The FiiO JH13 (Jade Audio) was kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review. I didn’t receive monetary or any other kind of compensation and I don’t use affiliate links.
The price of the JH13 is $39.99 and you can buy it from FiiO’s AliExpress store.
Jade Audio
Jade Audio, FiiO’s sister brand, was established with the aim to create audio products and accessories that combine FiiO’s time proven quality and craftsmanship with very affordable prices.
Regarding FiiO itself, I don’t think that there is a hobbyist on the planet not familiar with the brand that is one of the largest manufacturers of portable (and not only) audio gear.
You can explore more FiiO and Jade Audio reviews by clicking here.
FiiO JH13
The Jade Audio JH13 (FiiO JH13 from now on) is an affordable hybrid in-ear monitor that is an updated version of the Jade Audio JH3 without a further price increase. The JH13 is actually $10 less expensive than the original price of the JH3, however the package doesn’t include the plastic carrying case and the memory foam ear-tips.
The hybrid design of the JH13 features a custom 10mm dynamic driver for the bass frequencies and dual custom composite balanced armature drivers for the mids and the highs. All three drivers are combined via a specially designed crossover.
Asymmetrical internal and external dual magnetic circuit systems are used to effectively increase the magnetic field density in the voice coil’s magnetic gap, helping it reach 110 dB/mW of sensitivity. The dynamic driver has a CCAW (copper clad aluminum wire) voice coil sourced from the Daikoku Corporation of Japan for improved audio performance.
Design and wearing comfort
The FP3 was FiiO’s first earphone to introduce real wood faceplates and now the JH13 continues on the same path with faceplates crafted from genuine Zebrawood. A beautiful looking piece of wood with naturally formed interwoven light and dark stripes in patterns that are unique to each JH13. A dark silver outer perimeter around the faceplate is implemented to add a contrasting finishing touch to the well made and aesthetically pleasing JH13.
The ear-shells are made from high quality plastic and their inner side is designed with an anatomically shaped contour that helps achieve a comfortable and firm fit. They are lightweight (7g each) and very compact, they fit well and offer good noise attenuation. The nozzles are rather short though, so some users might need elongated double or triple flange ear-tips that are not included in the package.
Cable and accessories
Except for the 2-pin detachable cable the package includes only three pairs of silicone ear-tips, you will not find a carrying case or at least a small pouch.
The 1.30m long cable is made with 120 high-purity oxygen-free copper (OFC) wires, split in four braided strands. It comes with shielded 2-pin connectors to improve durability and is terminated with a fixed 3.5mm plug. The cable is of typical quality, it is lightweight and relatively soft but it tangles easily and produces a mild friction noise.
Listening impressions
With a rated impedance of 24Ω and 110dB/mW of sensitivity, the FiiO JH13 is very easy to drive and unfussy about power. You can use it straight out of your phone’s headphone jack or even better with an entry level USB DAC dongle like the FiiO KA11 or even the FiiO JA11.
The FiiO JH13 has a crowd pleasing sound signature with a prominent low-end that is followed by a relatively balanced mid-range and an extended but not too bright treble.
The bass is generously boosted but not up to the point to become overpowering or bleed too much into the mids. A rather casual tuning that adds strong low-end presence, however without reaching bass-head territory. The JH13 doesn’t have the right tonal accuracy or the reference credentials for critical listening but on the other hand, it sounds genuinely pleasing and enjoyable with most kinds of music, especially electronic and pop tunes.
The technical performance is above average, the bass doesn’t sound as one note as it has surprisingly good layering and definition for the category. It is also quite fast and relatively tight but it resonates more than the ideal and starts to lose control and composure when things get busy. The bass textures are weighty without dryness while the JH13 can sound very impactful and effortlessly punchy when used with a competent source.
More listening impressions
The bass doesn’t bleed into the mid-range which is allowed plenty of room to breathe and is reproduced with stellar clarity and articulation. The tonal balance is exceptionally good, the lower mids are not that recessed to sound lifeless and the upper mid-range is not too much emphasized to induce listening fatigue. The JH13 is not clinical or dry sounding, it is an engaging and pleasing earphone that connects the listener with the music.
The treble is extended and cleverly tuned as to sound bright and energetic enough without becoming too spicy and hot. It is fast and clean with sufficient detail retrieval but not that resolving or refined. The textures are not too metallic or thin as it sometimes happens with BA drivers but they are not deprived from some kind of artificiality (or lack of naturalness if you prefer) and a touch of coarseness.
Generally speaking, the higher frequencies of the JH13 might not be ideal for critical listening but they are well implemented and you are not going to pay attention to their minor deficiencies during everyday casual listening. The JH13 is a much improved version of the JH3 which in comparison sounded more piercing and less natural while it lacked the driver coherency of the newer model.
The soundstage is also much better presented in the JH13, surprisingly open and spacious with good lateral extension. It is not going to win any laurels for its depth layering or holographic properties but on the other hand it images exceptionally well for the category and never becomes congested.
In the end
The FiiO JH13 is an affordable in-ear monitor with punchy bass, balanced mids and extended yet controlled treble that is easy to drive and sounds enjoyable with most kinds of music.
Well made and beautiful looking thanks to its unique Zebrawood faceplates, it is also lightweight, compact and very comfortable to wear for hours long.
The accessories are a little underwhelming, FiiO could have thrown a couple of ear-tips more and a carrying pouch but other than that, the JH13 it is a solid choice for anyone looking for a budget friendly but also high quality in-ear monitor for everyday use.
Copyright – Petros Laskis 2025.
+ Boosted and punchy but not overemphasized bass
+ Balanced mids and controlled highs
+ Good overall technical performance
+ Musical and engaging without audible sterility
+ Open and spacious soundstage
+ Unfussy about power
+ Beautiful looking and well made
+ Lightweight and comfortable
+ Affordable
- Not the most resolving or refined sound
- The bass is a little boomy
- Slightly artificial and coarse timbre
- Mediocre cable
- Complete lack of accessories
- Most of the competition comes with higher quality cables and accessories
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