Drop + JVC HA-FDX1 DUAL CARBON IEM Reviews | Drop

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Drop + JVC HA-FDX1 DUAL CARBON IEM

Audiophile

FULL DISCUSSION

mkubota1

Aug 18, 2019

JVC HA-FDX1 A Review… sorta. (More like a few opinions and observations.) Good: Excellent resolution, neutral-plus tonality, dynamic driver bass, A+ hardware, and of course- tunability. Meh: Nozzles just a tad on the large side, a bit heavy. Given: Hardware is functionally identical to the FD01- Same cable, same fit, same isolation, same tip size- even the same carrying case. tl;dr: $250 would be a great price for the stock FD01. The FDX1 is better. With this deal you essentially get both with a quick nozzle swap.

Me: I’m an old guy. I have to take off my glasses to see things up close. I can't hear much past 14KHz. My first decent IEM was the Ultimate Ears Triple-Fi. I also grew up with stuff like the Monster Turbine Pro, Sennheiser IE8, a few random Sony and Audio Technica models, and the JVC HA-FX700. Since most sound descriptions mean little without a reference point, I'll leave most of that information down below in the comparisons. And because the FD01 has been out for a while, I won't get into the common aspects of that and the FDX1. I will say that having only heard the FD01 once before this, I was quite surprised at how good of an IEM it is in stock form. But the modded filters really do seal the deal for me. In stock (FD01) form, it does run bright. Keep in mind that I am a life-long, card-carrying member of the Treble Head Club: I listen to my HD800s un-modded. I prefer the HD600 over the HD650. I don't know what all the fuss is about with ESS Sabre DACs. And so on. One question that I've heard thrown around: "Is this the IEM version of the HD6XX?" In terms of SQ, it's hard to compare because to me headphones inherently sound different than IEMs. I would say that the FDX1 sounds a bit more analytical and forward than the HD6XX- perhaps more in the direction of the HD600/800. But the HD6XX's true claim to fame is value: For a while it cut the price of its non-Massdrop sibling in half. The problem with comparing the HD6XX to the FDX1 is that the former is still an HD650 at heart. On the other hand, while the FDX1 can be the FD01 if you use the included stock filter, by using one of the other tuned filters (which to many will be seen as mandatory) you are getting something quite different. So again, is this the IEM version of the HD6XX? No. That would only be the case if the HD6XX were already modded. What you are getting here is a rather heavily-discounted version of an already excellent IEM that includes additional tuning from the manufacturer, with all that entails (QC, warranty, etc.). It's more like if Drop came up with an HD6XX-MOD and sold it at a very deep discount. "Well, that's great. But can't I just do this mod myself?" Sure you can. Go ahead. Call me when you're done. I've re-terminated IEM cables, re-cabled headphones, built an amp or two, and have modded a few headphones. But I have yet to do any HD650 mods, despite even having bought a second pair. Go figure. Also, the way that JVC has done this (re-)tuning is a bit different from what I've seen within the DIY community. So not only will this have better quality control and consistency than most of us can guarantee; but it simply may not be possible to duplicate at home. Granted for DIY there is the element of self-achievement and everybody needs a hobby- right?. But most people would rather spend their time doing something else. This is sort of an easy one for me. Did I mention, this is also cheaper? Compared to… NOTE: Not all of these are meant as direct comparisons. Most of it is to give context to what I am hearing from the FDX1. I settled on the blue filter nozzle:

white = stock FD01/brightest/no dampening
green = somewhere in the middle/some dampening
blue = the least brightest/most dampening

Massdrop Noble 'X': I mention this IEM because not only are they from the same Drop 'house', tuned by the same folks, and around the same price; but it's one that many are familiar with. Tonally, there is no comparison between this and the JVC. The Noble was always just a bit too warm for me. The upper vocal registers (roughly between 2 - 4KHz) are a bit recessed, and it could also use a little more air. The JVC has good midrange presence and no shortage of air, even with the warmest (blue) filter. The Noble's bass, one of its strong suits, ends just a bit too quickly for me (has less decay) and doesn't have the sub-bass extension of the JVC. This is despite the Noble being a more bassy IEM overall. Noble Savant: Tonally, this is somewhat close to the JVC. To many the Savant is a bit on the bright side. For me it is one of my references for tonality, with the understanding that it leans slightly forward and bright. But despite the tonal resemblance here, these IEMs sound very different. Treble clarity and air is far better on the JVC. Headstage on the Noble is a bit more of a wall of sound, while the JVC displays good depth and more distinct instrument placement. The Noble has more fundamental bass (~100 - 150Hz range), whereas the JVC is a bit more restrained in that area while extending further into the sub-bass region. Overall, the Savant is a bit more in-your-face and has a more simplified presentation; while the JVC is just a little bit better in almost every way- tonal linearity, headstage, and resolution. Tin Audio T2p (Comply tip mandatory- way too vee without them!): This is my EDC. It has my ideal tonality, along with a nice amount of low-end grunt/fun-factor. Given that it's also a dynamic (dual-driver) it shares some characteristics with the JVC such as smooth tonal transitions, deep bass impact, and smooth treble. The overall presentation of the T2p is a bit warmer and smoothed over compared to the JVC. It is also more forgiving on bright recordings. (Remember… Comply tips!) The pay off with the JVC is literally in the details. Bass is quite similar between the two; but a bit more articulate and extended on the JVC. Instrument separation and sense of space is also better. Given the price delta between these two, this shouldn't be a surprise. UPDATE 9/25/2019: I recently lost and had to replace my Tin T2 Pro, and discovered that they made a few changes- most notably to the sound. The newer version, distinguishable by the different cable attachment location and finer nozzle screen, is noticeably brighter. There is more upper-midrange and treble- my ballpark guess is on the order of 4-5dB around 7kHz. Still, using the Comply tips (TSX-500 and TX-500), they sound good to my ears. But they are definitely brighter than what I was comparing the JVCs to before. Interestingly, I borrowed a friend's T3, and with the Comply tips they seem much closer to the older T2 Pro than my new T2 Pro. But I always thought that the T2 Pro and T3 sounded fairly similar. BGVP DM6 is fairly neutral, with a slight upper-midrange recession. Bass is nicely articulated ala BA; but you're definitely not getting the extension or natural decay of the JVC. The DM6 also has a tiny bit of that grittiness inherent in many multi-driver balanced armature IEMs. This makes things sound a little bit warm (harmonically) and at times a bit crunchy. The JVC has that coherence often found in the better dynamic IEMs. This is a good example of the differences between multi-driver BA and single dynamic driver IEMs. The DM6 is fast but has a slight haze or harmonic warmth that some may find appealing. The JVC's bass extends further and it has more natural treble timbre. It also has more upper midrange as well as slightly better resolution. I like both IEMs; but I like the JVC a bit more for it's lack of coloration. JVC HA-FX700 (modded tips): I thought I'd throw this in just because. Though very different sounding, there are still similarities in the naturally smooth treble, smooth tonal transitions, and deep-ish headstage (for an IEM). I would also say that they both prioritize vocals; albeit in slightly different ways. All of the JVC 'Woodies' that I have heard (FX500/700, FX750/850/1100, FW01) have a mid-bass bump that made them ideal candidates for modding since it's the single glaring flaw in what are otherwise excellent sounding IEMs. The FD01/FDX1 is a clear step away from those- almost going in the complete opposite direction with the (relative) brightness and more linear bass response. What has stayed the same or similar is the natural treble timbre (especially with the blue filter) and coherent sound that good dynamics are known for having. If you're looking for that warm, romantic sound that the 'Woodies' are known for, you won't really find that in the FD01/FDX1- for better or for worse.

(Edited)

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