-end model from Fiio’s main product line.



The second casualty is the cable. It’s not horrible, but it is always curly, regardless of how much I try to stretch and straighten it. I think this cable cheapens the look and degrades the joy of using JD7. Therefore, I replaced the cable with a brand-new Fiio LC-RC cable with an interchangeable plug. Interestingly, LC-RC is the stock cable of FA7s. So my JD7 looks identical to FA7s now.



Besides the downgraded presentation and cable, the rest of the packaging of Fiio is excellent. You have the famous Fiio’s pelican case that offers exceptional protection for the IEMs. You have 3 sets of ear tips: balanced, foam, and the newly released HS18. There is also a metal tool for detaching the cable. You will need this because the MMCX connectors of JD7 are pretty stiff.

Notes on the HS18 tips​

Some readers recently asked me about HS18 tips, so let’s talk about them. In short, think of them as spin fit tips but without the “spin” part. The silicone part of the tips is very soft and deforms easily, so they are more suitable for shallow rather than deep fit.



When I first used these tips with JD7, I tried to fit the IEMs deeply. However, the ear tips collapsed and broke the seal. After a while, I realised I only needed to press the ear pieces slightly against my ears for the tips to seal ear canals. The isolation is surprisingly good, and there was no pressure within my ear canals. The floating feeling of JD7 with these tips reminds me of flathead earbuds.

Comfort and Isolation​

JD7, with the stock HS18 tips, have above-average comfort. The HS18 tips make JD7 feel like floating rather than jammed in my ears. At first, this floating feeling made me think I did not have a good seal. However, the seal was good because all the sub-bass was there, and the noise around me dropped noticeably.

Speaking of noise isolation, JD7 is just about average. I can listen to music on a busy street or bus without increasing the volume. However, the open-back design allows me to hear the traffics and announcements.

How it sounds​

Sources for listening tests:

• Topping G5 (for all A/B tests)
• Hidizs XO
• Hidizs S9 Pro
• Fiio KA3
• Shanling UP4

Local FLAC files ripped from CDs or bought from Qobuz were used for most casual listening and A/B tests. My playlist for A/B tests can be found on Apple Music here.

Tonality and Timbre: 5/5 - Excellent​

Frequency response of JD7. Measurements were done with an IEC-711-compliant coupler and might only be compared with other measurements from this same coupler. Visit my graph database for more comparisons.

Let me tell you a secret. Unlike my fellow reviewers, who are meticulous about tonality and timbre, I don’t care much about tuning. Why? Because the interpretation of tonal balance and timbre realism is very personal, depending on the listeners’ music library, listening habits, and even experience with real musical instruments. Another issue is that “well-tuned” is no longer a rarity, as manufacturers learn that following the Harman target would keep prominent reviewers (and their fans) happy.

Before we go on, let me just quickly describe the essential traits of a Harman-tuned IEM from my perspective and experience:

• Highlighted or “forward” midrange elements, such as main vocals and instruments. The singers take a couple steps toward you and away from the rest of the band at the back. This effect is caused by boosting of upper midrange frequencies (“ear gain” or “ear compensation”) starting from 1kHz, peaking around 3kHz. Depending on the amount of boosting, the singers might be too loud that they seem to be shouting to your face (a.k.a. “shouty”).
• Detached and deep bass that might not feel very punchy. It means I hear a lot of deep rumbles but not “boom boom”. This effect is caused by the distinct bass shelf starting from 200Hz.
• Thin musical notes, particularly with low-pitched instruments such as cellos and male vocals. This effect is caused by the dip around 250Hz that aims to control the “bass bleed” (boy, I dislike that vaguely defined term).
• Wide but shallow soundstage because the forward midrange pushes the soundstage into your head. Moreover, the subdued low-midrange and midbass prevent the lower frequencies from forming a layer of sound closer to you in front of the midrange.

Fiio JD7 does sound Harman-like, particularly in the placement and clarity of the midrange. However, Fiio has made a few sensible adjustments to make the midrange rich, smooth, clear, and transparent.

Firstly, they fill in the 250Hz dip of the Harman target, giving music notes appropriate weight. As a result, male vocals such as Andrea Bocelli’s in Besame Mucho are rich and emotive, without becoming boomy, an undesirable effect of many bass-boosted IEMs produce. Cellos sound rich and full-bodied with spot-on timbre. For instance, when I listen to the Goldberb Variations arranged for Cello, Violin, and Viola, there was no confusion between three instruments.

Secondly, Fiio flattens the ear gain peak at 3kHz. As a result, the midrange is pulled away from you, like the singer takes just a half step away. This tuning helps avoid the usual shoutiness and gives the stage extra depth.

Finally, Fiio dips the 5-6kHz region about 3dB. This tuning choice surprises me because it is rare and not how Fiio usually tunes their IEMs. Why does dipping 5kHz matter? This region is also known as “presence” because it emphasises note attacks and increases the illusion of clarity. A dip in this region can make musical phrases smoother. For example, when I listen to Bach’s violin sonatas and partitas by James Ehnes, the sounds of the bow catching strings are not boosted to sound like ice-picks. When singers reach high notes, they don’t sound harsh and strident either. As a result, you can turn the volume a couple notches higher than usual, making the bass and treble air pop.



Before we move on, let’s briefly discuss JD7’s bass and treble.

JD7 has the right amount of bass to balance with the midrange and the treble. At no point do I feel like I need to hear more bass. At the same time, I don’t have to constantly adjust the volume between bassy and non-bassy tracks like when I use a bass-boosted IEM.

The theme of balance also carries over to the treble response of JD7. Cymbals, hi-hats, and chimes are not subdued and buried underneath the midrange and bass like some warmer-tuned gear like Fiio FF3. There is a decent amount of treble sparkles. However, the treble is well controlled, evidenced by the fact that cymbal crashes maintain plenty of details rather than becoming a simplistic “clang” sound.

How would I rate the tonality of JD7? 5/5 - Excellent. No, it’s not excellent because it follows the Harman target. It is exceptional because of the tasteful adjustments that make the tonality beautiful and enhance, rather than hinder, the technical performance of the IEMs.

Resolution, Detail, Separation: 4.5/5 - Very Good​

Resolution is a fascinating subject due to the difficulty of pinning down what it really is. To me, the resolution is closely tied to how many quiet and minor details you can hear. Of course, if you turn the music louder, you can spot more details. However, you can only turn up the volume if the tuning does not have random peaks that stab your ears and mask minor details around them. Moreover, you can only hear details if the drivers manage to separate them rather than presenting a blob of sound. Earphone DIYers very well recognise this “true resolution” difference between drivers.

So, how is the resolution of JD7?

Nothing to hide.

The smooth and balanced tuning of JD7 allows me to turn up the volume a few extra notches to hear more nuances in the midrange than other IEMs. I never felt that some small information was slightly covered by a louder sound. If something is there in the recording, I’ll be able to hear it. This sense of detail works wonders for both songs and classical recordings. Slight taps of a bow against the body of a violin, the sympathetic resonance of violin strings when James Ehnes hits the right notes, the slight raspiness in Ed Sheeran’s voice in Afterglow. I can hear them all.



It also helps that the no-name drivers inside JD7 are decently resolving. In A/B tests against Moondrop Aria, the benchmark for “average” resolution (3/5), the extra resolution of JD7 is apparent. Aria is noticeably blurrier and less textured. All of the fine details extracted by JD7 are mushed together with Aria.

JD7 is also noticeably more detailed than my Blessing 2, my benchmark for “good” resolution (4/5). The difference in the true resolution of JD7 and Blessing 2 is mostly negligible. However, the slightly edgier tuning of Blessing 2 masks some fine details and forces me to drop the volume. Even when I boost the volume, there is always a sense that some fine details are just slightly masked behind other loud sounds. The grainy treble of Blessing 2 does not help either, as it makes the details of Blessing 2 seem forced and somewhat unnatural.

How does JD7 fare against Andromeda 2020, my benchmark for “excellent” resolution (5/5)? The most noticeable differences in A/B tests are in the upper treble (“air”) region. Room reverb and the trailing end of tones sound softer and mushier with JD7 than with Andromeda. The midrange resolution of JD7 is uncomfortably close to Andromeda, however. Perhaps it is time for me to find an even more technically proficient IEM to replace Andromeda as the 5/5 benchmark?

So, how would I rate JD7’s resolution? Whilst the true resolution of JD7 is within the ballpark with the Blessing 2 (4/5), the tuning of JD7 makes it easier to appreciate what JD7 can resolve. On the other hand, there is still a deeper layer of details that I can hear on more resolving IEMs like Andromeda, IE900, and Monarch Mk2 that JD7 cannot uncover. Therefore, I rate JD7’s resolution 4.5/5 - Very Good.

Percussion Rendering: 4/5 - Good​

Percussion rendering reflects how well the tuning and technical performance of an IEM work together to recreate realistic sound of a drum set. Good drum hits have a crisp attack (controlled by frequencies from 4kHz to 6kHz), full body (midbass frequencies around 200Hz), and physical sensation (sub-bass frequencies around 50Hz). Good technical performance (“fast” driver) ensures that bass notes can be loud yet detailed. IEMs that cannot control bass very well tend to reduce the bass’ loudness to prevent muddiness.

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There is little to talk about JD7’s percussion rendering, unlike its tuning and resolution. It is simply good. A correct amount of midbass punch (“boom boom”) makes drums punchy and satisfying. Luckily, the bass punches are supported by a physical sensation and rumble, unlike my Fiio FD5. As a result, war drums in epic video game soundtracks sound satisfying with JD7. Electronic bass in G.O.A.T. also hits hard with authority.



In A/B tests against the Moondrop Aria (3/5) and Blessing 2 (4/5), it’s clear that JD7 does not suffer from the same slightly soft and pillowy bass attacks. JD7 also renders the melody of pitches of the bass line rather than simply the “thump thump” sounds. However, due to the way Blessing 2 fits, I hear a deeper bass extension with Blessing 2 compared to JD7.

My biggest complaint about JD7’s percussion render is that it is still a bit soft. JD7’s bass is not mushy, but it lacks the crisp, snappy, and “tight” attacks that I hear from top performers like Dunu Zen Pro, IE900, and FD7.

So how would I rate JD7 bass? 4/5 - Good.

Stereo Imaging (Soundstage): 4.5/5 - Very GoodPermalink​

Stereo imaging or “soundstage” is a psychoacoustic illusion that different recording elements appear at various locations inside and around your head. Your brain creates based on the cues such as the loudness and phase differences between the left and right channels. Most IEMs do not differ significantly, nor can they compete with headphones or loudspeakers. However, some IEMs offer a more spacious soundstage than others. Best IEMs can create multiple layers of sound from closer to further away and make some instruments float slightly above your head.

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Open with a palpable sense of depth.

The soundstage rendering of JD7 is also a surprise to me because, simply put, IEMs and headphones with Harman-inspired tuning rarely produce good soundstage. Width? Yes, the stage of Sennheiser HD560s or Moondrop Blessing 2 can extend wide to the side, reaching my shoulders. However, the soundstage of these headphones and IEMs is shallow. When sound elements appear in the middle of the stage, there is little sense of layering from closer to further away.

JD7, on the other hand, can convey a 3D soundstage image.The lead singer stands at the centre of the stage, either inside my head or slightly before my forehead. The band would take several steps further away from me, leaving some space between the vocal and the instruments. The backing vocals appear on the sides, hovering over my shoulder or right next to my ears.



With more interesting albums such as The ultimate Guitar Collection by John Williams, JD7 shows off the ability to reproduce diverse shapes of the soundstage. JD7 makes me feel like I am inside the guitar in some tracks. In other tracks, I feel like I am sitting in front of two guitars. In some tracks, I can even hear a guitar from the left side of the stage that seems to come from a different room. With some electronic tracks, I can even hear sound popping up from slightly above my ears.

Looking at the back of JD7’s earpieces, you will notice three vents. Similarly to other semi-open-back IEMs from the FD series of Fiio, JD7 mimics the openness and airy feeling of open-back headphones and flathead earbuds decently. There is no sonic wall nor the physically stuffy feeling that some sealed IEMs can create.

Is there anything I don’t like about the soundstage imaging of JD7? Two things, actually. Firstly, JD7 lacks tuning tricks to push the whole soundstage away from you to mimic the experience of listening to desktop speakers that some high-end IEMs can achieve. Secondly, JD7 lacks the pin-point imaging of high-end IEMs. As a result, the soundstage image painted by JD7 is a bit more diffused and less impressive than, say, the Andromeda.

How would I rate JD7’s soundstage imaging? 4.5/5 - Very Good.It’s open and airy, with a neat illusion of depth and height. Thoroughly enjoyable rather than “it’s alright.”

Source Pairing​

JD7 is very easy to drive. You can extract the performance level I described above from JD7 with any decent DAC/AMP combos, including the humble Apple dongle. This characteristic is excellent because it allows me to use my AP80 Pro X music player, which is a bit underpowered.



Despite being easy to drive, JD7 is very sensitive to the characteristics of the sources. For example, you can hear a noticeable shift in tonality when using a warmer Shanling source. The only pairing that I don’t recommend is with Fiio KA3. Something about the treble presentation of that dongle makes the soundstage of JD7 flat and lifeless.

Conclusion​

Every IEM collection should have an all-rounder who does everything at a high level. Despite my little expectation for yet another Harman-tuned IEM, JD7 challenged many of my prenotions. It earned the spot of the all-rounder in my collection. My final conclusion about JD7? Seal of approval and recommendation without reservation.

Pros:

• Smooth tuning with excellent balance between bass, mid, and treble
• Realistic and enjoyable timbre
• Very good midrange tonality, transparency, and detail
• Open, airy, and 3D soundstage imaging
• Good percussion rendering
• Easy to drive

Cons:

• The stock cable cheapens the look and usability of the set
• No standout feature or characteristics