Introducing the Contenders

Following the epic 2019 cage match between the NiceHCK NX7 and the TRN V90, our second fight is between two highly appreciated single dynamic-driver earphones: the challenger is the Sennheiser $349 IE 400 PRO taking on the $250 defender of the title, the Japanese JVC HA-FDX1.

The two contenders were chosen for different reasons. First, the Sennheiser IE 400 PRO is a relatively unknown model sandwiched between their budget IE 40 PRO and their flagship IE 500 PRO. Only recently did the IE 400 PRO surface as the winner of our internal Sennheiser competition. The company’s lates model, the Sennheiser IE 300, is very similar in terms of tuning and sound to the IE 300 (same frequency responses).

The JVC HA-FDX1 evolved from the screamy JVC HA-FD1 with the help of some Super Best Audio Friends, one of which suggested tuning filters to JVC. The resulting product was picked up and distributed by drop.com.

Let’s introduce the two fighters one by one:

Round 1: Packaging

Entirely unimportant for the build, haptic, or sound of any earphone, only good for marketing. As George Foreman said: “Never judge a fighter by his locker room“…replied notorious Casanova: “Never judge a book by its cover”. Got it?

In this case, the comparison would be unfair anyway as the drop-issued JVC HA-FDX1 came in a small, plain, unlabelled beige cardboard box (to minimize cost as it is not sold in stores) whereas the Sennheiser IE-400 was embedded in an oversized glossy package aiming to wave at the customer in an electronics store.

Round 2: Accessories, Build & Features

Both fighters are rather lean on accessories – and pretty much on par in terms of eartips selection and carrying case. The JVC HA-FDX1 offers three pairs of attachable nozzles for different sound signatures and the Sennheiser IE 400 PRO a cleaning tool.

In terms of build, the JVC HA-FDX1 are made of metal and the Sennheisers of some – I speculate – medical grade resin. The Sennheiser IE 400 PRO appear haptically less spectacular but are likely as rugged as it gets.

The JVC HA-FDX1 have a heavy quality cable that is attached by notoriously unreliable MMCX connectors – but one can therefore attach aftermarket cables. The Sennheiser IE 400 PRO have a a rugged proprietary connector and only Sennheiser cables can be connected. This section has no clear winner.

Round 3: Size, Fit, Ergonomics, Isolation

This one goes clearly to the Sennheiser IE 400 PRO: the shells are light, small, flat, and they sit flush held by a comfortable deformable/flexible memory wire. They are as comfortable as it gets and of maximum isolation.

The JVC HA-FDX’s metal shells are bulky and heavy. A least you can rotate the nozzles to wear the cable over-ear or under-ear. But the shells can become uncomfortable when wearing them for extended periods.

Round 4: Drivability

Even Steven. Both are not only driven easily by my iPhone, they also sound good without amplification. If amplified, the Sennheiser IE 400 PRO like a more neutral amp such as the Earstudio HUD100 whereas the JVC HA-FDX1 sound with with a warm amp such as the AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt, ifi Audio hip-dac or nano BL.

Round 5: Tonality and Technicalities

There is no doubt that the neutrally tuned JVC HA-FDX1 are technically and tonally superior over the warmer Sennheiser IE 400 PRO. They have a tighter bass, better midrange clarity and resolution, and better treble energy.

BUT: the warm Senns have better cohesion, they don’t have that glaring midrange sometime bordering on shoutiness, and the sound does not break up when playing them really loud.

The Sennheiser IE 400 PRO are more agreeable sounding and less fatiguing in the long run and they would probably still get the listener’s choice award over the JVC HA-FDX1.

Round 6: Practical Everyday Use

At home, the Sennheiser IE 400 PRO, considering their flatter shells, are more comfortable in bed (when rolling on the side).

On the road, the Sennheiser IE 400 PRO are also favourable because of their elevated bass and better seal both counteracting ambient environmental noise. They also fit better tighter with their memory wire and are overall more comfortable.

The JVC HA-FDX1 are best for serious music listening in an armchair at home. People will probably use the Sennheiser IE 400 PRO more often out of convenience.

Round 7: The Grand Finale

After a hard fight there is no real winner. Each of the contenders has their pros and cons. The JVC HA-FDX1 is a more technical earphone for living room use and the Sennheiser IE 400 PRO is more quality soul food for the road. Both are complementary. In the end, we keep both contenders in the cage until further notice.

Until next time…keep on listening!

The post Cage Match: JVC HA-FDX1 vs. Sennheiser IE 400 PRO appeared first on Audio Reviews.

Our inaugural fight is between two superhyped and therefore currently hot budget iems: the NiceHCK NX7 (first batch of 2000 sold out) and its challenger, the up-and-coming TRN V90. We also throw a NiceHCK M6 in the cage with them, possibly as referee. Let’s say what happens…

The bad ahead: none of these three works well ootb. They all have to be tinkered with to unleash their full potential.

ROUND 1: PACKAGING

Just kidding. Unimportant. As Muhammed Ali said: “Never judge a fighter by his hotel room“…replied Hugh Hefner: “Never judge a dick by its condom“. Got it?

ROUND 2: ACCESSORIES

Horror all around. The cage match has to be interrupted for installing some add-ons and giving these guys some water.

ROUND 3: BUILD (earpieces only)

M6 = V90 > NX7; the M6/V90 have impeccable CnC machined shells, the NX7 is about the same build as the KZ ZSN PRO. Still no reason to complain other than the NX7’s design lacks imagination. But who really cares. Some extra points go to the NX7 and V90 for having the more reliable two-pin connectors (whereas you may hope for luck that the MMCX connectors of the M6 will last).

ROUND 4: SIZE

Sure, size matters, particularly when you stick stuff in your ears.

M6 > NX7 > V90; this means the V90 has the smallest earpieces…which is good. M6 and V90 are equally well fitting and comfortable with their rounded corners, the NX7 are marginally behind…but this varies from ear to ear.

ROUND 5: TONALITY AND TECHNICALITIES

For this comparison, I used the NiceHCK NX7 as is (unmodded, no micropore tape, Tennmak Whirlwind wide-bore tips) and the TRN V90 with the JVC Spiral Dots eartips as in the review. To make it short, the V90 win this one. They have more life, they are clearer, they have the harder beat, and they are easier to drive. The NiceHCK NX7 do not dig that deep, they don’t have the wide soundstage, they are less exciting, they are more difficult to drive, however they are smoother (and flatter and less intimate) in the midrange. The TRN V90 are a bit grittier in the mids, they have more sparkle, and they offer much better (= more natural) transients such as cymbals attack and decay. The M6 as cage referee lack bass kick (low end is really thick and slow) but they have the best note weight and the fullest midrange.

FINAL ROUND

Overall, the TRN V90 has a smoother and fuller sound than the NiceHCK NX7. This lies in the bassier nature of the V90 and the thinner midrange of the NX7. The V90 also has the smoother treble of the two. The NiceHCK M6 wins the midrange contest but lacks the exciting bass kick the other two guys offer. In the end, the TRN V90 can leave the cage and settle down somewhere in the Rocky Mountains.

Keep on listening!

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