Today, I’m reviewing the FiiO JT7 open-back headphones. Featuring a planar magnetic driver, a foldable frame, and replaceable earpads, this package is offered for the low price of just $114 USD. That makes it one of the most affordable full-size planar headphones on the market. Is this simply a marketing gimmick, or has FiiO/Jade Audio truly delivered the planar sound for the masses? Let’s dive in.
It’s important to note that the JT7 is officially a Jade Audio offering, FiiO’s sub-brand dedicated to delivering high-quality audio at aggressively competitive price points. For ease and efficiency throughout this review, I will be referring to it simply as the FiiO JT7.
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 JT7
Design & Comfort
The JT7 boasts a surprisingly functional and comfortable design. They are foldable, which makes them super easy for storage or carrying around in a bag. Despite being full-size headphones, they are very lightweight. The build is primarily plastic, constructed around a spring steel headband, but includes metal grills on the back of the earcups.
The earcups rotate fully, allowing them to lay flat and position themselves naturally on the head. The headphones are super comfortable due to their light weight and reasonably light clamping force. They feature big, cushy, soft hybrid earpads—perforated pleather on the outside and a velour/velvety material on the face. Soft padding is present under the headband, and the interior is clearly marked with L and R indicators, eliminating fumbling. They have served as a comfortable daily driver for extended periods. FiiO includes two cables: a standard 3.5mm single-ended cable and a 4.4mm balanced cable.
Sound
Sources used for testing include the Luxsin X9, iBasso DX180 and Cayin RU6. The JT7 is fairly efficient and doesn’t require much driving power. Even a dongle DAC like the Cayin RU6 has more than enough grunt to get these headphones going.
The headphones are fairly efficient, meaning a simple dongle DAC should be enough to comfortably power them with sufficient volume. The overall presentation is fairly balanced and linear, offering an even blend of bass, mid-range, and treble.
The bass boasts great extension with nice sub-bass rumble. Although not particularly forward, a slight boost provides that low-down authority and fun factor. Being a planar, the bass is very tight, fast, and controlled, with good texture and mid-bass punch.
The mid-range tuning is practically neutral. Notes are neither fat nor thin, ensuring the sound is neither anemic nor bloated. It sounds very spacious, clean, and tidy, with an accurate, lifelike, and realistic timbre. Critically, there is no noticeable peak in the upper mid-range, preventing them from becoming shouty.
The treble is evenly mixed and balanced with the rest of the frequency range. It is described as a nice, fast, and crisp treble that is not fatiguing, even over long listening sessions. It remains controlled and free of inherent sibilance.
Detail retrieval is decent for full-size headphones at this price point. The open-back design yields a nice, wide, and expansive soundstage in all directions. They are also great for gaming, providing good imaging for elements like footsteps and gunshots.
Comparison
Comparisons
The JT7 competes strongly within and above its price category, even against other FiiO models.
The FiiO JT3 (a dynamic driver headphone) is cheaper but has a bolder, more fun, and less refined sound. It features extra body and bass weight, but also more upper mid-range/lower treble “bite,” making it potentially more fatiguing than the JT7.
The FiiO FT1 Pro (a planar magnetic headphone, roughly double the price) has a sound that is very close in tuning and technicalities. The FT1 Pro offers a more premium build, a nicer cable, and a hard carrying case. Sonically, it may offer slightly more sub-bass and treble sparkle.
Verdict
The FiiO JT7 is an unbelievably good headphone for its price point. I don’t think there is a better entry-level planar headphone going at the moment. The JT7 is highly recommended for anyone looking for an entry-level planar or even a fantastic, easy-to-manage daily driver, offering incredible value for money.
