In this article, I review the FiiO JD1 IEMs. The JD1 features a 10mm Liquid Crystal Polymer (LDP) driver and is available with either a 3.5mm or USB-C termination. It’s priced at just $14.99.
Disclaimer: This sample was provided by FiiO for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own, based on my experience with the product.
FiiO JD1
Design
The FiiO JD1 has zinc alloy faceplates with acrylic shells. It reminds me of the FiiO JH5 which is a much more expensive product. Its substantial feel in the hand belies its extremely affordable $14.99 price tag. Simply put, the JD1’s build quality is unmatched at this price point.
The shells are extremely comfortable for my ears and I can wear them for prolonged periods without any issues. JD1 features a front-rear cavity balanced pressure relief system that both allows the dynamic driver to move more freely but also reduces pressure on your eardrums or ‘cabin pressure’.
Connectivity options include a standard 3.5mm termination and a convenient USB-C DSP cable for direct connection to smartphones, PCs, or tablets. Unfortunately, the included cable is a weak point, feeling stiff and prone to kinks. The good news is that it’s detachable, allowing for easy upgrades.
Sound
Gear used for testing includes the FiiO KA17, HiBy R3 II and SMSL DO300EX. The JD1 is easy to drive, regardless of which termination type you use. It will work fine plugged straight into a smartphone or low-powered dongle DAC.
I should preface this section with some information regarding the USB-C DSP cable because it actually comes with 5 different sound profiles. And unlike many nozzle filters, these DSP profiles offer distinctly different sound signatures. The 5 sound profiles are Default, Bass Extension, Vocal, Treble and Harman Reference. I enjoyed the Default and Harman Reference modes the most, so the following will be based on those. One more note of interest is that when using a regular third-party cable, the IEMs match the Default sound profile.
Bass
The FiiO JD1 has boosted low frequencies that create a real toe-tapping and engaging effect. Purists and ‘neutral-heads’ won’t like it but people like me who enjoy some meat on the bones will likely get a thrill out of JD1’s bass.
It’s a quality bass too – it’s punchy and authoritative yet free of distortion. The bass is quite nimble and controlled, despite its enhanced state but there is some bleeding into the midrange. However, for the most part, this is a fun yet competent bass response.
Midrange
There is a sense of forced clarity in the mids, courtesy of a large peak between 2-3kHz and another at just over 4kHz. This acts as a counterbalance to the enhanced bass while also adding clarity and vocal presence. As a result, however, midrange notes can sound a tad thin and nasally.
Articulation and detail are good in the mid-bands and surprisingly, the timbre of midrange instruments is fairly accurate. Despite some masking from the bass, the midrange performance is pretty good.
Treble
The JD1’s treble takes a secondary role to a forward upper midrange, which might disappoint treble enthusiasts. Additionally, treble notes exhibit a slightly metallic character, lacking warmth. That said, the JD1 offers commendable detail retrieval, though it struggles to maintain this level of clarity on complex tracks.
Soundstage & Technicalities
The soundstage is fairly spacious and open despite the lifted bass level. Gamers will appreciate the upper midrange boost as it is ideal for picking up enemy footsteps and aids in placement and imaging.
Verdict
The JD1 delivers exceptional build quality for its sub-$20 price point. While its audio performance might not be groundbreaking, it’s still impressive considering the cost. Offering multiple sound profiles (USB-C version), the JD1 boasts excellent bass and impressive clarity. Gamers in particular will appreciate the clear upper midrange, which contributes to above-average imaging and soundstage for pinpointing in-game cues like footsteps.