[schneller]

Jays Q-Jays for $180.00

Sleed Audio SA6 for $200.00

I am coming from Audio-Technica ATH-CK7s and don't want to spend more than $200.00.

Living and commuting in Washington, DC I need phones that isolate very well (while riding Metro, etc.) and are very durable (I have dropped my CK7s several times onto concrete and they are very durable).

I like the CK7s...I just want more! I don't need head-thumping bass but I want more bass. I want more accurate highs. But I still want very strong mids.

I have read a lot about the Q-Jays and SA6s.

Any thoughts on these two?

If I threw anything else into the contest, it would be the Klipsch Custom 2s ($200), Shure SE210 ($150), and UE Super.fi 5 Pros ($190).

I have also head a lot about about US Super.fi 5 Pros but have also read that they are not the most durable phones around.

 

[schneller]

I should add that my phones are used with a SanDisk Sansa without an amp.

 

[tstarn06]

Never owned qJays, but love the Sleeks. Full, balanced sound, with great mids. Some folks here have or had both. No doubt they will check in. As far as tips are concerned, the OEM flanges are very good, but I use the Shure basic foamies, and they work great with my ears. Comfy as hell.

 

[lewislink]

Hmmm...I figured you would use the Klipsch gels for those sleeks.

 

[tadad1]

I have both and find I rarely use the q-Jays since getting the SA6 they have similar sound signatures though I always find for the first few hours the q-Jays a bit bland when I go back to them.

From my experience they both have good and not so good qualities.

The q-Jays are smaller than the SA6 so offer a more discrete fit, they also have a split cable so you can wear them in 2 length variations which for some may be a plus but personally I found the cable either to short or way to long with the extension. The build quality of the q-Jays is very high, they are solid, durable and hard wearing and since their first release they have been strengthened at the earpiece connection point to overcome problems with cable pull when removing them. I had an early model and I did start having connection problems after almost 8 months but Peter from Jays was quick to replace the unit without any fuss.

The q-Jay cable is a little more rigid than the SA6 which for me seems to increase the microphonics, I found a cable clip better than wearing them over ear because with the contoured shape of the q-Jays you really need to wear the left on the right and visa-versa for best over ear comfort. I find the SA6 cable more flexible and it exhibits minimal microphonics by comparison.

The filters on the q-Jays also need regular replacement as they tend to block quite frequently which can also add a little ongoing expense especially if you need international shipping.

I think the modular and VQ customization design of the SA6 is great and once you settle on a port combination that suits you there is no real need to continue swapping ports and tubes. I find the q-Jay silicones preferable to the Sleek bi-flanges for comfort and isolation but most likely because I am very accustomed to them after 8 months of use.

On the down side (and this is only my opinion) as much as I like the custom\modular design of the SA6 I am starting to think it is there weak point as far as durability goes. Now my case may be exceptional and just plain bad luck on my part but in just over 2 months I have had three earpieces and a cable needing replacement all for separate issues that appear to be shared by others users ranging from loose parts, connection issues, cracks and breakages up to dead earpieces.

I do not for one minute think that this is due to material or parts "quality" but more that swapping out custom parts causes undue wear and tear especially treble tubes which require a bit of force to remove. The new removal tool limits the amount of force needed to initially remove the tubes but the SA6 earpieces get gripped, pulled, pushed and subjected to more handling forces and pressures than other conventional single piece earpieces. Aside from the extra initial expense I would imagine the Sleek customs would be far more durable.

Whilst q-Jays and Sleek both provide exceptional customer service once again there can be extra costs involved if you need to ship back internationally.

Sadly as much as I find the SA6 deliver a more enjoyable listening experience using the 3 strikes law should I have any problem with my next replacement I will go back to the q-Jays and shelve the SA6 as a great product that perhaps needs a little more refinement or design modification to improve durability and longevity, however I will defiantly keep my eye out for future Sleek products.

 

[lewislink]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tadad1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif ....

Thank you very, very much for that informative and quite enlightening commentary. You really said it in such a way that gave me a good feel for the products in subject.

 

[_Toki_]

I agree - you cannot be wrong with any of these 2. And you will only be able to tell which one suites you better after you try both. SQ differences are minimal, and you know almost everything about build quality and fit from excellent tadad1's description.

 

[rodaballo]

I have both and my ears prefer the qjays sound signature.

May be the SA6 will isolate more in a very noisy environment.

have you considered the RE1 from Head-direct?

These will need an amp to shine but they can be used also without it.

The sound stage and detail that they deliver is amazing.

Best regards

 

[schneller]

Thanks for the great post, tadad1!

 

[_Toki_]

I hear a bit less details in RE1 (from MicrotrackII without amp), and they are not as much comfortable as q-Jays for me (although not bad at the same time). Makes me think that only the people who describes Jays as being over-analytical will find RE1 to be more enjoyable.

 

[schneller]

From the sound of it, I am safe with either pair. I suppose I should buy both and return the "lesser".