This sounds more and more like a winner. I really like the modded FD02, but it has 3 weaknesses, the micropore tape mod is not as clean or robust as James' mod, the cable needs to be changed, and the bass could be a little tighter. I am really excited about the FDX1, it promises to solve all of these points and add the option of swapping nozzles, all for less than a pair of FD02+upgrade cable! I have the money set aside and will be placing the order as soon as it becomes available.
It's good if you want to hear every bass note clearly delineated and not just a thick mush of bass with bass-heavy tracks. It's bad if you're a die-hard basshead and prefer bass quantity over quality.
Second Update Post!: https://drop.com/talk/25227/more-details-graphs-the-first-reviews Updated Post #2 in this thread with Jude Graphs: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/dro...iem-available-in-the-us.912737/#post-15116330
Jude's graph seems easier to compare to Oxygen since both have been measured from the same rig and 90dBSPL at 1kHz. Moondrop A8 and Oxygen versus JVC FD1X (unmodded): If FD1X goes deeper at sub-bass and keep the punch and improves note-weight, wow, it'll be really really awesome to my taste.
Ok, my pre-release sample will ship back to Drop next week, so I’ve tried to condense my thoughts, as well as various questions I’ve been asked, into a brief Q&A on the FDX1: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/dro...iem-available-in-the-us.912737/#post-15116446
Look what came in the mail today! A BIG thanks to Drop for letting me have a listen to these. I'll be posting a proper review of them in the next few days, but here's my hot take, first impression of them: They sound pretty freakin' fantastic! More to come....