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

Drop + JVC HA-FDX1 DUAL CARBON IEM

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achan1735

Sep 6, 2019

These are quite bloody expensive. For $150USD, sure but $250 is asking too much for a single dynamic driver IEM... Hell even the free Samsung/AKG buds have a dual driver configuration and more or less meet the Harman target...

desutruction

245

Sep 6, 2019

achan1735It's not about the driver count my guy.

Sep 6, 2019

desutructionAnd it's not about meeting the Harman target either. You can mod $30 IEMs to get similar frequency response to the FDX1. I've posted this tutorial named "Poor Man's FD01" for those who can't afford the real thing: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/poor-mans-fd01-hse-a2000-modded.7390/ Very similar FR and great timbre. But in terms of refinement, transparency and of course build quality of earphones and accessories, the FDX1 are in a different league. As always, squeezing out the ultimate in quality makes things rather expensive. But I've heard single dynamic driver IEMs costing $1000 that didn't sound as good as the FDX1 to my ears.

(Edited)

aryanb

Sep 6, 2019

j444Hey, I was wondering why you preferred the FDX1 to more expensive single DD iems. I’ve heard from many that the Xelento driver is more capable and results in better resolution for example. Tonal balance could be shaped with EQ. Is it the Xelento’s smaller soundstage and weaker treble extension?

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Sep 6, 2019

aryanbHi, I don't share the opinion that the Xelento driver is more capable. I think both drivers are excellent and technically pretty much on par. However, the Xelentos have what I'd call "fake resolution from strategical treble spikes". The downside to this is that they're borderline sibilant and sound a little too thin with cymbals. The FDX1 have smoother treble with more realistic note-weight and still very good resolution. Plus, the Xelentos are boomier in bass than the FDX1. Yes, you can shape tonal balance with EQ... but why would I want to do that, if I can have technically equal-ranking IEMs with better balance for a fraction of the Xelentos' cost? Here's a comparison of frequency responses from Crinacle's measurements database: https://i.imgur.com/FIvZtWQ.png

aryanb

Sep 6, 2019

j444I agree that the price performance of the FDX1 is unmatched. A complete package for new condition with warranty while a used Xelento would run for double the price. I’ve heard similarly with an EQed XBA N3, which some prefer to all the iems they have heard that are much more expensive. Crinacle was actually the one that gave an edge to the EX800st over the FDX1 (which I’ve heard from other people too) and he enjoys the ex1000 and Xelento more than the ex800st as well. It’s hard to compare them though in a practical aspect since those have close to zero isolation and weaker build quality. Sound can be both objective and subjective in the end I guess haha. I’m in the drop either way, was just interested in your opinion and thanks for taking the time to reply!

Sep 6, 2019

aryanbYou're welcome! Of course you'll hear different opinions and preferences from different people. I had already bought the Xelentos some time ago, but decided to return them after several days of testing. The EX800st and EX1000 are both still in my collection and I'm able to compare side by side. But I for my part prefer the FDX1 overall.

tbjs

484

Sep 6, 2019

achan1735Is there anything as good, or better, for less than $250? Then no, it's not worth it. Tin T2s do sound very good at under $50. But the Moondroo Kanas Pro is my current favorite at $180. Are the 3X + better? No. But I was willing to go there. If you don't agree with that thinking, no problem.

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achan1735

Sep 7, 2019

desutructionThanks for the knowledge! I am more experienced in speakers and cans. (Ｔ▽Ｔ)

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dom1234

Sep 17, 2019

achan1735Ie800? K3003? Xelento? Vega? F audio major? Ditas? How about those? One DD unit can be extremely capable.

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JD_dj

Sep 21, 2019

aryanbI recently went with the XBA-Z5 over the ex1000 or the ex800st. Do you think this FDX1 is worth looking into? Thanks!

Sep 21, 2019

JD_djWhat made you prefer the XBA-Z5? If it was bass, than the FDX1 may not be for you. FDX1 bass is more similar to the ex1000 or ex800st.

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Nealh

Sep 26, 2019

j444Are vocals forward or recessed? This really important to me with good sub-bass rumble. I love forward in front of me vocal

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Sep 26, 2019

NealhThe upper mids are slightly forward, which means that female vocals will have a touch of intimacy (not obtrusivly so). But overall, the vocal range is pretty neutral with good clarity and intelligibility.

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Nealh

Sep 26, 2019

j444Jeez. Sorry for my Lousy typing. Thank you for the fast response The vocal seem to present in front of you?

(Edited)

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JD_dj

Sep 28, 2019

j444Actually, it wasn't so much for the bass but the fact that it was SONY's previous flagship & after a couple yrs of tracking them, I was able to grab a barely used pair from someone for a very decent price [$270] including 2 aftermarket cables (1 balanced + 1 regular from Sony, without the earhooks like in the stock ones). Plus, the market for the ex1000 went up quite a bit in the last yr. or two... based on all the reviews I was reading around that time I decided that the Z5 was the one I wanted more over the others, not to mention that there's no way I was going to spend $1500-2000 for those newly produced IER-Z1R. I prefer my sound to be somewhat balanced or neutral, but do appreciate/like Bass when a song calls for it. Other pieces I have in my collection are Co-Donguri SHIZUKU & BRASS Balance x2 (2.5 & 4.4mm), MEE audio P1, SENNHEISER ie800, SONY xb30ex plus a couple others under $10 that sound way better than many out there for what they cost! I'm probably going to end up getting SONY's new M7 that came out with the M9 & IER-Z1R in the next week or two as I'm able to find one for under $375 new. I just cannot bring myself to go over $500/1000 for a set of IEM's

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Mar 20, 2020

j444Hey there, I'm deciding between the Sony EX1000 and this JVC fdx1 for around the same price. Could you further clarify on why you prefer the fdx1? I intend to tame the treble of the ex1000 using Sony triple comfort eartips, Spinfit or smaller eartips (reverse horn effect). Though I don't think it'll be enough to bring down the treble peak by 10db, it should help, as im not very treble sensitive anyway.

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Mar 20, 2020

HanslauWell, apart from smoother treble, the FDX1 are also more versatile imo. The EX1000 have very low isolation, so they require a quiet listening environment. And they're hardly usable outside, because they're prone to wind noise. Btw, reverse horn won't do much for the Sonys, since the nozzle diameter is already quite narrow. I recommend this mod to dampen the treble peak a bit: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sony-ex1000-review-and-impressions-thread-with-comparisons-to-fx700-gr10-and-e-q5.539500/page-290#post-15414576

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Mar 20, 2020

j444Honestly I'm starting to lean towards the JVC but it'd be MUCH cheaper for me to get the EX1000 second hand. Bit of a shame really, as it seems the FDX1 can handle any genre well, not so much for the Sony. That seems like an excellent mod, not enough to make a world of difference but perhaps enough to tame or reduce fatigue. Wind noise shouldn't really be an issue, I don't go out often and winds in my country are weak compared to most Western countries. Regarding vocals, I have the hd6xx and think that it's mids are very smooth. Would you say the JVC is comparable? I'm thinking that for vocal or instrumentals I can use my HD6XX and for rock, metal or more modern music the EX1000 would perform fine.

(Edited)

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Mar 20, 2020

HanslauUnfortunately I haven't heard the HD6XX. If you don't mind the weaknesses I mentioned, then the EX1000 would definitely be a great choice too.

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Mar 20, 2020

j444One last question perhaps, do you think the EX1000 would do well with rock, metal and EDM? Since its treble is peaky, I'm afraid if it will poke my eardrums till they bleed. But I have also read that deeper insertion will help a bit.

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Mar 20, 2020

HanslauI'd say that depends on the volume level you listen at. At low volume, rhe EX1000 are rather benign. But few people listen to metal at low volume, and if you listen at high volume, the peak can be pretty aggressive.

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Mar 20, 2020

j444Any other noteworthy mods for the Ex1000? Google doesn't turn up much sadly. Wouldn't entirely covering the nozzle further reduce the peak?

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Mar 20, 2020

HanslauNope, that's the best I found.

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Mar 20, 2020

j444Thanks for all the help, now I'm more confident in my impending purchase.

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Mar 21, 2020

j444Last thing (for real this time!), I've seen comparisons to the Ex1000. But what about the ex800st/7550? Since the ex800st has a more tamed treble, has more bass, making it less fatiguing and more similar to what the FDX1 can offer. And most think that the ex800st is pretty close to the ex1000 in technical ability. They are direct competitors, even in price!

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Mar 21, 2020

HanslauThe ex800's treble is similarly uneven as the ex1000's. It's just more damped, so it's less aggressive, but doesn't offer the clarity and detail of the ex1000 and FDX1. The ex1000 are actually more similar to the FDX1 in tonality than the ex800 imo, but neither of the Sonys has the treble smoothness of the FDX1.

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Mar 21, 2020

j444Thanks, youve convinced me to burn a larger hole in my pocket, I hope the fdx1 turns out great! Would you say its resolution is equal to the ex1000 at least?

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