I tested FiiO's new $69 wired headphones — and I've never heard music sound this good for so cheap

Opinion
By published

This sound quality at this price is unheard of (pun intended)

the FiiO JT3 headphones in black and silver shown against a blue tom's guide background
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Considering audiophile headphones start at over $100 and can go well into four digits, the $69 FiiO JT3 are the most exciting thing I've reviewed in 2026. For audiophiles on a budget that's best described as "as close to free as possible", the JT3 are the only pair of cans I'd recommend.

Sure, I've tested other entry-level audiophile headphones like the Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen and the FiiO FT13, but these are $349 and $329, respectively. Ergo, these prices are simply unrealistic for complete newbies or those short on cash (relatable).

But the JT3 are the perfect solution. With an expansive, rich, detailed soundscape, supreme comfort thanks to the foam-and-velvet ear cups, premium materials, and a low, low price of $69, the FiiO JT3 are the answer I — and many other money-scarce audiophiles — have been waiting for. These are the best headphones for audiophiles on a budget, hands down.

FiiO JT3
FiiO JT3: $69 at Amazon

Yes, you read that right — these open-back headphones are just $69. I'm not quite sure what sorcery FiiO has been up to recently, considering the JT3 sound like they cost well over $200, but I'm not complaining.

With an open-back design and 50mm dynamic drivers, these entry-level audiophile headphones sound bonkers. Thanks to the velvet-and-foam earcups and metal-grille design, they look premium, too. These are serious game-changer headphones.

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Best-in-class sound

the FiiO JT3 headphones in black and silver shown against a blue tom's guide background

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

When you see a price tag of "$69" on a pair of headphones, what do you expect? Middling sound, some basic features, and decent-but-not-awesome comfort, right?

Well, in the case of the FiiO JT3, you'd be very wrong.

Let me get this clear right from the get-go: the JT3 are not like commercial, lifestyle Bluetooth headphones. These cans are wired-only, no ANC, no digital features like EQ adjustment or touch controls. They are for detailed listening, gaming, and at-home use. I wouldn't recommend them on the train, for example.

Alright, now that's out of the way, let's introduce the competitors. You're looking at your Philips SHP9600 — $99 — and the Audio-Technica ATH-R50X — $169.

Honestly, there's very little competition around the $69 mark. The Philips and Audio-Technica options sound great and are very well respected in the audiophile spheres, but they're considerably more expensive than the FiiO option.

the FiiO JT3 headphones in black and silver shown against a blue tom's guide background

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

I've really not seen any other audiophile cans at $70 or less. If you have some recommendations, please let me know in the comments because I'm dying to test them out. I want to hear how they sound!

And how do the FiiO JT3 sound, I hear you ask? Utterly decadent. These cans really excelled with ambient electronic. In 'Beach 2k20' by Yaeji & Robyn, the "synth mids were at the forefront, but didn’t overpower the soft vocals, which settled over the soundscape like morning mist," and "I couldn’t believe how impressive this track sounded."

I will acknowledge that there was a touch of muddiness in bass-heavy genres, but this isn't a critical issue for headphones that cost literally $30 less than the next-cheapest option. I would happily use these cans as my home listening headphones, and I wouldn't do that if I didn't genuinely think they sounded fantastic.

The audiophile landscape is genuinely overwhelming, with so much back-and-forth about what is "correct", so I completely understand that it can be impenetrable for newcomers. But please hear me when I tell you this: the FiiO JT3 are the best bang-for-buck wired audiophile headphones you can buy. There's no way you'd be able to tell these cans are just $69 — I thought that price was a typo. That's how good these headphones are.

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Erin Bashford
Erin Bashford
Senior Writer, Reviews

Erin Bashford is a senior writer at Tom's Guide, focusing on reviews. She has a Masters in Broadcast and Digital Journalism from the University of East Anglia. As an ex-barista, she knows her way around a coffee machine, and as a music lover, she's constantly chipping away at her dream of having a multi-room home sound system. In her spare time you can find her reading, practising yoga, writing, or stressing over today’s NYT Games.

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