JVC/Victor FX700 - The Successor (early Easter Bunny brought something very nice!)

[cn11]

You can tell they house a substantially larger driver in that bulged housing.

 

[elnero]

Those are pretty sweet looking!

 

[firoze]

Congrats James! Looking forward to your impressions! Can't see much of the case - can you post more pics? But those cutouts in the foam are just what FAD should have provided in their case bottom rather than on the flap

 

[lucozade]

@james ,looking forward to your initall impressions, dont keep us in suspence for too long.In the mean time we have the nice pictures you've posted for us to drool over .lol

 

[ZARIM]

JVC HA-FX700 looks great and i hope they willbe strong competitor of IE8, W3 and MTP Gold.

 

[midoo1990]

Waiting for impressions James as always.
Do they have the stupidly short cable as fx500 or does it come with an extender?
From the looks,it seems that it will fit shalow like the ie8 because of the rounder body.

 

[buz]

I actually love the cable on the FX500, using it with the Clip+, it could even be shorter!

 

[james444]

Quote:

Originally Posted by firoze /img/forum/go_quote.gif Congrats James! Looking forward to your impressions! Can't see much of the case - can you post more pics? But those cutouts in the foam are just what FAD should have provided in their case bottom rather than on the flap

Thanks firoze! I'll try to post a better picture of the case, but it's not much more to it than you've already seen, a rectangular box with foam inlay and a flap with magnetic latch.

And now for some first impressions after about 30 hours of play/burn-in time. But first things first, I want to thank javajive for bringing these to my attention. Here's his post that made my Japanese import order a limited risk:

Quote:

Originally Posted by javajive /img/forum/go_quote.gif As for the FX700, my initial impressions after hearing them on 3 different occasions for a total of just over an hour is that they are very ugly, but very good and have gone a long way in addressing the weaknesses of the fx500.

First thought, trying to put them on: damn, this cord is short! Compared to the FX500's it's even a few centimeters shorter. There must have been some customers complaining about the long cord on the FX500, LOL. Let's measure it: a whopping 88cm (or 34.5").

Second thought: They're heavy, much heavier than the FX500. Not as heavy as the Final Audio Designs, but noticably heavier than most of my other IEMs. At least they fit my my ears easily and stay put.

A slight touch of unease about these first two findings. Anyway, it's the sound quality that counts, so let's play some music. All listening was done unamped from my Cowon i9 and Sony A845.

Third+ thoughts: wow, these are good, very good! javajive is completely right in his description! Gone are the FX500's recessed mids, the FX700's are even slightly forward (but not obtrusive). And the highs, no comparison - extremely detailed, extended and refined, not a trace of the FX500's harshness. The bass reaches effortlessly as low as its predecessor's and has a lot of punch... wait! Let's see if it distorts on higher volume... ok, breathe again, these can make your ears bleed without distorting.

The FX500, despite its weaknesses, has one defining quality that stands out: timbre. IMO it has the best natural timbre with acoustic instruments of all IEMs I've heard. Thankfully the FX700 retains this quality: its timbre is simply fascinating and wonderful. I intended to audition the first movement of Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No.2 and ended up listening to the whole concert. The FX700 is that good, it grabs you and doesn't let go.

Any negative thoughts? If pressed, I'd say the bass is slightly too much with some recordings, adding warmth that I could live without. Played with the EQ on some Vocal Jazz and Folk-Rock tracks and concluded I'd like the bass better about 4-5db down. But apart from that, nothing. I'm definitely impressed by the FX700. Just keep in mind these are very first impressions, without A/Bing to other phones.

Overall I really wished I had the Ortofons back (dfkt do you hear me

) to compare. Judging from memory the e-Q7 and FX700 must be almost exact opposites: the e-Q7 are masters of composure, incredibly relaxed and transparent, opening a window to the music and taking a backseat in the performance. The FX700 sit right next to you, all rosy-cheeked and excited, touching your arm during the high points of the performance. They are masters of enchantment.

 

[firoze]

Very fine description James. I heard much the same in my brief audition of them in Akihabara. Do you have any of the Monster Turbines; how do they compare?

Keep them running-in... they will surely get better & better. I'm finding my FAD's are improving even after 350hrs.. not much mind you, but they do seem to be bcoming even more refined as I keep them playing.

 

[midoo1990]

Nice impressions James.I don't know why the heck do they make the cable short,even shorter than the ridicuolsly short fx500 cable.maybe because japanese are short?
I am 192cm and that sort of cable is just plain dumb and the extender add weight and bulk.so dissapointing,but never the less I am considering them..

 

[ZARIM]

Thanks James, Iam curious to know about it's soundstage width if compare to FX500 and IE8.

 

[lucozade]

@james ,great impressions james, i enjoyed reading your thoughts ,"Masters of enchantment" i like that, they sound very appealing, I think you said you got them japan,how long did they take to reach you?

 

[javajive]

can`t say I`m surprised you were the first to pull the trigger on these james444...if there was a forum pool on who would be the first, no doubt my money would have been on you, mate!

In a follow up post I also reflected on the increased clarity in the highs but for my ears this makes them somewhat even brighter than the fx500 which led me to also say that those that found the highs on the FX500 sibilent/grating (I don`t FWIW ) may not find relieve in the FX700.

anyways, congrats on your purchase. you may be the first but thanks to your impressions I kinda doubt you will be the only one with them for much longer!

 

[ericp10]

Congrats on your purchase @ James444. Just like with Panasonics, I will have to live through you in regards to the FX700, because I'm through (unless something really spectacular comes along) after having the MDs, Copper, IE8 and Ortofon. Well, I am trying to keep a few bucks for the Eytmotic MC5 (I like that sound sig.), but that's it. Happy listening buddy.

P.S. If by chance I hit the lottery anytime soon, of course everything I said above won't apply anymore...lol.

 

[KLS]

Great impressions @james!