[endlesswaves]

I am about to pick up a second hand JVC FW01 and I am worried that its mid will be very recessed. Crinnacle did leave a note where it say it is very dark, just wanna hear it from the woodies here do you all feel the same?

Don't worry. FW01 have the sweetest sounding mids around. Female vocals are just incredible. Ear tips and seal are very important. Try it with a pair of KZ Starline Eartips.

As for the darkness, the original cable that comes with it doesn't do it justice. Get a good silver cable (with thicker gauge if you do not want to lose the bass). Or a SPC cable if you like more clarity. Tried Linum BAX with good results with rock. Snare drums just sounds incredible and sounds realistic.

 

[BlinkST]

Wonder how this SU-AX01 sounds like now. @BlinkST can you compare it with a Sony WM1A? Curious about how this amp sounds like in comparison with other source. Thank you in advance.

I can’t; I’ve never heard the WM1A. I agree with you that the K2 sound processing isn’t a game changer.

 

[endlesswaves]

@BlinkST thanks. By the way, try the KZ Starlines eartips. Better seal and sub bass and bass are more prominent. They are from the cheap KZ IEMs.

 

[BlinkST]

I received my balanced cable today, plugged them in, and fired up the amp. I wasn't ready for the change in sound.

The main differences I heard are:

• Voices for the most part retain their center, forward, positioning, but sound more realistic.
• Everything else around the voices, sounds even bigger and taller, with some details getting pushed further out. You can clearly hear that everything has some more space to play in; it's actually jarring to me how different everything sounds. As expected, the change is not as dramatic with sample-heavy music such as Hip-Hop.
• When voices and other sounds fill the room, it is more apparent. This was a surprise when I listened to "One on One" by Hall & Oates for example.
• Finally, the bass is sufficient, growling and humming the way I like it. That doesn't mean that they're FXZ200 level, but I miss them less and less.

 

[raclimja]

If anyone is looking to sell your FW01, I am looking to purchase one.

 

[Ahmad313]

Can someone please explain the difference between the FW01 and 02 and 03 , thanks.

 

[cfc7]

[SIZE=3.5]Is the Sony N3 superior to FW01 in all aspects?
In crinacle's list I see the N3 ranked B+ vs. C for FW01[/SIZE].

 

[BlinkST]

Is the Sony N3 superior to FW01 in all aspects?
In crinacle's list I see the N3 ranked B+ vs. C for FW01.

To my ears, the N3 are superior if you plan to use them with just your phone. The sound is very similar with stronger bass.

 

[cfc7]

To my ears, the N3 are superior if you plan to use them with just your phone. The sound is very similar with stronger bass.

Thanks, I will use the ZX2 not the phone, but the ZX2 does not have quite a strong amp.

 

[nevrsumr]

[SIZE=3.5]Is the Sony N3 superior to FW01 in all aspects?
In crinacle's list I see the N3 ranked B+ vs. C for FW01[/SIZE].

I wouldn't say the n3 is superior in any respect. The fw01s are unique. I actually like them better. The only thing is there is some treble roll off but that just accentuates those sweet mids.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv]

These are my next purchase. It's woodie time!

 

[BlinkST]

I wouldn't say the n3 is superior in any respect. The fw01s are unique. I actually like them better. The only thing is there is some treble roll off but that just accentuates those sweet mids.

I own both. I've even tried the N3 in balanced via the SU-AX01, and within mere seconds of firing up "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman, I confirmed that the FW01's bass is pretty modest, point blank. The N3 actually sounds closer to the FXZ200, which I consider to be unrivaled when it comes to bass. Via the SU-AX01, the FW01 and N3 have both been remarkably pleasing to listen to, with an improved sense of realism and spaciousness in the presentation of the music. I want to say that you can't go wrong with either, but I would have to spend more time with the N3 in balanced. I maintain that the N3 is the way to go if you're into music such as reggae and hip-hop, and you want to use them with just an iPhone.

I eventually gave the N3 to my brother, because I felt my earphone collection was getting a little too big. Pictured below is my FW01 disconnected from the balanced cable as I was trying it with the N3 at the time. The second picture is my FW01 and SU-AX01 at the workplace.

 

[BlinkST]

A followup to the previous post:

The N3 has bigger, better bass. No contest! When I listened to "Feel So High" by Des'ree, the separation at the left and right was surprising. The FW01 is a little more in the head by comparison. That's about it though.

Instruments and vocals are quieter and less forward compared to the FW01. They lack that tinge of realism that the FW01 has, and I've really enjoyed the FW01 lately. Within seconds of putting on some songs, I was hearing the differences between the two, and I had enough of listening to the N3. They didn't appeal to me. I don't regret giving them to my brother at all.

 

[seeteeyou]

FYI - there's something rather special about the TRUE potential of SU-AX01 whenever it's connected to an Apple 12W USB Power Adapter (MD836LL/A) as mentioned below

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/customer-reviews/R2JSW2TYHN91CA

This product brings out the full potential of the JVC FW01. It sounds best when powered (high intensity mode) but it can get very warm. It is very bulky so it is not pocketable.

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/customer-reviews/R3BPQJQZQAG0KJ

ハイインテンシティモードについて
こちらは全く別次元です。

Just like what @BlinkST already posted above, the light in blue is turned on once that High Intensity Mode has kicked in

http://manual3.jvckenwood.com/accessory/mobile/amp/b5a-1030jp/GOUMSYztrddvha.php

Links to get that charger for iPad

https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Power-Adapter-iPhone-iPad/dp/B00A83I8G2
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD836LL/A/apple-12w-usb-power-adapter

Other pictures to compare the differences, it's gotta be the 2.1A one on the right or else it won't work

https://www.reddit.com/r/applehelp/comments/2x5f3c/maximum_current_draw_for_an_ipod_touch_a1509/

Make sure you send 2.8 V down pin 3 (D+) and 2V down pin 2 (D-) if you are designing a 2 Amp charger. If you are designing a 1 Amp charger... flip the pins.

I should also note that 2 Amps is the standard charge for current for iPads. 1 Amp is for iPhones/iPods/etc. Ideally you'd want a charging station that could deliver both 1 Amp and 2 Amp based on the flip of a switch.

 

[BlinkST]

FYI - there's something rather special about the TRUE potential of SU-AX01 whenever it's connected to an Apple 12W USB Power Adapter (MD836LL/A) as mentioned below

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/customer-reviews/R2JSW2TYHN91CA

This product brings out the full potential of the JVC FW01. It sounds best when powered (high intensity mode) but it can get very warm. It is very bulky so it is not pocketable.

That's actually my own short review that I wrote on Amazon Japan after they emailed a reminder to leave a rating.

In my opinion, the FW01 needs the balanced connection, K2 processing, and high-intensity mode to sound their best. The sound is big, spacious, sometimes nearly out-of-head, bass is deep and powerful, but the star of the show (for me) is how vocals are presented — it comes very close to sounding like a real person.

These days, I can't get enough of them, and I listen to them at work as well during my breaks — while plugged in with high-intensity mode enabled!