Review opinion on Fiio Jt7.

[Briocat]

On February 3, 2016, in the thread "Hot Take (or not), if you EQ your headphones to your ears, you can easily beat ANY unEQ'd headphone." I wrote: "I, too, had trouble trying to get the best EQ for my headphones. I finally solved everything with a simple and inexpensive solution: the FiiO JT7. All I had to do was eliminate the annoying peak around 6kHz and pair them with an underrated DAP like the Surfans F28, which has a rich bass sound without the need for EQ. The result: a delight, and I'm left wanting nothing more."
Yesterday I happened to listen to the song "That Ain't You" by George Terry with the JT7 and immediately after I wanted to compare the same song with the Sennheiser HD 560S. Aside from the greater openness in the high frequencies of the HD 560S, I "discovered" a cymbal sound that rhythmically accompanies the song that I had never heard with the JT7. This made me reconsider the qualities of these headphones, which initially struck me, among other things, for their faster impulse response, compared to the Sennheiser, and which I had immediately noticed upon first listening.

 

[Redacted]

"faster impulse response"?

 

[Sirius Black]

That's because the HD560S is low-key the GOAT of course and I love mine to death. Lol, I can't really prove that, but just commented to follow this thread!

 

[Briocat]

In fact I'm re-evaluating the value of the HD560S.

 

[solderdude]

The plot above shows the tonal balance differences between the JT7 and HD 560S.
The slight bump around 600Hz makes the mids on the JT7 a tiny bit more 'forward'.

Both headphones have their strong points and weaknesses.

The JT7 is entry level planar where HD 560S is a good dynamic from the lower priced Sennheiser range.

Biggest difference is in the treble where the HD 560S has a bit too much of it and is a few db 'brighter/sharper/detailed'.
This is exactly where 'cymbals' reside.
Just EQ in some extra treble in that area and the cymbals will magically appear.

Comfort differs and sensitivity differs a lot.

 

[deprogrammed]

View attachment 556066
The plot above shows the tonal balance differences between the JT7 and HD 560S.
The slight bump around 600Hz makes the mids on the JT7 a tiny bit more 'forward'.

Both headphones have their strong points and weaknesses.

The JT7 is entry level planar where HD 560S is a good dynamic from the lower priced Sennheiser range.

Biggest difference is in the treble where the HD 560S has a bit too much of it and is a few db 'brighter/sharper/detailed'.
This is exactly where 'cymbals' reside.
Just EQ in some extra treble in that area and the cymbals will magically appear.

Comfort differs and sensitivity differs a lot.

I have both of these headphones partially because of your measurements and reviews. Paired with some PEQ enabled headphone amp/dacs, the sound is exceptional. You can get great sound for not a lot of money. My journey is done. Cheers.

 

[Briocat]

View attachment 556066
The plot above shows the tonal balance differences between the JT7 and HD 560S.
The slight bump around 600Hz makes the mids on the JT7 a tiny bit more 'forward'.

Both headphones have their strong points and weaknesses.

The JT7 is entry level planar where HD 560S is a good dynamic from the lower priced Sennheiser range.

Biggest difference is in the treble where the HD 560S has a bit too much of it and is a few db 'brighter/sharper/detailed'.
This is exactly where 'cymbals' reside.
Just EQ in some extra treble in that area and the cymbals will magically appear.

Comfort differs and sensitivity differs a lot.

I tried. You're right.

 

[Sirius Black]

@solderdude How do I pause the graph/gifs comparisons you do on your site that compares three or more headphone's FR graphs? It cycles through every second I think and sometimes it makes it difficult to compare stuff. I want it to cycle to the next "comparison" when I click on it, or scroll or something.
And do you know any cheap alternative that comes closest to the FiiO FT1?

 

[solderdude]

The plots cycle about 4.5 seconds.
Easiest way is to make a screenshot(s) I reckon.
ATH-M50X is one of the closer ones in tonality but is about the same price.
Note for readers ... this reply is not about the open JT7 but about the closed FT1
JBL Tune 770 NC also has a similar tone (in N.C. mode) which are up for grabs now and then and is a wireless ANC headphone.
Not suited for larger ears and requires being charged.