B9Scrambler
Headphoneus Supremus
Hello again,
I figured I would start one thread to cover all J+- products covered, since there is a whopping three or so people who are currently showing interest in these.
So far the Wooden Earbuds and Stereo Headphones have been covered, links below;
http://www.head-fi.org/t/716784/j-wooden-iem
http://www.head-fi.org/t/720616/j-stereo-headphones-blow-you-away-sound
I went back to the Great Canadian Superstore today to buy another pair of the Wooden Earbuds (see what happened to them via the link above...hehehe), and saw that one of their newer products that I was eager to try but at full price refused to buy, was on clearance; the Bass Buds. These were a departure from all previous J+- IEMs I have seen, in that they added an inline mic, fabric cable, and actually decided to include more than just medium tips. Sweet.
Ugh....off to a bad start. Why move away from clean, easy to open packaging and choose blister packs? Whatever....lets see the headphone itself.
Build Quality:
Compared to the Wooden Earbuds and Metal Earbuds I've had, these are definitely a step down. The nozzle filters are lightly glued to the end of the nozzle, and are not recessed. Meaning, when you remove the tips the filter comes with it. The cable itself is also quite poorly wrapped. In two sections, by the plug and the left bud, there was actually a small hole melted through the fabric. Strain reliefs are non-existent.
On the plus side, the tips are WAY better than those included in previous offerings. They feel less plasticky, are slightly stiffer, and seal very well. I like the tips on the Wooden Earbuds a lot, but these are of higher quality, hands down. Another plus is the inline mic. Unlike the one on the Stereo Headphones, that used on the Bass Buds is actually pretty well built and sturdy feeling. No idea how well it works, yet. Finally, the housings are metal. Woot!
Sound Quality:
Based on how crappy the overall build quality is, I was feeling pretty let down, and was not expecting much. I'm talking Skullcandy Smokin' Buds levels of crapulence. I toss these babies in...comfortable...nice seal...good isolation. Cool beans.
I choose a song...actually a mix; a 45 minute Neurodanja epic. Time to play in the mud...let's go!
...
...
...
...
...
...
45 minutes later, and these headphones are f'ing GREAT, and this is out of the box. As much as I love the Wooden Earbuds, these are clearly a step or two above them when it comes to sound quality. I was expecting bass and mud, but what I heard was slightly veiled but perfectly acceptable highs, punchy but not overpowering bass, and great vocals. They are way more mid-forward than I was expecting.
Here's hoping burn-in is real, and the treble opens up, as that is by far the weakest part of their signature. What to listen to next...
- Scrambler
**Anyone notice anything off about them?**
The Burn Station
**Update Time**
I woke up this morning, tossed the 'Bass Buds' in a case, and strolled off to work. Per my standard daily routine, I opened all my programs, turned on Windows Media Player, fired up my white noise, and popped in these puppies expecting aural comfort all day long.
I must not have cleaned my ears very well this morning....nope...no water in there. Why is the right bud so much quieter? *Switched ears* Now the left is quiet...$%^&.
After work I stopped by Superstore for an exchange. No questions asked after a brief explanation of the issue.
The new ones seem to have slightly deeper bass, but mids and treble appear to be the same. The sound overall is slightly warmer, and a bit more smooth.The more balanced sound of the first pair was preferential though. Either way, these ones still sound excellent, especially for the cost.
On the plus side, these do not have any little burn marks on the cable, and the fabric seems more tightly wound. My suggestion: Take a good long look at them before choosing a pair to make sure the cable seems alright.
**More info**
These new ones have awesome sub-bass. They rumble oh so well; just listen to the opening build on Louder (Flux Pavilion & Doctor P Remix). Bass doesn't bleed into the mids either. I also gave them a whirl through Mendel's Subliminal Colors album which they handled with aplomb. They do have some very minor driver flex in the right bud, which is mostly a non-issue for me, but I know its a deal killer for some.
I figured I would start one thread to cover all J+- products covered, since there is a whopping three or so people who are currently showing interest in these.
So far the Wooden Earbuds and Stereo Headphones have been covered, links below;
http://www.head-fi.org/t/716784/j-wooden-iem
http://www.head-fi.org/t/720616/j-stereo-headphones-blow-you-away-sound
I went back to the Great Canadian Superstore today to buy another pair of the Wooden Earbuds (see what happened to them via the link above...hehehe), and saw that one of their newer products that I was eager to try but at full price refused to buy, was on clearance; the Bass Buds. These were a departure from all previous J+- IEMs I have seen, in that they added an inline mic, fabric cable, and actually decided to include more than just medium tips. Sweet.
Ugh....off to a bad start. Why move away from clean, easy to open packaging and choose blister packs? Whatever....lets see the headphone itself.
Build Quality:
Compared to the Wooden Earbuds and Metal Earbuds I've had, these are definitely a step down. The nozzle filters are lightly glued to the end of the nozzle, and are not recessed. Meaning, when you remove the tips the filter comes with it. The cable itself is also quite poorly wrapped. In two sections, by the plug and the left bud, there was actually a small hole melted through the fabric. Strain reliefs are non-existent.
On the plus side, the tips are WAY better than those included in previous offerings. They feel less plasticky, are slightly stiffer, and seal very well. I like the tips on the Wooden Earbuds a lot, but these are of higher quality, hands down. Another plus is the inline mic. Unlike the one on the Stereo Headphones, that used on the Bass Buds is actually pretty well built and sturdy feeling. No idea how well it works, yet. Finally, the housings are metal. Woot!
Sound Quality:
Based on how crappy the overall build quality is, I was feeling pretty let down, and was not expecting much. I'm talking Skullcandy Smokin' Buds levels of crapulence. I toss these babies in...comfortable...nice seal...good isolation. Cool beans.
I choose a song...actually a mix; a 45 minute Neurodanja epic. Time to play in the mud...let's go!
...
...
...
...
...
...
45 minutes later, and these headphones are f'ing GREAT, and this is out of the box. As much as I love the Wooden Earbuds, these are clearly a step or two above them when it comes to sound quality. I was expecting bass and mud, but what I heard was slightly veiled but perfectly acceptable highs, punchy but not overpowering bass, and great vocals. They are way more mid-forward than I was expecting.
Here's hoping burn-in is real, and the treble opens up, as that is by far the weakest part of their signature. What to listen to next...
- Scrambler
**Anyone notice anything off about them?**
The Burn Station
**Update Time**
I woke up this morning, tossed the 'Bass Buds' in a case, and strolled off to work. Per my standard daily routine, I opened all my programs, turned on Windows Media Player, fired up my white noise, and popped in these puppies expecting aural comfort all day long.
I must not have cleaned my ears very well this morning....nope...no water in there. Why is the right bud so much quieter? *Switched ears* Now the left is quiet...$%^&.
After work I stopped by Superstore for an exchange. No questions asked after a brief explanation of the issue.
The new ones seem to have slightly deeper bass, but mids and treble appear to be the same. The sound overall is slightly warmer, and a bit more smooth.
On the plus side, these do not have any little burn marks on the cable, and the fabric seems more tightly wound. My suggestion: Take a good long look at them before choosing a pair to make sure the cable seems alright.
**More info**
These new ones have awesome sub-bass. They rumble oh so well; just listen to the opening build on Louder (Flux Pavilion & Doctor P Remix). Bass doesn't bleed into the mids either. I also gave them a whirl through Mendel's Subliminal Colors album which they handled with aplomb. They do have some very minor driver flex in the right bud, which is mostly a non-issue for me, but I know its a deal killer for some.