FiiO JH5 1 Dynamic & 4 BA Driver Hybrid In Ear Earphones

The FiiO Jade Audio JH5 is an affordable five-driver hybrid in-ear monitor whose acoustic design borrows from FiiO’s high-end FH9 and FH7. A 10mm carbon-based dynamic driver handles the bass, two custom balanced armatures the mids and highs, and two more custom balanced armatures the ultra-high frequencies, each group in its own chamber of a precision 3D-printed shell. A liquid die-cast zinc alloy faceplate and a 392-wire silver-plated copper cable complete a package built to sound good with everything from classical to pop. It is Hi-Res Audio certified.

High performance at a lower cost

FiiO and Jade Audio products are known for high performance for the price and high build quality, giving listeners affordable yet serious equipment. The JH5 draws on FiiO and Jade Audio’s years of experience, and its precise 3D-printed construction and polished faceplate give it a luxurious feel you notice as soon as you pick it up.

A second-generation carbon dynamic driver

In a hybrid, the dynamic driver is the foundation of the sound. The JH5’s 10mm carbon-based driver is related to the one in FiiO’s popular “Little Conch” earphones, but has been reworked into a second-generation design to suit this acoustic system. It moves quickly, for excellent transients, with minimal break-up and so less non-linear distortion.

To go beyond the usual sound in its class, the team gave the driver a dual-layer cavity, with damping in both the inner and outer chambers to control the airflow precisely. Distortion falls, the diaphragm moves more freely, and the bass is extended yet quick, with true dynamic-driver character.

Asymmetrical magnets for robust dynamics

A second-generation asymmetrical internal and external magnetic circuit greatly increases the magnetic field density around the voice coil compared with a single internal or external magnet, for more power, a more robust sound and better transients. Strong N52 neodymium magnets (1.5T) keep the field even across a wider area, for lower distortion even in highly dynamic music.

Four custom balanced armatures

Borrowing ideas from the FH9 and FH7, two custom balanced armatures cover the mids and highs. They were designed together with the dynamic driver around a resonance at 2.8kHz, which matches a natural resonance of the human ear, so the hand-over between the drivers is smooth and suits the shape of your ear, for a more natural soundstage and a smoother sound.

Two custom ultra-high-frequency balanced armatures sit close to the nozzle, which is thicker inside, shorter and gently curved. The result is well-extended treble that lets you feel every pluck of a string.

3D-printed, with three separate chambers

The shell is medical-grade resin, made by high-precision DLP 3D printing to 0.05mm, so even a complex acoustic design is reproduced consistently, and the resin is tough and impact-resistant for a long life. The precision of 3D printing let the team give each group of drivers its own chamber, reducing interference between them and lowering distortion, and a self-developed acoustic tube keeps the frequency response smooth, without the peaks that cause sibilance.

A faceplate that exudes quality

The faceplate is liquid die-cast zinc alloy, finished with mirror electroplating and hand polishing: robust, and a pleasure to touch. Choose black or silver.

392-wire silver-plated cable

The cable is high-purity silver-plated copper: 14 wires twist into a small strand, seven small strands make a large strand, and four large strands give 392 wires in all, each individually insulated and Litz-braided for a larger conductive area and better high-frequency detail. It is about 1.2m long with a gold-plated 3.5mm plug, and its angled 0.78mm 2-pin connectors and ear guides wrap comfortably around your ears; because it detaches, you can upgrade it later.

Good to know

• In the box: JH5, 0.78mm 2-pin silver-plated copper cable, balanced ear tips (S, M, L), bass ear tips (S, M, L; M fitted), HB11 transparent storage case and quick guide.
• For FiiO’s four-driver hybrid with beryllium-plated drivers and tuning switches, see the FiiO FH5s.