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JBuds J2 Premium Hi-Fi Noise-Isolating Earbuds (White/Gray) by JLAB
Digital Photo Product DetailsManufacturer: JLAB Model: JB2145 Color: White/Gray Product features: - Premium sound quality, Compact size, Sleek design, and ultra rugged durability
- 3 sizes of soft silicone ear buds provide a super comfortable, noise reducing fit
- Rich, dynamic soundstage with crisp, tight clarity and booming digital bass.
- Works with every iPod, iTouch, iPhone, mp3 player, CD, portable DVD, PSP, Nintendo DS, MD, and Laptop
- Goldplated 3.5 mm audio jack for premium, no-loss sound connection to your audio device.
Accessories:
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of JBuds J2 Premium Hi-Fi Noise-Isolating Earbuds (White/Gray)Customer Review: Outstanding balance, clarity & value. Summary: 4 Stars
I have gone through many pairs of in-ear earphones in the past few years. Many were due to poor construction (wires easily separating, connections breaking down, etc.), and a few were due to a mischievous cat. Given my poor track record with earbuds, I had no desire to spend a lot of money on a pair of Senheisers, but I did want accurate reproduction and a balanced sound.
I first tried a pair of $10 Rocketfish earbuds from Best Buy. The sound quality was definitely passable--very flat and even, with no emphasis on either highs or lows. I would have been content keeping these as I do not demand or expect truly high quality sound from earbuds. If I am wearing earbuds, it is probably because I am doing something outdoors where the sound quality is lost due to background noise, anyways. But I digress. The wiring on these was incredibly thin, and there were no reinforcements where the wires entered the housings or plug. Needless to say, within a week of active use the connections were spotty at best, with channels cutting in and out.
Next up I grabbed a pair of SkullCandy "Ink'd" series earbuds on sale at Target for $9.99 (normally $17.99). I liked the choice of colours, and they appeared to have a bit better construction and a larger driver than the Rocketfish set. I put them on and immediately felt the piercing stab of shrill, tinny treble surge through my head. I tried every EQ setting on my iPhone in order to dull the treble and bring in more low-end, but NO setting was able to get these anywhere near "listenable" for me. I used them for a week to give them a fair shake, but after that I just gave them to a friend.
Finally I came across the "J-Buds" Premium set on Amazon. The price was attractive at $13.99, and all the specs on paper looked good. Reviews were mixed, but overall positive. At this point, I figured they HAD to be better than the SkullCandy's. Well, I got them and I must say I am pretty impressed. They arrived in a plain zip-lock baggie with a simple paper insert. No sawing through blister packs and cutting my fingers to shreds on sharp plastic edges. They also, like most good earbuds, came with an alternate set of silicone in-ear tips for a customized fit.
The construction appears to be good to excellent. Connections are all reinforced quite adequately, and the wire is a little heavier gauge than a standard cheap pair of earbuds. The silicone ear tips are a bit thin and soft, but I am guessing it is a trade off for increased fit and comfort vs. a harder or thicker compound. The plug is a standard gold-plated 3.5mm mini, and fits securely in my stereo, my MacBook and my iPhone.
Now, onto sound quality. I would describe the sound quality as bright (without being "shrill" like the SkullCandy Ink'd series), spacious, and fairly well detailed. Even in some aggressive post-hardcore tracks, it is easy to pick out details like a shaker or castanet in the background that would be lost to most earbuds. The sound is very well-balanced, neutral and doesn't seem to favor any one end of the audio spectrum. The bass response is natural and linear, without being muddy or too "booming". Midrange is excellent and clearly defined, without being domineering or, on the other hand, getting lost with the bass as is the situation on many headphones I've tried.
What makes these earbuds great is their neutrality and balance. Please do not mistake my use of the word "neutral" as synonymous with "flat". Flat, they are not. In fact, they are, as previously stated, very bright and dynamic. These would be ideal for someone like myself who listens to a WIDE variety of music, as they favor no particular genre. Hip-hop fans will have adequate bass, and classical fans will have the delicate highs and clarity they crave. Heck, the well-defined midrange even makes the J-Buds an ideal candidate for PodCast or book-on-MP3 enthusiasts. Really, anyone interested in a great set of "all-rounder" earbuds for a terrific price should find these to more than satiate their need.
Enjoy.
**5/4 UPDATE: So, these lasted nearly 4 months, which is somewhat impressive for the pricepoint and the fickle nature of earbuds, but it is my sad duty to report that the connection failed at the base. They lasted longer than many though so I can't complain.**
Description of JBuds J2 Premium Hi-Fi Noise-Isolating Earbuds (White/Gray)How can you make the #1 best-selling earbuds even better. Listen to your customers. The JLab engineering team took our customers feedback and ideas into the design lab and came out with a masterpiece: The JBuds J2. Building upon the legendary JBuds comfort and sound quality, we recrafted every component of the design to create a sleeker, more stylish earbud with devastating good looks, unbelievable sound quality, and ultra rugged durability. Looks to kill: Sleek, sexy lines, a smooth satin finish, and 12 show stopping color combinations take any MP3 player to the next level. Sound to thrill: A new, meticulously crafted sound chamber designed to perfectly resonate the wide range frequency response from our unparalleled Japanese cobalt drivers. You will enjoy a rich, dynamic soundstage that accentuates every detail of your music, with crisp, tight clarity and booming digital bass for every genre in your collection. Ultra rugged durability: The J2s incorporate thicker, premium quality cabling and heavy-duty flexible joints built to withstand rigorous daily use and carry you through the urban jungle without missing a beat. Generous 4.5 foot cable with Y-formation and ultra durable 24k gold plated jack for a premium lossless connection. Supreme comfort and noise isolation: Forget about those uncomfortable stock earphones that came with your mp3 player. The J2s sleek, smooth shape and 3 sizes of soft, silicone cushions ensure a perfect fit and seal inside your ears, providing sound isolation from exterior noises and allowing you to comfortably enjoy your music for as long as you like. Compatible with all portable audio devices and MP3 players, including all iPods (iPhone, iTouch, Nano, Video, Shuffle), portable gaming units (PSP, Nintendo DS), other mp3 players (Sansa, Zune, Sony, Creative), Laptops, CD players, DVD players, Radios, and MD. Recommended by CNET, MP3 dot com, and many others. Includes a full one-year warranty from JLab.
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