Disclaimer
The FiiO JD1 DSP was provided to me directly by FiiO for the purpose of this review, and I am really thankful for that. But still, all opinions I expressed in this review are my own and are not influenced by the manufacturer. I strive to provide an honest and unbiased assessment of the product based on my personal experience.
Introduction
So today Im reviewing the JD1 DSP which is their budget DSP IEM and it is priced at $16.49, the JD1 DSP offers a quality construction, versatile sound with different profiles, and overall audio performance that is hard to match at this price point! I would say that if you’re a fan of deep bass, clear mids, or airy highs, the JD1 DSP promises to deliver a satisfying sound.
Unboxing
The FiiO JD1 DSP comes in a compact and attractively designed white and orange box featuring a glossy picture of the JD1 on the front. Despite its modest size, the box exudes quality with a soft-touch finish. Inside, the JD1 earbuds are securely nestled in foam, ensuring they are well-protected during transit. Underneath the foam, a small box contains the DSP cable and two additional sets of eartips (sizes S and L), complementing the pre-installed medium-sized tips.
The DSP cable itself is of commendable quality, though it is a bit stiff and springy. The transparent design reveals the colorful internal wires—blue and orange for the right side and green and orange for the left—adding a unique and visually appealing touch. The cable has mic, up/down volume buttons and a multifunction play/pause button that offers several convenient controls:
- Short press: Play/pause music or answer/hang up calls.
- Long press: Activate the voice assistant (if supported by your device).
- Double-press: Skip to the next track.
- Triple press: Return to the previous track.
Overall, the unboxing experience of the FiiO JD1 DSP is simple yet satisfying, with thoughtful touches that enhance the initial impression of this budget-friendly IEM.
Technical Specifications
Technical specs:
- Driver Type: 10 mm LCP dynamic driver
- Impedance: 24Ω@1kHz
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz–40 kHz
- Decoding support: Up to 96kHz/24bit
- Sensitivity: 109 dB/mW@1kHz
- Cable: Integrated DSP cable with in-line controls
- Connector: USB Type-C (DSP cable)
- Weight: approximately 7g (excluding cable)
Included Accessories:
- 2 sets of additional eartips (sizes S and L)
- Pre-installed medium eartips
DSP Features:
5 preset EQ modes (Default, Bass Extension, Vocals, Treble, and Harman Reference)
Control via an in-line remote and triggered by pressing the volume up + down simultaneously.
The DSP decoding chip supports up to 96kHz/24bit, making it capable of handling most of the streaming audio specs without the need for an external device to do so.
Magnetic Circuit Design:
Asymmetrical internal and external magnetic circuits: This design significantly increases the magnetic field density around the voice coil compared to traditional designs using a single internal or external magnet. The result is a more powerful and robust sound with an improved transient response.
Sound Performance of Each DSP Preset EQ
The FiiO JD1 DSP has a pretty versatile EQ settings, and they give some different presets for different preferences and genres. Here’s a detailed look at the sound performance for each DSP preset:
Default
Bass: The default setting offers an elevated bass response, providing a solid and impactful kick. The bass texture is actually impressive for this price! I would say that it has a rumbling quality that adds depth and excitement to the music. The decay and the response are fairly fast, controlled and punchy without overwhelming the other frequencies too much.
Mids: The mids are pretty clear and articulate, with the upper mids slightly elevated. This enhancement brings out the clarity and presence of vocals and midrange instruments, making them sound lively and engaging.
Highs: The highs are well-extended and airy, adding a sense of openness and brightness to the sound. This extension gives good detail retrieval which makes the default setting good for a wide range of music genres.
Bass Extension
Bass: In the Bass Extension mode, both the mid-bass and sub-bass regions get an additional boost. This brings a deeper and more impactful bass response, perfect for bass heavy genres. The bass remains textured and controlled, although I noticed that it may slightly bleed into the lower mids in complex tracks…
Mids: The mids are a bit less clean due to the increased bass… Vocals and instruments lose a bit of their clarity, but still, the music remains relatively balanced, especially when you consider the price of this IEM.
Highs: The high frequencies in this mode are similar to the default setting and they keep the clarity and extension. And I would say that this balance prevents the sound from becoming overly bassy.
Vocals
Bass: The bass response in the vocal mode is akin to the default setting, offering a solid yet controlled low end.
Mids: The midrange, particularly the upper mids, is significantly elevated in this mode. This makes vocals more forward and detailed, enhancing the presence and intimacy of vocal performances. This setting is ideal for vocal-centric genres.
Highs: The highs are enhanced along with the mids, providing clarity. This makes that so vocals remain distinct and clear, but it can lead to a bit of harshness…
Treble
Bass: The bass in the Treble mode remains similar to the default setting and provides a balanced low end that supports the overall sound without overpowering it.
Mids: The mids are slightly elevated and they remain clear and present. And I would say that this helps in maintaining the balance between the low and high frequencies.
Highs: The treble in this mode is also enhanced and provides extra sparkle and detail. This brightness can reveal some finer details in the music, making it more analytical. However, I noticed that it may become fatiguing over long listening sessions…
Harman Reference
Bass: The bass in the Harman Reference mode can’t really match the Harman target, but the sub-bass and mid-bass are pretty well-tuned, though they may slightly blend together..
Mids: The mids, particularly the upper mids, are tuned closer to the Harman target, offering a more natural and “accurate” sound. This makes the midrange sound smooth and realistic.
Highs: The highs are smooth and pretty well extended and never became fatiguing for me. This setting is designed to give a well rounded sound signature which makes it suitable for a wide variety of music genres and for those who love a more neutral sound profile and Harman tune.
Technical Performance of the Sound
Soundstage:
While it may not be the most expansive… the soundstage of the JD1 DSP gives a pleasing sense of space, with a good left to right spread. It is also lacking the depth of higher end models, but it still manages to create an engaging environment.
Detail:
One of the standout features of the JD1 DSP is its ability to retrieve detail with surprising clarity. High frequency elements, such as cymbals and strings, are rendered greatly and are capturing little nuances that add depth to the sound.
Layering:
The JD1 DSP is great at keeping separation between instruments and vocals and making sure that each element of the music keeps its place. So I would say that the JD1 DSP manages to keep everything well defined.
Imaging:
Imaging is another area where the JD1 DSP quite shines and provides pretty accurate placement of sounds. Instruments and vocals are positioned well and are creating a sense of depth and realism that in my opinion enhances the overall experience. So the JD1 DSP delivers a nice presentation, especially for the asking price of just $16.49.
Summary:
The FiiO JD1 DSP offers a range of EQ presets that cater to different listening preferences, from bass-heavy to vocal-centric and analytical sound signatures. Each preset is actually very carefully designed to enhance specific aspects of the sound and to provide versatility and adaptability to different genres and personal tastes.
So in my opinion the JD1 DSP will probably have a preset to your liking, and its whether you are a bass head, a vocal lover, or someone who enjoys a balanced and natural sound. And its all available at such a low price.
The technical side of things offers an impressive level of performance that is very hard to beat at this price point. With a solid soundstage, good detail retrieval, effective layering, and nice imaging, it represents outstanding value for budget conscious audiophiles looking to elevate their listening experience at a minimum cost.
Conclusion
So to wrap up this review, I would say that the FiiO JD1 DSP stands out as a great value in the ultra budget IEM market and brings well rounded performance. The unboxing experience is simple yet still satisfying enough, with a well designed package and quality accessories. The added multiple DSP presets allow you to change the sound to almost any genre or taste, whether you favor bass heavy beats, vocal clarity, or a balanced Harman reference tuning.
Now in terms of sound performance, here the JD1 DSP brings impressive bass texture and response, pretty clean mids with minimal bleed, and airy highs that extend nicely. And while the technical aspects are not a match for more high end models, they are definitely good for a product at this price point! All this makes the JD1 exceed expectations for its cost!
All in all, I feel that the FiiO JD1 DSP is a strong player in the ultra budget IEM category and it surely offers great versatility, sound quality, and build that make it an attractive choice for anyone looking for good performance at a low price.
Pros:
- Very affordable.
- Nice build quality for the price.
- 5 EQ presets.
- mic, volume control, and multi-function play/pause button
Cons:
- A bit stiff and springy cable.
- Nothing else you can really complain about for this price.