JVC HA-FX700 review : WOODEN KING of Dynamic iems - Page 11

The frequency graphs only tell a part of the story.  For instance the W4 graphs I've seen have a slight bump in the mids and the SM3's do not, yet the SM3 mids are more forward.  The JVC's do have a dip in the mids yet do not place you as far away as other V shaped phones, such as the UE TF10.

 

Doing a direct compare of the SM3 and the FX700, both of which are well used with many hours, on my new favorite reference song: The Barry Williams Show by Peter Gabriel, the SM3 and JVC's presentation couldn't be more unlike.

 

The SM3 puts you on stage with the band.  Peter sounds like he is singing next to you, not in front of you and the backup singers sound just as up front as he does, with less separation between the vocalists due to this presentation.  On the JVC's Peter is placed in front of you and the background singers are a little behind him and to the sides.  Along with the SM3's presentation putting you on stage, I find they are less dynamics than the JVC's.  There is less difference between quieter and louder passages.  Dynamics is one of the JVC's strongest features and the wooden housing and wooden driver add a sense of reverb not found in other phones, further adding to it's realism.

 

I find the SM3 puts more emphasis on instrument separation, whereas the JVC's are more organic but have a better micro details.  When it comes to life like instrument sound, there isn't any comparison, the JVC's sound much more realistic to my ears.  It is most noticeable in the horned instruments, bass and kicks.  Also to my ears, cymbals/hi-hats/rides sound more realistic as well.  Oddly enough, it is the synthesizers that sound more realistic on the SM3.  The SM3 is definitely more neutral than the JVC's but JVC's sound more natural with greater energy.  With the SM3's I feel like I'm possibly in the studio or on stage with the musicians, where with the JVC's I'm in the audience at a live venue.

 

All this being said, both are very good phones and it comes down to preferences.  Do you want a neutral studio monitor presentation or do you want dynamic, in your face, live performance presentation?  It's definitely a personal choice and who knows, maybe you won't hear it the same as me.

 

Pinoyman, this pic is for you:

 

Edited by shotgunshane - 6/30/11 at 6:04pm

 

Nice!! And killer review. Is there ANY isolation with these? Unfortunately iso is very important to me, but in many ways I think I would really like these dynamics

 

As you suggested they are comparably quite different & I gave my opinions because I felt some of the differences between the two IEM's  were being compared on a sound quality basis rather than the unique sound trait  difference's between the FX700 Dynamic drivers and The Earsonic SM3 's balanced Armature Drivers   .

 

Though I'm not judging the credibility of the OP's passion for the FX700. & I am truly happy that anyone else on this earth enjoys music in whatever Way they choose.The more time we spent enjoying peacefully non destructive activities the better for all. The OP is a music fan as am I whom enjoys listening with the FX700 as I also do . 

 

Adding to the information on this thread, or any other, and counter arguing against information that you feel is not wholly accurate is to be encouraged . 

 

Both the OP and I can hear the Beautiful dynamic nature of the FX700's 

 

 

 

 

Edited by ib1dance - 7/2/11 at 2:34pm

I would say the JVC's give you about 80% to 85% of the isolation a normal IEM gives you.  I've only used mine indoors, so I don't know how wind noise would be but I can tell you I still miss my office phone every time it rings while listening to music with them.

I know that I won't hear the same as you nor anyone else .

 

I'd describe the difference more like ,do you want the precise and true to source connected in your head SM3 vibe with a very personal isolated feeling or do you want the slightly more forward and bigger sound with more a V frequency color and  with comparably less of a isolated feeling of the FX700's .

 

My answer would be if you can is to enjoy the best characteristics of both dynamic and balanced IEM's .As the SM3's and FX700's are surely some of the very very best in there class

 

Saying one type is better than another is neglecting to enjoy the difference's they offer .

Edited by ib1dance - 7/2/11 at 2:32pm

deleted due to incorrect information

Edited by ib1dance - 7/2/11 at 2:28pm

Hey shotgunshane I just want to thank you for the above info & apologize for my not quite so accurate description of the fx700's frequency signature . When I first read the 80% to 85% isolation  I just presumed that you may of  slightly over exaggerating the amount of Isolation the FX700's gave you .

 

I thought I had achieved a decent enough fit using the largest stock buds . And has they are dynamic headphones wrongly presumed that if the fit wasn't as air tight as for example my SM3's it wouldn't matter so much .I have now found out that my presumption was wrong .

 

I've just modded the stock silicon tips by piggy backing on another silicon tip on top of them to make them xtra large . This has made a nice tight fit and with it came a huge improvement with the FX700's Frequency signature .

 

The tighter seal as brought the bass and lower mids volume up considerably . Thus the FX700's were not way too bright as I originally heard .It was merely a incorrect seal which was skewing the frequency signature .

 

They are still on the bright side though for my personal taste but far more palatable without EQ then I first heard .

 

 

Hey that's great news. I was going to suggest to you using Sony Hybrid tips, a their slightly smaller sound hole tames treble as well. If you decide to try them, just make sure to use real hybrids as they are much softer and more comfortable than the fake, although both sound the same. Glad to hear they are bringing you more enjoyment.

I'm seriously considering buying a pair of these... they seem to fit my sound preferences perfectly, and I just cant bear waiting any longer for my JH3A without something decent to tide me over.

 

I actually am hoping for as little isolation as possible.   I would love to be able to replace my sennheiser OMX980's (they are earbuds not IEM's) with these, but i need something that i can carry on a low level conversation with while hiking, and possibly not even turning my music all the way off. 

 

EDIT: JUST PULLED THE TRIGGER - i used amazon.jp and tenso.com as my forwarding service.. a great deal!

Edited by Br777 - 7/6/11 at 11:49pm

First day spent with them in for nearly 4 hours. Can't complain!

I have only heard both EX1000 and FX700 and IE8, so i cant say anything bout the GR10, But if i have to ever slap a advertising slogan for each of them it will probably goes :

EX1000 : "No one possess the duality of Supreme Clarity and Tonal Correctness with healthy yet sturdy lows and bass as I do among us"

 

FX700 : "Talk about the absolute combination Dynamics & Timbre with Micro-Detail Retrieval in the Highs and Lows, The two guys ain't have any nuts on me"

 

IE8 : "For a dynamic possessing Extensive Treble, I am capable of hitting BIGGER BASS than both of them for the screwdrivers can screw me up but not them~! I am the ancestor of what large soundstage of a football field-size is supposed to mean --- Urgh.. wait, *Re-thinks about Ex1000's Headstage and Fx700's dynamic-aided soundstage* F it, Forget what i just said"

 

Of course, its only what i heard from my gear, my views and perspective, for the subjective audio matters, ymmv for everyone

How would you guys say the HA-FX700 does with guitars? Are they aggressive sounding enough? Also, are they sibilant at all?

They are probably the best iems with accoustic guitars, especially due to the wooden housing. They are not very aggressive with electric guitars, as must of dynamic driver based iems, but still extremely good sounding.