The JVC XP-EXT1 system is an innovative alternative to traditional speaker-based audio systems and offers immersive 7.1.4 audio through wireless headphones.
The JVC XP-EXT1 wireless headphones look like typical closed-back headphones with very soft and comfortable ear pads. They are not too heavy, but they will have to be periodically recharged via USB – the reserve is enough for about three or four movie shows (according to the passport – for 12 hours). To transmit the signal, it uses its own radio interface with DSSS modulation – it is more advanced than Bluetooth A2DP and does not introduce delays. The headphones also have touch-sensitive volume control.
The second component is the XP-EXT1P processor, powered by an external adapter. A sort of AV receiver in miniature – with recognizable Dolby and DTS logos, but without built-in amplifiers and switching bells and whistles. It has four HDMI jacks (one serves as a monitor output and provides 4K transmission), optics and an analog stereo pair of RCA inputs with adjustable sensitivity. As you can see, the processor can be used not only as part of an existing system with an AV receiver, but also as an independent unit by connecting a panel, all TV set-top boxes and game consoles to it. You may ask: why is there an analog input here? Naturally, you can use Exoeld technologies with any sources at all – both in the original stereo format and with surround sound simulation using standard means.
On the front panel of the processor we find buttons and indicators for selecting additional processing modes and for quickly switching between user profiles. The JVC XP-EXT1P remembers settings for four users, but can only output a signal to one headphone, that is, it is still a cinema with one spectator “chair” (in practice, the second can be easily provided through other headphones, but without Exoeld). All this equipment is configured and controlled using a mobile application from a smartphone, which, by the way, is very convenient when you are sitting in the dark. The processor communicates with the latter via Bluetooth, but this channel only serves to control and indicate modes and does not transmit sound from the smartphone.
The most interesting thing is the measurement procedure (Exoeld matching). You need to perform a simple sequence of connections and actions, sit motionless with headphones in complete silence and not be afraid of quiet signals. First, the system will emit a series of clicks, and then a pair of sweep tones to measure reverberation in the channels, absorption and frequency response curvature. All! In principle, this approach to some extent takes into account even the actual “age” of the listener’s ears, but if correction is needed – say, you want to add lows or highs – then all this is done through an applet on a smartphone, which controls the five-band equalizer available in the processor. For Exoeld installations, by the way, additional tools are provided: changing the balance, amplifying the voice channel in the range of -6/+6 dB (similar to LFE), turning on the dynamic range compressor and additional effects.
Characteristics of JVC XP-EXT1 Headphones Acoustic design: closed Emitter type: dynamic, 40 mm Frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz Built-in battery: lithium-ion Charging time: about 4 hours Operating time: up to 12 hours Weight: 330 g Processor Inputs: 3 HDMI, RCA, TOSLink Outputs: HDMI Wireless protocols: Bluetooth 5.0 (for communication with smartphones), DSSS 2.4/5 GHz (for transmitting a signal to headphones) Supported audio formats: LPCM 2 ch, 5.1/7.1, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 AAC, Dolby Digital/TrueHD/Atmos/Digital Plus, DTS, DTS-ES/96/24/HD Master/Express, DTS:X Frequency response: 12 Hz – 24 kHz Distortion: less than 1% Power consumption: 24 W Dimensions: 266 x 30 x 154 mm Weight: 530 g
