FiiO Jade Audio JT3

A budget open-back from FiiO’s fast-moving Jade Audio line

FiiO and its sub‑brands Jade Audio and SNOWSKY continue to roll out products that punch well above their price in sound quality, features, and overall execution. That momentum has me genuinely curious about their newest ultra‑budget headphones — this JT3 and the also new JT7 which I have also reviewed.

The JT3 comes in two finishes, black and silver; I’m reviewing the black version, and as you will see, it is a clean, attractive-looking headphone in person.

I’ve spent the few weeks with the JT3, I finally feel I have enough impressions to share. While I do like the JT3, especially for the comfort at the asking price, I have a few niggles especially with the sound signature that I’ll highlight below.

But before I get into what the JT3 sounds like, here’s the unboxing.

Unboxing and first impressions

• The box is simple and compact.

• Inside, the headphones are protected in a plastic cover with the cable and paperwork.

• The headphones sit securely in the insert. Accessories are basic and practical.

• For context, here are the boxes for the JT3 and the JT7.

Build overview

• Open‑back over‑ear design with dual 3.5 mm cup connectors and a detachable cable with inline microphone.
• Finish on the black model is tidy; grills feature the FiiO logo treatment.

• Headband mechanism has good extension. There’s very little cup articulation, but the large velvet pads help with seal and comfort.

• Overall look on‑head is understated and neat.

Fit and comfort

• Lightweight for an over‑ear at this price; the clamping force is moderate.
• Large velvet pads are soft and comfortable. They’re detachable, and I plan to experiment with alternatives as pads can significantly affect headphone sound.
• The driver is slightly angled with some space in the cups, which can help a bit with a more spacious presentation.

Features and everyday use

• Detachable dual‑3.5 mm cable with inline microphone makes the JT3 easy for game chat or work calls. Voice quality on calls was pretty good in my use.
• Open‑back design leaks sound; best for home/office use rather than commuting.
• Easy to drive from a dongle or laptop, but like most open dynamics, they scale a little with a clean source.

Sound impressions

This headphone, to my ears, has a large mid‑bass emphasis with a somewhat relaxed treble, so there’s no sibilance — a warm‑tilted sound that will appeal to listeners who enjoy more bass, especially in rock. The mid‑bass is smooth and, technically, very easy to EQ. With a simple EQ to pull back mid‑bass and lift sub‑bass slightly, the JT3 can move toward a more neutral balance with a Harman‑like sub‑bass shelf. After gathering my subjective impressions, this EQ‑adjusted approach became my preferred way to listen.

• Bass: On classic rock with strong low‑end — think Led Zeppelin’s “When the Levee Breaks,” The Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter,” or Queens of the Stone Age’s “No One Knows” — the JT3 delivers a warm, driving rumble. Kick drums are rounded and full by default; trimming 3–5 dB around the mid‑bass cleans things up nicely while preserving impact.
• Midrange: Male vocals can feel a touch forward‑from‑the‑chest due to the bass shelf, while upper mids are a little subdued. Tracks like Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run” and Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” show a pleasant, non‑fatiguing presentation, though some bite and presence are softened.
• Treble: Treble is relaxed rather than bright; cymbals in AC/DC’s “Back in Black” land safely without splashiness. Detail is present but not etched. If you’re treble‑sensitive, this will be a positive; if you prefer extra sparkle, EQ can add some life in the 6–8 kHz region.
• Soundstage & imaging: For the price, stage and placement are decent. Live recordings like The Eagles’ “Hotel California (Hell Freezes Over)” spread out convincingly with acceptable center image stability for this class.

After a few weeks of listening, I settled on a tiny bit of EQ that reins in the mid‑bass without changing the spirit of the tuning. A single broad cut in the mid‑bass with a small sub‑bass lift keeps the slam while removing the haze — it’s the sort of two‑band adjustment anyone can set in a minute. I’ve detailed this simple recipe in the Measurements section below, along with visualizations.

Stepping back from the graphs, I’d still call the JT3 a “warmth headphone,” and that’s not a back‑handed label. There are days when I actively want that extra body and friendliness — classic rock, Americana, and folk in particular can sound fantastic with this voicing. The warmth brings a bit of the live‑venue feel into the room and adds energy to older, leaner recordings. The trade‑off is some technical midrange clarity, but it’s a swap I’m happy to make when I’m in the mood. Honestly, I think everyone should have one warm set around for when you want your favourite music presented with that live‑ish tonality.

Specifications and design notes

Internal driver and coil details:

• N52 magnet motor
• Imported Japanese lightweight TIL skeleton and CCAW voice coil
• TIL bobbin offers strength and high‑temperature resistance, helping prevent long‑term distortion
• CCAW ultra‑fine copper‑clad aluminum coil reduces moving mass, improving conversion efficiency and sensitivity while maintaining stable dynamics

Internals and disassembly

Getting inside the JT3 took care and patience. It was more difficult to open than typical budget dynamics. I followed the official instructions in FiiO’s manual here: https://fiio-instruction.fiio.net/快速入门/2025/JT3%20EN.pdf. You basically have to work around the rear clip points; with steady prying pressure at the right spots it will clip loose, after which the back can be lifted and the driver becomes accessible. Proceed slowly to avoid marking the plastics.

This close‑up shows the clip holes around the back of the cup that you need to work around to release the shell.

With the pad removed you can see the rear of the baffle and how the pad interface sits; the pads are easy to swap which is helpful for comfort tuning.

Here is the dynamic driver itself at an angle once the rear shell is disengaged. You can see the angled mounting and venting approach FiiO uses here.

A front look at the pads and opening; large, velvety pads contribute to the comfort and the slightly warm, diffuse presentation.

Measurements

I measured the JT3 on a GRAS‑style coupler with a fresh calibration file. Multiple reseats were averaged and the plots are shown with typical 1/12‑octave smoothing at a 94 dB SPL reference. The broad picture matches my listening: a warm, bass‑tilted tuning with relaxed upper treble and no obvious sibilance.

The file names below reflect what each plot is showing. I’ve kept commentary concise and practical rather than flowery.

This “warm‑dark‑tuning” trace captures the stock balance clearly: elevated mid‑bass that adds warmth and weight, coupled with a gentle down‑tilt through the presence/treble regions. It’s easy on the ears and forgiving, but midrange articulation can feel a bit veiled on dense mixes.

The “with‑2‑issues‑highlighted” view points to what you’re likely to hear right away: a big warm mid‑bass hump that can blur low‑mids, and a slightly relaxed upper‑mid presence that softens bite. These aren’t fatal flaws at this price, and they’re exactly the kind of things that respond well to light EQ.

“For‑comparison” overlays show how the JT3 sits versus a neutral‑ish target. The extra energy around 120–200 Hz is the star of the show; trimming here tightens everything without making the headphone thin.

The “compared‑ft3‑ft1‑pro” plot puts the JT3 next to FiiO’s FT3 and FT1 Pro. JT3 is the warmest of the three by a margin, which explains why it’s so easygoing with classic rock and older masters; the others lean closer to a studio‑style balance.

Distortion stays well‑behaved for the category, with low bass distortion rising as expected at higher SPLs but remaining inaudible at sane listening levels. Mid and treble bands look clean; nothing here suggests hidden gremlins.

A super‑simple PEQ that fixes the warmth

The only real quirk is that very large warm mid‑bass. The good news is this is the simplest, most consistent area to correct with EQ. Two gentle filters transform the JT3 into something much closer to neutral for most listeners: a broad cut centered around the mid‑bass, and a small compensating lift down in true sub‑bass so the foundation doesn’t feel hollowed out. In practice, I’ve had great results with roughly −4 to −5 dB around 150–180 Hz (Q ~0.8–1.0) and +1.5 to +2 dB at 30–40 Hz (Q ~0.7–1.0). Set the gains to taste.

With that two‑band tweak, the bass cleans up, male vocals de‑bloat, and the overall tonality snaps closer to a familiar neutral curve while keeping the JT3’s smooth, unfatiguing character intact.

https://www.pragmaticaudio.com/headphones/?share=Harman_OE_2018_Target,FiiO_JT3&P=-3.749935449750808&selphone=FiiO_JT3&T1=PK&F1=306&Q1=0.5&G1=-5.5&T2=PK&F2=1600&Q2=0.4&G2=4.4&T3=PK

Rating explanation

• Pragmatic rating (4/5): Easy comfort, detachable pads, and a useful mic cable make this a very practical budget open‑back. The stock tuning’s extra mid‑bass won’t suit everyone but responds well to light EQ.
• Price rating (5/5): Strong value considering build, comfort, and included mic cable.
• Features rating (4/5): Detachable cable with mic, angled driver, and large velvet pads at this price point are welcome.
• Measurement rating (3/5): Solid baseline; will update with full measurement set.

Ideal for:

• Listeners who enjoy a warm, bass‑forward presentation for rock and similar genres
• Anyone wanting a comfortable, lightweight open‑back for home use with a convenient mic for calls
• Tinkerers who don’t mind a touch of EQ or pad rolling

Conclusion

The JT3 is a sensible, comfortable entry into open‑back over‑ears from the Jade Audio side of FiiO. Out of the box it leans warm with a big mid‑bass and relaxed treble, which many will enjoy for rock and long sessions. If you prefer a cleaner balance, a quick EQ cut to mid‑bass and a small lift to sub‑bass and presence can reshape it fast.

Between the comfort, detachable velvet pads, angled driver, and the handy mic cable, the JT3 makes a strong case as a budget daily driver. It’s not chasing ultimate neutrality — and that’s okay at this price. With or without EQ, it’s an easy headphone to live with.