Drop x JVC HA-FDX1 DD IEM: The second coming of ...

Discussion in 'IEM Measurements' started by purr1n, Aug 10, 2019.

  1. CEE TEE

    CEE TEE MOT: NITSCH

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    ^YOU be the judge. Sending Spiral Dots pair ML, Pair L, and a pair of Acoustune bi-flange I got in Japan (not sure how to get these).
    TipsForRD_SM.jpg
     
  2. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I’ll definitely compare and report back

    :piratemug:
     
  3. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    Then go and design one and make it for pennies.
     
  4. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I don’t understand why this offends you. I’m just pointing out the cost of manufacturing vs the price. 10$ like other well designed tips would be the standard.(designing costs money)
     
  5. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    I don't know why it offends you that a company has set a price for their product, based on their design and production costs (they are made in Japan) and their analysis of the market. Nobody is forcing you to buy them.
     
  6. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Because it’s price gouging! I’d like one and they know it. I’ll stop responding to this now...
     
  7. Friday

    Friday Friend

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  8. jafnvaegi

    jafnvaegi Friend

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    I think the price is a steep even from amazon.jp if you are in Japan. Though, it comes to about $20 USD which is similar to what the original Spiral Dot sets initially cost (albeit you got 3 pairs with those). Now the originals can be had for half, so I hope that either price goes down eventually or sellers outside Japan get them. Any spiral dot is good IMO and between the Dot+ and Dot++, the biggest difference I can detect is fit (with the ++ there is slightly less deformation when inserted) but I also still use the original Spiral Dot sometimes for some IEMs as they're among the best standard silicone tips.

    For international shipping either amazon.jp or ebay (out of japan) you pay almost double for added shipping alone so it may be best to pair that with some other items to offset cost, which is what I did. The amount though, is probably due to R&D because AFAIK there aren't any other tips made of the same material...something they developed in-house for their flagship IEMs IIRC.

    The acoustune AET06 is also a great tip too, I have used those on a few IEMs as well with good results. Probably my favorite wide-bore dual-flange tip.
     
  9. Kurow

    Kurow New

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    Hi guys I just signed up to ask about replacement tips, and I come here to find you discussing this exact topic! What are the chances! Ha! I lost one of the original earbuds from my FDX1, and I didn’t really think it was a problem until I noticed all the others I could find were much thinner in the central canal if that makes sense. I saw the spiral dot ones at the shop but I’m not sure they’re the same spec as for the fdx1. The diagram on the back looks identical to the fdx1, but might be another model because it’s not written on the packaging.

    So I guess my question is, are the spiral dots available at the shop the same as the ones that come with originally? If not can we not get original size replacements? Is it even worth it?

    By the way I’ve been a bit of a lurker here, I found this thread after I bought these iems. Was stoked to find out my ears had picked a well regarded pair from the dozens of tried in the shop that day!
     
  10. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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  11. jafnvaegi

    jafnvaegi Friend

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    @Kurow Bio forwarded the info from one of my replies you're looking for (and I think there was some more detailed info earlier in the thread) but I also wanted to mention that the change between the original Spiral Dots and the ones that come stock with the FDX1 is mostly with comfort, due to the material. For the original EP-FX9 given their usual price being much more reasonable, it may be worth trying them out to see if it works comfort-wise and if you can detect any audible change (if any, it's minimal if not placebo to me since the shape/bore are basically the same). Other tips with a thinner bore technically work, but will alter the sound (usually perceived as an increase in bass) so it doesn't hurt to experiment a bit with what you have - I know some others here use non-stock tips like the Final E or SpinFits. Lastly you could reach out to Drop and see if they have a means of either providing or allowing you to purchase replacement (maybe via JVC)...not sure if anyone else had tried this yet or not though.
     
  12. Kurow

    Kurow New

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    Yeah I was wondering if the slight sound difference I thought I perceived could just be placebo, but the stock ones you can really see the grill on the wide boar. I was just worried the thinner boar might be some less than optimum fit. I’ll check out the other ones you suggested too, thanks.
     
  13. JayC

    JayC Resident Crash Test Dummy

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    Does anyone have tips for cleaning out the swappable filters? specifically the thin mesh at the top. I see some light wax buildup on it and i'd like to clean them.. They seem to be held by a bit of glue so maybe removing them and gluing them back would be an option?
     
  14. spoony

    spoony Spooky

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    Try a cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol first and see where it gets you.
     
  15. JayC

    JayC Resident Crash Test Dummy

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    I did, i didnt really get it cleaned fully by doing that. the swab doesnt fit through the other end, so its more or less a half cleaning job so far
     
  16. spoony

    spoony Spooky

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    A fine brush / soft toothbrush dipped in alcohol could help dislodge some stuff from the outside. Or, if you're feeling adventurous you could dip the whole nozzle in alcohol for a few minutes and try to blow some air through the mesh to see if some of it gets dislodged, then let the nozzle and filter dry completely before reassembly.
     
  17. limesoft

    limesoft Friend

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    This is a fine upgrade balanced cable for the JVC http://www.fiio.net/en/products/58
    Fiio RC-MMCXB

    I've been testing many cables to try and control that slight metallic tinge and forwardness the JVCs have - this one seems to smooth out the mids peak, tightens the bass a bit and generally makes things a little more delicate/sweet sounding. I'm quite sure JVC's original mmcx cable has quite high OI which might contribute to it's signature.

    Anyway it's worth trying if you can find it for reasonable price as it seems to be discontinued (still probably available on aliexpress)
     
  18. Biodegraded

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    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32888303239.html

    I doubt it's cable resistance that's responsible for the effect - or rather, that it's cable resistance alone. Measuring the JVCs with the stock cable vs the SPC one that came with the Tin T2 Plus, which has similar construction to the Fiio (braided 4-core SPC, dunno how many strands per core though and it isn't balanced) gave me only 0.2 Ohms difference - with the SPC cable being the higher. And because the JVCs are single DD earphones their impedance has a flat enough FR profile that they won't react to changes in what's in front of them anyway.

    I'm not denying cables make a difference, but I don't understand why. Even with multi-BA units with very frequency-dependent impedances, differences in cable resistance are small enough and earphone impedance profiles different enough in the frequencies that'd be emphasized that general effects like "silver boosts the highs" are unlikely due to cable resistance diffs (alone).

    Sorry, OT over. Did you try multiple balanced cables out of multiple balanced sources? I've found different (SE) sources to influence the JVCs' 'metallic' sheen, but haven't explored different cables or balanced vs SE.
     
  19. luisdent

    luisdent Facebook Friend

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    I have an old pair of meelec tips that are the identical dimensions as the stock fdx01 tips and bor hole size but slightly taller. very slightly. and they sound identical to me and fit very well. i can't seem to find them online anywhere though.

    does anyone know the exact hole size of the fdx01 tips? i've looked back a bit in this thread but haven't found anything.
     
  20. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

    Staff Member Pyrate Flathead IEMW
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    According to Penon Audio 4mm for regular Spiral Dots. All versions should be the same bore width.

    upload_2021-1-10_22-34-25.jpeg
     

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