Sound performance
For this review, I mostly used my iPhone as a source. This earbud is made for working and commuting, so it doesn’t really make sense to connect a high-end DAP to them, or a domestic source. I also added the FiiO M11S in the mix, for the fun, but frankly, most people will stick with a phone.
Overall signature
After the FF3 and FF5, I was pretty curious to hear what FiiO could achieve with their new JW1. And if the wow-factor isn’t there anymore, getting an earbud in 2023 still sounds like a “return to the future” moment for me. And, truth be told, listening to the FiiO JW1 gives you that exact same sensation… but not in the way you think.
There is simple physics at work here: since the earbud floats just outside your ear and doesn’t seal or even touch your ear canal, you can’t expect to achieve the same level of finesse and sound pressure as you would with its “regular” counterparts – even with a 14.2mm wide driver.
Bass is mostly absent, highs are a bit too forward and the mids are the only one getting real love here. Don’t expect hard-hitting subs, but, what you miss in bass-depth, you win in spaciousness, and the new earbud really surprised me here with some hollow and pan effects rendering. Sure, a true earbuds like the FF5 will output deeper bass, thanks to its narrower distance from the ear, but the sensation is quite cool most of the time.
Would I get it over an IEM like the JD3 or JH3? Not in a million years, but after a few hours of listening I can understand the appeal behind, like the Jecklin Float in its time, or the basic AirPods. The unobtrusive design gives you a completely different experience to your usual IEM and in a silent environment, I was even able to discern a few nuances that I didn’t expect the JW1 to be able to render.
You can even feel the power and width of the driver on massive techno tracks, but marred by the tiny cm separating you from the holy grail. So close, yet so far! Thankfully, medium-wise the JW1 is almost toe-to-toe, with its bigger brother, with acute, low distortion and clean transients. But, unless you really despise having something touching your ears, I’d still preferably take the FF3 or FF5, if sound is your main concern.
Out of curiosity, I also compared them to noise-conduction earphones from Shokz and my old Google Glass – yeah I still have them in a box. And, compared to them, the FiiO JW1 stands head and shoulders above the rest, outlining the brand position for this specific model. It’s a great all-rounder, one that can be used daily, when conditions are met. I tried them once outdoors and a small wind alone managed to completely blow everything above 5kHz and under 200Hz, leaving just the mids. So yeah, use them indoors or in a secluded environment only.
Once more, if you’re not into earbuds – personally I’m not – I’m sure that the FF5/FF3 could be a better option, delivering crisp details, super-wide soundstage and massive dynamic range without overloading your ears – a league above the JW1 in my opinion. But, if your goal is to get an earbud that completely blends music with your environment, without the price-tag of an AirPods Pro, or a Gemini, the JW1 is a good, affordable option.
Tonality
Highs: good extension, lost in the gap. The FW1 felt a little too aggressive to my ears the first time, but turning down the volume really helped in that regard. The open-back design can lead you to push the volume a little higher than usual, but if you’re able to refrain, it’s quite good on that regard. Pan effects with the right recordings are usually great and sometimes amazing, but that’s if you’re in a silent room.
Good test-track: Strobe Lights (feat. Kilian & Jo) – Henry Green remix
Mediums: spacious with clean vocals. Clearly, FiiO are showing off in this area. The DSP always tries to put the voices upfront, but that’s not necessary as the driver clearly feel underwhelmed in this configuration. There’s no real bump but, the more you listen to them, the more you’ll discern those slight magnifications.
Good test-track: Unstable Gravity – Colyn
Lows: meh. There’s no turnaround here – lows aren’t the JW1 forte. You could get some bass, if you raise the volume up to unsafe levels, but I would not recommend that. I did try to put the ears in the best possible conditions (silent room, techno) but it never clicked with me, whatever I tried.
Good test-Track: To the Moon and Back – Boris Brejcha
Sensitivity / Hiss
The JW1 aren’t hard to drive: the amplifier and DSP are directly built-in, so all you have to do is connect your source, and click play. There is no hiss whatsoever even when no music is playing.
Volume can reach high volumes even though it’s a TWS, so you should stay just below your comfort zone, to train your ears, even with the open-back design, so it should never be harmful, but stay aware.
Conclusion
For $39, the FiiO JW1 is a strange concept that happens to compete in a field that I never ventured into.
As an audiophile TWS, I can’t really recommend them as I do think you could get better sounding ears, in the same price bracket. But on the other hand, if you’re in the market for a sport’s Bluetooth earbud, for the price they are basically a steal: build quality is great, Bluetooth integration is snappy, they NEVER wear off, and to get the equivalent from major brands like Shokz or JBL, would cost you twice or thrice the same.
So now you know !
Pros
- excellent fit and wear thanks to the hook
- good build and tight Bluetooth integration
- good battery life and classy case
- great price/performances ratio for runners and sports
- open design !
Cons
- no LDAC or aptX HD
- sound is not their forte (!)
- open design…
