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Sound performance
My main sources were the FiiO KA13 / ddHiFi TC35C / FiiO’s JD1 TC cable. Trusted sources from trusted brands that I used extensively for the past months.
As usual, files were played from either Apple Music / Spotify or my own music library. Some tracks will be highlighted, just so you can try them home too!
Overall signature
So, what can you expect from the $14.99 USD FiiO JD1, sonically speaking?
Last time, I was really impressed by the JD3, which came as a very nice surprise, especially considering the price. And, if the wow-factor isn’t there anymore, the FiiO JD1 remain a solid IEM, in this price bracket, outputting a V-Shaped sound that shall please most users – and displease others, but more on that below.
First and foremost, for this new model, FiiO tried once more to match the Harman Curve, something that more and more brands tend to achieve, on lower-end IEM. A tuning that push the lows highs a bit more forward, for a V-shape signature that usually suits everyone.
On the FiiO JD1, I could definitely feel the hard push on the lower end of the spectrum, the IEM delivering thunderous bass, exactly as intended by FiiO’s engineer team. In fact, paired with a good source, I was impressed by how full the JD1 sounded, giving me that toe-tapping bass, with no audible distortion. Of course, everything isn’t perfect, and mids were a bit behind in terms of sharpness, especially with bad mixes, where some notes I was used to, were not heard this time.
Same goes for the voices: if the JD3 offered punchy mid-range, which blended well wit the powerful lows, the JD1 isn’t on the same level and sounded a little off, with voices damped below the powerful lows. On techno tracks with no vocals, that wasn’t an issue at all, but jazz lovers should get the JH5 instead of this one.
I listened to classic tracks like Hysterias from SebastiAn, or vocal one like La Jeune Fille en Feu from Par One and that confirmed my first impression: if bass remains one of the best features of the JD3, vocals wasn’t. I also tried complex tracks like Crash Landing from Illangelo which highlights the ear’s wide dynamic range, despite the muddy mids. Highs were surprisingly acute though, even if a bit too rolled-off to my taste, with excellent layering and positioning, even just plugged into my MacBook Air headphone port. Sure, compared to the FiiO JH5 or JD3 the result was not as good, but the fun factor remained: for a quick trip, that’ll perfectly do.
Again, FiiO didn’t lie when they advertised “thunderous bass”. Even paired with the small ddHiFi TC35C, the JD1 impressed me with its impactful sound and made gaming on the go a very fun experience – as long as you stick with boomy games like PUBG. And if those IEM were definitely not linear, the lows never seemed to crush the rest of the spectrum, but didn’t seem to outline them either.
On well-produced tracks like Rock You from Dirty Loops, the IEM displays nicely controlled bass response and impact and, for a sole-driver, the result is compelling, helped by the pressure-release design. Sure, they couldn’t match the bigger JH5 in terms of resolution and clarity, but for a neophyte or someone that only need a spare set, this is a good alternative to something like the earbuds you might get on entry-mid level smartphones.
Add a potent source like the FiiO KA13 and the FiiO JD1 opens up really nicely though. Mids are sharper and lows gain even more weight, without infringing on the voices. Sadly, the transition between low, mids, and highs isn’t seamless and, as I said before, the bass can sometimes work solo, before blending back with everyone. That’s not an issue most of the time, but on bad recordings, you may have to upper the 8kHz on your EQ, to tone everything down. Also, there are still a few issues that should be addressed: highs can be a bit too harsh sometimes, and depending on the source you’ll pair, they may sound a bit artificial.
So yeah, not the best IEM FiiO has to offer, but considering the price, it’s also not one of the worst in its category – I preferred the FF1.
A quick note regarding the provided USB-C cable: it’s good, very good even. If I mostly used it paired with the JD1, I also tried with the JH5 and was quite surprised by its potency. Paired with my iPad, I could immediately hear the upward, compared to Apple own’s USB-C dongle. It won’t outmatch the like of the FiiO KA2 or KA1, but for something that was bundled with the IEM, it’s a great addition.
Tonality
Highs: a bit too recessed. High-frequencies extension isn’t great, that’s a fact. But, thanks to that, the FiiO JD1 are one of the most forgiving IEM I reviewed those past months, allowing me to enjoy some tracks that I completely ditched from my “audiophile playlist” – hello Pink and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Fun over fidelity.
Good test-track: The Look Of love – Dusty Springfield
Mediums: way too tamed. Not usual with FiiO but mids are lacking for once, voices, especially. Women singers sound a bit too mute and doesn’t really benefit from the brand’s field expertise, but if you were to lower the bass, you might be able to discern some nice feats. V-shaped!
Good test-track: Plastic Love – Mariya Takeuchi
Bass: solid bass and deep rumble. Bass is the real feat here. Deep, well-defined, impactful, and the more you push, the more you’re rewarded. It’s deeply addictive, with powerful kicks and good definition from top to bottom, even more, if you can use a good source!
Good test-track : Peur des filles – L’impératrice
Conclusion
If the JD3 is the perfect expendable IEM, I’m a bit more conservative regarding the FiiO JD1. Why ? Because, for once, the brand didn’t nailed the mids, which is usually the brand forte. Thankfully though, the bass remains superb – for an IEM in this price bracket – and combined with a good DAC, or even the provided USB-TC cable, the JD1 remains a good upgrade compared to same entry-level IEM.
Light, easy to wear, and impressively cheap, those remains a great option for an audiophile newcomer ($14.99 MRSP) but if you can double your budget, I’d advise you to get the FiiO FD11 instead. Those are superior on every level!
Summary
Pros
- strong bass and good layering
- lightweight design and detachable cable
- microphone + remote + DAC on the cable
- sound relief design really works
- comfy design
- less than $15 USD
Cons
- mids could be a little more defined
- highs are a tad too roll-off
- not airy enough
Page 1: About the brand, comfort,
Page 2: Isolation, Bundle, Specs, Sensitivity
Page 3: Sound performance





Peter Moeller
You seriously recommend a DAC with these? Haha, what? I guess you always recommend a DAC. I have the JD1’s and would recommended simply better headphones. The review is far too long and the author frequently drifts away from the topic. For the price the JD1 are fine. They are not great.
Lieven
Thank you for that wonderful contribution