Jade Audio JT7 and FiiO FT1 PRO are two reasonably priced planar magnetic headphones from Chinese audio manufacturer FiiO. The Jade JT7 typically costs $119, while the FT1 PRO costs $199.
FiiO operates two brands: FiiO and Jade Audio. The Jade brand is less expensive, targeting general consumers as an entry-level hi-fi option. The FiiO brand targets audiophiles, prioritizing sound quality and features over cost. However, since FiiO already offers high performance at affordable prices compared to most brands, the Jade brand might seem somewhat redundant.
SONIC DIFFERENCES
Both are quite neutral and share much of the same sonic DNA. Which one sounds better depends on the track and the type of music you listen to. In general, the JT7 leans brighter and thinner, while the FT1 PRO sounds richer and bolder. That said, generalizations only go so far, and I take a closer look at the sonic differences below.
PRACTICAL DIFFERENCES
The Jade JT7 and the FT1 PRO look quite similar, but the JT7 is about 65% cheaper than the FT1 PRO. What are the main differences?
- JT7 is foldable, FT1 PRO is not.
- JT7 is 60 g lighter.
- FT1 PRO includes a travel case
- They use different diaphragm materials.
- The FT1 PRO comes with a higher-quality cable.
Both headphones, however, are compatible with the same pads through the universal lip-and-groove attachment system and have a similar cup size.
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:
FIIO FT1 PRO SPECIFICATIONS
- Driver: Planar magnetic
- Impedance: 20 ohms
- Sensitivity: 95 dB/mW @ 1 kHz
- 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: 375 grams / 9.4 oz
Current price and availability:
- Amazon: FiiO FT1 PRO
- AliExpress: FiiO FT1 PRO
COMPARISONS
Associated equipment:
- Amplifier: Topping A90
- DAC: RME ADI-2 DAC FS
Rambling Man by Laura Marling
They sound very similar initially, but when things get busy, the FT1 PRO holds its composure better while the JT7 sounds a bit congested.
Sunrise by Norah Jones
Again, they are very similar. The FT1 PRO has a slightly thicker tonality with a weightier character, but otherwise both are quite neutral and well balanced.
Alt e bra by Building Instrument
The JT7 offers considerable detail and a large soundstage. Compared to the FT1 PRO, it is thinner and lighter sounding, lacking weight. However, the soundstage is larger with the JT7, which also has better imaging and a greater sense of depth.
Oslo by IPA
The JT7 sounds thinner and lighter, while the FT1 PRO is thicker and bolder, more natural and with more body. The detail level is pretty similar, and in many ways the tonal balance is not too different, but the FT1 PRO just feels richer.
Terminal 7 by Tomasz Stanko
The JT7 is very airy, snappy and detailed. The FT1 PRO is very similar but again a bit richer, slightly warmer and thicker.
Limit to Your Love by James Blake
Both are excellent, but here the differences are quite clear. The FT1 PRO is weightier, with more body to the tones. The JT7 is brighter, more airy and a tad sharper, clearly thinner but with a larger soundstage offering better width, height and depth. The quality of the bass is pretty equal, and I must say I’m impressed with the JT7 even though I prefer the overall character of the FT1 PRO.
Bullet in the Head by Rage Against the Machine
The FT1 PRO is thicker and fuller, the JT7 brighter and sharper. In terms of technical performance they are quite equal, but in comparison I find the JT7 to sound a bit shouty.
The Tunnel by Tord Gustavsen Trio
Here, the bigger soundstage and better imaging of the JT7 make it a bit more engaging to listen to than the thicker and slightly warmer sounding FT1 PRO – which feels duller.
Jambi by Tool
This metal track sounds good on the FT1 PRO with its richer tonality. The JT7 is also good but in a thinner and brighter sounding way.
Young Vivaldi by Modo Antiquo
The JT7 has a bright and crisp string timbre, full of detail and quite aggressive sounding. The FT1 PRO has a warmer and, to me, better balanced string timbre even though the difference isn’t extremely large.
Mahler’s Symphony No 2 III by Paavo Järvi
Here, the crisper and airier sounding JT7 is more fascinating to listen to than the thicker and slower feeling FT1 PRO. The JT7 honestly feels like a step up here in every aspect.
Summer 3 Vivaldi Recomposed by Max Richter
Here too, the JT7 sounds fresher and more fascinating because of the larger soundstage, better imaging and generally brighter character. The FT1 PRO feels a bit dull in direct comparison.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
The FT1 PRO is pretty neutral and well balanced, while the JT7 is similar but leans more neutral-to-bright.
Treble
The treble is quite similar in terms of quality, but the JT7 is brighter while the FT1 PRO is a bit more laid back.
Midrange
Even though the JT7 is brighter in the midrange as well, the biggest difference is that the JT7 sounds thinner and lighter while the FT1 PRO has a thicker and bolder character. How different they are perceived depends a lot on the track.
Bass
In the bass, I also find they have pretty similar technical performance, but the FT1 PRO has a thicker character. It’s not necessarily that it has more bass per se, but it has a different bass timbre.
Soundstage and Imaging
The JT7 consistently has a larger and more three-dimensional soundstage with more space between the instruments. It has better imaging and layering.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
The general detail level feels very similar between the two. When it comes to macrodynamics, I would say the FT1 PRO is better – also because you can play louder without fatigue due to the less bright leaning sound signature.
The JT7, on the other hand, generally has somewhat better microdynamics and articulation – details tend to stand out more and it has better microdynamic contrast.
I think the timbre is the main difference between the two. The FT1 PRO is consistently richer and bolder; every tone and every instrument has a thicker character to it. The JT7 consistently feels thinner and brighter. Whether one sounds better than the other is subjective and depends a lot on the music you listen to. For me it varies from track to track.
CONCLUSION
The FiiO FT1 PRO and the Jade JT7 are very similar but also quite different. When it comes to technical performance, they are similar, but often I find that the JT7 outperforms its more expensive sibling. It consistently sounds more three-dimensional and has better imaging. It might even offer more detail, at least in a more articulate way.
However, the FT1 PRO consistently offers a more natural, richer timbre. I can recommend both, but to be honest I find it hard to recommend one over the other. If you prefer the tonality of the FT1 PRO, as I tend to do, the extra outlay is certainly justified. But it might well be that you prefer the tonal characteristics of the JT7 and would choose it over the FT1 PRO regardless of cost.
All in all, at their price points these are both solidly designed and well-sounding planar magnetic headphones.
Finally, I just want to say that I am very impressed with what FiiO is doing on the headphone front. It’s really great to see their progress.
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