Customer Reviews

JVC HA-FX34S Marshmallow In-Ear Headphones (Silver)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I just purchased these headphones as a replacement for the junky basic set that came with my Ipod Nano (3G). If all you take from this review is that these are *way* better than what you received with your Ipod, you can stop reading now. If you want more detail, please continue...

On with the details ---

I read several reviews of many more and less expensive sets of in-ear (canal) headphones. In every case I found that there was both good and bad. I saw hundreds of reviews for headphones that cost triple (or more) what these cost. I was tempted to buy a more expensive set, but am now very glad I didn't.

If you're like me, you just want a decent set of headphones that sound pretty good, fit comfortably, and be sturdy enough to be used on a daily basis. Likewise, they need to be inexpensive enough to not make you cringe if you accidentally break or lose them. Again, I'd recommend this set of headphones if you fit those requirements.

Tonight I bought two sets of headphones and tried them both. There was this set, which was at Walmart for about $16, and then a set of Koss KE29S canal earphones. The Koss set cost about $26 at Walmart.

The Koss set had a frequency response of 15-20,000 Hz. This set is marked as being 8Hz - 23,000Hz. The Koss set had an built in volume slider, which is always nice. Both sets had the "squishy" ear inserts. The sensitivity and impedance were the same on both. You'll find all sorts of opinions online about whether or not these numbers matter. The frequency response, in my opinion, makes a difference.

I tried the Koss set first, and they definitely sounded good. After about 10-15 minutes with those, I plugged in the JVC marshmellow set. It wasn't like night and day, but the JVC set sounded brighter, and more "in your face" than the Koss set. Both fit my ears comfortably and tightly, so I doubt the fit would have made any difference.

At this point, I'd decided that the sound was enough of a reason to ditch the Koss set and do more testing with the JVC set.

On the JVC - I heard no distortion at 80% of the Ipod Nano's maximum volume while playing everything from Young Jeezy, Jack Johnson, and the Dropkick Murphys, to groups such as OAR and K's Choice. I also tried a few "talk radio" style podcasts.

As for how they fit and feel, I'd say they're very comfortable. I used the standard ear piece that came on them, although it comes with a larger set. The seal is tight, and I can "feel" the bass comfortably enough. I used them while driving and didn't hear anything else. These definitely keep outside noise at bay well enough for most users. Oh, you don't look like "Shrek" when you wear these either
(look at Shrek's pictures and you'll see what I mean). The JVCs seemed to have a lower profile than some of the others that were available.

The length of the cord seems appropriate. Both sides are equal length, and the Ipod Nano fit comfortably in my pants pocket with a few inches in length to spare. There's not a ton of excess cord that you have to fumble with. Between the comfort in my ears and the length of the cord, I think these would be ideal for exercising (running, rowing or lifting in my case).

Are these the best sounding headphones out there? I'm sure they aren't. The guy that spent $100 on headphones will never admit he spent too much on a similar sounding set and will always be hyper critical and a perfectionist about what they (or others) buy.

For my money, these JVC's meet all my criteria and offer both the sound and cost that I can live with and be happy.

Thanks!

I don't currently use these earbuds portably; I instead use them at my desk so as not to disturb those around me. In that, these earbuds succeed perfectly. Even if you turn up the music very loud, the people on the outside will not hear your music at all, unlike with earbuds that only rest in your ears. With the way these things expand in your ears, you're not about to be disturbed by those around you either. When music is playing, I was unable to even hear my cell phone ring. In short, they provide a great buffer between you and the outside world if you want that.

Another great thing is that these earbuds remain comfortable even after wearing for hours. My biggest fear was that this would not be the case.

They, of course, take more time to insert and remove than earbuds that just rest. You have to squeeze the material to insert into your ear, and then you have to hold it in place while the memory foam expands. But the cost-benefit ratio of this time spent VS comfort and a buffer against reality falls in favor of these earbuds.

I've not owned extremely high sound quality devices in the past, so I'll admit I don't have the best frame of reference to judge these earbuds. Look to other reviews for that. I think the sound quality is good, personally.

For the price, this is a great buy.

This is the 4th pair I have purchased. I bought the marshmallow earbuds for several members of my family. We primarily wear them at the gym and mowing grass. ( I have also used them jogging and have never had a problem with them falling out or being uncomfortable. ) They really help drown out other noises and I find that I don't have to turn the volume up like other ones I use to have. They come with an extra set of earbuds. You can even order extra earbud cushions from JVC, but it is actually cheaper to buy a new set of the earbuds even with shipping from Amazon. If you don't like earphones IN YOUR EAR, but rather just resting ON YOUR EAR then you will NOT like them. I have to wear earplugs when I swim and snorkel, so these buds in the ear are no bother.

I bought these headphones mainly for running hoping they wouldn't always fall out or start hurting my ears after wearing them for 30 mins like the IPOD headphones did. So far these headphones have been great, they don't fall out which is a plus. Every once in a while i would feel them get a little loose, but they stayed in the ear. I also like the length of the headphones, they aren't too long or too short. The sound is great too. They do block a lot of the background noise out, so i wouldn't recommend wearing them if you run outside in a busy area, because you can't hear the traffic.

Dec 2010:
After having these headphones for almost 2 years, the left earbud just stopped working. It's such a disappointment because these are great headphones for working out and running with. They don't fall out or hurt after awhile. So now I'm debating to buy another pair or look for something different.

Interestingly, these JVC Marshmallow earbuds are a bit controversial - notice that the comments are all over the board - there's alot of love and "not love" here. Having owned these for several months now, I believe I can put my finger on a few salient points:

1. These are finicky to fit. I found it took me over a month of toying with these, and switching back and forth between the different foam earpieces before I settled on a fit. It's a combination of pressure and size, and it's not easy to find the "magic point" where they leap to their fullest sound. However once they do, they really take off. The MOST sensitive to fit is the bass response - off just a little and it effectively vanishes. I also found a substantial difference in bass response just between the foam earpieces. I'm not surprised that many people simply run out of patience with these, and can't or won't ever get 'em right, which is too bad because the sonics are worth the effort.

2. These are very sensitive to the quality of your MP3 player. I have both "high end" MP3 players (Creative and Rio), and several no-name players, and the sound difference between them in the JVCs is quite dramatic. With the off-brand players (no manual EQ) there simply isn't a setting at which these headphones sound great, even with the proper fit. However, with the "high end" players, the sound quality is very, very good.

3. When you get the JVCs right, they are very, very good. I am an audio enthusiast, and I have quite a stomach for fiddling with my systems to get things right. When you get the JVC Marshmallows right - proper fit, quality MP3 player, hi resolution music - these things spring to life. The box touts the bass frequency down to 8MHz (!) BUT they do run strongly below 40hz with proper material, and it's quite clean and sharp. The midrange is not bad per se, just a bit laid back - "soft" would be the word - and not at all offensive - in fact for many types of music, it works well - for instance, strong male vocals on heavy recordings can be fantastic - the marshmallows do Chris Isaak at 320kbps MP3 beautifully. Highs are bright and airy - they need no help from either the material or the MP3 settings, and can easily be over-sharpened.

When you get 'em right, the JVC Marshmallows reproduce very, very good sound, and have an easy "listenability" to them - you can use them all day without fatigue. Just don't over-brighten or over-bass them too much. And they are an excellent training ground for eventually moving to higher end in ear systems, since the way you put these in your ears is essentially the same as with the Big Dollar boys. So 5 stars for sound quality, less a star for the finicky fit. However, I applaud JVC for introducing a product to the low end market (under $20) with so much in common with more expensive earbuds, including very good sound.

I am usually not a critical person about a product... but these are terrible.

They sound horrible. The apple ones are way better and I hate those from a comfort stance. These are so low in volume - even at MAX setting. Also they have no filling sound.. very tunnel like.

I also did not like the small head... it did not make it easy to adjust or insert.


I ended up ripping the heads open and soldered them onto an old pair of another pair... and they sounded bad there too.. so it is the ear piece that sucks. Wish I could have just returned them... but I had to crack them open to experiment.

I ended up throwing them away... they are of no value.

Even the marshmallow ear foam is not that comfortable. Very disappointed all around.

Over the years, I have searched hither and thither for headphones that would stop the outside world's chaotic unremitting noise. Lots of sets that I had made more of a fight than they were worth. Others could hear my music, and in turn I heard their critical comments. This set, however, put a happy end to my search.
Memory foam, used for everything from headphone covers to stress relievers to mattresses, has been proven again and again to be hyper responsive to temperature. In this case, the temperature sensitivity helps conform the soft covering to the shape of your ear, locking in the music and out the chaos.
try a set and see what you think!

I bought these because I needed a cheap set of earbuds... I didn't expect the quality I got.
When they are firmly sealed in place, they completely isolate the sound of my annoying co-workers and fill my head with music.
I'm not an audiophile, but I am very impressed with the excellent sound I get from these.
Lows are low, highs are high... good enough for me.

Got them for my motorcycle. They work fine and the quality is good. I find the JVC HAF66B's a little more comfortable and bloc outside sound better. I like the ability to push a slide up the wire to bring it tighter under my chin and pretty much elimiate any cable noise.

These were the third pair of headphones that I tried to wear with my Ipod Nano and these were the first pair to actually work! They are comfortable and stay in my ears. They are awesome! My husband borrowed them after flying with his headphones and he couldn't hear over the airplane noise. Now he never travels without them!