Drop + JVC HA-FDX1 DUAL CARBON IEM Review (1) – Is the End Nigh?
Pros — Fantastic tonal balance and tonal accuracy, unique product.
Cons — Ok…but I am pushing it…slightly boosted upper midrange, limited soundstage, limited resolution, heavy earpieces and cable.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Drop + JVC HA-FDX1 is a dynamic-driver earphone that makes its way to the top of the field by its incredible tonal balance and accuracy, that is superior over any multidriver iem I have heard. While it does not reach the levels of soundstage and definition of expensive hybrids, its tonal qualities more than compensate for the shortcomings (if there are any). You find some photos of the Drop + JVC HA-FDX1 HERE.
INTRODUCTION
The story goes like this: a classical music lover from Vienna ordered a pair of JVC FD01 earphones from Japan, found the upper end overly aggressive, and experimented with his own filters made of alcohol swabs…until the sound was right for him. For the rest of us, he kept on modifying cheap single dynamic drivers to mimic his beloved JVCs. I had followed his published modding efforts for more than a year and am now proud owner of three of his “reversibly” modded budget models: the Blitzwolf BW ES1 [annotated FR], the Alpex HSE-2000 [annotated FR], and the Hifi Walker A1…the latter received some special dedication on the audioreviews.org blog [HERE]. In the end, we compiled his modding techniques with his permission: how to remove or add treble or bass etc. [HERE]. Once all over the internet, everything rests now compact in one place. Should anybody say there is no compatibility between Austrians and Bavarians. Eventually, people wanted to have the original JVC sound and discussion between some earphone wizards, drop.com, and JVC resulted not only in producing a special edition of these earphones available for the international market, no JVC implemented the suggested modifications into a new filter design, and they dropped the price by $100. The Drop + JVC HA-FDX1 was born.
Many major manufacturers such as Sennheiser, AKG, Pioneer, and B&W still rely exclusively on the single-dynamic-driver technology because of its minimal harmonic distortion, natural timbre, and coherent sound. Unfortunately, many of their models are old school V-shaped with vocals caught somewhere between an unnaturally boosted bass and elevated treble. Recently, Sennheiser attempted a flatter tuning in their IE 500 PRO flagship item that failed by effectively omitting the upper midrange, resulting in a dull, congested sound [HERE]. The Drop + JVC HA-FDX1 does no suffer from any of this.
SPECIFICATIONS
The specs were copied from the product page: https://drop.com/buy/drop-jvc-ha-fdx1-dual-carbon-iem
- Model type: In-ear monitor
- Driver type: Dynamic driver
- Driver unit: 11mm DLC DOME DUAL CARBON driver unit with newly developed diaphragm, air damper, and titanium metal driver case
- PEN (Polyethylene Naphthalate) center dome with diamond-like carbon coating
- PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) outer ring with black-carbon coating
- Impedance: 16 ohms
- Frequency response: 8Hz-52kHz
- Output sound pressure level: 103dB @1mW
- Maximum power input: 200mW (IEC standards)
- Cable: Detachable MMCX connectors (Y type) OFC
- 3.5 mm 24 gold-plated stereo mini plug (straight)
- Groove cable
- Cable length: 1.2 m (3.9 ft)
- Weight (not including cable): 0.7 oz (20 g)
- JVC recommends 48 hours of burn-in time at low volume
- Rich soundstage straight from a phone/computer, or driven by an amp
- Tested at: $250
- Purchase at: https://drop.com/buy/drop-jvc-ha-fdx1-dual-carbon-iem
PHYSICAL THINGS AND USABILITY
Unboxing was pure pleasure as there was no knick-knack at all. A generic beige carboard box…it is all about technology here…
The box hosts 5 pairs of “JVC Spiral Dots +” eartips in different sizes (not available individually), a very substantial and heavy, slightly rubbery & springy, round MMCX cable, the earpieces, and a nifty case. The earpieces are of pragmatic industrial design, of plain beauty reminiscent of the Bauhaus school. They are big, heavy, and (probably) bulletproof. Front and back can be rotated relative to each other for optimal fit, which allows to wear the cable above ear or under ear. Comfort is good, maybe the earpieces are a bit heavy, and isolation is ok. The filters can be exchanged quickly and easily by a clever spring-loaded mechanism.
As sources I used the iPhone SE with the audioquest dragonfly and the Shanling M0 with the FiiO E12 Montblanc amp.
TONALITY AND TECHNICALITIES
JK’s tonal preference and testing practice
I report the sound of the Drop + JVC HA-FDX1 using the included green filters, as they painted the most realistic/natural/balanced sound image for my ears. The blue filters create more depth/warmth/fun so that they may work better on the commute with a noisy backdrop. I did not use the white filters at all as they reportedly create little chainsaws. What stroke me first was the natural reproduction of sound, characterized by a heavy note weight, a full body, smoothness, and slight warmth. Bass is mighty, nevertheles is it well textured and controlled without being overbearing. It has natural dynamics, that is realistic punch/attack/decay, which makes percussion instruments or the basso continuo in Baroque orchestral pieces particularly delightful. Sub-bass extension is good.
The midrange is generally very nuanced and clear. Vocals, both male and female, are well sculptured, very realistic, and intimate, although they are slightly recessed. Upper midrange such as high piano notes or high voices can be a bit much at times (but it does not lead to congestion), which is the JVC’s weakest point. The upper midrange can be reduced by using the blue filter, which adds perceived bass while not substantially cutting down the upper midrange perception to my ears. Cymbals are again rather realistic in their attack/decay, in fact they show the most authentic reproduction of any earphone I have tried.
Soundstage and resolution are very good for a dynamic driver, depth is reasonable, but it cannot compete with an expensive hybrid — however it beats any hybrid in terms of natural transients. That said, spatial cues is very good and layering and separation are outstanding. Overall, the Drop + JVC HA-FDX01 excel by their pleasant, homogenous image that makes the shortcomings somewhat irrelevant. In comparison to a typical premium hybrid, the Drop + JVC HA-FDX1 are less aggressive, more organic, and you can turn them up to higher volumes before they start distorting. What I would improve is their sparkle…certain pop genres can come across as a bit blunt.
SELECT COMPARISONS
The Drop + JVC HA-FDX1 sound much more refined and coherent compared to the more loose sounding ($100) iBasso IT01 (which have the strongest sub-bass extension of all earphones I know). The Blon BL-03 ($30) are slightly brighter and less deep but they have a similarly refined, natural sound. Surprise! The modded $50 Hifi Walker A1 are more treble forward, lack the JVC’s note weight and depth, and sound overall thinner and less smooth, but they are certainly worth your while. The $600 Sennheiser IE 500 PRO are utterly lifeless and congested in comparison stemming from a total lack of upper midrange.
VALUE
Are the Drop + JVC HA-FDX1 worth their $250 asking price imo? I write this because that price tag for a dynamic driver earphone was heavily criticized in some discussion by people who had not listened to this earphone. Well, you can pay $1000 for a soso Sennheiser IE800s or $1300 for a bassy Campfire Audio Atlas. But if you get this one, you’ll probably never buy another dynamic driver earphone. I once again put my money where my mouth is and ordered a pair myself.
The answer is therefore yes.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
The Drop + JVC HA-FDX1 are not perfect, but they are getting close. As a recreational listener, I first hear the wonderful tonal balance and accuracy. As an analytical reviewing listener I first hear the good technicalities. What could be improved? Well, resolution and soundstage, possibly, but the timbre alone makes this earphone worthwhile. The Drop + JVC HA-FDX1 is not only an instant classic, it also will be an instant collector’s item.
Keep on listening!
You find an INDEX of all our earphone reviews HERE.
DISCLAIMER
The loaner pair was provided by drop.com and I thank Christian Tanimoto III for his trust and the pleasant communication.
Our generic standard disclaimer
Our Earphones Of The Year!
Unfortunately, Drop won’t send to China for some reasons… Anyway, my Chinese friends wanted to try HA-FDX1 but can’t buy it even when offered US$100 more for shipping… This is how curious and eager the Mainlanders are to try the JVC. US$250 is a steal!
Bro China never sell fd01/02 ?
As they are pretty much the same ,just minus some cotton
Yes!Yes, they do have JVC HA-FD01/02 but selling for around US$350/US$400 respectively. Still better value to pay that extra US$100 for Drop shipping if available.
One more thing to add to the mix… At least they can brag they bought it directly from America… This is big deal to most Mainlanders (face concern).
They should not ‘brag’ about being direct from “America” anymore than bragging about Amazon, which now outsources(because they already make Bezo’s the world’s richest man) all Customer Service, only via chat or via phone(no email)…to India, where many of these Indian’s have not learned adequate English…far from it! Drop is a dishonest company that uses ‘bait N switch’ tactics, I would never buy anything from the drop after signing up and finding out their faux advertisement about $20 off your 1st order. I tried putting 2 Blon-03’s @$60 into checkout, no discount applied. 3x, still no discount.
Then they put in fine print must be more than $30, but the discount will not be applied on just any product, only certain products that have high enough profit margins, such as their long standing Senn 6xx. No, I will not buy anything from the Drop; not while they employ false advertsing from the get go, this is a company to avoid like the black plague.