Now that I’ve intensively used the JJ Float QA with the Power Supply Active, I can confirm the positive comments that I found.
The following might sound a little like a hype, but it’s not.
I’m not easy to impress and have a comprehensive choice of TOTL headphones.
I do personally own all headphones mentioned in comparisons further down.
• The JJ Float QA stands out from all conventional designed over-ear headphones, and surpasses all, call it “hoover-ear“, models I own - I think I have them all now, even the latest entries to the family, the Mysphere 3.2 and the remarkable RAAL SR1a.
• The QA improves on every aspect of it’s predecessor, the old JJ Float Electrostatic, in all it’s iterations (I do own at least one of each old version).
• The QA has the most natural tonality, even compared to Sennheiser HE-60, STAX SR-009 or L-700.
Tonality is high-end speaker-like, at least comes closest to that from all headphones I know.
QA does NOT need any EQ, from the upper bass through midrange to treble to achieve that.
I’d EQ-ed the sub-bass only, see below.
• The makro- and micro-dynamic resolution is superior. I can listen to very dynamic music, containing very quiet passages without feeling the need to dial them up.
This is where the old JJ Float PS2 can compete too, at the price of less accurate tonality.
• The QA leaves more open space between the drivers and the head than the old version Float, which already had something special about it’s spacial projection.
The resulting sound stage extends beyond what e.g. Sennheiser HD-800S offers, without falling apart.
The instruments and vocals get a realistic,“be there”-feel, usually not found in headphones reproduction.
This might have to do with the much more natural tonality too.
It’s a kind of a 3-D, immersive feel that works with all kinds of music styles, even synthesized sounds.
Other special design or “hover-ear” ‘phones like Mysphere 3.2, AKG K-1000, Precide Ergo A.M.T and STAX SR-Sigma do this too, but by a lesser amount.
• The old Float tends to sound overly bright, albeit not aggressive.
The JJ Float QA puts away with the extra-brightness.
It’s sound is in-offensive, while maintaining all details, but not overly analytical.
Lesser recordings can be enjoyed, their flaws are presented quite obvious, but more like a “charming character“ than an annoyance.
Good recordings simply sound great.
If there’s punch they sound punchy, but in a more realistic way than on some dynamic ‘phones.
• JJ Float QA has a strong but controlled upper bass.
The subs below 80 Hz are recessed by nature of the fully open design.
With my RME ADI-2 Pro‘s parametric EQ I could easily extend this to 30 Hz.
JJ Float QA has indeed overcome the bass power limit that is present in the old Float versions.
I did use this EQ all through my listening, at my typical ca. 70 dBA Leq (long term averaged) listening level, incorporating peaks of over 95-100 dB SPL, without any signs of distortion or saturation, even on bass-heavy music.
The built-in amp and transformers do a good job.
Still, I’d say JJ Float QA isn’t for bass-heads.
• The headband design works well, comfortable even for longer periods of listening.
There’s a mounting option with the drivers placed 2 cm more forward, which I didn’t use.
• The headband and overall design makes it possible to lay down on a pillow.
The back reflections cause minor, but tolerable changes in sound color then.
• Having temperatures of over 30°C currently here in Europe, the fully open design is perfect for listening without sweating.
• Wearing glasses does not at all interfere with wearing Float QA.
• The sound colors and stereo image is remarkably stable even with some variations in position in either direction. This wasn’t the case with the old version Floats, and isn’t with any cupped ’phones too, exception maybe Hifiman HE-1000.
Important for use in the recording studio too, where you need to establish a reliable reference.
• Construction and built quality for both the ‘phones and the Active Power Supply is reasonable and well thought out.
Nothing fancy, form follows function, which is OK with me.
• The Active Power Supply can serve as a 2x 120 W / 4 Ohm speaker amp too, there are connections and a switch for this purpose.
Personally I did not yet test this.
• I even looked inside the Power Supply Active, and without going into detail, as an engineer I’d say all OK.
The Supply is the later, white connector-inlay version, that has overcome the problems with the early, black-inlay-connectors, that were used on the un-amplified first delivery transformer boxes only.
My only point of criticism is the choice of the power switch, the toggle could break if handled rough, or PSU transported carelessly, so don’t.
Did I say I’m impressed - I am, and the JJ Float QA exceeds my expectations.
. I am also pretty sure it sounds more direct. Isn't the treble too prominent now?
