Fiio JH5 review: These see-through budget IEMs put Nothing to shame

Fiio is a powerhouse when it comes to the budget segment, and the brand continues to roll out options that excel at value. The JH5 illustrates this quite well; the IEMs have a hybrid driver that sees a dynamic driver paired with four balanced armature drivers, and it has a new design that looks modern.

Best of all, the JH5 costs just $79 on Amazon, making it an unbelievable value. Like the JD3 and JD7, the JH5 is branded under the Jade Audio label, but it stands out quite a bit from the brand's other offerings. On that note, Fiio sells the JH5 in two options: black and silver. The silver version in particular looks terrific, and it doesn't look like a budget product in the least.

A big part of that has to do with the new design. The JH5 has a 3D-printed acrylic shell, and it has a clear design that lets you view all the parts housed underneath. You can make out the dynamic drivers, the four BA drivers, and even the individual driver chambers that ensure there's no crossover between frequencies. I'm a big fan of see-through designs, and this is what I wanted Nothing to do with the Ear 2 — actually show off the hardware.

The JH5 fits comfortably thanks to the contoured shell design, and I didn't see any issues in that area. It doesn't exert too much pressure on the ear canal, and the shells are lightweight enough that you don't notice any fatigue with extended use. The vent at the back has a grille, and on the whole, the IEMs are great for casual listening.

Fiio went with a faceplate featuring a zinc alloy, and it looks modern. The design blends seamlessly with the shell, and again, it conveys a sense of elegance that makes the JH5 look much more premium than its price tag suggests. That said, the glossy texture is prone to smudging.

Build quality is outstanding, and in the four months I used the JH5, I didn't see any problems with the fit and finish of the product. The bundled silver-plated cable is of a good quality as well, and it has standard 2-pin connectors; I liked the cable so much that I used it with a half-dozen IEMs. It has a 3.5mm connector with an angled design, and while a 4.4mm balanced port would have been ideal, the single-ended jack is good enough.

You also get a good selection of silicone ear tips bundled in the package, but what I like the most is the HB11 storage case. The slide-out case offers excellent protection, and it has a slotted design that lets you stack it with other cases — or even mount Lego minifigs. While I like the design of the case, it isn't exactly portable, and is considerably larger than most IEM cases you get in this segment.

With a sensitivity of 112dB and 13Ω, the JH5 can be easily driven by any source. But as always, you'll make the most out of the drivers by pairing the buds with a good portable source; a dongle DAC like the KA11 or KA13 makes a big difference.

The JH5 retains Fiio's characteristic sound, but you get much better vibrancy, particularly in the low-end. Bass notes have a satisfying rumble and texture, and the sub-bass has good definition that makes listening to bass-focused tunes highly enjoyable. Mids are similarly detailed, and while the vocal presentation isn't as natural as Fiio's other hybrid driver designs, it is clear.

Treble is decent in its own right, but it has limited extension. You don't get any sibilance though, and given the tweaks to the tuning, it's clear that Fiio designed the JH5 for casual listening sessions and not necessarily as a technical set.

Overall, there is a lot to like with the JH5. The design gives the IEMs a distinct presence, and while the case is just too big, I like the quirkiness on offer. The IEMs have excellent isolation in addition to a comfortable fit, and the cable is one of the better options in this segment.

The JH5 doesn't have the same technical prowess as Fiio's other hybrid drivers, but the sound is highly enjoyable, and the exuberant bass combined with vibrant mids make it fun to use with a lot of genres. Ultimately, it's the value that makes the JH5 such a good choice — you're getting a standout sound along with an elegant design and a decent amount of accessories.