FiiO Jade Audio JT7

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

FiiO (and its subbrands Jade Audio / Snowsky) have been on a roll with value‑driven, pragmatic audio devices. Between the FT1, FT1 Pro, Snowsky Melody, JM21 Dap and now this JT7, each release 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. Overall, it might even be better than the FT1 Pro, which itself was a pretty amazing value headphone and for me, it replaces the Hifiman HE400SE as the easy budget recommendation at this price

I’ve spent the past few weeks with the JT7 (and the JT3) and very much enjoyed both headphones but for different reasons. 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:

And I love that these use velcro for easy removal.

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 are the same or very similar to the FT1 and FT1 Pro’s earpads so are comfortable:

Fit and comfort summary

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

Overall, I really liked the simple lightweight comfort this headphone provides, with lots of trickle-down features like the earpads from FiiO more expensive headphones.

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.

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

The JT7 delivers planar‑linear bass that extends cleanly into the sub‑bass region with excellent control and authority. Unlike some budget planars that roll off prematurely or sound woolly in the lows, the JT7 maintains articulation and presence even during sustained bass passages. The large planar driver provides effortless low‑end performance that remains composed at volume without any hint of bloat or muddiness. Electronic tracks with deep synthesizer sweeps stay tight and detailed, while acoustic bass instruments retain their natural texture and weight. The linearity of the bass response means there’s no mid‑bass hump or artificial coloration — just clean, extended low frequencies that serve the music rather than calling attention to themselves.

The JT7 also takes bass EQ exceptionally well — better than the FT1 Pro in my experience — letting you dial in extra low‑end weight without collapsing the stage or introducing distortion. If you prefer a bit more warmth or impact for certain genres, the headroom is there to add a low‑shelf boost without compromising the overall presentation.

Midrange

The midrange on the JT7 strikes an excellent balance between clarity and naturalness. Vocals sit properly in the mix with good body and presence, never sounding recessed or overly forward. There’s a slight warmth to the presentation that keeps voices engaging without crossing into shouty or honky territory. Male and female vocals alike come through with convincing timber and texture, while acoustic instruments like guitars and pianos render with appropriate weight and resonance. The JT7 avoids the common budget‑planar trap of sounding thin or clinical through the mids; instead, there’s enough body to keep long listening sessions enjoyable while maintaining the transparency that planar drivers are known for. The slightly relaxed upper‑mid tuning means that even brighter or leaner recordings remain listenable without requiring EQ intervention, though the tonality is open enough that a small presence boost works well if you prefer a more forward vocal presentation.

Treble

The treble region is where the JT7 really distinguishes itself from brighter budget planars. Rather than chasing air and sparkle at the expense of listenability, FiiO has opted for a gently controlled top end that avoids glare, sibilance, and fatigue. Cymbals and hi‑hats have enough energy to cut through the mix and provide definition, but they never become splashy or sharp. This makes the JT7 particularly well‑suited for extended listening sessions and for genres that can sound harsh on more aggressive tunings. The treble extension is present, but less so compared to typical Hifiman planars. You're not missing detail or resolution but it's presented in a way that prioritizes musicality over analytical bite.

Soundstage and imaging

For an open‑back headphone at this price point, the JT7 delivers a surprisingly spacious and well‑organized soundstage. The presentation feels open and natural, with convincing lateral width that allows instruments to occupy distinct positions in the mix. Center imaging is stable and precise, making vocals and lead instruments feel properly anchored rather than wandering or diffuse. Live recordings and acoustic tracks benefit particularly from this sense of space, with the JT7 doing a credible job of conveying venue acoustics and instrument placement. While it doesn’t quite match the expansive staging of flagship planars, the JT7 punches well above its price class in this regard, providing enough dimensional cues to make complex mixes easy to parse and enjoyable to explore. Layering is handled gracefully, and the overall spatial presentation remains coherent even on busy orchestral or electronic tracks.

Audiophile track samples

James Blake — “Limit to Your Love”: This track has always been my go‑to test for sub‑bass extension and control, and it previously exposed some limitations on the FT1 Pro for me. On the JT7, however, it sounds exceptional. The deep synthesizer sweeps stay controlled, present, and impactful throughout, with the planar driver handling the sustained low frequencies without strain or loss of definition. The sub‑bass weight is there when it needs to be, but it never overshadows Blake’s delicate vocals or the sparse arrangement.

Norah Jones — “Don’t Know Why”: A perfect test for midrange tonality and vocal naturalness. The JT7 renders Jones' voice with warmth and clarity, maintaining the intimacy of the recording without oversharpening or adding artificial presence. The piano accompaniment has appropriate body and resonance, and the overall presentation feels balanced and musical rather than analytically clinical.

Daft Punk — “Giorgio by Moroder”: This track’s layered production and busy high‑frequency content can quickly reveal treble harshness or fatigue. On the JT7, the hi‑hats and synthesizer leads remain crisp and detailed but never cross into glare or sibilance. The controlled treble tuning means I can enjoy the track at higher volumes for extended periods without any sense of fatigue, while still hearing all the detail and texture in the upper registers.

Comparisons

• HIFIMAN HE400SE: Long a benchmark for budget planars, but at $109.99 the JT7 has better tonality for the price 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 value headphone, but the JT7’s planar driver offers cleaner bass extension with none of the sub-bass resonances issues that the FT1 Pro can have, so more headroom for low‑shelf EQ. Treble is a touch smoother on the JT7. But imaging is probably slightly better on the FT1 Pro.

Specifications

Measurements

I measured the JT7 on a KB501X softear pinna with a 711 clone coupler, the measurements can be viewed here.

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.

Here is a raw capture of these measurements:

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 Harman shows the JT7 sitting closest overall in this price class to my ears and measurements.

Here is a comparison with the Edition XS and even the HD600:

And finally here is a comparison with some other FiiO headphones:

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.

I also tried these alternative pads I have been using on my FT1 Pro:

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.

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.

Here is the distortion as a percentage:

Driver size comparisons

One of the practical reasons the JT7 feels effortless in the lows is the size of the diaphragm area.

Stacked next to FiiO’s FT1 Pro, the planar in the JT7 presents a slightly larger radiating surface, which helps maintain linear bass and composure when you add a little EQ.

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.

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.