It seems like these IEMs (FD01 and FD02) get little attention, but I have to say I am blown away by the FD02 after some simple and reversible modding!
(Disclaimer: this idea is not from me, James444 can claim that right and a big thanks goes to him and trebor, who supported me patiently)
2 weeks ago I was in Japan and visited e-earphones 3 times, spending 7 hours listening to their vast range of demo IEMs.
Among others I listened to: CA Andromeda, Solaris, Comet, Audio 64 Tia Fourte, Sony IER Z1R, M9, M7, XBA-Z5, XBA-N3, EX800ST, JVC FW10000, FD01, FD02, and many more.
It was extremely interesting to get to listen to such a wide range of signatures and characters, and I think at least superficially I got a good impression of what kind of performance is available at what price.
One of the IEMs that stood out for me was the Victor FW10000
I found it to be the most natural sounding IEM with the classic music I used to test it.
The timbre was most accurate, balance was right, and it was detailed and dynamic. It almost disappeared and I felt there was little interpretation, rather very accurate and natural reproduction of the original music.
Based on the recommendations of a fellow head-fier I had ordered the JVC HA-FD02, and I modded it in a pinch with a piece of 3M Micropore tape, covering about 95% of the nozzle to bring down down the 3-5kHz peak and make it more balanced. I had a Dayton IMM-6 microphone with simpe tube coupler with me and hand matched the 2 channels.
I also bought the Nobunaga cable recommended by the same head-fier, after I tested it at the shop and really found it to make a pretty big difference (soundstage, maybe also detail and warmth)
And the result of these 2 mods, IMHO, is stunning! The modded FD02 remind me very much of the FW10000, with accurate timbre, excellent balance, speed and detail.
Jazz or classic sound absolutely stunning, I keep hearing new elements in the music in songs I have listened to for my whole life.
I never noticed the tuba in "Take a look at my girlfriend" on the "Breakfast in America" CD from Supertramp. I never heard the subtle metallic noises on "PVC IV" from the Blue Man Group, and so on.
I got the impression that the FD02 was at least at the same level of detail as the CA Andromeda S, but with the dynamics and liveliness of a DD, which I prefer.
And all that detail is delivered without a trace of harshness. Bass is balanced and only slightly elevated, but really fast and detailed. Mids are effortless, fast detailed and smoth.
I had very little time for direct comparisons, but I felt like I preferred the FD02 to the Andromeda S and the IER-M9, 2 IEMs I found very interesting. Yes, the Z1R was more impressive still, but they were so intense that it left me wondering if it was just a show effect that would eventually become a little too much.
With the FD02 I just want to go through all my albums and detect them anew.
Time to stop the rambling.
I am itching to buy a second pair of those IEMs, since I feel like they played right up there with the $1000 IEMs and at the Japanese price of $200, that's just amazing.
What I just can't seem to understand is how the hell these are not hyped to heaven and back
Cheers!