Changing ear pads can significantly affect a headphone’s sound. This review explores positive experiences with pad rolling on the FiiO Jade JT7 and compares the JT7 (with various pads) to the Hifiman HE400SE.
The Jade Audio JT7 from FiiO was launched in November 2025 and is an inexpensive planar magnetic full-size headphone. The price is as little as $119 USD.
When it comes to inexpensive planar magnetic headphones, the Hifiman HE400SE has been the one to beat since its launch in 2021, and before that there were several iterations of the HE400 series. The HE400SE currently costs less than the JT7, typically about $109 USD.
BETTER PADS FOR THE FIIO JADE JT7 – A JT7 PAD SWAP REVIEW
In addition to being a straightforward comparison review, I’ve used the opportunity to explore a couple of different pad replacement options for the Jade JT7, engaging in some “pad rolling” or “pad swapping” using third-party pads and investigating how they affect the sound of the JT7. Changing or replacing pads can be an excellent way of tuning the sound of a headphone.
I tried out several pads that I had available, the two best options were a pair of sheepskin pads and a pair of micro suede pads. After I had compared the stock JT7 to the HE400SE, I swapped pads and did the same comparison again (twice), with the same playlist. The results were interesting, and I found both pads to improve the sound of the JT7 and make the tonality and timbre lean in a more natural and organic direction, which certainly is to my liking.
Here are links to the pads I used:
- Amazon: Sheepskin pads by Accessory House Global (AHG)
- Amazon: Micro suede pads (oval) by Brainwavz. (You can also use the micro suede XL pads. They will be slightly larger than the cups but the lips seal nicely. I actually found them to be more comfortable)
I will refer to the pads as the “sheepskin pads” and the “micro suede pads” . The JT7 is slightly oval-shaped and can accommodate both circular and oval pads as long as they fit.
The sheepskin pads are circular and compatible with a range of headphones like the full-size Fostex TH (e.g. TH900) and Denon AH-D series (e.g. D7200).
The micro suede pads I used are oval and are a slightly tighter fit. You can alternatively go for the XL pads, which are circular and a bit larger than the cups but the mounting lips create a nice seal. If you have a large head, I would recommend the XL as they give less clamping force. If you have a smaller head, I would go for the oval pads. From what I could tell, they sound pretty much the same.
Of course, the HE400SE also responds to pad swapping, but I do not go into that here. For this review, the HE400SE serves as a reference only when it comes to pads.
FiiO JADE JT7 SPECIFICATIONS
- Open-back headphones
- Driver: 95x86mm planar magnetic
- Impedance: 18 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 92 dB/mW = 109 dB/Vrms
- Cables: 2 x 1.5m – no mic
- Headphone connector: Dual 3.5mm TRS
- Cable Termination jack: 1 x 3.5mm and 1 x 4.4mm
- Adapter plug: 3.5mm to 6.35mm
- Weight: 318g (excluding cable)
Current price and availability:
HIFIMAN HE400SE SPECIFICATIONS
- Driver Type: Planar Magnetic Driver with Stealth magnet
- Double-sided magnet driver construction
- Neo Super-Nano Diaphragm
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-35KHz
- Sensitivity: 91dB
- Impedance: 25 Ohms
- Weight: 390g
- Cable connector on headphones: Dual 3.5 mm
- Included cable 1.5 meter or 4.9 Feet; 3.5mm plug with 6.3 mm adapter
Current price and availability:
- Amazon: Hifiman HE400SE
- AliExpress: Hifiman HE400SE
BUILD AND COMFORT
A big difference between the JT7 and the HE400SE is that the Jade JT7 is foldable, and impressively so; I have never seen a full-size headphone become so compact. The HE400SE does not fold.
They are both light and similarly comfortable. The headband on the HE400SE is, however, not impressive. The same “toy-like” headband has been used on many Hifiman models in recent years, but they have had much better headbands in the past, like with the HE400i. The Hifiman headband fits me okay, but I prefer the JT7, which has better padding (Sennheiser HD650 style).
When it comes to ear pads, they both can accommodate a wide range of pads, using what I refer to as the lip-and-groove system, where the pad has an attachment lip that goes into a groove along the rim of the headphone. The HE400SE needs an adapter ring to accommodate lip-and-groove pads, but such rings are widely available.
When it comes to the stock pads, both headphones use pads with a mix of mesh on the face and pleather on the sides. However, where the HE400SE only has fenestration (small holes) on the inside of the cup and full pleather on the outside, the JT7 has fenestrated pleather on the inside and the outside. Such details affect the sound.
Both the HE400SE and the JT7 use 3.5mm dual connectors on the headphones for cables. They both come with very utilitarian, rather short cables, but because of the widely used 3.5mm connectors, replacing the cable with something that suits you better is very easy.
LISTENING COMPARISONS
I did this listening comparison three times: first with the stock pads on the JT7, then the leather pads, and finally the micro suede pads. You can see my impressions noted under each track in my playlist.
Associated equipment:
- Amplifier: Topping A90
- DAC: RME ADI-2 DAC FS
Rambling Man by Laura Marling
The HE400SE is warmer sounding, more intimate, with darker vocals. The stock JT7 has more air. When things get busy, the JT7 gets a bit shouty; the HE400SE keeps its composure.
JT7 with sheepskin pads: with a simple pad swap, the timbre of the vocals gets much more natural with the JT7, and I now prefer it to the HE400SE, which sounds too dark. The JT7 now also handles the busy passages with the same composure as the HE400SE.
JT7 with micro-suede pads: much the same as with the sheepskin, but a tad warmer sounding in addition to sounding smoother, without losing detail.
Sunrise by Norah Jones
The stock JT7 has thinner sounding vocals; things are a bit brighter and crisper – and there is more space between the instruments. With the HE400SE, vocals are a bit darker, and the soundstage is a bit more intimate.
JT7 with sheepskin pads: the vocals sound more natural. The soundstage is a bit more intimate but still open with good imaging; it feels more relaxed – in a very good way.
JT7 with micro-suede pads: much the same as with the sheepskin, but a tad warmer.
In the Mountains by Espen Eriksen Trio
The bass is thicker and slightly more pronounced with the HE400SE, but the quality might be a tad better with the tighter sounding JT7 (stock). The HE400SE again has slightly more warmth in the midrange and treble, but they are not miles apart.
JT7 with sheepskin pads: The JT7 sounds warmer with the sheepskin pads and much closer to the HE400SE. The JT7 still has less bass; it’s warmer but it’s still tighter. The midrange is still darker with the HE400SE, but again it feels too dark. After the pad swap, the JT7 sounds like a perfect blend of the stock JT7 and the HE400SE.
JT7 with micro-suede pads: much the same as with the sheepskin, but a tad warmer.
Limit to Your Love by James Blake
HE400SE has great vocals with nice warmth, the stock JT7 is a bit sharper and crisper. Bass quality is pretty similar but the JT7 is a step up. Both are spacious sounding, the JT7 a tad more.
JT7 with sheepskin pads: The vocals are still brighter than the HE400SE, but the sharpness is gone. The bass is still tighter, but a bit fuller.
JT7 with micro-suede pads: much the same as with the sheepskin, but a tad warmer. I really love the timbre on the vocals here, it’s just perfect.
Fantasy by The he XX
Both are nice and spacious sounding, and both have very good bass performance. The HE400SE is generally a tad thicker; the stock JT7 is a bit brighter.
JT7 with sheepskin pads: The JT7 sounds very similar to the HE400SE now, in a good way.
JT7 with micro-suede pads: much the same as with the sheepskin, but again a tad warmer.
Bullet in the Head by Rage Against the Machine
Here they are more different. The stock JT7 has a sharper, tighter delivery, which is quite entertaining but can be a bit fatiguing. The HE400SE is thicker and feels slower: less fatiguing but less intriguing.
JT7 with sheepskin pads: The pads swap unites the best from both. The JT7 still sounds more articulate, but without the shark, dry tint.
JT7 with micro-suede pads: similar to the sheepskin but vocals are a bit darker.
The Tunnel by Tord Gustavsen Trio
Again they’re quite similar but certainly not identical. The stock JT7 is a tad snappier but also crisper in a less natural feeling way.
JT7 with sheepskin pads: The mid-range still is brighter than the HE400SE but the dryness is gone.
JT7 with micro-suede pads: much the same as with the sheepskin, but a tad warmer – and maybe slightly less dynamic.
Daddy Lessons by Beyonce
The stock JT7 is tight and crisp with great bass and excellent separation, but the vocals sound a bit too dry and crisp, getting a tad shouty in the busy and energetic parts. The HE400SE is a bit more toned down but feels more natural and better balanced.
JT7 with sheepskin pads: midrange still a bit bright but the shoutiness is gone.
JT7 with micro-suede pads: vocals a bit darker than with the sheepskin.
Fata Morgana by Spiritbox
Time for some metal. This sounds better with the HE400SE; the stock JT7 gets a bit too crisp and also handles the busy parts in a less impressive way.
JT7 with sheepskin pads: less crisp, and the busy parts sound much better; the congested sensation is not there anymore. The HE400SE still has a darker tonality, but now they are equally good, just different. Actually, going directly from the JT7 with the sheepskin pads to the HE400SE, I now find the HE400SE to sound a bit too dark.
JT7 with micro-suede pads: sounds cleaner than the HE400SE even on the most busy parts.
Alt e Bra by Building Instrument
The stock JT7 offers excellent instrument separation; it has a bright and clear delivery with very good imaging. The HE400SE sounds a bit more intimate, both in terms of imaging and sound signature, it sounds more natural.
JT7 with sheepskin pads: again, the sheepskin pads pull the JT7 in the direction of the HE400SE. You lose a bit of airiness but gain a more natural timbre.
JT7 with micro-suede pads: sounds very close to the HE400SE, just a tad more articulate.
Young Vivaldi by Modo Antiquo
The stock JT7 sounds sharper and thinner; the HE400SE feels more natural.
JT7 with sheepskin pads: the sharpness is gone. Again, I no longer prefer the HE400SE. The JT7 is still brighter, but now it is in a more natural way, and its more dynamic and articulate character makes me prefer it over the HE400SE now.
JT7 with micro-suede pads: excellent string timbre, warmer and smoother without losing detail, rather increasing it compared to the stock pads.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
Both are rather neutral, but the HE400SE is darker more natural with a slightly warmer tint compared to the stock JT7, which is brighter and crisper.
With the sheepskin or micro suede pads on the JT7, however, it is less crisp and sharp. It sounds much more natural with a smoother tonality – not as dark as the HE400SE, but equally natural.
Treble
In its stock form, the JT7 is markedly more aggressive in the treble than the HE400SE. I do not find the HE400SE laid back, but the stock JT7 is a bit sharp at times.
With the sheepskin or micro suede pads, however, the JT7 has a smoother, non-sharp treble without losing detail.
Midrange
The midrange might be slightly darker than neutral with the HE400SE and certainly brighter than neutral with the stock JT7.
With the sheepskin or micro suede pads, the JT7’s midrange is still brighter, but in a more natural and less crisp sounding way. I much prefer this tuning. Actually, with these pads, I often like the JT7 more than the HE400SE when it comes to midrange tonality.
Bass
The bass quality is quite similar, but I generally think the JT7 offers a tighter and even more detailed bass than the HE400SE. However, the HE400SE has a nicely richer tonality.
With the sheepskin or micro suede pads, the JT7 gets a bit more weight and body. The bass is slightly thicker than stock but still feels somewhat more detailed and textured than the HE400SE.
Soundstage and Imaging
The stock JT7 is consistently more open sounding than the HE400SE. It is not a huge difference but significant. The JT7 also has slightly better imaging.
With the sheepskin or micro suede pads on the JT7, the soundstage feels smaller than stock and the difference in this regard to the HE400SE is small.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
Broadly speaking, the detail level is very similar, but it depends a bit on the track. Bass detail is generally better with the JT7. Midrange and treble are more similar and can often sound more detailed with the JT7. However, the stock JT7 can often sound congested in busy passages, a problem the HE400SE doesn’t have.
With the sheepskin or micro suede pads on the JT7, however, busy passages sound much cleaner and calmer, basically with the same quality now as the HE400SE, and sometimes even better.
When it comes to macrodynamics, they are similar, but the JT7, especially with the sheepskin or micro suede pads, is more articulate and snappier. The difference is not huge, but it’s there.
I think the technicalities are very close, and where these headphones distinguish themselves the most is in the timbre. Compared to the stock JT7, the HE400SE has a thicker bass, darker mids, and smoother highs. I mostly find it to sound more natural and true to life than the stock JT7.
With the sheepskin or micro suede pads on the JT7, however, the sharpness and crispiness that I tend to be bothered by is gone. I much prefer the timbre on the JT7 with these pads, also often compared to the HE400SE.
CONCLUDING ON PADS
Both the leather pads and micro suede pads worked excellently with the Jade JT7. They gave better detail retrieval and brought the tuning closer to my preferences. Both types of pads made the JT7 sound smoother and warmer, to slightly different degrees. None of them radically changed the JT7, but rather gently altered the tuning in the right direction.
Again, here are links to the pads I used:
- Amazon: Sheepskin pads by Accessory House Global AHG (TH900 compatible)
- Amazon: oval micro suede pads by Brainwavz. The XL micro suede pads also work well – slightly larger than the cups but the lips seal nicely and they are more comfortable for larger heads.
The sheepskin pads fit very nicely and are comfortable to wear. They fix the issues I had with the JT7 being sharp and overly dry or crisp; With the sheepskin pads, the sound is smoother and the edginess and occasional shoutiness is gone. You lose slightly in terms of soundstage size and depth, but this is a typical trade-off between smoother and brighter sound. The sheepskin pads pull the JT7 closer to the HE400SE but still sound brighter. Which I ended up preferring depends on the track.
When it comes to timbre and tonality on the JT7, the Brainwavz micro suede pads are my favorite, a tad better than the already great sheepskin pads. They sound very natural all along the frequency spectrum. The soundstage is again a bit smaller and there is less depth, but the detail level is at least as good as with the sheepskin pads and better than with the stock pads. Dynamics are also solid.
CONCLUSION
When I compare the stock JT7 to the HE400SE, the JT7 is brighter, thinner, and sharper sounding. It has slightly better articulation and instrument separation, a larger soundstage, and a bit better imaging. The HE400SE has a more pleasing tonality, is very close in technicalities, and keeps its composure better when the music gets busy.
Swapping pads on the JT7, however, was very interesting and rewarding. The sheepskin pads made the JT7 sound smoother without losing detail, rather increasing it by sounding less busy on difficult passages. With the micro suede pads, you gain the same benefits but in addition you get a tad of extra warmth.
In conclusion, with the stock pads on both, I prefer the HE400SE, as it sounds warmer with a more natural tonality. However, with leather or micro suede pads on the JT7, it becomes technically stronger and more engaging and natural-sounding, making me often prefer it over the stock HE400SE.
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- Amazon: Hifiman HE400SE
- AliExpress: Hifiman HE400SE
- Amazon: Sheepskin pads (AHG)
- Amazon: oval micro suede pads / XL micro suede pads
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