After nearly two months of using the FiiO JD1—not regularly, but enough to get a solid impression—I’ve finally found the time to sit down and share my detailed review. Alongside the FiiO JD1, I’ve also tested some of the best-selling IEMs under ₹2000 from the indian market, like the Salnotes Zero and Tangzu Wan’er S.G. I’ve also been using the KZ ZSN Pro X, ZSN Pro 2, and CCA Lyra for a while now. So, in this review, I’ll not only talk about the Headphone Zone x Fiio JD1 but also compare it with these other options to help you decide which IEM suits your music preferences best within this budget.
Let’s not waste any more time and jump right in!
FiiO JD1 Review
Before diving into sound quality, let’s quickly talk about a few other things. First off, even though it’s officially called the FiiO JD1, in India, it’s sold under a collaboration with Headphone Zone, so you’ll find it branded as the Headphone Zone x FiiO JD1. Other than the branding, there’s no difference—build, design, and sound quality are the same.
Design, Build & Comfort
When it comes to design, FiiO products are usually well-built and good-looking, and the FiiO JD1 is no exception. Visually, it looks attractive and feels premium in hand. Considering its price tag of around ₹1500, the build quality is genuinely impressive. Whether it’s the design or the materials, nothing about it feels cheap — in fact, it gives off a nice premium vibe.
The ear shells are made from semi-transparent acrylic plastic, which looks clean and stylish, and they’re topped with zinc alloy faceplates that have a beautiful shiny finish. There’s also an option with a silver faceplate and a fully transparent shell, which looks really eye-catching if you prefer that style.
Compared to most other IEMs in this price range, the JD1 is quite compact and lightweight — definitely one of its strong points. This makes it comfortable for long listening sessions; I’ve used it continuously for 2-3 hours without any issues. Fit-wise, it should be comfortable for most people. You also get multiple sizes of ear tips in the box, so you can find what suits you best.
One more thing I really liked is its excellent passive noise isolation. The fit is snug enough that when I tested it outdoors, it blocked out a lot of the surrounding noise. So, if you plan to use it in noisy environments, the JD1 is a solid choice.
Cable & Features
Another plus point of the FiiO JD1 is its cable options. You actually get two variants: one with a traditional 3.5mm connector and another with a USB Type-C connector. If you don’t plan to use an external DAC, I highly recommend going for the Type-C version, which most people will likely choose anyway, since only a few phones these days still have a headphone jack.
I personally have the 3.5mm version because I use it with an external DAC, but the Type-C variant comes with a built-in DAC. It’s not super powerful, but for regular everyday listening, it does the job really well. Plus, the Type-C version has another cool feature: it includes five preset inbuilt audio modes, such as bass extension, treble boost, and a Harman reference tuning. You can easily switch between these modes using the volume up/down buttons on the in-line remote, and there’s a voice prompt to confirm the mode. Having these EQ presets in a wired earphone is definitely a big bonus.
Microphone
Both cable variants come with an in-line microphone as well. As for the mic quality, it’s good for the price. I’ll include a short demo so you can get a better idea, but overall, it’s about the same as what you’d expect from other wired earphones in this price range. It’s decent for everyday use, and voices sound clear and natural. So, whether you’re taking calls or using it for in-game chat, you shouldn’t face any issues.
Sound Quality
Finally, let’s talk about the sound quality. I tested the FiiO JD1 extensively — on Android, iPhone, and Mac — both with and without an external DAC. I also tried it across different scenarios, like music listening, gaming, and watching movies.
The JD1 comes with large 10mm dynamic drivers, using the same technology FiiO implements in some of its flagship IEMs — and you can actually hear that reflected in its sound. The overall audio output has an enjoyable V-shaped tuning, which I think most people will love, especially since around 70% of listeners in India prefer a V-shaped sound signature. That’s probably a big reason why this IEM has become one of the best-sellers under ₹2,000.
Bass
Starting with the lower frequencies, the JD1 delivers strong, punchy bass. It’s powerful enough to add a satisfying thump to your music — you can really feel it. So if you’re a bass lover or mostly listen to EDM or pop, you’ll enjoy this tuning. The good thing is that the bass response is well-controlled, so it doesn’t overpower the mids too much, and the texture remains clear. Even at high volumes or with bolder EQ settings, you won’t notice significant distortion, which sets it apart from other bass-heavy IEMs in this price range. That said, the bass does slightly overshadow the midrange in some complex tracks, but it’s not excessive — I’d say it’s acceptable for the price.
Midrange
In the midrange, the upper midrange is slightly boosted, which makes vocals and melodies stand out nicely. This means you can enjoy clear lyrics and decent instrument separation. The tone isn’t perfectly natural — the mids feel a bit thick due to the boosted bass — but for under ₹2,000, it’s honestly quite good. Expecting perfect tonal balance at this price would be unrealistic anyway.
Treble
The treble is smooth and slightly metallic but not overly sharp or harsh like you’d hear with the KZ ZSN Pro X or Pro 2. This makes the JD1 comfortable to listen to for long sessions — it never feels piercing or fatiguing, which I really appreciate. If you do prefer a sharper treble, the inbuilt EQ modes let you tweak it to your taste, so you have flexibility.
Soundstage & Gaming
The soundstage feels decently spacious with good separation for the price. Overall, the JD1 offers clear, enjoyable audio with a strong bass presence, a well-defined midrange, and a balanced treble. Besides casual music listening, I’d also recommend the JD1 for gaming — the slightly boosted mids and highs make it easier to pick up on footsteps and directional sounds accurately.
Worth buying the Fiio JD1?
So, does the FiiO JD1 deserve its best-seller status? Absolutely. It delivers powerful bass, clear and enjoyable sound, comfortable fit, an inbuilt DAC with handy EQ modes, and a stylish, premium-looking design — all at an affordable price. This combination makes it one of the best choices you can buy right now if you’re looking for a budget IEM under ₹2,000.
Quick Comparison
Talking about a quick comparison — its main competitors are the 7Hz Salnotes Zero, Tangzu Wan’er S.G, KZ ZSN Pro X, and KZ ZSN Pro 2. Personally, I wouldn’t consider the Salnotes Zero and Wan’er S.G. as direct competitors to this Headphone Zone x FiiO JD1 because they fall more into the balanced audio category. So, if you prefer a more neutral, balanced sound without extra bass or boosted upper mids, you can definitely consider those instead.
But if you want a classic V-shaped sound with strong, enjoyable bass, the FiiO JD1 is the ideal choice in this price range. The closest real competition comes from the KZ ZSN Pro X and Pro 2 because they have a similar V-shaped tuning.
However, to be honest, in one line, I personally find the FiiO JD1 slightly better overall. Why? Mainly because it’s more comfortable to wear for long hours, its bass response feels tighter and more controlled, and it still delivers a strong punch. Also, the KZ ZSN Pro X has a sharper treble that can get fatiguing for some listeners, whereas the JD1 keeps the treble smooth and easy on the ears. Plus, the JD1’s inbuilt DAC and EQ modes give you extra flexibility that the KZ doesn’t offer.
So, for the price, the FiiO JD1 just feels like a more complete and practical package.
