i just bought these less than a week ago. i wouldn't consider myself an "audiophile." sometimes, i can't stand music at all, but i do appreciate quality and a spatial sound signature. i'm also on a budget right now and need a quick fix for morning subway commute because my akg k350 are unbearably uncomfortable any more. it's cold out here, in toronto, so over ears will have to wait, but long story short here is my take on the jvc fx3x:
first of all the iphone/android/blackberry label is a damn gimmick. i was disappointed when instead of an iremote i had to settle for some cord-reduction contraption. these are not headsets, so no mic, no volume control. no biggie, but the label is lame
secondly, what i like about these and jvc, these are honest headphones. they deliver on the "punchy bass" claim. it doesn't maul you over the head. it keeps jabbing away, and i like it. for electronic music, these are great. this includes hip/hop
thirdly, their are damn comfortable. i was this | | close to getting earpods because i couldn't' stand how the k350 wrecked my ear canal, but buying stock apple buds felt demented even though they sound ok. they do a fine work keeping the subway din out. i don't like total sound isolation. i find it uncomfortable both psychologically and physically. these do just fine -- some outside feedback with minimal friction.
lastly, the sound is good, but missing some of the things i got accustomed to from the higher end sound systems: instrument separation and soundstage. like i said, i won't make definitive claims, but they don't feel open despite the huge grille at the back, and the bass just takes over. it might not even be a defect with the hardware, but it's so damn present it's the elephant in my ears, and i need to work too hard to enjoy the totality of the sounds. i don't see audiophilia as some sort of where is waldo for your ears where i get a kick out of hearing the marginal frequencies. the experience has to be good, and really it depends on one's mood. sometimes i really enjoy these, when listening to frisky radio, hip hop, or podcasts. i love deep booming bass to a voice, and these are cool. a little more in the mid range would have been nice. jazz, classical, and even rock are a little out of this headphone's range. it doesn't get the details quite right, and the devil's in the detail
overall, they don't break out of their price bracket, shatter records, or set new standards. i got them for $35 (down from $60 at canada computers), and i would say $35 is a fair price. if anything, $60 is too much for the fx3x because you are better off adding a little more and get the reputable monitors, even if entry ones. for $35 they do a great job of keeping the sound out and keeping me entertained. the reviews accross the web, like engadget and on websites are staggeringly high. i wouldn't go as far as 9/10. i would have paid extra for the mic and volume controls, but you can't have it your way, in every way.
sound 7
feel 9
features 5
price 7 (if it stays at $30-40 i would give it a 9)
and that's that. at the end of the day it's all about fun and experience. as subjective as that is, if your idea of listening to recordings is nitpicking frequency responses and plotting out charts, save your money for higher end products. if you want to just enjoy what your are listening to, but can't afford a higher end set, the jvc fx3x are a great compromise.
