JVC HAFX38MA
The memory foam earpieces mold to your ears for a secure, comfortable fit with passive isolation, while 10mm neodymium drivers deliver clear sound. A noise-cancelling microphone and in-line remote enable crisp calls and simple control across iPhone and Android at a budget-friendly price. They’re best for cost-conscious users who need reliable hands-free calling and casual listening, but they falter in noisy commute environments.
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Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
The JVC Marshmallows are the most comfortable cheap earbuds you can buy, period. Just don't expect bass or a decent mic.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Memory foam tips are absurdly comfortable, 95th percentile comfort in our database 90th
- Excellent passive noise isolation without any ANC tech 81st
- Clear, detailed sound for the price 72nd
- Durable if you treat the cable with respect 71st
Cons
- Bass is weak, like listening through a tin can
- Thin, tangle-prone wire that transmits noise to your ears
- Mic quality is rough for calls
- No wireless option, it's 2025 and you're still untangling cables
What owners think
The Word on the Street
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 13 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
The 10mm neodymium drivers deliver clear, clean sound that punches way above their price point. But here's the surprise: the memory foam tips do more heavy lifting than the drivers themselves. They seal out noise so well that you'll hear details in your music that pricier earbuds let slip away. The catch? Bass is thin. Like, noticeably thin. If you're a bass head, you'll be disappointed. And the mic picks up background noise like it's trying to record a podcast in a wind tunnel.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | Rounded toe |
| Ear Tips | S, M |
| Weight | 0.0 kg / 0.1 lbs |
Audio
| Driver Type | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 10 |
| Hi-Res Audio | No |
| Codecs | Android Phone Control, Microphone Included, iOS Phone Control |
Noise Control
| ANC | No |
| Transparency | No |
Connectivity
| Multipoint | No |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm |
Earbud Battery
| Charging | proprietary |
Case Battery
| Case Charging | proprietary |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| NC Mic | Yes |
Features
| Voice Assistant | iPhone / Android |
| Touch Controls | Yes |
| App | iOS, Android |
| Bone Conduction | No |
| Water Resistance | Water-Resistant |
vs Competition
Against the Soundcore P31i or EarFun Air Pro 4+, the JVCs look ancient. Those wireless buds give you Bluetooth, better bass, and actual call quality. But here's the thing: none of them touch the Marshmallow's comfort. The memory foam tips are in a different league. If you're comparing to the Sony WF-1000XM6 or Apple AirPods Pro 3, you're comparing a bicycle to a Tesla. Different universe. The JVCs win on price and passive isolation, lose on everything else.
| Spec | JVC HAFX38MA | Nothing Buds 2 | Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro | Soundcore P31i | JLab Jbuds Pods EBJBPODSRBLK124 | EarFun Air Pro 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear |
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | hybrid |
| Wireless | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.4 | 5.4 | 6.0 | 5.4 | 6.0 |
| Battery Life Hours | - | 13.5 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 11 |
| Case Battery Hours | - | 55 | 26 | 50 | 56 | 54 |
| Water Resistance | Water-Resistant | IP55 | IP57 | IP55 | IP55 | IP55 |
| Multipoint | false | true | true | - | true | true |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | User Sentiment | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JVC HAFX38MA | 30.8 | 66.8 | 71.1 | 28.5 | 44.9 | 72.4 | 80.9 | 61.4 | 90.2 |
| Nothing Buds 2 Compare | 93.1 | 97.5 | 91.2 | 81.8 | 95.1 | 72.4 | 92.1 | 97.1 | 81.4 |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro Compare | 97.3 | 97.5 | 98.8 | 92.8 | 72.6 | 94.8 | 33.3 | 99.6 | 90.2 |
| Soundcore P31i Compare | 89.7 | 97.5 | 91.2 | 96.9 | 92.5 | 72.4 | 97.1 | 86.5 | 90.2 |
| JLab Jbuds Pods EBJBPODSRBLK124 Compare | 93.1 | 97.5 | 91.2 | 78.1 | 94.3 | 72.4 | 92.1 | 97.1 | 81.4 |
| EarFun Air Pro 4 Compare | 89.7 | 97.5 | 91.2 | 99.4 | 94.3 | 72.4 | 97.1 | 99.3 | 90.2 |
Price
Value & Pricing
These are a no-brainer if you find them under $15. The comfort alone is worth it, and the sound quality will surprise you. But don't pay more than $20, because at that point you're competing with budget wireless earbuds that offer way more features.
Price History
Read more
Overview
The JVC HAFX38MV Marshmallow earbuds are a weird little time capsule. They're wired, they're cheap, and they've got memory foam tips that feel like tiny pillows for your ear canals. The one thing to know? If comfort is your top priority and you don't mind a cable, these are still shockingly good. But if you want big bass or wireless freedom, keep walking.
Common Questions
Q: Do these work with iPhones without a headphone jack?
You'll need a Lightning to 3.5mm adapter. The inline remote and mic work fine with iOS once you've got the adapter, but it's an extra $10 you shouldn't have to spend.
Q: Are these good for working out?
The fit is secure and they're water-resistant, so they'll survive sweat. But the cable bounces around and transmits noise, which gets annoying fast. Fine for light exercise, not great for running.
Q: How's the bass on these?
Weak. The memory foam tips seal well, which helps a bit, but the drivers just don't push low frequencies hard. If you listen to hip-hop or EDM, you'll be underwhelmed.
Who Should Skip This
If you want wireless earbuds with strong bass and clear call quality, these aren't it. Go grab the Soundcore P31i or EarFun Air Pro 4+ instead. You'll lose the memory foam comfort but gain everything else.
Verdict
Buy these if you want the most comfortable wired earbuds under $20 and don't care about bass or wireless. They're a cult classic for a reason. But if you need good call quality, strong bass, or Bluetooth, get a budget wireless pair instead. The Marshmallows are a one-trick pony, but it's a really good trick.
