JCally has released a new mid-range chip; let's see how it performs in practice.
Packaging: The JM98MAX's packaging follows a typical digital product style. A rendering of the product occupies most of the space on the front, with some smaller elements distributed at the top and bottom.
Appearance: The JM98MAX's appearance is simple, refined, and exudes a premium feel. The CNC-machined shell has a textured feel, and the concave sides make it easy to grip. The most distinctive feature is its "window" design, showcasing the two main chips, surrounded by a gradient polka dot pattern, giving it a modern look. The back has a fine matte finish and is printed with the jcally brand logo. The overall design is compact and portable, only about the size of a little finger, with smooth lines that combine a sense of technology with a sleek, compact feel.
Materials: The JM98MAX's shell and connectors are made of brushed aluminum alloy, while the front panel is made of mirror-polished tempered glass. The cable is made of very high-quality materials; it's not the commonly used oxygen-free copper-plated silver wire, but a copper-silver hybrid eight-strand 448-core cable, resulting in more stable signal transmission and a very tight braid, unlike other braided cables that tend to unravel. Regarding the crucial chips, it uses a CS43198 and an SGM8262, a very good dual-chip configuration with a powerful 195mW output.
Sound Impressions: In summary, the JM98MAX's sound is quite good. Compared to my dual CS43131 dongles, there's a noticeable improvement; it's warm and pleasant to listen to. A short press of the EQ button switches between three different EQ settings.
Original Sound Mode: When the dongle is plugged in, the default mode is original sound, and the EQ indicator light will be yellow. In this mode, no channel is boosted, resulting in a relatively flat output. In this mode, the midrange vocals are noticeably better, sounding closer and richer with fuller articulation. The soundstage also extends slightly towards the forehead and back of the head, and the transient response is significantly faster. Resolution is noticeably improved; in complex arrangements, the placement and layering of various instruments are clearly more distinct. Regarding purity, the JM98MAX performs exceptionally well, with a very clean sound and almost imperceptible background noise or background noise. Of course, this requires a stable connection; the noise I heard during use was almost entirely due to loosening the connector by fiddling with it. Large-scale orchestral music is very demanding on dynamic range. I rarely listen to this with Bluetooth headphones because it sounds very flat, completely losing its grand atmosphere. However, the JM98MAX significantly improves the dynamic range of the headphones. The contrast between strong and weak notes in large-scale classical music is much more pronounced. After listening to large-scale orchestral music for a while, using a 3.5mm cable directly connected to a computer makes the drums and percussion sound noticeably softer. Overall, I personally find the atmosphere to be cool and clear, with precise resolution and a focus on the texture of the instruments.
High-Frequency Boost Mode: A short press of the EQ button activates high-frequency boost when the indicator light is pink. This boosts the 5kHz and surrounding frequencies, resulting in a noticeable increase in sound height. Vocals sound more distant, the imaging is more delicate, the horizontal soundstage tends to shrink, while the vertical soundstage is higher. High-frequency and ultra-high-frequency details are significantly enhanced, harmonics are clearer, and the overall sound is brighter. It hovers on the edge of being harsh, sometimes suddenly becoming harsh, with a similar feeling of sibilance. One phrase might sound okay, not too harsh, but the next becomes harsh. It's recommended that headphones that are already high-frequency biased avoid this EQ mode. However, earphones with restrained high frequencies feel very comfortable in this mode, with improved spaciousness and harmonics. Those with similar earphones might consider buying this mode to counteract this effect.
Low-Frequency Boost Mode: When the EQ indicator light is blue, it's in low-frequency boost mode. In this mode, the overall sound becomes completely warmer. The previous high-resolution, clear sound becomes warm and blurry. The high and ultra-high frequencies are noticeably darker, while the bass quantity increases and the extension is deeper. However, it doesn't have the very comfortable, enveloping feel I wanted, but the rebound is still quite powerful, and the drum beats are quick and controlled without a booming, muddy feel. If you're looking for the ultimate bass, this EQ is quite good, especially considering the excellent sound quality when paired with Water's Water-Tone IEMs.
Other features: I'll mention a few other minor details here. First, it supports call functionality, which truly addresses a pain point for many. Most dongles can't use the microphone on the headset, so this is great for users with 3.5mm headsets with built-in microphones. For gamers, with various HiFi brands vying for a share of the gaming headset market, call support is a crucial requirement. Computer 3.5mm jacks often produce strange static, and while a dongle provides good sound, it prevents microphone use. The JM98MAX solves this problem for many. It also features UAC1.0 and UAC2.0 switching, which is compatible with more systems, including Windows 11 and Windows 7 Switch. It also has a quick EQ switching feature. Most dongles with EQ switching require downloading an app, while one-click switching is much more convenient, especially for someone like me who fills their playlist with various genres and plays them randomly. I can switch between high-frequency mode for female vocals and back to acoustic mode for classical music – the experience is quite good.
In summary, it sounds better overall than similar models like the 43131, supports in-line remote control, has three-level EQ for quick adjustment, and boasts strong output power. At only 189 yuan, it offers excellent value for money. It's a great option to fill a gap in your phone's sound or as a high-end gadget. Overall, I recommend it.
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