Short answer: the SymphonyEars PRE5TIGE. Both are rated 3.4/5 for sound quality (#889 and #860 of 1291 in-ear headphones), and the SymphonyEars PRE5TIGE costs $679 against $766.28 for the JVC HA-FW1500, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
What the JVC HA-FW1500 does well: The 11 mm dynamic driver rates a manufacturer specified 6 Hz to 52 kHz, and Crinacle’s measurement shows a Harman preference score of 66 with a mild warm tilt of 0.53 dB. The catch: A score of 66 is middling and a deviation of 2.69 dB means audible coloration, which is hard to justify at a flagship price.
Why pick the SymphonyEars PRE5TIGE: A broadly balanced tuning with a preference score of 66 against the Harman target. The catch: Treble about 3 dB below target from 3 to 10 kHz, which can sound dull or veiled next to brighter headphones.
Buy the SymphonyEars PRE5TIGE. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $87.28 less than the JVC HA-FW1500.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
The 11 mm dynamic driver rates a manufacturer specified 6 Hz to 52 kHz, and Crinacle’s measurement shows a Harman preference score of 66 with a mild warm tilt of 0.53 dB.
Amazon $766.28 eBay
A broadly balanced tuning with a preference score of 66 against the Harman target.
SymphonyEars $679.00 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| JVC HA-FW1500 | SymphonyEars PRE5TIGE | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $766.28 | $679.00 |
| Ranked | #860 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones | #889 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 66 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 66 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.69 dB standard deviation | 2.41 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.53 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.79 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Quadbrid (1 DD + 1 Bone Conduction + 2 BA + 1 Magnetostat) |
| Drivers | 1 x 11mm dynamic | 10 Balanced Armature drivers (4 Sonion, 6 Knowles, 5-way crossover) |
| Impedance | 16 ohms | - |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB/mW | - |
| Frequency Response | 6Hz - 52kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Sub-bass Extension | - | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
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