Introduction

FiiO had a busy 2021, releasing more new items than just about anyone else aside from maybe the KZ family when it comes to audio products. Indeed, we covered three of their IEMs so far, the FH5s, FD3, and recently announced FiiO x Crinacle FHE:Eclipse, in addition to the New K3 desktop source and BTR5 portable Bluetooth source DAC/amp combo units. I am still playing catch up with FiiO in 2022, as there are another three items pending as we speak. There are so many new products thus that FiiO saw it apt to create a sub-brand called Jade Audio to focus on the more budget-friendly products that no doubt sell more in number. Jade Audio was formed in 2019 and has itself released more products in 2021 than some more established brands. Among these is the subject of today's review, and thanks go to FiiO and Jade Audio for providing TechPowerUp a review sample!


The FiiO x JadeAudio JD3 is also simply referred to as the Jade Audio JD3 or FiiO JD3 in some venues, which doesn't help Jade Audio brand recognition. But no matter what you call it, it ends up being the least expensive set of in-ear monitors, or even headphones, I have reviewed so far. It competes in the price range where you buy multiple such IEMs to give as gifts to friends or co-workers, or even family members you would want to move on from freebies bundled with some other devices that are best only used as a last resort. Don't expect much in the way of luxury here, and I was even going to make this a quick-look article before realizing how much engineering has been packed in, making this the sort of product more likely to interest most of our readers than the ultra-expensive headphones and IEMs I also cover. Let's begin this review with a look at the product specifications in the table below.

Specifications