As we all know, premium audio equipment often comes with a hefty price tag, the FiiO JH5 stands out as a testament to FiiO’s dedication to democratizing audiophile-grade sound on a budget (79.99$).
Disclaimer:
I want to thank FiiO for providing the JH5 for review purposes. It should be noted that receiving the product directly from FiiO does not affect or alter the opinions expressed in this review.
The views and assessments presented herein are solely based on my personal experiences and observations with the product. Even though I expressed an honest evaluation here, individual perceptions and preferences may differ.
Introduction:
It can be difficult to strike the ideal mix between performance, comfort, and cost in the ever-expanding world of audio equipment. Introducing the FiiO JH5, a collaboration between FiiO and Jade Audio, which offers an appealing combination of powerful sound, comfortable design, and affordable price.
With a price tag of $79.99, the JH5 is trying to separate itself from the many other IEMs on the market by including a hybrid driver configuration and a number of features that are generally associated with higher-end models.
Is the JH5 lives up to the hype and is a competitive option for reasonably price?
We’ll get further into the complexities of the FiiO JH5, examining its comfort, design subtleties, sound characteristics, and overall value proposition in this review.
Unboxing Experience:
Naturally, the packaging was the first thing I noticed when I got my hands on the FiiO JH5. With its holographic writing, it was really stylish and exuded a sense of quality.
The JH5 was nestled into foam inserts inside the box. The sleek black casing of these IEMs features a glossy faceplate. It’s quite fascinating that you can see the drivers inside through the semi-transparent casing.
A dark box beneath the IEMs. Upon opening it, I saw a sturdy container that resembled those LEGO pieces, only larger and more robust. Once you have more of these, you may create a lovely storage stack.
Let’s talk about accessories now. They added what I believe to be DUNU Candy ear tips, and while they are of high quality, they did not fit me properly. They don’t hold well on this nozzle since it is too big for them, thus when I take the IEMs off, they just fall off. For added variation, they included standard black silicone ear tips in addition to the candy tips.
Now, onto the cable. Although it looked unexpectedly decent, I didn’t enjoy how stiff and springy it was. It is made of high-purity silver-plated copper wires , Litz braiding and 0.78-mm pin connectors. There is a right-angle 3.5mm jack on the opposite side. The cable claimed better conductivity and was clearly well-made.
Unboxing the JH5 was a lovely experience all around. The one drawback is that there is only a storage box inside instead of a carrying bag/case, but other than that, the packaging was nice and the accessories were spot on. Overall, it felt very good.
Technical aspects of the JH5:
Basic information:
- Drivers:
- 10mm carbon-based dynamic driver *1
- Custom medium and high-frequency balanced armature *2
- Custom ultra-high-frequency balanced armature *2
- Frequency response: 20Hz-40kHz
- Impedance: 13Ω@1kHz
- Sensitivity: 111dB/mW@1kHz
- Cable material: 4 strands totaling 392 wires of silver-plated copper
- Cable length: About 1.2m
- Weight: About 7.6g (excluding cable)
- Headphone connector: 0.78 2pin detachable cable
- Audio plug: High-quality gold-plated copper 3.5mm
Driver Configuration:
The FiiO JH5 features a hybrid driver setup, combining 1 dynamic driver with 4 balanced armatures. This configuration is designed to deliver a wide range of frequencies with clarity and precision.
Dynamic Driver:
The dynamic driver used in the JH5 is carbon-based, which FiiO claims enhances transient control while reducing distortion and noise. This results in cleaner and higher-quality bass reproduction.
Balanced Armatures:
The four balanced armatures in the JH5 are custom-made, with each armature serving a specific frequency range. Two of these armatures are dedicated to reproducing the mid frequencies, while the other two handle the treble frequencies, specifically focusing on the airier treble region.
Three-Way Crossover Design:
To ensure optimal performance and separation of frequencies, the JH5 incorporates a three-way crossover design. This design helps to divide the audio signal into bass, midrange, and treble frequencies, allowing each driver to focus on its designated frequency range.
Independent Driver Chambers:
Each driver section in the JH5 is housed in its own independent driver chamber. This design feature helps to enhance the separation of bass, midrange, and treble frequencies, minimizing interference and distortion for a cleaner sound output.
Ventilation:
The JH5 features a vent designed to prevent pressure build-up. This ventilation system helps to maintain comfort, allowing users to enjoy their music for longer periods without discomfort or driver flexing because of the built up pressure.
Overall, the FiiO JH5’s technical specs demonstrate a careful and creative approach to driver design and configuration, with the goal of providing a well-rounded and engaging listening experience for a variety of musical genres.
How does it sound?
Bass:
Due to its focus on bass frequencies, the FiiO JH5 is a great option for those who want warm, captivating sounds and bass. Bass response from the dynamic driver is deep, strong, and full-bodied.
The depth and rumble of the JH5’s bass are among its most notable qualities. Deep bass notes are common in genres like rock, hip-hop, and electronic music, and the sub-bass penetrates well into the lower frequencies to provide a tactile and deep low end. Whether it’s the thumping of a kick drum or the reverberation of a bass guitar, the JH5 reproduces low-end frequencies with authority and impact.
The bass speed is commendable, ensuring that each bass note is articulated with precision and clarity, even during fast-paced tracks or complex musical passages.
It’s important to keep in mind, though, that the JH5’s deep bass can occasionally enter the lower mids, slightly muddying the mid frequencies. This may have an impact on the clarity and separation of the instruments and voices in this area, especially on male vocals which may seem to be slightly buried beneath the bass.
Warmth, intensity, and depth characterize the FiiO JH5’s bass performance overall, which makes it a great option for those who value a strong low-end. The JH5 offers an engaging and delightful bass performance, perfect for anyone who loves deep bass notes or is a thumps enthusiast looking for big, powerful hits.
Mids:
The FiiO JH5’s midrange reproduction is a mixed bag that has both advantages and disadvantages. It adds to the overall musicality of the sound signature with its warm and rich presentation, but there are some noteworthy things to keep in mind.
First, the JH5 has a tendency to have a lot of warmth and richness in the lower mids, which can occasionally cause the rich bass to slightly overpower this frequency region. Therefore, some listeners may not find the clarity and definition they need in specific parts in this region, such as vocals or midrange instruments like guitars.
Moving up to the upper mids, the JH5 strikes a somewhat delicate balance. On one hand, there is a tendency for female vocals to be well-detailed and articulate, particularly when hitting high notes. The smooth timbre in this range ensures that the upper midrange remains relatively natural-sounding.
The upper mids may be slightly piercing in some places, which can affect the definition of female vocals and instruments. While the timbre in the lower mids is smooth and natural, there may be instances where the upper mids sound slightly artificial or metallic, especially with certain instruments like violins.
Furthermore, because bass and lower midrange frequencies can occasionally overpower male vocals, it might be difficult for them to achieve prominence and clarity. This can give the sound, especially when compared to the more concentrated bass and upper midrange sections, an apparent lack of forwardness and definition.
In conclusion, the FiiO JH5’s midrange performance provides a warm and rich presentation. The upper midrange is excellent for detail and articulation, although some high notes may sound artificial and metallic. The lower mids can have moments of warmth and thickness as well as problems with vocal clarity and definition, especially in male voices. Overall though, it works really well for electronic music.
Treble:
While it might not have as much definition and detail retrieval as some of its rivals, the FiiO JH5’s treble response strikes a good mix between extension and smoothness. In spite of this, the treble region’s balanced armatures add to a remarkable extension into higher frequencies, boosting the sound signature’s overall airiness and clarity.
Expect a treble presentation that is not too bright nor too muted, but rather a pleasant form that is suitable for prolonged listening sessions without being harsh. Delicate nuances are properly expressed thanks to the JH5’s articulate and well-textured treble, even though the level of detail retrieval may not match that of higher-end models.
One notable advantage of the JH5’s treble performance is its ability to maintain a sense of coherence and balance within the overall sound signature. Despite not being the focal point of the presentation, the treble frequencies integrate quite well with the midrange region, contributing to a cohesive and engaging sound.
All things considered, the FiiO JH5’s treble response is praiseworthy for its extension into higher frequencies and its seamless, fatigue-free presentation, even though it may not provide as much definition and detail retrieval as some of its rivals.
Soundstage & Imaging:
The soundstage of the FiiO JH5 offers a respectable sense of space and dimensionality, providing listeners with a reasonably immersive listening experience. While not expansive or holographic in nature, the JH5’s soundstage has a good feeling of depth and space.
The imaging capabilities of the JH5 are adequate, with instruments and vocals positioned with reasonable accuracy within the stage. While it may not excel at pinpoint precision, the JH5 effectively separates elements within the mix, allowing listeners to discern different layers of instrumentation and vocals with relative ease.
So, while the soundstage and imaging of the FiiO JH5 may not reach the levels of more high-end models, it provides a solid foundation for an engaging and enjoyable sound profile, allowing listeners to immerse themselves in their favorite tracks with a satisfying sense of space and separation.
The conclusion is that the sound signature of the FiiO JH5 is geared towards listeners who enjoy a fun and engaging presentation, with a focus on impactful bass, warm mids, and non-fatiguing treble. While it may not excel in every aspect of sound reproduction, the JH5 offers a pleasing presentation that is well-suited for casual listening and enjoyment across a variety of music genres.
Comparing it to the EA500:
Bass:
FiiO JH5: These bad boys are all about that bass. You feel it deep down, with a warm, thumping energy that’s perfect for getting your ears shaking. But sometimes, that bass can get a bit carried away, creeping into the midrange and muddying things up, especially with male vocals.
Simgot EA500: The EA500 takes a more cold approach. The bass is tight and controlled but lacking in rumble, giving you just enough punch to be presented without overshadowing everything else. It’s solid and reliable, and it’s always in sync with the rest of the spectrum.
Mids:
FiiO JH5: In the midrange, the JH5 serves up warmth and thickness, especially in the lower mids. Female vocals shine here, but male vocals can sometimes get lost in the mix.
Simgot EA500: With the EA500, the midrange is clear and detailed, like a crystal-clear stream running through the mountains. Both male and female vocals are well-defined, though male vocals can sometimes not go as deep as I would like to. The EA500 has a natural timbre that feels like you’re sitting front row at a live performance.
Treble:
FiiO JH5: The treble in the JH5 is a bit laid back, not too harsh, not too soft. The treble offers enough detail and sparkle to keep things interesting without fatigue. You can listen for hours without feeling fatigued, which is always a win for me.
Simgot EA500: If the JH5s treble is laid back a bit, then the EA500 is like fireworks. The treble is crisp and clear, with every shimmering detail on full display. It’s like adding a dash of magic to your music, bringing it to life in ways you never thought possible, but still lacking a bit in the extansion while the JH5 handles it better way up there.
Conclusion:
When it comes to sound, both the FiiO JH5 and the Simgot EA500 have their strengths and weaknesses. If you’re all about that bass and want something that’ll get your head nodding, the JH5 might be the way to go. But if you crave clarity, detailed sound, the EA500 won’t disappoint.
Synergy:
Fosi SK02:
The Fosi SK02, with its bright sound signature, brings an added layer of clarity and sparkle to the FiiO JH5. When paired together, the SK02 helps to balance out the warmth of the JH5’s bass-heavy sound, providing a more neutral and accurate sound.
With the SK02’s emphasis on the upper frequencies, you can expect enhanced detail retrieval and a more airy presentation, particularly in the treble region.
However, it’s worth noting that the SK02 is not as portable as you may want, given its larger size and potentially less convenient form factor. While it excels at delivering a bright and detailed sound, its bulkier design may not be ideal for on-the-go use or for those who prioritize portability.
Fosi DS2 (2024 version):
On the other hand, the Fosi DS2 also leans towards the brighter side but offers a more balanced sound compared to the SK02. When coupled with the JH5, the DS2 retains the clarity and detail of the SK02 while providing a smoother and more refined sound profile.
The DS2’s portability makes it a more practical option for everyday use, allowing you to enjoy the sound quality of the JH5 on the move. Despite its compact size, the DS2 doesn’t compromise on performance, delivering a lively and engaging sound that complements the JH5’s energetic bass response.
Overall, both the Fosi SK02 and DS2 offer excellent synergy with the FiiO JH5, enhancing its sound signature and making it more balanced and versatile. Whether you prioritize brightness or portability, there’s a brighter Fosi DAC/AMP to suit your preferences and enhance your experience with the JH5.
Conclusions:
For music fans looking for excellent sound experiences without breaking the bank, the FiiO JH5 is a fun choice. It is enjoyable for both bassheads and casual listeners given its focus on deep, powerful bass combined with warm mids. Compared to more expensive rivals, the treble may be a little less defined, but its extension into higher frequencies creates a well-rounded overall sound profile.
Moreover, the user experience is further improved by the ergonomic design and comfortable fit, which guarantee extended listening periods without pain. Combining the JH5 with Fosi SK02 or DS2 amplifiers allows it to provide a more well-rounded sound profile that appeals to a larger variety of ears.
Overall, the FiiO JH5 is amazing, offering remarkable comfort and great sound quality at a reasonable price. Whether you’re a serious audiophile or just starting out, the JH5 provides an excellent audio solution that is well worth taking into account.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Very good bass performance.
- Easy to drive.
- Good build quality.
- Great accessories for the price.
- Non offensive treble.
- “Fun sounding”.
Cons:
- Cable is very stiff.
- Mid bass muddiness.
- Upper mids peaks.
- Carrying case is not a carrying case.
- Just 3.5mm and no 4.4mm.