JVC HA-FX1X

| 10 mm Driver | Neodymium Magnet |

? JVC has a special line dedicated to deliver extra bass and it is called Xtreme Xplosive, the JVC HA-FX1X is part of that line.

Usually the Xtreme Xplosive line have pretty accessible prices even more considering that JVC is a major brand. The JVC HA-FX1X has inside a 10mm dynamic driver and a neodymium driver, big dynamic drivers combined with neodymium drivers are usually a good start for a basshead earphone (you can see some examples on our reviews of the Sony MDR-XB50AP, Sony MDR-7550/800ST, Elecom EHP-CA3580) JVC preserves the looks along the Xtreme Xplosive line, bullet shaped earphones with black and red being the main colours (the JVC HA-FX102 and the JVC HA-FR202 have changed this and offer them in a variety of different colors).

The biggest problem of the JVC HA-FX1X is that it has become so famous that an excess of counterfeit copies are on the market and they look identical and are very difficult to tell apart. Unless that you are buying them from a very reputable seller you will most probably get a fake unit.

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JVC HA-FX1X - Review

Tests & Scores

Weight

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Accessories & Packaging

Opening the box you will find a cable winder, a hard plastic carrying case and 3 eartips.

^9_/10

Bass & Sub Bass

The JVC HA-FX1X does a fantastic job delivering deep sub-bass and bass impact. The bass and sub-bass that you get from the dynamic driver is insane even more considering that 10 mm is not a particularly large driver. As the Xtreme Xplosive lines promises, you are buying and getting a bassy earphone with outstanding, fun and punchy bass response.

Sub-bass gets really deep and rumble will never lack, there is no need of an amplifier

Sub-bass gets really deep and rumble will never lack, there is no need of an amplifier to get this level of impact with the JVC HA-FX1X, they deliver amazing bass right out of the box and connected to any phone or computer. Saying that they do not need an amplifier does not mean that they cannot handle one, actually, the FX1X were able to take 45% of the maximum power of a Fiio E12 amplifier when set to high gain, bass boost on and equalized for basshead response. The JVC HA-FX1X will answer back with an increase in bass rumble and impact, deepness does not get equally emphasized but the results are marginally basshead worthwhile. Expect a rumble experience below the Xiaomi Mi Quantie Pro Hybrid, KZ ZS2, KZ ZST, slightly less than the Monoprice 8320 (but with more depth).

^8_/10

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Mids & Vocals

Mids are very recessed along all the mid and vocal frequencies, with mid-bass bleeding and taking ownership of the whole sound signature. Obviously harshness is not an issue with this JVCs. If you search for clarity, brightness and hate muddiness this is not the earphone for you.

^4_/10

Highs & Treble

Highs on the JVC HA-FX1X are very recessed with almost no definition at all. You can feel safe that you will never feel any piercing or sibilant peaks. Eq up frequencies from 7kHz on and the JVC will brighten up and make high frequencies appear from nowhere.

^4_/10

Sound Leak

The sound that leaks out of these iem is just horrible, one of the worst. There is almost no attenuation at all of the sound, everyone near you (and not so near too) will hear everything that you are listening to. So, if you are willing to be kicked out and banned of every library in your city bring the JVC HA-FX1X with you.

^2_/10

Sound Isolation

Slightly above average. Sound isolation is average, not saying it is bad but will not be the best either. Putting the largest eartips provided improve sound isolation levels.

^7.5_/10

Comfort

The JVC HA-FX1X have the classic bullet-like shape that sticks out of the ears but they stick out more than the average earphone. They are made entirely of plastic and consequently are very light. They are relatively small, a “standard” earphone size and they fit tight enough as to not easily fall with any normal movement, they are not sport earphones but you could wear them while doing low intensity sports and still keep their place in the ears. They can be wore for extended periods of time and not become painful.

^7_/10

Response to Equalization

The JVC HA-FX1X respond excellent to custom equalization of bass frequencies allowing them to almost enter the basshead court; if you want to brighten up the sound you can eq up the higher frequencies and they will clear up significantly from the absolutely lack of high response that they have out of the box. They struggle and fail shamefully to respond to mids and vocals equalization, you can try to play around with these frequencies to “repair” the muffleness but you will get at most a boxy and still muffled mid response.

^6.5_/10

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Scores

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JVC HA-FX1X Frequency Response

JVC HA-FX1X

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Photos

JVC HA-FX1X

6.4

SCORE

6.4/10