FiiO Jade Audio JT7

Class‑leading value: FiiO/Jade Audio’s pragmatic push continues

FiiO (and its subbrand Jade Audio) have been on a roll with value‑driven, pragmatic headphones. Between the FT1, FT1 Pro, and now this JT7, each model has aimed to be class‑leading for what you get at the price. I was particularly excited to try the JT7 and now I am even more impressed, this is probably the best value Planar you can get. It is astonishing how good this sounds for $109.99.

I’ve spent the past few weeks with the JT7 (and the JT3) and very much enjoyed the experience.

While I love the JT7’s sound quality and comfort, probably the most unimpressive aspect is its unboxing.

So let’s get that out of the way before we get to the good stuff:

Unboxing and first impressions

• The retail box is minimal and straightforward:

But this box is tiny, for context, the boxes for the JT3 and JT7:

• Back of the box with specs and highlights.

• Inside, the headphones arrive in a soft cloth pouch.

Considering the size of the Box, I guess it is impressive they squeeze as much inside:

Accessories include two cables, an adapter, and paperwork.

Cloth storage pouch is nothing special:

The two included cables: 3.5 mm single‑ended and 4.4 mm balanced are not bad for the price but not as good as typical FiiO cables:

Quick start guide:

Build overview

I do like the foldable structure for the JT7, this especially makes it great to pop into a bag. I brought this to my office for a few days. While the frame is definitely price appropriate, it is also very lightweight so extremely easy to wear for long listening sessions. This might be the most perfect headphone for a quiet office space.

I also love the earcups, this are effectively the same as we got with the FT1 and FT1 Pro:

I also liked the look of the Open grills with the large planar driver visible:

• Driver detail:

Headband is also nice and suitable for longer listening session with center gap for pressure relief:

The headband extension is also good with plenty of room for expansion:

Pads are replaceable and very decent quality for the price with a nice size and deep:

Earcups/pads on head are comfortable.

Fit and comfort

• About 318 g without cable, which is light for a planar; clamp is moderate.
• Multi‑axis cup rotation provides a reliable fit; the foldable design helps with storage and portability.
• Replaceable earpads use a fabric surface over synthetic leatherette for breathability; comfortable for longer sessions.
• The headband cushion uses a detachable Velcro design that’s easy to remove, clean, or replace.

Features and everyday use

• Ships with two cables in the box: dual 3.5 mm (TS) to 3.5 mm single‑ended, and dual 3.5 mm (TS) to 4.4 mm balanced.
• Open‑back design is best for quiet environments; some sound leakage is expected.
• Sensitivity of 92 dB/mW means it benefits from a capable dongle/DAC, but it’s still manageable from modest sources.
• Foldable structure makes it easy to pack in the included cloth pouch.

In the hand and in a bag, the JT7 has held up better than I expected for the price. I’ve been tossing it into my work bag a few times a week because it folds so compactly, and while I still have mild concerns about long‑term reliability given the lightweight build, nothing has creaked or loosened over the past few weeks of use.

Technical design highlights

• 95×86 mm large planar driver.
• F.E.S. (FIIO Elastic System): adds embossed ridges to the planar diaphragm, introducing elastic restoring force that counteracts internal stress. This allows greater displacement at the same input, enhancing bass dynamics and low‑frequency responsiveness while maintaining stability.
• Push‑pull magnetic circuit system with two‑way heterogeneous high‑density magnets: magnets on both sides drive the diaphragm symmetrically for stronger, more linear motion. The design balances high magnetic flux with reasonable weight for efficient drive.
• Lightweight, foldable 318 g design with multi‑angle rotation: aims for comfort typical of dynamic‑driver headphones while retaining dual‑sided magnet performance and 92 dB/mW sensitivity.
• Replaceable pads with breathable fabric surface and a detachable Velcro headband cushion for hygiene and long‑term comfort.
• Comes standard with two cables (3.5 mm SE and 4.4 mm balanced).

Sound impressions

In a word — outstanding. If you’ve wanted a planar presentation but couldn’t stretch to something like an Edition XS or even the FT1 Pro, the JT7 delivers the essentials at a fraction of the price. You get a very linear bass response and the typical sense of planar ease and space. Treble is a little restrained (in a good way), which results in an easy‑listening balance that sits between a classic HIFIMAN planar tonality and a mid‑centric reference like the HD600.

• Bass: Sub‑bass is clean and extends well. James Blake’s “Limit to Your Love” — which exposed some sub‑bass limitations for me on the FT1 Pro — sounds exceptional on the JT7, with the deep sweeps staying controlled and present. Electronic tracks with sustained lows remain articulate rather than woolly.
• Midrange: Vocals are natural and well‑placed; guitars and pianos have good body without sounding shouty. On Norah Jones’ “Don’t Know Why,” the JT7 maintains clarity without oversharpening.
• Treble: Slightly relaxed versus brighter planars; cymbals avoid glare and sibilance. On Daft Punk’s “Giorgio by Moroder,” hi‑hats are crisp enough without becoming fatiguing.
• Soundstage & imaging: Open and organized for the price class, with stable center imaging and convincing lateral placement on live and acoustic recordings. The stage is wide enough to track instrument positions cleanly.

EQ note: The JT7 also takes bass EQ well — better than the FT1 Pro in my experience — letting you dial in extra low‑end weight without collapsing the stage or introducing bloat.

Comparisons

• HIFIMAN HE400SE: Long a benchmark for budget planars, but at $109.99 the JT7 becomes the new price king to my ears. The JT7 has more linear bass with better sub‑bass authority and takes EQ gracefully, while the treble is slightly more relaxed (friendlier for long sessions). Comfort is comparable; the JT7’s foldable design is a practical bonus.
• FiiO FT1 Pro: The FT1 Pro remains an excellent dynamic, but the JT7’s planar driver offers cleaner bass extension and more headroom for low‑shelf EQ. Treble is a touch smoother on the JT7, and imaging feels more stable on dense mixes.

Specifications

Measurements

I measured the JT7 on a GRAS‑style coupler with a fresh calibration. Multiple reseats were averaged and plots are shown at a 94 dB SPL reference with typical 1/12‑oct smoothing for readability. The broad picture matches what I hear: an exceptionally even tuning for the price with clean extension and a friendly, non‑glary treble.

This “excellent‑flat‑FR” view captures why the JT7’s tonality feels so right out of the box. Bass is linear into the sub‑bass, midrange sits naturally without a honk or shout, and the treble rides a gentle, controlled rise that avoids splash.

Compared to a Harman‑style target, the JT7 tracks the general shape very closely. There’s a touch less upper‑mid energy than some bright‑leaning planars, which helps keep vocals smooth on leaner masters. If you like a hint more presence, a small +1 to +2 dB around 2–3 kHz is all that’s needed.

Here’s a look at a compromised seal with glasses. Like most open backs, a poor seal mainly shifts low‑bass; the JT7 still holds together well, which matches my real‑world listening with frames.

Putting the JT7 next to the FT1 Pro and the HE400SE helps explain the listening differences: the JT7’s bass is more linear than the FT1 Pro’s and has better sub‑bass authority than the HE400SE, while the presence region is a shade calmer than both — hence the easy long‑session listening.

Overlaying all three with a target shows the JT7 sitting closest overall in this price class to my ears and measurements.

Pad rolling that actually works

I tried two alternative pad sets that I had on hand from FiiO’s FT1 line: the stock FT1 pads and the alternative pads I bought when reviewing the FT1 Pro. Both behave well on the JT7. The stock JT7 pads are perforated while the FT1 pads are not, and that subtle change makes a measurable and audible difference — with the FT1 pads I get slightly better midrange tonality and a touch more focus without losing the JT7’s excellent balance.

This photo shows the perforated JT7 pads versus the non‑perforated FT1/FT1 Pro style on the right.

The “alternative‑earpads‑compared” plot demonstrates that both FT1 and the alternative FT1 Pro pads maintain the JT7’s core tuning while gently nudging the midrange toward a more neutral presentation. It’s a small but worthwhile refinement if you have the pads.

Against the Harman‑style target, you can see why the FT1 non‑perforated pads can feel a hair more “correct” through the mids on certain vocals. Stock pads are already excellent; this is an optional polish.

Real‑world fit with the alternative pads remains comfortable and the acoustic effects match the measurements: a touch more mid clarity with no treble nasties.

Distortion

Distortion performance is very respectable for this price class. Low‑bass distortion rises as expected at higher SPLs but remains inaudible at sane listening levels; midrange and treble bands look clean. In practice, the JT7 plays louder than I need day‑to‑day without audible strain.

Driver size comparisons

One of the practical reasons the JT7 feels effortless in the lows is simple diaphragm area. Stacked next to FiiO’s dynamic FT1 Pro, the planar in the JT7 presents a much larger radiating surface, which helps maintain linear bass and composure when you add a little EQ.

This side‑by‑side makes it obvious how much larger the JT7’s planar is compared to the FT1 Pro’s dynamic driver.

For additional context, here’s the JT7 beside the Kiwiears Serene. Planar dimensions aren’t everything, but they do correlate with the easy, low‑distortion bass you can hear from the JT7.

Another angle on the driver scale, reinforcing why the JT7 can deliver linear sub‑bass at its price.

Extra measurements and gallery

I’m including a few more plots and photos here for completeness. The two “with‑glasses” captures below show the raw and cleaned presentation of a compromised seal; they line up with the main smoothed PNG already discussed above.

Raw capture showing the seal impact with glasses; primarily affects sub‑bass.

Alternate view of the same scenario, useful for cross‑checking the seal effect.

For broader brand context, here’s another comparison overlay amongst FiiO siblings.

A quick internal comparison sketch that mirrors the story in the main overlays.

And a simple photo underscoring that very nice, big planar element inside the JT7 cups.

That generously sized diaphragm is a big part of why the JT7 handles bass EQ so gracefully at this price.

Rating explanation

• Pragmatic rating (5/5): Exceptional sound quality and comfort at $109.99, with a foldable, lightweight design and two included cables.
• Price rating (5/5): Outstanding value; takes the budget planar crown in my view.
• Features rating (5/5): Dual cables (SE and balanced), foldable structure, replaceable pads, and a practical case.
• Measurement rating (4/5): Strong baseline with linear bass; more graphs to follow.

Ideal for:

• Listeners wanting an affordable entry into planar headphones with minimal compromises.
• Those who enjoy a smooth, balanced treble and clean, linear bass.
• Users who like to tweak — the JT7 accepts EQ gracefully, especially in the low end.

Conclusion

At $109.99, the JT7 sets a new bar for budget planars. It combines linear, satisfying bass, a relaxed but clear treble, and an open, organized presentation — all in a lightweight, foldable design with useful accessories. In day‑to‑day listening it outshines the HE400SE for me, and compared to the FT1 Pro it offers more low‑end headroom and a calmer top end.

If you’ve been waiting for a truly affordable planar that doesn’t feel compromised, the JT7 is easy to recommend — a pragmatic, class‑leading package that earns its 5/5.