First Look: Jays q-JAYS

Posted on 15 Nov 2007 at 16:23

If smaller is better, then Swedish audio equipment manufacturer Jays has put itself strides ahead of its rivals with the release of the q-JAYS earphones, which measure just 19x8x7mm.

Into those tiny dimensions, Jays has somehow managed to fit separate woofer and tweeter armatures to create a more defined sound across the audio spectrum. There's also bass enhancement in the form of Jays' AirBooster housing, which provides more room for air movement.

However, although bass tones were clear, they weren't as powerful as those produced by Shure's SE range of earphones. Reproduction of midtones and high notes was extremely detailed, bringing clarity to even the busiest tracks. Rock and pop vocals sounded particularly good, but low notes lacked depth and richness. This absence was particularly noticeable in classical music, while drum and bass tracks were also affected.

The earphones come with several sizes of replaceable sleeves which hold them deep inside the ear canal. They block out enough ambient noise to create an excellent listening experience without making you feel completely isolated from the outside world, which is a distinct advantage on public transport or when crossing roads. They don't suffer from noise leakage, even at loud volumes, which means that your fellow commuters can travel undisturbed by your musical preferences.

The q-JAYS sound great, but they're not ideal if you want a lot of bass power and you'll want to protect the thin cables by keeping the earphones in their travel pouch then you're not using them. They're small, light, and comfortable to wear, but at £120, your wallet will feel a lot lighter too.

Author: Kat Orphanides

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