JVC FD01: A new contender for best DD IEM?

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by james444, Jun 20, 2018.

  1. CEE TEE

    CEE TEE MOT: NITSCH

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  2. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    The FD01 can really scale. The sound better out of my GO V2A then from the ZX300 and better still from my Gilmore Lite Mk2 + Bitfrost2 than the GO. More spacious, resolving and dynamic.

    After my questioning of the price I've placed an order for the Drop version. Curious if I'll hear a difference but even if not, I don't mind having an extra pair. These are my favorite IEMs I've heard and not by an insignificant margin.
     
  3. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    I prefer the ZX300 balanced over the GOV2+ balanced with the FD-01s, but I do agree with you that they scale.
     
  4. Ronion

    Ronion New

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    So am I right in thinking that the alcohol swab is not physically attached? It’s just the pressure caused by the uncoiling that holds it in place? I want to try this mod on other IEMs that have similar issues.
     
  5. jafnvaegi

    jafnvaegi Friend

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    That's correct, I've not had any movement going on the recommended size for the pad cutout in mine (had the mod for about 1.5 years now, or maybe longer...quantifying time during covid is difficult lol). The only consideration is depending on your other IEMs, you may need to adjust the size if the inner bore is wider or more narrow, but in theory it'll work just fine. I've done this with other IEMs before using the same method or other materials like felt and open-cell foam, it's just very easy on these since the nozzle has a detachment feature. Good luck and post some results somewhere once you've experimented ^-^
     
  6. Ronion

    Ronion New

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    Excellent! Thank you jafnvaegi! I probably need to build a measurement rig to do this properly. My guess is that the effects should be similar.

    I have the Drop version of these and I have to say they are my overall favorite headphones and not by a little bit.
     
  7. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    I wanted to give these guys a proper review of my thoughts on the modded HA-FD01.

    Sources: Vali 2+, NW-ZX300

    Followed the instructions for mods and yes, you have to be careful in inserting the cotton roll as you can push out the front filter. And you don't want that filter coming off in your ear canal.

    These things are unreal. The only real weakness is the slightly hazy bass. However, the immediacy and clarity is amazing. They are dynamic when they need to be and have a kind of authoritative sound with leading edges that are not harsh. They can sound open and have sounds wider than your head.

    The most impressive thing about them (that I am suprised no-one hardly mentioned in this thread or the FDX1 thread) is how non-congested they are. IEM's to me are like closed headphones. They are not supposed to be open and have space. However, these have do not have much congestion and with some complicated passages can breeze through them without a problem. Some would call this effortless, some might say sharp, or space between instruments, and amps can do this or take away from this, but no matter what the source, these open up and have this clarity and details to them. Part the damping control, part the carbon driver.

    Basically, they sound like small bookshelf studio monitors to me. Very quick and responsive, almost like those famous paper driver studio monitors. Actually yes, they are very reminiscent of sitting in front of NS-10's with just a hair more bass and not the high-mid grain harshness. I think that is why I have been kind of addicted to them ever since I modded them and have a hard time taking them out. Drums sound fantastic and rich with excellent timbre over BA's thin papery timbre. And because I am just imagining bookshelf speakers in front of me, I don't miss the bass as much, even though yes, there is less texture and less overall impact of the low end.

    Compared to something like Moondrop Starfield, the Starfield certainly has a much more agreeable FR, but it is also kind of 2D. Like going back to M50 headphones, whereas the FD01's are more like going to HD600's. Not exactly, but that is the best way of describing it. The Starfields just have a kind of loss of dynamics and details on the top end. The energy is all spent down low and some of the deeper details and transients are more washed over.

    I would not say these or even the FDX1's are for everybody. They do have somewhat clinical or some would say sterile sound to them, but when you have heard properly tuned studio reference monitors in a properly treated room, you know that sound. I do like Marv's comments about horn speakers (not like they sound like Klipsch), but more like pro tuned TAD monitors or something.

    Note; they do like warmer sources, like the ZX300, and I switched over to my warmer Phillips 6DJ8 on the Vali 2+ to make them more enjoyable over longer listening sessions.

    tldr; these are legit and no doubt TOTL, but not for who want warm bass or those that avoid clinical sounding IEM's. Although a very rewarding experience if you do.
     
  8. señorhifi

    señorhifi Friend

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    Finally got myself a pair as well (I know I am sooooo late to the party). I tried the ER4XR before these and disliked them for their boring presentation, mainly caused by a lack of slam, soundstage (width and depth), and the well known BA timbre (especially in the bass, which really lacked texture).

    These are nothing like those. These slam, and do have width and depth to the soundstage (nothing crazy, but it's there). Unlike the ER4XR, these stay coherent in terms of detail retrieval across all frequencies, whereas the Etys lacked resolution in the bass region. The FR as a whole is also more consistent and neutral. Etys follow the DF target, which naturally introduces odd dips in the treble, which, for example, causes high hats to loose their shimmer. The JVCs are more akin to the HD6X0 series in terms of tuning (once modded). Great stuff.

    This has been mentioned a million times before, but stock, these are not good. Bright, annoying, shouty, unnatural, and tiny comes to mind. Once modded, all of that is gone. Modded, they truly have great tone to them.
     
  9. señorhifi

    señorhifi Friend

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    Hmm, I am starting to notice that despite my modding efforts, these still have a slightly metallic sound to them. I feel like I am 10% short of a perfect FR. Would the iFi Hip DAC warm these up a bit?
     
  10. HotRatSalad

    HotRatSalad Friend

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    https://drop.com/buy/jvc-ha-fd01-iem

    Is this a good price on these @ 129 ?
    I've tried to love iems but all the ones i tried with the over the ear cables and big housings just don't work for me. I need something more like a regular ear bud that doesn't sound like shit. Need something for when I can't put full size cans on or laying down. Thanks in advance to the experts
     
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  11. james444

    james444 Mad IEM modding wizard level 99

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    In your case, I would advise against the FD01/FDX1, as they're rather heavy IEMs with big housings.

    If you want something light and open, I'd recommend the TGXEAR Serratus, which are surprisingly capable earbuds. IMHO, they need a bit of EQ to tame their treble, but otherwise they're pretty amazing.

    https://www.head-fi.org/threads/tgxear-discussion-thread.964894/page-34#post-17302308
     
  12. HotRatSalad

    HotRatSalad Friend

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    Wow a 300ohm IEM interesting. Probably sounds great out of piety.
    Will definitely consider.

    That price is right on the JVC though. Most of my issue with IEM I tried was the cable around the ear deal, maybe the JVC won't bug me since cable down ?
     
  13. jafnvaegi

    jafnvaegi Friend

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    In my experience, these can be easily worn both ways as the nozzle rotates, but of course comfort will vary from ear to ear (from the experience of having friends also try it). This price is a great value considering some of us early buyers imported these for close to $400, but as james444 mentioned they are quite heavy for an IEM. I can wear them comfortably down and with a good sealing tip (the stock tips are quite good) while sitting, but if you are walking/traveling with them they'd be more secure worn over ear as it's a rather shallow fit. Worn down while walking at a moderate pace is possible with a good seal for me, but not jogging/running. The nozzle mod for tuning is necessary IMO.
     
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