This is my first review on head-fi - please forgive me some flaws. I am aware the pictures are not very good, but I only have my old handphone available for pictures currently.
Introduction:
It was close to Christmas when the good folks of AV One in Singapore organized an product launch event for the new JH Audio Perfomance Series of their new universal versions
of the JH13v2, JH16v2 and Roxanne. @Andy Regan was on scene and held a great presentation about the new series. Although suffering from jetlag and lost luggage he was in very festive mood and at the end of the presentation he gave away one unit of each model. So I was the lucky guy who walked away with a set of the JH13v2 Pro.
I was very thrilled to make a step into this league of IEMs, coming from the Final Audio F4100 and Heaven V.
I will not bore you with all the technical details. They are well described on the JH Audio website. It has 8 drivers (2 low, 2mid, 4high)
With this review I would like to share my honest opinion. By no way I have been asked to glorify the product. The retail price is 999 USD respectively 1599 SGD.
Design:
The JH13v2 Pro has beautiful crafted mahagoni faceplates and teal JH logos (the model nuber on the left shell and the JH flying lady on the right). For the Asian market
this model comes with shiny silver faceplates and logos in blue colour. The shells are pure, classy black and are produced by 3D-printing.
Packaging and accessories:
The IEMs come in a premium box. Box and carrying case for these giveaway units during product launch have been signed personally by Jerry Harvey.
The box contains the IEMs, the carrying case, silicone and foam tips in 3 sizes each as well as a wax removal tool and a small screw driver for the variable
bass output. All you need, but not more. I am using now a 3-Dollar airtight food container for carrying. Not the most classy solution, but a very practical one
as your IEMs can be put easily inside without squeezing them in, but they also will not roam around so freely as in the usual Pelican 1010 cases.
I do not want the JH signature to be worn off from the original carrying case, which, I should say, could be a tad bigger if you want to use it as intended.
Fit, Comfort and Isolation:
Having quite small ears I was a bit sceptical. But they fit well into my ears without sticking out. JH Audio claims to have scanned through 30,000 of their ear impressions on file
to achieve a universal design which should fit nearly everybody. But here comes the hardest part: Initially the comfort with stock tips was horrible and after 10 minutes I had to
take them out and I felt very relieved. Due to the long nozzle they go very deept into your ear (nearly as deep as Etymotics) and the housing then might cause some pressure to certain parts of your ear.
Since one month I am experimenting with different tips and sizes. I have settled for the meantime with medium sized SpinFits. With these
I can wear them without major problems for 2 hours. I am considering custom tips for the nearer future.
Isolation is stellar. Using it in the MRT and standing directly under the speaker I cannot hear the announcements although I am not listening at very loud volumes.
Warning: Due to the proprietary 4-pin connector most companies exclude these models from reshelling. As per my knowledge als JH Audio themselves do not do reshells. So think twice whether you maybe directly want to order the custom version.
Sound:
Do not expect an avalanche of audiophile expressions. I am not good in that. My sound preference is a more brighter signature. I like details and nice, crisp highs. I am not a basshead.
When I first had them in my ears I got a jawdropping eardrum massage from the bass - the on-cable attentuators are set to full out of the box. That's too much for me but it was impressive how this massively extended bass does not bleeds in the mids. It can be extended to +12db
I very much like the solution with the variable bass screws on the cable. Other IEMs with adjustable bass have these screws on the housing so you have to take them out for adjustment. I am not a big EQ guy and so this solution suits me very well.
Bass: Dry, punchy and very fast. Well defined. No clue what could be done better here. This will suit the taste of even the most stubborn basshead...
Mids are clear and smooth but not as silky and magical as you know it from Final Audio IEMs (specially the Heaven VI). But no complaints here.
Highs: With 4 drivers for the high frequencies I had expected a bit more sparkle and brilliance in the highs. I wouldn't go so far to say that I am disappointed but I am
more kind of a treblehead so it might be just a matter of my personal preference. Also that sparkle which fascinates you first can cause fatigue in the long run.
The JH13v2 sound very smooth and clear in all situations. At no point they are struggling with any part of the frequency range. They cope well with anything you throw at them.
I found them working very well with all music genres in my library, but especially shining with acoustic titles.
I have paired the JH13v2 Pro with my Cayin i5. These work together very well but I believe that a slightly brighter source might end in an even better paring.
Maybe other head-fi members can share their thoughts on that.
Also being actually easy to drive with 28Ohms and 116db SPL I found that the clarity and soundstage are improved when driven with more power, so I am using the
i5 at high gain. I do not hear any noticeable hiss and I am usually sensitive for hiss.
Some of the tracks I usually use when trying earphones:
Eric Clapton - Unplugged: Layla
Bruce Springsteen - Live In Dublin: Jacob's Ladder
Bruce Springsteen - We Shall Overcome: American Land
Count Basie & Duke Elligtion - The Count Meets The Duke: Battle Royal
The Devil Makes Three - The Devil Makes Three: Old Number Seven
Jason Isbell - Something More Than Free: If It Takes A Lifetime
Steve Earle - Copperhead Road: Copperhead Road
Snarky Puppy - We Like It Here: Shofukan
The Aristocrats - Three Caballeros: The Kentucky Meat Shower
The Airborne Toxic Event - Dope Machines: Wrong
Wilco - The Whole Love: Art Of Almost
John Hiatt - Terms Of My Surrender: Marlene
Johhn Cash - American V: If You Could Read My Mind
Mark Knopfler - Sailing To Philadelphia: Sailing To Philadelphia
Conclusion:
If you are looking for a great allrounder with great capabilities in all frequency ranges this might be for you. But it you have the possibility try these before purchase
as the fit and comfort might not be for everybody. Some more tip options would be appreciated. Please, JH Audio, change your supplier for stock tips.
I hope some of you find this review helpful. As mentioned, it is my first shot for a review here.
Introduction:
It was close to Christmas when the good folks of AV One in Singapore organized an product launch event for the new JH Audio Perfomance Series of their new universal versions
of the JH13v2, JH16v2 and Roxanne. @Andy Regan was on scene and held a great presentation about the new series. Although suffering from jetlag and lost luggage he was in very festive mood and at the end of the presentation he gave away one unit of each model. So I was the lucky guy who walked away with a set of the JH13v2 Pro.
I was very thrilled to make a step into this league of IEMs, coming from the Final Audio F4100 and Heaven V.
I will not bore you with all the technical details. They are well described on the JH Audio website. It has 8 drivers (2 low, 2mid, 4high)
With this review I would like to share my honest opinion. By no way I have been asked to glorify the product. The retail price is 999 USD respectively 1599 SGD.
Design:
The JH13v2 Pro has beautiful crafted mahagoni faceplates and teal JH logos (the model nuber on the left shell and the JH flying lady on the right). For the Asian market
this model comes with shiny silver faceplates and logos in blue colour. The shells are pure, classy black and are produced by 3D-printing.
Packaging and accessories:
The IEMs come in a premium box. Box and carrying case for these giveaway units during product launch have been signed personally by Jerry Harvey.
The box contains the IEMs, the carrying case, silicone and foam tips in 3 sizes each as well as a wax removal tool and a small screw driver for the variable
bass output. All you need, but not more. I am using now a 3-Dollar airtight food container for carrying. Not the most classy solution, but a very practical one
as your IEMs can be put easily inside without squeezing them in, but they also will not roam around so freely as in the usual Pelican 1010 cases.
I do not want the JH signature to be worn off from the original carrying case, which, I should say, could be a tad bigger if you want to use it as intended.
Fit, Comfort and Isolation:
Having quite small ears I was a bit sceptical. But they fit well into my ears without sticking out. JH Audio claims to have scanned through 30,000 of their ear impressions on file
to achieve a universal design which should fit nearly everybody. But here comes the hardest part: Initially the comfort with stock tips was horrible and after 10 minutes I had to
take them out and I felt very relieved. Due to the long nozzle they go very deept into your ear (nearly as deep as Etymotics) and the housing then might cause some pressure to certain parts of your ear.
Since one month I am experimenting with different tips and sizes. I have settled for the meantime with medium sized SpinFits. With these
I can wear them without major problems for 2 hours. I am considering custom tips for the nearer future.
Isolation is stellar. Using it in the MRT and standing directly under the speaker I cannot hear the announcements although I am not listening at very loud volumes.
Warning: Due to the proprietary 4-pin connector most companies exclude these models from reshelling. As per my knowledge als JH Audio themselves do not do reshells. So think twice whether you maybe directly want to order the custom version.
Sound:
Do not expect an avalanche of audiophile expressions. I am not good in that. My sound preference is a more brighter signature. I like details and nice, crisp highs. I am not a basshead.
When I first had them in my ears I got a jawdropping eardrum massage from the bass - the on-cable attentuators are set to full out of the box. That's too much for me but it was impressive how this massively extended bass does not bleeds in the mids. It can be extended to +12db
I very much like the solution with the variable bass screws on the cable. Other IEMs with adjustable bass have these screws on the housing so you have to take them out for adjustment. I am not a big EQ guy and so this solution suits me very well.
Bass: Dry, punchy and very fast. Well defined. No clue what could be done better here. This will suit the taste of even the most stubborn basshead...
Mids are clear and smooth but not as silky and magical as you know it from Final Audio IEMs (specially the Heaven VI). But no complaints here.
Highs: With 4 drivers for the high frequencies I had expected a bit more sparkle and brilliance in the highs. I wouldn't go so far to say that I am disappointed but I am
more kind of a treblehead so it might be just a matter of my personal preference. Also that sparkle which fascinates you first can cause fatigue in the long run.
The JH13v2 sound very smooth and clear in all situations. At no point they are struggling with any part of the frequency range. They cope well with anything you throw at them.
I found them working very well with all music genres in my library, but especially shining with acoustic titles.
I have paired the JH13v2 Pro with my Cayin i5. These work together very well but I believe that a slightly brighter source might end in an even better paring.
Maybe other head-fi members can share their thoughts on that.
Also being actually easy to drive with 28Ohms and 116db SPL I found that the clarity and soundstage are improved when driven with more power, so I am using the
i5 at high gain. I do not hear any noticeable hiss and I am usually sensitive for hiss.
Some of the tracks I usually use when trying earphones:
Eric Clapton - Unplugged: Layla
Bruce Springsteen - Live In Dublin: Jacob's Ladder
Bruce Springsteen - We Shall Overcome: American Land
Count Basie & Duke Elligtion - The Count Meets The Duke: Battle Royal
The Devil Makes Three - The Devil Makes Three: Old Number Seven
Jason Isbell - Something More Than Free: If It Takes A Lifetime
Steve Earle - Copperhead Road: Copperhead Road
Snarky Puppy - We Like It Here: Shofukan
The Aristocrats - Three Caballeros: The Kentucky Meat Shower
The Airborne Toxic Event - Dope Machines: Wrong
Wilco - The Whole Love: Art Of Almost
John Hiatt - Terms Of My Surrender: Marlene
Johhn Cash - American V: If You Could Read My Mind
Mark Knopfler - Sailing To Philadelphia: Sailing To Philadelphia
Conclusion:
If you are looking for a great allrounder with great capabilities in all frequency ranges this might be for you. But it you have the possibility try these before purchase
as the fit and comfort might not be for everybody. Some more tip options would be appreciated. Please, JH Audio, change your supplier for stock tips.
I hope some of you find this review helpful. As mentioned, it is my first shot for a review here.
