I'll say it straight out: I think the v-Jays is the best headphone Jays have currently produced. It is just the fun side of neutral, made well, looks good, and fits almost perfectly. Thank you Jays.
As always, an abridged version of my full review will slide below without pictures. Please do not hot link the pics anywhere since my server already crashed a few days ago - we is a small fan-site!
ORIGINAL REVIEW WITH PICTURES (coming soon: my beautiful wife wearing the v-Jays - something for the boys to enjoy)
*****Short-Review Start*****
The Koss Porta Pro — which recently saw its 25th anniversary — has spawned look-a-likes, sound-a-likes, and a slew of pragmatic wannabes which can be as easily stowed and toted. Love it or hate it, the Porta Pro has left a deep imprint on the portable audio community for years and will probably continue to do so. Incidentally, whenever I strap the caboose of my brain with a new headphone, I mentally compare my rusty old Koss to the new challenger. Jays’ v-Jays, though dressed in simple plastic and fitted into seen-it-before earpads has become a landmark headphone which surpasses many erstwhile favourites, including Koss' grand old Porta Pro.
Specifications
Driver Type: 40 mm Mylar Speaker, Open, Dynamic
Sensitivity: 98 dB SPL @ 1 kHz
Impedance: 24 Ohm @ 1 kHz
Frequency Response: 25 Hz – 20 000 Hz
Headphones Weight: 59 grams (2.08 oz)
Cord Type: TPE coated copper wire
Length: 60 cm (24 in) Diameter: 3 mm/2 mm, Plug: Straight, Gold-Plated Stereo Mini-Plug 3.5 mm (1/8 in), Extension Cord 70 cm (27.5 in)
Fit
Good: semi-foldable design which fits into large pockets. No need to fiddle with seal, and the headphone doesn't slide off the head; it will fit large to small. No tote-bag? What were Jays thinking?
Package: finally, Jays are done with finger-cutting plastic. Accessories are atypically few in number, but posh - at least there are a few extra ear pieces! Cable is much better this time around - short, long, but not too long even when snapped together. And, dear me, the v-Jays are a sturdy fit - not too sturdy, but they make their presence known with a little good ol' fashioned clamp.
Build Quality and Cable
Gone are Jays cable problems - well mostly gone anyway. Excellent cable from start to stop, but the cable out from the headphone lacks external (and possibly proper internal anchorage. Also, the cable isn't too microphonic - not enough to bother music listening (thank god) whilst walking about. The headband is strong, so are its fulcrums, and should last a long time as long as it doesn't take too much abuse.
Lastly, the extension cable is uniquely engineered to withstand tugs and horrid-stowing practices: inside, each channel is connected by more than one contact point so that if a contact point dies (happens when portable), it will not die. Most manufacturers only use one.
Sound
While naturally a subjective matter, sound is the meat and potatoes of 3rd-party headphones; if they don’t match up to, or exceed their competitors, no manner of excellent engineering is going make them worthwhile. I won’t go on the record saying that the v-Jays is the best sounding headphone on the planet, but it is a fine-sounding product which favours the low end without tossing too much of the other goodies out the window.
One thing to note: like the Ultrasone Zino, the v-Jays is not designed to trap the music inside your scull. Its open design allows music out and other noises in. Thus, if you are looking for an earphone to use on the bus or train, you will have to look elsewhere, unless you like to annoy those around you and break your ears 40 years early.
Low frequencies
Let’s get the bump on folks! This headphone kicks out great, volumnous bass which accents everything from electronic to jazz with border-guard authority. The v-Jays hits its lower and upper bounds, but neither with much left in the tank: 20 000 is barely audible even on its own and with music, fails to be heard. In fact, below 50Hz is like this ________.
Fortunately, however, bass is of good quality. Fibrous and powerful, if not that deep, it is good. At around 70-100Hz, soft music can softly howl, but in a goody-two-shoes soft, atmospheric way.
Certainly outperforms many in its class.
Mid Frequencies
Only slightly recessed, mids are very good, mostly full, and flattering. More dynamic than the Zino, but lacks some space and detail.
High Frequencies
Highs are sharp, clean, and stay within the lines. Fans of crashing cymbals, whiny strings, and clanky industrial effects should find reason to rejoice in the sibilance-free v-Jays. What they won’t find, however, is silky, stray decays.
When 20 000 Hz comes around, the v-Jays is through - there is nothing left. It won't, however, annoy anyone. We aren't talking about the Sennheiser veil here, but this ain't no Beyer either.
Soundstage and Instrument Separation
This last aspect is perhaps the most difficult to gauge since it relies on a headphone’s dynamics, positioning, and a few other magical items. But nevertheless, I can make personal judgements. The v-Jays has no weak spots in its sound; its dynamic contrast between bass and midrange is very good, and even treble, while slightly understated, is among the top-tier for this style of headphone. However, it isn’t airy, wide, nor linearly extended very far from front to back or from side to side.
Sound in a Nutshell
It is bassy, but not overpowering; has good instrument separation, but maintains an intimate sound stage; and finally, both its mids and highs are good, but fall slightly out of favour in comparison to the bass. Music: v-Jays; games and movies: Ultrasone Zino - at least for me. Did I expect something so good? No, but that is why I am grinning so widely.
Out and about with the v-Jays
The v-Jays is a not circumaural headphone; it is open and will let music escape out and environmental noise will filter in with ease.
Conclusion
Grab ‘em! The v-Jays is priced attractively enough that it warrants a buy. Is it the best-sounding headphone in the world? No, but for the price, it is certainly among the very best in a competitive class, and considering the market, one of the most balanced hardware releases. TouchMyApps' certainly kisses this release!
****Cauterised Review End****
Remember, for the full review:
ORIGINAL REVIEW WITH PICTURES
I hope you enjoy both versions - the v-Jays is a great buy, a great value, and imo, the best Jays' release yet.
As always, an abridged version of my full review will slide below without pictures. Please do not hot link the pics anywhere since my server already crashed a few days ago - we is a small fan-site!
ORIGINAL REVIEW WITH PICTURES (coming soon: my beautiful wife wearing the v-Jays - something for the boys to enjoy)
*****Short-Review Start*****
The Koss Porta Pro — which recently saw its 25th anniversary — has spawned look-a-likes, sound-a-likes, and a slew of pragmatic wannabes which can be as easily stowed and toted. Love it or hate it, the Porta Pro has left a deep imprint on the portable audio community for years and will probably continue to do so. Incidentally, whenever I strap the caboose of my brain with a new headphone, I mentally compare my rusty old Koss to the new challenger. Jays’ v-Jays, though dressed in simple plastic and fitted into seen-it-before earpads has become a landmark headphone which surpasses many erstwhile favourites, including Koss' grand old Porta Pro.
Specifications
Driver Type: 40 mm Mylar Speaker, Open, Dynamic
Sensitivity: 98 dB SPL @ 1 kHz
Impedance: 24 Ohm @ 1 kHz
Frequency Response: 25 Hz – 20 000 Hz
Headphones Weight: 59 grams (2.08 oz)
Cord Type: TPE coated copper wire
Length: 60 cm (24 in) Diameter: 3 mm/2 mm, Plug: Straight, Gold-Plated Stereo Mini-Plug 3.5 mm (1/8 in), Extension Cord 70 cm (27.5 in)
Fit
Good: semi-foldable design which fits into large pockets. No need to fiddle with seal, and the headphone doesn't slide off the head; it will fit large to small. No tote-bag? What were Jays thinking?
Package: finally, Jays are done with finger-cutting plastic. Accessories are atypically few in number, but posh - at least there are a few extra ear pieces! Cable is much better this time around - short, long, but not too long even when snapped together. And, dear me, the v-Jays are a sturdy fit - not too sturdy, but they make their presence known with a little good ol' fashioned clamp.
Build Quality and Cable
Gone are Jays cable problems - well mostly gone anyway. Excellent cable from start to stop, but the cable out from the headphone lacks external (and possibly proper internal anchorage. Also, the cable isn't too microphonic - not enough to bother music listening (thank god) whilst walking about. The headband is strong, so are its fulcrums, and should last a long time as long as it doesn't take too much abuse.
Lastly, the extension cable is uniquely engineered to withstand tugs and horrid-stowing practices: inside, each channel is connected by more than one contact point so that if a contact point dies (happens when portable), it will not die. Most manufacturers only use one.
Sound
While naturally a subjective matter, sound is the meat and potatoes of 3rd-party headphones; if they don’t match up to, or exceed their competitors, no manner of excellent engineering is going make them worthwhile. I won’t go on the record saying that the v-Jays is the best sounding headphone on the planet, but it is a fine-sounding product which favours the low end without tossing too much of the other goodies out the window.
One thing to note: like the Ultrasone Zino, the v-Jays is not designed to trap the music inside your scull. Its open design allows music out and other noises in. Thus, if you are looking for an earphone to use on the bus or train, you will have to look elsewhere, unless you like to annoy those around you and break your ears 40 years early.
Low frequencies
Let’s get the bump on folks! This headphone kicks out great, volumnous bass which accents everything from electronic to jazz with border-guard authority. The v-Jays hits its lower and upper bounds, but neither with much left in the tank: 20 000 is barely audible even on its own and with music, fails to be heard. In fact, below 50Hz is like this ________.
Fortunately, however, bass is of good quality. Fibrous and powerful, if not that deep, it is good. At around 70-100Hz, soft music can softly howl, but in a goody-two-shoes soft, atmospheric way.
Certainly outperforms many in its class.
Mid Frequencies
Only slightly recessed, mids are very good, mostly full, and flattering. More dynamic than the Zino, but lacks some space and detail.
High Frequencies
Highs are sharp, clean, and stay within the lines. Fans of crashing cymbals, whiny strings, and clanky industrial effects should find reason to rejoice in the sibilance-free v-Jays. What they won’t find, however, is silky, stray decays.
When 20 000 Hz comes around, the v-Jays is through - there is nothing left. It won't, however, annoy anyone. We aren't talking about the Sennheiser veil here, but this ain't no Beyer either.
Soundstage and Instrument Separation
This last aspect is perhaps the most difficult to gauge since it relies on a headphone’s dynamics, positioning, and a few other magical items. But nevertheless, I can make personal judgements. The v-Jays has no weak spots in its sound; its dynamic contrast between bass and midrange is very good, and even treble, while slightly understated, is among the top-tier for this style of headphone. However, it isn’t airy, wide, nor linearly extended very far from front to back or from side to side.
Sound in a Nutshell
It is bassy, but not overpowering; has good instrument separation, but maintains an intimate sound stage; and finally, both its mids and highs are good, but fall slightly out of favour in comparison to the bass. Music: v-Jays; games and movies: Ultrasone Zino - at least for me. Did I expect something so good? No, but that is why I am grinning so widely.
Out and about with the v-Jays
The v-Jays is a not circumaural headphone; it is open and will let music escape out and environmental noise will filter in with ease.
Conclusion
Grab ‘em! The v-Jays is priced attractively enough that it warrants a buy. Is it the best-sounding headphone in the world? No, but for the price, it is certainly among the very best in a competitive class, and considering the market, one of the most balanced hardware releases. TouchMyApps' certainly kisses this release!
****Cauterised Review End****
Remember, for the full review:
ORIGINAL REVIEW WITH PICTURES
I hope you enjoy both versions - the v-Jays is a great buy, a great value, and imo, the best Jays' release yet.
.
