JVC gives HP-FX500 earbuds the classy wooden touch

So you like wooden headphones, and you're down with JVC's offerings, but you don't have a thousand bucks to spend on the company's swanky HP-DX1000 over-the-ear cans. Before, you might have had a problem. However thanks to the new HP-FX500s earbuds, you can proudly sport the dead tree look and have your Victor sound for only ¥15,000 ($131). These buds tout a sensitivity of 100dB/1mW and frequency response of 8Hz to 25kHz and , which is not quite as good as their bulkier big brother, but what can you expect for around ten percent of the price, right?

[Mike @ Dec 26th 2007 11:05AM]

They'll go great while I'm cruising around in my Woody Wagon.

[Phong Tat @ Dec 26th 2007 12:44PM]

I think these are just fugly.

[strider_mt2k @ Dec 26th 2007 1:02PM]

KNOT!

[DJDevine @ Dec 27th 2007 4:04PM]

there's just something about wood being in my ear i dont like...

[SteveMB @ Dec 26th 2007 2:57PM]

You don't like wood in your ear? Well it's ok, I don't even like it in my mouth.

[navamske @ Dec 26th 2007 1:34PM]

Great for listening to the Beach Boys. "Wooden it be nice..."

[Listen Glisten @ Dec 26th 2007 2:07PM]

That is beyond silly.

[Vincent Do @ Dec 26th 2007 4:16PM]

Mouse traps for your ears.

[Twitchy @ Dec 26th 2007 4:48PM]

But will it float?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

In all honesty, these are now onmy shopping list. Not only because I know they will sound good, but because they are rather decently priced.

[Eh @ Dec 26th 2007 7:16PM]

If Im going to spend over 100 bucks for headphones you can be damned sure they arent going to be in-ear style... Whats the point of expensive "outdoor" headphones like earbuds when you have to deal with street noise and talking which just drowns out the tiny details these are supposed to pick up? When Im out walking around all I care about is if they stay in my damn ear, when Im at home and can appreciate the sound quality I would much rather prefer the comfort that the studio headphones provide.

[Corvillus @ Dec 27th 2007 5:25PM]

Technically those are IEMs (which go into your ear canal and block out all other sound), not earbuds (which sit just outside your ear canal and let all the outside noise in). That said, I wonder how these stack up against the low end Shure, Etymotic, and Ultimate Ears offerings (the JVC IEMs haven't traditionally been known for top sound quality, although the cheap sub $50 ones have been very good sounding for the price).

[adam.plante @ Dec 26th 2007 11:41PM]

Those are by far the worst idea anyone has ever had. They are so ugly I would not even give them to my brother in-law (and I like to mess with his head). I urge you all to send a message to JVC and do not under any circumstances let anyone you know buy these. Together we are strong and we can eliminate tacky and distasteful gadget related accessories.

[Adithya @ Dec 26th 2007 11:07PM]

What the point?

[Blake Bowen @ Dec 27th 2007 2:16AM]

It seems like anyone wearing those, with that color wood, would appear to have ears overflowing with wax.

[paulnthlondon @ Dec 27th 2007 7:08AM]

When I first saw the pic I thought it was some new kind of pipe! (the type old men smoke)