JVC FD01: A new contender for best DD IEM?

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

  1. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,028
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Philly - Yo
    Looks like my order of FD01's made it out of Hong Kong just before CNY. Phew! Tracking them to the US and will have to start looking for some of that high tech prep-pad stuff! Cheers
     
  2. Phantaminum

    Phantaminum Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2018
    Likes Received:
    1,978
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    Just received these today.

    The metal housing feels solid as a tank. Looks to be able to hold up to the constant abuse of being thrown in a bag and being on the go.

    Added James mod and I'm letting it do some brain burn in. Right now I'm really enjoying what I'm hearing: Timbre, Tone, Air, Bass, and Pace. At this point the only thing I can complain about is that somewhere in the upper mids/lower treble region it feels somewhat shelved compared to everything else. I'm using the default ear tips which could be causing the issue. I'll start the ear tip rolling tomorrow and see where that gets me. Not bad for $370!

    Also, these can take a bit of power to push them. I had it hooked up to the SE input of the Liquid Platinum and got to 9 - 10 o'clock on the knob. The Verites usually sits at 10 - 11.
     
  3. Metro

    Metro Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,590
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    San Francisco
    I've been trying the FD01 with Comply foam tips, and I like the results. The Comply SmartCore series has a stretchy core that fits a wide range of nozzle diameters, and it fits the FD01.
    https://www.amazon.com/Comply-SmartCore-Earphones-Cancelling-Comfortable/dp/B075RDCZ4X

    I listen mostly to classical music, and even with the mod I find that the FD01 still has a bit of high end sizzle that I don't hear in live acoustic instruments such as violin and brass. The Comply tips (combined with the mod) smooths out the treble. There is some loss of airiness and detail that not everybody will like, but for me it makes the sound more natural and closer to what I hear in live classical performance.

    In my ears, the Comply also form a better seal (I can feel it) than the Spiral Dots. This resulted in increased bass and lower extension. If you already have a good seal with the supplied tips, you might not get the same effect that I did.

    The overall result is that Comply tips gave me a more natural and warmer sound which I like. Some of you may find it too dark and warm. I only wish that the Comply was as comfortable and convenient as the Spiral Dots.
     
  4. james444

    james444 Mad IEM modding wizard level 99

    Pyrate Flathead IEMW
    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2016
    Likes Received:
    2,100
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Vienna, Austria
    Apart from the changes in bass you're getting from better seal, what's the advantage regarding treble as compared to just using a longer filter strip?
     
  5. Metro

    Metro Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,590
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    San Francisco
    I did try longer strips (went up to 2 cm), but was still hearing an edgy sound in violins and brass. It took the foam tips to bring it down. However, I've only tried one brand of pad – I could look for a denser or different brand. I'm not good at describing what I hear but my guess is that there might be a peak at a specific frequency that I'm sensitive to.
     
  6. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,028
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Philly - Yo
    Got the FD01's in the house!

    [​IMG]

    Shipment from HK didn't take too long, thanks to getting them ordered right before CNY.

    Just plugged them into my NW-WM1Z via my balanced MMCX cable from CFA. Upon first listening I can see they have real potential, with textured and present bass and some good detail retrieval, although they're not too well balanced IMHO to start. Have my 100 count box of prep-pads waiting for the mod - will jump into that tomorrow.

    Thanks @james444 - you're a true stud and your mods haven't steered me wrong yet.
     
  7. Phantaminum

    Phantaminum Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2018
    Likes Received:
    1,978
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    I find that I’m really enjoying the sound from these IEMs but I’m having an issue dealing with the weight. After about an hour my ears feel tired from the weight. I had to swap out to the iPods just so my ears felt a little reprieve. Any pointers on positioning (I have them over the ear) or tips?
     
  8. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2015
    Likes Received:
    4,495
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    42°S
    Ortofons could possibly solve both you problems.

    Spiral Dots are normally my go-to but they don’t seem ideal with FD01, which is ironic as they are JVC IEMs. I was still noticing some occasional peakiness in the treble post mod, but Ortofons have apparently tamed whatever was going on. I also find them to provide a more secure fit than the default tips.
     
  9. james444

    james444 Mad IEM modding wizard level 99

    Pyrate Flathead IEMW
    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2016
    Likes Received:
    2,100
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Vienna, Austria
    The way I'm wearing these and found the weight least fatiguing, is angled upwards with housings as close as possible to the pinna. The more the housings stick out from your ear, the more you will feel the weight.

    [​IMG]


    As another option, you could try these Xcessor FX4.9 foam tips:

    https://www.amazon.com/Xcessor-Earphone-Earbuds-Replacement-Headphones/dp/B071LJR9PL/

    Personally, I prefer the stock tips, but the Xcessor are softer / comfier without muffling the sound too much.
     
  10. Luge

    Luge Acquaintance

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2017
    Likes Received:
    37
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Czech Republic
    Mine arrived today. Out of the box:

    • The build is excellent and I am impressed with the details (metal slider on the cable, jack connector, ...).
    • They are a bit bulky for my ears (I have rather small ears) and I am concerned about long time comfort.
    • I like the low end up to the male vocals; female vocals and above feel a bit edgy/harsh and sometimes sibilant (e.g. Cold Play: Hymn for the Weekend). I will install the James's mod later which I hope will address this for me.
    Anyway, thanks james444 for finding this IEM and the mod!
     
    Last edited: Feb 14, 2019
  11. Phantaminum

    Phantaminum Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2018
    Likes Received:
    1,978
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    Thank you for the pointers James. Going to give them a try and see how it goes. I’ll be buying different tips and see where that gets me as well.
     
  12. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,028
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Philly - Yo
    Dang it, the 100 pack of prep wipes I bought from CVS have a pad that is a thicker single layer, not the double-layer like the ones @james444 shows in his directions. Ugh. Due to this when I cut a 6mm x 13mm strip and rolled it up the piece completely filled the tube in the FD01s, and this really dampened things down too much. I then cut those pieces in half and ended up with kind of a U shaped pad inside the tubes, and that sounds better, but not sure if it's optimal. Will now be on the hunt for a thinner type of padding, although I really would rather not have to buy another big box of prep wipes!

    Wonder if the sanitizing wipes they give out at places like Chick-Fil-A would yield a similar padding material and exhibit the proper sound properties? Thoughts anyone?

    Thanks all
     
  13. james444

    james444 Mad IEM modding wizard level 99

    Pyrate Flathead IEMW
    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2016
    Likes Received:
    2,100
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Vienna, Austria
    @shotgunshane had the same problem at first. You have to look for "2-ply" alcohol pads.

    Here are the cheapest I found on ebay: Chinese seller, free worldwide shipping:
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/100Pcs-70-...Use-Antiseptic-Wipes-Home-Travel/263453981754

    And here are the cheapest US-based ones, free shipping to US buyers:
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/MEDIUM-STE...e-FREE-FAST-SHIPPING-Exp-09-2019/202114531647
     
    Last edited: Feb 14, 2019
  14. Metro

    Metro Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,590
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    San Francisco
    You should have Walgreens in your area. Their store brand pads are 2-layer (see my post #139).
     
  15. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,028
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Philly - Yo
    @james444 - Thanks for the info. Might be good to also go back to your original posting where you give the directions and add in the part about the 2-ply pads (unless you're secretly a prep-pad sales person and this is all part of your master plan!). Cheers
     
  16. Soups

    Soups Sadomasochistic cat

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,598
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    WA
    Oh, get ready, for @james444 Brand™ Audiophile Wipes (2-Ply). Galvanically isolated will be extra, a lot extra.
     
  17. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,028
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Philly - Yo
    Exactly! I'd also be on the lookout for the limited edition neon green version to match his avatar...
     
  18. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,028
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Philly - Yo
    Also just played around a little bit in using a piece of micropore tape - folding the sticky side over on itself to make a pad, and then cutting this to size, rolling it up and inserting in the tube. Doesn't absorb quite as much of the HF, which gives a slightly brighter presentation (than the u-shaped single-ply prep pad) that some might prefer. Lots of things to try! @james444 is infecting us with the tinkerer's curse! Cheers
     
  19. james444

    james444 Mad IEM modding wizard level 99

    Pyrate Flathead IEMW
    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2016
    Likes Received:
    2,100
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Vienna, Austria
    Done. Thanks for your suggestion!

    And best of all, @james444 audiophile alcohol wipes will come in different varieties, to match your favorite singer's taste. Choose "Southern Comfort" if you like Janis Joplin, "Jack Daniels" if you're a Sinatra fan, "Jameson" for Lady Gaga, and so on...

    Guaranteed to make your favorite singer sound like the artist intended!
     
  20. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,028
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Philly - Yo
    Damn these things punch way above their weight.

    Spending the afternoon listening to (and occasionally tweaking them) while I'm working and they are quite captivating and enjoyable to listen to, especially for a sub-$400 IEM. The build quality, the tweakability, the MMCX connectors allowing for easy cable swaps - it all adds up to a great deal.

    Will now move onto more critical listening and comparisons, but once again well done JVC and @james444!
     

Share This Page