Fiio JH5

The FiiO JH5 is a noteworthy product in the competitive in-ear monitor (IEM) market, combining a visually appealing design with sound capabilities that cater to the needs of modern music enthusiasts. It presents itself in two distinct color schemes, each designed to appeal to different aesthetic preferences

The first variant is a sophisticated all-black model that offers a sleek and understated look, likely appealing to those who prefer classic and elegant designs. The second variant features a silver faceplate paired with a transparent shell, allowing a view of the internal components, which could attract users interested in the technical elements of their audio devices

Design and aesthetics are significant highlights for the JH5, with its clean lines and contemporary look. The transparent version not only adds to the visual appeal but also serves as a conversation piece by showcasing the intricate workings inside the IEMs

This design strategy aligns well with current trends where consumers appreciate both form and function in their gadgets. However, while the design is certainly modern and might draw attention, it's built in a way that remains somewhat conservative, avoiding overly bold statements that might polarize potential users

On the sound quality front, the JH5 offers a balanced auditory experience with its V-shaped sound signature that emphasizes the lower and higher frequencies, making it suitable for listening to a variety of contemporary music genres that benefit from dynamic bass and crisp treble

Despite this, the JH5 employs non-Knowles balanced armatures, which differentiates its sound profile from that of higher-end models equipped with Knowles drivers. This results in high frequencies that are clear but may lack the extra sparkle and openness experienced in more premium models

The mid-tones are accurate but do not carry the richness or expansive soundstage that might be expected by more discerning audiophiles

The decision to use non-Knowles drivers is likely a strategic one, aimed at keeping the production costs down and making the JH5 more affordable. This choice reflects a broader trend in the audio equipment industry, where manufacturers need to balance cost with performance to remain competitive

By forgoing the more expensive Knowles drivers, FiiO manages to offer a product that meets the basic requirements of sound fidelity while maintaining a lower price point

This makes the JH5 an accessible option for a wider audience, including casual listeners and those who are just beginning to explore higher-quality audio solutions

From a manufacturing and market position perspective, FiiO’s approach with the JH5 appears to be focused on reaching an entry-level audiophile market

This demographic includes consumers who are looking to upgrade from basic or mid-level earbuds but are not yet ready to invest heavily in high-end audio equipment. The JH5 thus stands as a practical choice for those interested in better sound quality without the substantial financial outlay typically associated with top-tier models

Only one subject critical comment about IEMs is a case for headphones, it is my opinion that this case is worst thing that FiiO has done in terms of production of the cases, even the case for IEMs in F9 and F9 Pro (FiiOs first hybrid IEMs) were much better than case for JH5. You can only store ear pads or IEMs at home, but you can’t use case them for transportation

In summary, the FiiO JH5 is designed to appeal to a broad audience with its stylish appearance and competent audio performance. While it may not satisfy the most critical audiophiles, it offers enough in terms of design and sound quality to make it a viable option for everyday listeners and those new to the audiophile community

Its affordability and solid build quality make it a reasonable investment for those seeking to enhance their listening experience

Overall, the JH5 represents a balance between aesthetics, performance, and cost, making it a recommendable choice for casual listeners looking to explore better audio options without committing to high-end prices

Whether used for personal enjoyment, as a thoughtful gift, or as a reliable companion during travel, the FiiO JH5 serves as a competent entry into the world of enhanced audio experiences

FIIO JH5
1DD + 4BA
$80


Before I even begin this review, let me say my thanks to FIIO for sending the JH5 in for review.
Rest assured, my review will always be 100% my own personal opinion.

Unboxing
Build Quality


The shell is made from resin and the faceplate is metal, it is one of the better build IEM out there for $80 for sure.
As for the cable, it is also very good, though sadly there is no option for 4.4mm or modular cable.

Comfort
Is very good, I don't have any hot-spots while wearing the JH5 for long listening session.

Sound

Tested Using Motu M2, FIIO KB3
Music mostly from Apple Music (J-POP, J-Rock, Anisong, EDM, Rap, Metal, Jazz)
Sound in General : Bass Boosted Neutral

Bass : It has a generous boost, ranging from sub bass – mid bass.
Bass presentation is deep, impactful and dense, like a thick bass, but the quantity is not on a bass head level.

The bass speed is average, It can be use for double pedal music but to be honest for that kind of music the JH5 wont be my top choice since the bass is not the very snappy type.

Midrange : Thick, relaxed.
The midrange got some coloration from the bass boost, it makes the overall midrange sounds a bit thicker than normal, which to be honest I kinda like it.

The coloration makes the midrange sounds thick, syrupy, and lush.
As for the upper midrange, it has a bit late pinna gain, the gain started rising from the 2k region rather than normal style, it makes the sound even more focused on the lower midrange.

As for vocal, it does presented in a more thicker way than normal, not shouty and no sibilance can be heard on the JH5.
As for instruments, It sounds lush and thick rather than forward with intense clarity.

Treble : It sounds smooth but detailed, not the most extended treble I've heard.
The treble has a decent timbre, not very BA thin and surgical ones, but its more on the organic side, which is a very good thing considering the price.

Though one thing I would mention, the layering of the treble is just average for its price, its definitely not basic treble layering like lower priced IEM sounds, but its not full complete treble layering either, so keep your expectation in check.

Technicalities
is “Good” for its price

Stage : is medium sized, not large, not small, it has symmetrical shape (width – depth).
Stage layering is very good for its price, you definitely can hear that the JH5 has multiple layer on the staging, so it sounds more 3D and realistic to listen to.

Imaging : Above average
To be honest as for imaging, I always said it depends on your source, but with the Motu M2 and KB3 I've tested the JH5 with, it sounds, “almost holographic” definitely not 2D sounding.

Detail Retrieval : Above average
It has decent amount of micro details, one thing I must point out is that the decay presentation is just normal, not long, not that short either, myself personally prefer a bit more longer decay presentation so it will sounds more layered.

Positioning and Separation : Good
I have no problem locating a sound source with the JH5, both in music and game (Valorant)

Comparation

Truthear Hexa
1DD + 3BA
$80

Same price, different build and tuning.
Build wise, I much prefer the JH5, since the JH5 uses a more normal resin without any weird rubbery coating.
Looks wise, I prefer the Looks of Hexa, the rather pointy shape of it is more attractive at least for my personal taste.

Accessories is better on the JH5, especially the cable.

As for sound, the Hexa has more polite bass compared to the JH5, it has less mid bass and less lower midrange coloration with normal pinna gain.

The JH5 on the other hand, has more dense, thick, lush presentation compared to Hexa.

As for technicalities, I honestly think Hexa beats the JH5 just a bit, though in cost of sounding more analytical than the thick, syrupy, lush that JH5 has.

Conclusion

is the JH5 recommended / would I recommend the JH5?

Yes of course, for $80 USD the JH5 brings a LOT to the table, such as very good build quality, good accessories, comfortable shell, thick, syrupy, lush sound, with good technicalities for its price.

Though in the end, audio is very subjective and you also need to check your own personal preferences.
I'm here just helping you guys to give more reference on how the JH5 sounds on the internet.

Thanks for reaching this far,

Just in case you're Indonesian or understand Bahasa Indonesia, you can watch the review of JH5 here


-littlenezt.

The FiiO JH5 is a product of FiiO's sister company, Jade Audio which focuses on high performance to cost ratio and build quality, providing audiophiles with affordable yet high quality devices to listen with.

The JH5 is a hybrid earphone with 1 dynamic and 4 BA drivers per side with an acoustic design that borrows elements from FiiO's high-end IEMs such as the FiiO FH9 and FH7. The goal is that of presenting music from genres as diverse as classical to pop all in a high-fidelity manner.

At the heart of the JH5 is a 10mm carbon-based dynamic driver which is seamlessly connected to the custom balanced armature drivers covering medium to ultra-high frequencies thanks to the drivers being separated into three independent chambers.

Two custom BA drivers handle the mid and high frequencies. These two BA drivers were specially designed along with the dynamic driver to have a resonance peak at 2.8kHz, which also happens to be a resonance frequency formed by the shape of the human ear.

Another two custom ultra-high frequency (UHF) BA drivers are placed closer to the sound nozzle – which itself was made to have a thicker inner part, be shorter in length, and have a small curvature. The result of this design allows the FIIO JH5 to be well-extended in the treble, being able to produce ultra-high frequencies.

More information here.

Non Audio stuff

The main body of the FiiO JH5 ear-shells is 3D printed from medical grade resin compound and features a magnesium alloy faceplate insert that is mirror polished. This is a well made and beautiful looking earphone with a touch of luxury that reminds of more expensive products. The only complaint is that the polished faceplates tend to attract stains and fingerprints.

The lightweight ear-shells have a custom-like, anatomical shape so they are very comfortable to wear. They fit like gloves without causing a hint of annoyance and they also isolate quite well from outside noise despite the inclusion of a small venting grill.

The FiiO JH5 comes with a 2-pin detachable cable made of high-purity silver-plated copper wires. Every 14 wires are twisted into a small strand, and 7 small strands make up one large strand. With a total of 4 large strands, the JH5’s cable boasts a total of 392 wires.

The cable is well made with low microphonic noise but is a little stiff and doesn't feature interchangeable plugs. A 4.4mm plug would be very useful because the FiiO JH5 scales pretty well and most USB DACs (FiiO's included) now come with balanced outputs.

The package includes balanced and bass ear-tips in three sizes each and a transparent plastic case that reminds of a Lego brick. This is more like a drawer for storing the FiiO JH5 and not that practical for carrying it around with you.



Audio stuff

The FiiO JH5 with a rating of 13Ω/111dB/1mW, is very easy to drive but also too sensitive to source noise so you are advised to use only high quality and noise free sources like the FiiO KA5 or the KA17.

For the tuning of the JH5, FiiO has opted to follow the Harman 2019 target curve with some deviations here and there. The only notable differences are the addition of a generous mid-bass boost and some extra sparkle in the treble region. These measures translate into a sound signature that combines a healthy low-end with very good mid-range presence and plenty of energy in the treble.

The low-end end might be well boosted but it is not too dominant, the JH5 is an earphone that loves bass but has plenty of room left for the mids and the treble that don't suffocate. Sub-bass and bass are generously extended but the JH5 is not a bass-head earphone, the low-end is prominent enough to sound fun and powerful with all kinds of music but it doesn't overpower the rest of the frequencies. The tuning is not - strictly speaking - a reference one, as the emphasized mid-bass does add some color and extra weight to certain instruments that have the tendency to sound out of tune. But mind you that the phenomenon is not too severe to make the FiiO JH5 unsuitable for listening to classical music or similar genres. In this regard, the JH5 is more like a bass chameleon as it is ideal for most kinds of music and good enough for the rest. Technicalities are also very competitive for the category, the bass is punchy and dynamic with plenty of weight, good definition and a nicely layered texture. It is also fast and tight with satisfying, but not perfect, control as it can sound a little sluggish depending on the material but then this is not made for critical listening.

The mid-range is crystal clear, present and well defined without getting clouded by the emphasized mid-bass. FiiO has managed to achieve a balanced tuning that leaves plenty of room for the mids to shine, be it while reproducing voices or instruments, the JH5 has always the means to sound natural and harmonious. Resolution and refinement punch well above the category, listening to the JH5 without knowing its price can be deceiving and think that you are dealing with a much more expensive product. The overall balance of the mid-range leans towards neutrality, it is not significantly recessed, nor that forward and is devoid of upper mid-range emphasis. In this regard the FiiO JH5 is a smooth and polite sounding earphone without accentuating sibilance or shoutiness.

The treble poses a good mix of extension, clarity and luminosity without sounding bright, piercing or harsh. The JH5 is fast and energetic with good definition and a rather satisfying but not class-leading resolution while detail retrieval is good enough but not spectacular. What matters the most though is that the FiiO JH5 doesn't sound metallic or too artificial, the timbre is quite natural and the overall presentation is smooth, forgiving and suitable for long listening sessions even with mediocre recordings. The texture doesn't become thin, as it usually happens with badly implemented treble drivers, and the JH5 exhibits very good sound and textural coherency.

The soundstage of the FiiO JH5 is surprisingly wide and spacious with a rather accurate imaging. The JH5 might not win any laurels for its depth layering or holography but it is an open sounding earphone that never gets cramped to sound claustrophobic.

Comparison with the FiiO JD7

For the same amount of money (SRP $99 but now you can get it as low as $79) you can buy the FiiO JD7 which is a single dynamic driver earphone and Jade Audio’s current flagship. The FiiO JD7 has rounded shaped ear-shells that are made from stainless steel so they are a little more premium looking than the JH5. The JD7 is more compact than the JH5 but both are very comfortable to wear. The JD7 is more discreet looking though and it doesn't protrude outside the ear. Both have detachable cables with MMCX connectors for the JD7 and 2-pin for the JH5. The cable of the JH5 is of higher quality though and offers better handling. The JD7 comes with balanced sound, HS18 and memory foam ear-tips while the JH5 has balanced sound and bass ear-tips. The plastic case of the JD7 is a real carrying case rather than a drawer as that of the JH5.

When it comes to sound signature, you have the JD7 which is tuned as close as possible to the Harman in-ear 2019 target curve when the JH5 has the tuning deviations that were discussed above. The JD7 has the advantage of using a single dynamic driver so it sounds more coherent from the bottom to the top of the frequency range but the JH5 pulls ahead with better resolution and energy in the mids and the treble. However the JD7 is slightly smoother and more forgiving in the treble. The bass of the JD7 follows a more natural curve without the mid-bass emphasis of the JH5 but the latter extends a little lower and offers a bigger and more impactful low-end. These are two earphones with excellent audio performance for the category that are slightly differently tuned so you have the option to choose the one that suits you the best.

Conclusion

The FiiO JH5 is a great example of an entry level, high quality, earphone that does most things right without any notable sonic deficiencies. This is a budget friendly earphone that has the means to elevate your listening experience without the need to reach deep in your pocket. An excellent all-rounder earphone that might not be a genre specialist but it will allow you to listen to your whole music catalog without sounding bad with anything.

The FiiO JH5 is a perfect example of how good the entry level earphones are becoming. Several years ago you would have to pay double or triple the amount of money to get the same level of performance and craftsmanship. The JH5 is not without competition though but the truth is that it has its own unique merits to win you over and it's a FiiO after all.

The review sample was kindly provided free of charge.

The price of the FiiO JH5 is $79.99 and you can get one from here.