Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The JDS Labs Element has always offered a great balance of simplicity, sound quality, functionality, and value. The Element III has been my daily driver for about a year. How does the new JDS Labs Element IV stack up? Is it worth the upgrade?
Thanks to JDS Labs for sending the unit out for review (I get to keep it).
Links to products in the video (some affiliate):
JDS Labs Element: jdslabs.com/product/element-iv
You can see my other main stereo / home theater equipment below.
Of course, I always recommend you take a look at the used market, below are some sites that are great for that.
Head-Fi: head-fi.org
HifiGuides: forum.hifiguides.com
Reddit: reddit.com/r/AVexchange
Hifi-shark: hifishark.com
US AudioMart: usaudiomart.com
Some of my favorite equipment for various niches (some links are affiliate):
7hz Saltones Zero: amzn.to/3VrQG8A
Kiwi Ears Cadenza: amzn.to/3Z1LcnT
Meze Alba: amzn.to/3BUphrh
Cheap Open-Gaming Headphone: AD700X: amzn.to/3b4ACUS
Super Cheap Closed-Back Gaming: Recon 500: amzn.to/3numqem
Cheap All-Around Headphone: SHP9600: amzn.to/3b6aUiP
Quicksilver Headphone Amp: quicksilveraudio.com/products/headphone-amplifier
JM Audio XTC Closed: jmaudioeditions.com/product-page/jm-audio-editions-x-t-c-closed-bio-wool-50mm-n52-magnet
Gaming Headphone (wired): DT 900 Pro X: amzn.to/3Hkw1hj
Gaming Headphone Wireless: Audeze Maxwell: amzn.to/3KCwrlr
Budget Bluetooth Portable DAC/Amp: BTR7: bit.ly/ayritaposbtr7
Xduoo XD05T: bit.ly/ayritaposxd05t
Budget Dongle: Dawn Pro: Moondrop Dawn Pro: bit.ly/ayritaposdawnpro
Wired Portable DAC/Amp: Cayin RU6: bit.ly/ayritru6
Cheap Desktop DAC/Amp: Fiio K11 R2R: bit.ly/ayritaposk11r2r
Budget Friendly Clean/Linear DAC/Amp: Look for used JDS labs Element III
JDS Labs Element IV: jdslabs.com/product/element-iv
TOTL DAC Amp: https://apos.audio/products/fiio-k17-desktop-dac-amp?sca_ref=1011240.yrV7ZdANGH
Budget TWS: Soundcore Space A40: amzn.to/3KRAknx
Go to TWS: Airpods Pro 2: amzn.to/40aFtOI
Hifiman Edition XS: bit.ly/ayritaposeditionxs
Hifiman Ananda Nano: bit.ly/ayritaposanandanano
Hifiman Arya Organic: bit.ly/ayritaposaryaorg
Hifiman HE1000se: store.hifiman.com/index.php/he1000se-refurbished.html
Main Home Theater / Hifi Stereo Setup:
Soncoz SGD1: amzn.to/3DnaHpQ
FOSI ZA3 (2 in mono): amzn.to/3wJCSyQ
Sparkos Op-Amps: sparkoslabs.com/?sscid=41k8_p4st5&gad_source=1
Emotiva T0+: emotiva.com/products/airmotiv-t0-pair
Jamo C10 Sub: amzn.to/3xmdaRg
DIY 12” Passive Sub
Sub Amp: Aiyma A07: amzn.to/3YocZ0f
Upstairs:
Fosi ZD3: amzn.to/3PVuLW9
JBL306P MKII: amzn.to/3wsdCNR
Bedroom Home Theater / Hifi Stereo Setup:
Acrylic BP50: amzn.to/3Efu3R3
Fosi HDA1:
Elac 4” Passive:amzn.to/3HEpkHN
Cables:
Hart Audio Cables: hartaudiocables.com
Worlds Best RCA Interconnects: amzn.to/3pB2Oa7
Worlds Best XLR Interconnects: amzn.to/3vEdwxO
4.4 to XLR Balanced Cable: amzn.to/3UxF83G
3.5 to RCA Cable: amzn.to/3S0x7CF
Recording Gear:
Canon EOS RP: amzn.to/42UuVms
RF 50mm: amzn.to/42AaWeG
DJI Action 4: amzn.to/40E58OR
DJI Mic Mini 2: amzn.to/4hBDFUA
Current Desktop Set Up:
Alesis Elevate 5 MKII: amzn.to/3TtU30h
JDS Labs Element IV: bit.ly/ayritjdseliii
JM Audio XTC Closed: jmaudioeditions.com/product-page/jm-audio-editions-x-t-c-closed-bio-wool-50mm-n52-magnet
#jdslabs #element #review
The JDS Labs Element has always offered a great balance of simplicity, sound quality, functionality, and value. The Element III has been my daily driver for about a year. How does the new JDS Labs Element IV stack up? Is it worth the upgrade?
Thanks to JDS Labs for sending the unit out for review (I get to keep it).
Links to products in the video (some affiliate):
JDS Labs Element: jdslabs.com/product/element-iv
You can see my other main stereo / home theater equipment below.
Of course, I always recommend you take a look at the used market, below are some sites that are great for that.
Head-Fi: head-fi.org
HifiGuides: forum.hifiguides.com
Reddit: reddit.com/r/AVexchange
Hifi-shark: hifishark.com
US AudioMart: usaudiomart.com
Some of my favorite equipment for various niches (some links are affiliate):
7hz Saltones Zero: amzn.to/3VrQG8A
Kiwi Ears Cadenza: amzn.to/3Z1LcnT
Meze Alba: amzn.to/3BUphrh
Cheap Open-Gaming Headphone: AD700X: amzn.to/3b4ACUS
Super Cheap Closed-Back Gaming: Recon 500: amzn.to/3numqem
Cheap All-Around Headphone: SHP9600: amzn.to/3b6aUiP
Quicksilver Headphone Amp: quicksilveraudio.com/products/headphone-amplifier
JM Audio XTC Closed: jmaudioeditions.com/product-page/jm-audio-editions-x-t-c-closed-bio-wool-50mm-n52-magnet
Gaming Headphone (wired): DT 900 Pro X: amzn.to/3Hkw1hj
Gaming Headphone Wireless: Audeze Maxwell: amzn.to/3KCwrlr
Budget Bluetooth Portable DAC/Amp: BTR7: bit.ly/ayritaposbtr7
Xduoo XD05T: bit.ly/ayritaposxd05t
Budget Dongle: Dawn Pro: Moondrop Dawn Pro: bit.ly/ayritaposdawnpro
Wired Portable DAC/Amp: Cayin RU6: bit.ly/ayritru6
Cheap Desktop DAC/Amp: Fiio K11 R2R: bit.ly/ayritaposk11r2r
Budget Friendly Clean/Linear DAC/Amp: Look for used JDS labs Element III
JDS Labs Element IV: jdslabs.com/product/element-iv
TOTL DAC Amp: https://apos.audio/products/fiio-k17-desktop-dac-amp?sca_ref=1011240.yrV7ZdANGH
Budget TWS: Soundcore Space A40: amzn.to/3KRAknx
Go to TWS: Airpods Pro 2: amzn.to/40aFtOI
Hifiman Edition XS: bit.ly/ayritaposeditionxs
Hifiman Ananda Nano: bit.ly/ayritaposanandanano
Hifiman Arya Organic: bit.ly/ayritaposaryaorg
Hifiman HE1000se: store.hifiman.com/index.php/he1000se-refurbished.html
Main Home Theater / Hifi Stereo Setup:
Soncoz SGD1: amzn.to/3DnaHpQ
FOSI ZA3 (2 in mono): amzn.to/3wJCSyQ
Sparkos Op-Amps: sparkoslabs.com/?sscid=41k8_p4st5&gad_source=1
Emotiva T0+: emotiva.com/products/airmotiv-t0-pair
Jamo C10 Sub: amzn.to/3xmdaRg
DIY 12” Passive Sub
Sub Amp: Aiyma A07: amzn.to/3YocZ0f
Upstairs:
Fosi ZD3: amzn.to/3PVuLW9
JBL306P MKII: amzn.to/3wsdCNR
Bedroom Home Theater / Hifi Stereo Setup:
Acrylic BP50: amzn.to/3Efu3R3
Fosi HDA1:
Elac 4” Passive:amzn.to/3HEpkHN
Cables:
Hart Audio Cables: hartaudiocables.com
Worlds Best RCA Interconnects: amzn.to/3pB2Oa7
Worlds Best XLR Interconnects: amzn.to/3vEdwxO
4.4 to XLR Balanced Cable: amzn.to/3UxF83G
3.5 to RCA Cable: amzn.to/3S0x7CF
Recording Gear:
Canon EOS RP: amzn.to/42UuVms
RF 50mm: amzn.to/42AaWeG
DJI Action 4: amzn.to/40E58OR
DJI Mic Mini 2: amzn.to/4hBDFUA
Current Desktop Set Up:
Alesis Elevate 5 MKII: amzn.to/3TtU30h
JDS Labs Element IV: bit.ly/ayritjdseliii
JM Audio XTC Closed: jmaudioeditions.com/product-page/jm-audio-editions-x-t-c-closed-bio-wool-50mm-n52-magnet
#jdslabs #element #review
