Maybe you should try foam tips? These should definitely fit you and block a whole lot of background noise too http://complyfoam.com/products/index.php?strProductName=T{48}200&strModelName=A{48}Jays-1,-2,-3
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A-Jays Four available now!
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Maybe you should try foam tips? These should definitely fit you and block a whole lot of background noise too http://complyfoam.com/products/index.php?strProductName=T{48}200&strModelName=A{48}Jays-1,-2,-3
I have both I am happier with the a-Jays I haven't decided if I should try to sell my M9P yet but I'm very close to it.
In your opinion the a-jays are worth the money over the M9P? They both have low microphonics then huh? That is one of my biggest issues with the JBL reference I have. I have also heard they are hard to keep in your ear...is this something you have experianced? Or is the uncomfort isolated to small ears?
And it's up! Check these out in all their glory! http://gagt.co/hj9wly
Nice review and pics thanks! I noticed that the fours don't use the same gold plated plug like the threes.
I was Googling for reviews on the Denon C560r in-ears, even though I have owned them and have written a review on this very site, and somehow found this review for the A-Jays!!
I have tried the A-Jays Three and Four, and in my opinion, they good for the price, but not great. However, you do get a decent case, and the flat (tangle-free) cable!! If I had to describe them, I'd describe them as a prettier, slightly better version of Sennheiser's CX300 in-ears, which I have owned.
These IEMs are quite bass-heavy, like most consumer-grade IEMs, but the quality of that bass isn't particularly high. It sounds bloated. The mid-range is too recessed, but the treble is quite good. It's not sparkly, which some people may consider a positive, since they won't fatigue your ears. However, the bass might, since there's so much of it. The sound signature is "V"-shaped (strong bass and treble presence), which makes them appropriate for most rock and pop songs.
Speaking of the build quality, the A-Jays may suffer from the same cable issue after long-term use. The tangle-resistant flat cable, while thicker than the d-Jays' and q-Jays' thin cable, aren't reinforced at the connection point between the cable and earpiece, so they may be like a lot of IEMs and break at their connection points. Also, the flat cables are VERY NOISY on contact (a.k.a. Microphonics). This will affect you every time you walk, or when the cable bumps against your body, table, whatever. Also, they weigh more than normal cables, so they naturally tug and pull downwards (gravity's a bitch....). I don't know of the long-term longevity of these IEMs, but unless they defy physics and common sense, you may need to be quite careful and not tug on the cables too much.
The fit is OK, but not great. If you're moving around, the relatively heavy cable will tug the earpieces out of your ear.
Overall, the A-Jays are very good for the price.
However, if you can afford to pay a bit more, the Denon C560r and Klipsch S4i in-ears are definitely better in terms of sound, and they both come with an iPhone/iPod Touch remote. I prefer the Denon C560r because the build-quality is better than the S4i, but the sound quality of both are high. The popular iPhone-ready Klipsch S4i sound better than the A-Jays, but like the A-Jays, they have un-enforced connections between cable and earpiece. Of course, there's the Klipsch S5i "Rugged", which sound as good as the S4i but are highly water-resistant (good for the gym) and built better. IMO, the C560r sound better than the S4i, but that's just a matter of opinion.
Soooooo.....also consider these other iPhone specific IEMs:
-Denon C560R (the C260R sucks)
-Klipsch S5i Rugged
-Klipsch S4i
-Shure SE210m
And FYI, I have owned the JAYS d-Jays, Denon C560r and C260r, Sennheiser (several models), Klipsch S4i, a decent pair of Sony IEMs, and....I forget. Usually I'll either break them, or lose them.
EDIT TO ADD: HERE is another review (it's not mine).
I have tried the A-Jays Three and Four, and in my opinion, they good for the price, but not great. However, you do get a decent case, and the flat (tangle-free) cable!! If I had to describe them, I'd describe them as a prettier, slightly better version of Sennheiser's CX300 in-ears, which I have owned.
These IEMs are quite bass-heavy, like most consumer-grade IEMs, but the quality of that bass isn't particularly high. It sounds bloated. The mid-range is too recessed, but the treble is quite good. It's not sparkly, which some people may consider a positive, since they won't fatigue your ears. However, the bass might, since there's so much of it. The sound signature is "V"-shaped (strong bass and treble presence), which makes them appropriate for most rock and pop songs.
Speaking of the build quality, the A-Jays may suffer from the same cable issue after long-term use. The tangle-resistant flat cable, while thicker than the d-Jays' and q-Jays' thin cable, aren't reinforced at the connection point between the cable and earpiece, so they may be like a lot of IEMs and break at their connection points. Also, the flat cables are VERY NOISY on contact (a.k.a. Microphonics). This will affect you every time you walk, or when the cable bumps against your body, table, whatever. Also, they weigh more than normal cables, so they naturally tug and pull downwards (gravity's a bitch....). I don't know of the long-term longevity of these IEMs, but unless they defy physics and common sense, you may need to be quite careful and not tug on the cables too much.
The fit is OK, but not great. If you're moving around, the relatively heavy cable will tug the earpieces out of your ear.
Overall, the A-Jays are very good for the price.
However, if you can afford to pay a bit more, the Denon C560r and Klipsch S4i in-ears are definitely better in terms of sound, and they both come with an iPhone/iPod Touch remote. I prefer the Denon C560r because the build-quality is better than the S4i, but the sound quality of both are high.
The popular iPhone-ready Klipsch S4i sound better than the A-Jays, but like the A-Jays, they have un-enforced connections between cable and earpiece. Of course, there's the Klipsch S5i "Rugged", which sound as good as the S4i but are highly water-resistant (good for the gym) and built better. IMO, the C560r sound better than the S4i, but that's just a matter of opinion. Soooooo.....also consider these other iPhone specific IEMs:
-Denon C560R (the C260R sucks)
-Klipsch S5i Rugged
-Klipsch S4i
-Shure SE210m
And FYI, I have owned the JAYS d-Jays, Denon C560r and C260r, Sennheiser (several models), Klipsch S4i, a decent pair of Sony IEMs, and....I forget. Usually I'll either break them, or lose them.
EDIT TO ADD: HERE is another review (it's not mine).
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I have owned the CX300s, and all I can tell you is that the A-Jays are bass-heavy like the CX300s, and bloated. However, the A-Jays' bass sounds better. The CX300's bass sound like boomy farts.
Overall, the A-Jays definitely sound better than the CX300s, cost around the same, and look better. They both suffer from significant microphonics (cable noise from physical contact), but the CX300 doesn't even have the benefit of tangle-free cable, so don't bother.
Also, the A-Jays look awesome. The CX300s look like crap.
Overall, the A-Jays definitely sound better than the CX300s, cost around the same, and look better. They both suffer from significant microphonics (cable noise from physical contact), but the CX300 doesn't even have the benefit of tangle-free cable, so don't bother.
Also, the A-Jays look awesome. The CX300s look like crap.
Thanks for your personal take on the a-JAYS Four. I was goin to try them out from Amazon ($70) but am now going to spend the extra $30 for the Denon instead.
in all fairness you are comparing a $350 retail to a $70 retail pair of headphones. I would sure hope the $350 pair would be better!
I'm looking to upgrade from the stock Apple iPhone IEMs.
The main thing I'm looking for is an *easy* (read "responsive") remote button section. Apple failed in this department.
I like these A-Jays (at least from the picture) because there are 3 clear cut buttons. The middle button is where Apple just made it too 'touchy' to use reliably -- and this being the main culprit of my disdain for the stock headset.
Question to those that own them: How's the responsiveness of the remote button controls (especially when you want to skip a track -- 2 clicks, back up a track -- 3 clicks, fast forward, etc)?
I'm not an audiophile and will be fine with the sound quality I'm sure -- it's mainly the remote section I'm looking for in upgrading.
The main thing I'm looking for is an *easy* (read "responsive") remote button section. Apple failed in this department.
I like these A-Jays (at least from the picture) because there are 3 clear cut buttons. The middle button is where Apple just made it too 'touchy' to use reliably -- and this being the main culprit of my disdain for the stock headset.
Question to those that own them: How's the responsiveness of the remote button controls (especially when you want to skip a track -- 2 clicks, back up a track -- 3 clicks, fast forward, etc)?
I'm not an audiophile and will be fine with the sound quality I'm sure -- it's mainly the remote section I'm looking for in upgrading.
True, though I only pad $250 on eBay, which seems to be the going rate there, and while they were still 3x the price of the Ajays, they're 10x better.
Sorry I didn't get to your pm busy day. I think this is better 1st not much isn't better then Apples earphones. I use my jays 3 on my ipod and for pandora both work great. the controls are very responsive imo. the flat cord I simply wraps around my fingers and throw it in a case. now that is a a-jay 4 weakness for what ever reason they don't include a case. I use one from another pair of emi's I bought. I can say they don't tangle and imo in the sup $100 category they hold there own emi's is also personal taste but I think they are way way better the Apple's for sure.
No prob; I'm due for a trip in short order, and was looking to obtain "something" this week to take along with me. Hence my needy/speedy input. And "woe is me" how I've grown to loathe Apple's stock earphone offerings.
Appreciate the info my friend. I think I'll slap down an order for some from Amazon. Worst case scenario, Amazon is good about returns.
I, too, wonder about the lack of a travel case -- especially given the heavier cabling material, one would think it'd be quite easy to devise a nice circular container, or at least a simple pouch. Then again, a design engineer -- I'm not.
Cheers.
I don't need great sound but the yre plenty good the cable is great. but if you stuff them in say a hoody pocket they tend to want to spring out.
No prob; I'm due for a trip in short order, and was looking to obtain "something" this week to take along with me. Hence my needy/speedy input. And "woe is me" how I've grown to loathe Apple's stock earphone offerings.
Appreciate the info my friend. I think I'll slap down an order for some from Amazon. Worst case scenario, Amazon is good about returns.
I, too, wonder about the lack of a travel case -- especially given the heavier cabling material, one would think it'd be quite easy to devise a nice circular container, or at least a simple pouch. Then again, a design engineer -- I'm not.
Cheers.
as far a case a leather coin purse works pretty good. nice thing is you can stuff it in. I am yet to have mine tangle at all. personally I have used my Apple headphones less then 5 minutes. I am not going to waste time arguing these are the best but certainly not the worst. Gets my vote $100 and less. I am sure some will disagree. I hope you like them I know you will love it compared to Apples.
Cool. I have many-'o-pouches of which I can use. Heck, maybe even an empty sunglasses/eyeglasses hard shell case? Those would seem to fit the bill if I wrap them in an oblong fashion.
Anyway, labman, thanks again. I put in an order today, and we'll see how it goes.
As a point of reference, I've had my A-Jays Threes for a while now... at least six months, and they're my favorite travel buds I've bought thus far - and trust me, I've bought a LOT.
I like that they're not super expensive because if I leave them on a plane, I'm not out $500 or so.
They do an excellent job blocking out the engine noise.
I'm on the fence about the fours. I could use the little remote / mic, but I only use them on the plane so the mic is useless, and I really don't NEED the remote. How well do they fit in their little circle case? Do they still have the same circle case that the threes have? I love that thing.
I like that they're not super expensive because if I leave them on a plane, I'm not out $500 or so.
They do an excellent job blocking out the engine noise.
I'm on the fence about the fours. I could use the little remote / mic, but I only use them on the plane so the mic is useless, and I really don't NEED the remote. How well do they fit in their little circle case? Do they still have the same circle case that the threes have? I love that thing.
from what you discribe keep the 3's at least until you forget them on the plane. agree on noise isolation. I l was at a heavy metal concert (Stone Sour) was playing I listened to another band with my 4's with no problem and without blasting my ear drums.