JCALLY JM20 Headphone Dongle Review

[patoulol]

Hello I need to download which app on iPhone for the EQ?

 

[masterhw]

Hello I need to download which app on iPhone for the EQ?

software EQ? only the JM20 Pro has a hardware EQ, are you referring to this?

 

[fws]

What "clicks" do you mean? Is it the same thing as a song's beginning being muted?

I am listening to music through the JM20 on my Windows PC using foobar2000 (w/ WASAPI shared and EQ APO). I do not hear any clicks or muting / fade-in.

It is a sharp, instantaneous click like a vinyl crack, scratch on CD, or a whip crack, shot. There is no ramp up/fade in effect or anything I would associate with muting. It is audible even with system sound effects, like the prompt when you move system volume slider.

I will run some more tests later, including players, settings, formats. The most confusing thing is that under Android the same file is fine on Mi Music, but not on HiBy Music ran without USB access. So the only difference would be in what the players are doing/settings.

Will also try running it on PC without other USB devices present as later I've tested Plantronics RIG300 (open back, not current Nacon's closed back) headset, and because I didn't want to bother with Y splitter for TRRS I've used JM6 Pro, and when I joined game server in Black Ops6, I lost all audio. When trying reconnecting and such, I've actually got pop up with something about running out of USB resources. That was the first time I ever saw it, interesingly it was fine in the menu, but not on the server, so the point of failure could be joining up in-game global voice chat (aside also running Discord). The only thing connected which I probably didn't have on when using JM6 Pro with a headset previously, is Creative G6 (other connected USB devices are FX-Audio DAC-X6, webcam with mic, an xinput gamepad without audio, and mouse + PCI-e Sound Blaster Z). I normally wouldn't think too much about it, but after having 2 CS43131 dongles just stop outputting audio, it is something I might just check.

You are good with JM20, I bought F.Audio KS01 some months ago and immediately returned it after experiencing serious usability issues, potentially harming, like volume suddenly resetting to max or skipping tracks instead of changing volume. Even should it measure exceptionally well (and I'm dubious about it, given that my Kuang Pai Player 3 with similar ESS opamps measured very bad), it would be not worth with all those issues, unless they fixed them in newer firmware.

Thanks for warning. I'm really fed up with dongles. I was already fed up and told myself I won't buy more, yet I've since bought 3 (Hi-MAX, ES-Pro, JM20). In the end the ones I'm actually using tend to be CX-Pro (your DA06), and JM6 Pro, so ones on a cheaper side.

 

[jkim]

It is a sharp, instantaneous click like a vinyl crack, scratch on CD, or a whip crack, shot. There is no ramp up/fade in effect or anything I would associate with muting. It is audible even with system sound effects, like the prompt when you move system volume slider.

Just tested the JM20. The Windows volume change prompt sounds fine, just the same as other good dongles I have (e.g., Qudelix 5K or E1DA 9039S).

 

[mc.god]

Just tested the JM20. The Windows volume change prompt sounds fine, just the same as other good dongles I have (e.g., Qudelix 5K or E1DA 9039S).

My JM20 doesn't show the "standard" ramp-up (like Sonta BHD and KP3), instead it outputs a brief background pink noise for the very first audio samples, did you notice anything like this?

 

[jkim]

My JM20 doesn't show the "standard" ramp-up (like Sonta BHD and KP3), instead it outputs a brief background pink noise for the very first audio samples, did you notice anything like this?

Nope, not at all. What should I try? I'm on Windows 11 and with Equalizer APO in the signal chain.

 

[mc.god]

Nope, not at all. What should I try? I'm on Windows 11.

honestly nothing in particular, mine did it in any conditions when i tested (i don't use it often), under Windows 10 and Linux. Never tried windows 11 since I don't have it by i doubt it will make any difference. I can check again, just to be sure I'm not starting showing aging signs...

 

[markanini]

Thanks for warning. I'm really fed up with dongles. I was already fed up and told myself I won't buy more, yet I've since bought 3 (Hi-MAX, ES-Pro, JM20). In the end the ones I'm actually using tend to be CX-Pro (your DA06), and JM6 Pro, so ones on a cheaper side.

I occasionally mention there's still value to cheaper 1V dongles, even in the landscape of 2V dongles which are almost as cheap. I know you're not the only one.

 

[kekus]

My JM20 doesn't show the "standard" ramp-up (like Sonta BHD and KP3), instead it outputs a brief background pink noise for the very first audio samples, did you notice anything like this?

I noticed this when it was running from Android phone in 2V (connected without IEM in it).
When I used the autogain (connected with IEM already in) and I guess 1V, everything sounds fine, obviously need to increase the volume but plenty of headroom left.

 

[patoulol]

software EQ? only the JM20 Pro has a hardware EQ, are you referring to this?

yes I'm talking about the pro

I haven't found the subject of the pro on ASR

but I have a problem, it doesn't work on my iPhone 16 Pro, nor on my iPads! it only works on my PC

 

[patoulol]

re: Walkplay app, as an iPhone user I was prepared to have difficulty setting PEQ filters on the JM20 Pro.
There is a site that still requires an account, but lets you set this via web browser. no app required. https://peq.szwalkplay.com/
Its still a clunky experience, but worked fine for me.

Where to find the vcode?

 

[CedarX]

Where to find the vcode?

You have to be online and logged in to effectively use the WebApp (or the Android apk). The “validation code” is sent to your phone as part of the registration process.
Clunky, but it worked for me!

 

[mc.god]

You have to be online and logged in to effectively use the WebApp (or the Android apk). The “validation code” is sent to your phone as part of the registration process.
Clunky, but it worked for me!

The vcode was sent to me clicking the send button but only after i switched the site to chinese language, tried it many times with english language and the mail with vcode never arrived.

 

[patoulol]

You have to be online and logged in to effectively use the WebApp (or the Android apk). The “validation code” is sent to your phone as part of the registration process.
Clunky, but it worked for me!

Thank you!

do you know why My JCALLY JM20 PRO doesn't work on iPhone or iPad? it marks only on PC

 

[mc.god]

Thank you!

do you know why My JCALLY JM20 PRO doesn't work on iPhone or iPad? it marks only on PC

Sorry, I can't be of any help about apple devices.

 

[masterhw]

Thank you!

do you know why My JCALLY JM20 PRO doesn't work on iPhone or iPad? it marks only on PC

thats pretty strange, I recommend reaching out to support. I believe mine worked out of the box on iPhone.

 

[CedarX]

Thank you!

do you know why My JCALLY JM20 PRO doesn't work on iPhone or iPad? it marks only on PC

What do you mean it does not work? No audio, or the WebApp does not work?

Audio *should* work: iOS accepts any UAC 2.0 compliant device, like the JM20-Pro... The WebApp on the other hand cannot work on iOS: it is an Apple restriction, iOS does not expose the required serial/HID communication API. Rumor is that Apple may lift this restriction in the near future but in the meantime, there is nothing the dongle OEMs can do about it.

 

[masterhw]

What do you mean it does not work? No audio, or the WebApp does not work?

Audio *should* work: iOS accepts any UAC 2.0 compliant device, like the JM20-Pro... The WebApp on the other hand cannot work on iOS: it is an Apple restriction, iOS does not expose the required serial/HID communication API. Rumor is that Apple may lift this restriction in the near future but in the meantime, there is nothing the dongle OEMs can do about it.

in their photo above the LED does not seem to be lit despite being plugged in to the device, which suggest something odd is happening. I agree it should work, my JM20 Pro worked out of the box with iPhone.

 

[patoulol]

I just messaged the Aliexpress seller... I think it is defective

thanks

 

[haivanjv]

Hi there. Long time reader/lurker, first time writing. Thanks ASR and you all to be my no.1 reality check place to go.

I just purchased a JM20Pro from Ali and I am kind on the situation where I fired first and asking later

My main use case for this dongle is to plug it to a Macbook and feed the 2V out to a Topping L30 II. Basically an ultra compact desktop DAC.
Has anybody here tried it as a DAC only?
If I got it right, volume control here is something purely demanded to the input source - if I max the Macbook volume I get the full 2V out, am I right?
I am amazed how this tiny thing measured so well. Do you see any hidden drawback to use it purely as a DAC? What can be "different" (in audible terms) compared to a dedicated AC powered DAC?