Reviewed Nov 2009
Details: JVC’s mid-range IEM featuring a bi-metal construction
Current Price: N/A (discontinued) (MSRP: $99.99)
Specs: Driver: Dynamic | Imp: 16 Ω | Sens: 100 dB | Freq: 8-25k Hz | Cord: 3.3’ I-plug
Nozzle Size: 5.5mm | Preferred tips: Comply T400
Wear Style: Over-the-ear
Accessories (3/5) – Egg-shaped hardcase and asymmetric silicone single-flange tips (three sizes)
Build Quality (4/5) – Very solid all-metal housing; cabling is identical to the low-end JVC models, which is a bit disappointing at this price point
Isolation (3/5) – Not designed for deep insertion but the included asymmetric tips do a good job of compensating for the shallow fit. Foamies work better still.
Microphonics (4/5) – Low due in part to forced over-the-ear design. Same cabling as other JVC models
Comfort (4/5) – Shells sit in the ear nicely, but could be too large for some. Insertion can be challenging due to the round housing and the way the nozzle is angled
Sound (4.3/10) – Medium-size soundstage with very good positioning. Sound is slightly cold and metallic, but very dimensional and can be quite fun. Unfortunately, it can also be very tiring with hard rock and metal. Good high-end extension and detail, but treble can sound artificially sharp, especially with silicone tips. I believe the proper term is ‘edgy’. The mids also boast good detail and clarity but are somewhat hollow-sounding and metallic, making the whole midrange sound recessed. The bass is punchy, but not very powerful, missing the ‘oomph’ of some other phones. Accuracy is good but extension could be better.
Value (6.5/10) – At $50, the FX300s are another solid earphone from JVC, but as with the lower-end models better options can sometimes be had for the price. Sound can be characterized as somewhat bright and aggressive, sometimes harsh. Foam tips help tone down the timbre a bit. Not recommended for hard rock and metal listeners.
Pros: Solid construction, comfortable, low microphonics, good detail and clarity
Cons: Slightly bright with odd peaks in frequency response, can be tiring
