So you guys been waiting for something on these. Well here it is. I bought these the last time I was on ebay ordering the HA-S400 which is fantastic JVC product that you all should look into when they come to the states. Those on ears have 30mm Carbon Nanotube drivers and will cost a mere $25 or so on the streets. Anyway that is another product. These are JVCs unknown newest earphones the JVC FX31.
- Specifications:
- Model: dynamic type
- Code ：1.2m（Y type ） 3.5 mm dia. 24 gold plated L type stereo mini plugs
- Playback frequency: 8 Hz-23000 Hz
- Impedance: 16 ohm
- Output sound pressure level: 101dB/1mW
- Weight: approx. 3.2 g (without code)
- Maximum allowable input: 200 mW IEC
As with any JVC product this year these definitely throw more than the cost payed for them. They cost currently on ebay for around $27 with about $13 shipped to you. As far as I know yet another Japan only product. And these and the FX101 are the only 2 earphones that JVC did not use their astounding Carbon nanotube material so it seems they have faith in the old standard drivers as they still use them. But we all know the old drivers have been the industry standard for countless years for a reason. It is all about the tuning.
The Looks of the earphones look bigger on the pics but these are actually very small, one of the most comfy earphones I have ever put into my ears actually as much like the FX40 use an overall smaller housing and smaller drivers..The build is identical to the FX40. Exact actually. Including minimal microphonics which I love about JVC stuff. The packaging is similar to the Philips or Panasonic earphones in that it is a bare minimum packaging. Extra tips in the 3 sizes and a clip but no pouch.
So it seems these were made for your consumer to pick up and start enjoying with your phone or dap.And for the intended use they shine. What is interesting is how they tuned these. This is what I mean. Read on.
The sound?
Sparkly treble is the main feature of these earphones. Treble fans should take note. These have a sparkle to the treble that I haven't heard since the old JVC FXC51. I would say about equal to them actually. More colored in the upper spectrum? Yes. So much so I had to burn them in right away to see if it settles. And settle they have after 40 hours of burn in. The mids are at a neutral level but since the highs and the bass has a bit more presence we will call it the U of JVC..
The highs are more refined over the FX101 and I would say have a similar level of emphasis as the FX40. However a bit more colored. The mids while accurate are somewhat flat in sound and not as forward as I would like them to be especially the upper mids to go with the sparkly treble. Instrument separation and definition is clean but I can't help but notice the laid back mids in comparison the sparkle these have..Sibilance on some tunes are detectable but nothing that will make you cringe. Probably one of the best examples of sparkle in your treble I have heard. The air chamber I noticed help the definition in the tunes I am hearing and while these earphones are small in nature has a nice sense of space in ear for stage. It is not wide nor small. Average at best. Depth of your tunes benefits from the bigger back end so nice depth to the definition as well.
The bass end is interesting. As crystalline as the highs are at picking up the little nuances of them highs the bass end is full on. The bass end is somewhere between the FX101 and the FX40. In other words solid. The bass will surprise you as they don't seem like a bassy type iem and they aren't but when Lil wayne throws them Low lo beats that textured sub bass hit smooth deep and even. So the bass end is all smiles. Just as detailed as it is in the highs. The mid bass is lesser than the sub bass emphasis but for the most part Just like all the other JVC headphones this year JVC did not leave out the bass end for these earphones. Perfect for this sound actually.. EDM, Hip Hop. Modern music sound fantastic on the earphones.
Now this is the part that I am somewhat mixed up about. Do I recommend these? Yes and no. What I mean by this? As sparkly and somewhat special I find the sound to the full on sub bass these have. I feel the FX40 and the FX101 both offer a similar type sound and in some cases does things a bit better than these for not even half the cost. But for the guys that don't own a FX40 and or a FX101. These FX31s offer some of the better parts of both earphones while throwing out something that is special on these over them..That crazy crystal like sparkle for one. I also feel the definition in the sound is a step above the FX40 and the bass a bit tighter than the FX101 while reaching just as deep.
With so many new products that will be out this year these are going to be another product much like the FX3X. Special in their own right yet will not get much attention..Fans of sparkly treble and deep full sub bass. Check them out in your favorite color. If not. Now you know what they are like. I feel these are an unofficial upgrade to both the FX40 and the FX101. There are enough sound refinements to these that justifies the bump in cost I would say. Plus they are some of the most comfy earphones on this planet. Similar size to the SHE3580.
call me crazy or whatever. oh, by the way - these go uo quite high - 17khz at normal listening volumes and up to 20 if you cranck the volume a bit. sub bass - well, I feel and kinda hear it at 20hz, and feel it till about 15 lol. 
