Overview

The FiiO JT7 is an open-back planar magnetic headphone with a 95x86mm driver developed entirely in-house, in a lightweight foldable design. It's for listeners who want the wide soundstage, low distortion and quick, detailed sound of a planar headphone in something light enough to wear for hours and easy to pack away.

The JT7's 3µm diaphragm is driven across its whole surface, avoiding the uneven breakup common in dynamic drivers. FiiO's F.E.S. (FiiO Elastic System) adds fine textures to the diaphragm, much like the surround on a dynamic driver, so it can move further without added distortion for fuller, more present bass. The voice coil is plated onto the diaphragm with the same 28nm chip-grade process FiiO uses on the FP3, FT1 Pro and FT7, and two-way neodymium magnets give it 92dB/mW sensitivity at a low 18 ohms.

At about 318g, the JT7 is light for a planar, and it folds to pack away. A four-axis headband fits a range of head shapes, the fiberglass hinges passed tens of thousands of twisting and expansion tests, and the breathable mesh earpads and headband cushion are both removable for cleaning and replacement. It's Hi-Res Audio certified and comes with 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced cables (dual 3.5mm connectors at the headphone end), a 6.3mm adapter and a storage pouch.

Simcoe Audio Video Insight

Planar headphones generally need more power than dynamic ones, and the JT7 is no exception despite its low 18-ohm impedance. FiiO recommends portable sources with over 500mW of balanced output, such as its KA15, KA17, BTR17 or M21, using the 4.4mm cable. For the strongest bass, a desktop amp like the K11 or K11 R2R is the better match. Because it's open-back, it's best for quiet rooms rather than commutes.

More Info

Why the FiiO JT7 Stands Out

Buyer's Guide

Who It's For

• The Planar Newcomer: Wants a light, foldable first planar headphone.
• The Balanced-Source Owner: Has a 4.4mm dongle, player or desktop amp.
• The Long-Session Listener: Wants breathable pads and a light build.

How It Compares

The JT7 shares FiiO's 28nm-process planar technology with the FT1 Pro, but adds a foldable design, a lighter build at 318g and FiiO's F.E.S. diaphragm for bass. If you need a closed-back headphone with a microphone, look at the FiiO JT1 instead.