JAYS s-JAYS Review
Our Swedish friends who already brought us the q-JAYS (among other things) are at it again with their newly introduced s-JAYS in-ear phones. Some people found the q-JAYS to have too little bass quantity and too much treble, so JAYS did a 180° turn and engineered the new s-JAYS with a quite bass heavy response.
Their price is half of the q-JAYS and the same as the d-JAYS, so they are certainly in an affordable price range.
We did review quite a few precise, analytic phones recently (like our Editor’s Choice, the Phonak Audéo PFE, or JAYS’ own q-JAYS), so let’s see how this new offering for the basshead crowd fares…
- JAYS s-JAYS Specs
- Driver: Single “Siren” armature
- Impedance: 69 Ohm @ 1kHz
- Sensitivity: 113dB @ 1mW
- Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz
- Cable: 60cm/24in (Y-style), 90cm/35in extension cable, straight 3.5mm gold-plated plugs
- Accessories: Carrying case, silicon tips (XXS/XS/S/M/L), foam tips (M), protective filters, stereo splitter, airline adapter
Accessories
In typical JAYS manner, the s-JAYS come with a luxurious assortment of accessories. A padded carrying case which feels pretty solid, an extension cable, protective filters, a huge amount of ear tips, a very fetching stereo splitter to connect two earphones to one player, and a two-pronged airline adapter.
The abundance of differently-sized silicon tips provide average isolation, as expected. The foam tips isolate a bit more, but need to be replaced after some time. So better use them sparingly and save them for really noisy environments.
The carrying case is extremely small and can barely hold the phones plus extension cable. I’d be afraid to damage the cables by forcing them into that tiny case. People complained about the size of this case which was already used with the q-JAYS, but JAYS obviously didn’t want to make it a tad more spacious for the s-JAYS, which are quite a bit bigger phones than the q-JAYS.
The 90cm extension cable brings the 60cm short s-JAYS cable that’s attached to the earphones to a useful length for MP3 players stored in your pants or bag/murse. The overall 150cm cable is actually a bit too long for my taste, but better too long than too short of a cable. Without the extension the length is good enough to be used with players in armbands or shirt pockets.
One issue with my older q-JAYS’ cables is that they got a tad stiff over time, losing their flexibility. I hope JAYS improved the coating material of the s-JAYS sleeving compared to their former cables. However, that’s certainly not a big issue, and only time will tell.
Unfortunately JAYS still uses the same kind of protective filters for the phone’s nozzles as they use on all their other IEMs. These filters need to be replaced over time and aren’t exactly cheap. Personally, I have no ear wax issues and can use a pair of filters for half a year or so, but some people report that they need to change theirs almost on a weekly basis. If the filters get clogged the phones’ sound might deteriorate quite a bit. Other manufacturers don’t have troubles with keeping the sound channels clean - without the use of these kinds of filter meshes. I would appreciate if JAYS would research a better, more permanent solution for their phones.
This being said, four pairs of replacement filters come with the s-JAYS, and they should probably last for a year or so for average users.
Design, Build, Specs
JAYS’ “Siren” armature speaker used in the s-JAYS is most likely a variant of the rather unique SR armature series from manufacturer Knowles. These SR speakers actually resemble a regular dynamic driver’s shape more than a balanced armature, and they’re much bigger as well. The technology used of course is still a tiny metal “tongue” vibrating in a magnetic enclosure, unlike dynamic drivers where a bigger diaphragm moves the air. I would assume the huge bass response and rather decent soundstage of the s-JAYS is a result of the physical size of this driver, among other things.
Not only the armature is big, the s-JAYS’ housing is also quite a bit bigger than other single armature phones (and also the dual-armature q-JAYS). It might provide fit issues for people with really small ears, but for me it works fine. The phones also quite comfortable; I can even use them while sleeping. Their design is certainly unique, somewhere between HR Giger’s “Alien” and a caterpillar or grub. Don’t laugh, I mean this in a positive way – I really like the way they look, all menacing and technocratic.
The only gripes I have with the design of the s-JAYS are the tiny markers for the left and right earphones. They’re black on black, on the strain relief where the cables enter the earphones. They’re really hard to see, so it’s always a bit of a lengthy process getting the correct phone in the destined ear.
I’m not sure I believe the spec sheet claiming the s-JAYS have an impedance of 69 Ohm. They’re almost as loud as other IEMs with a 16 Ohm impedance and similar sensitivity. 69 Ohm might theoretically be a bit too much for some low-powered portable players, but the s-JAYS definitely can go to ear shattering levels, no worries there. Well, do worry about your ears in case you listen too loud, for too long.
Sound
Bass quantity is certainly the hugest of any single armature IEMs I ever heard. Single armatures are usually known to be in the “precise, accurate, somewhat bass-shy” camp. The s-JAYS are the exact opposite, the exception of this rule. But then again, the s-JAYS Siren armature is quite differently constructed compared to “normal” ones.
The perceived bass is actually more of a mid-bass or lower midrange emphasis. This is what many people appear to prefer when they describe “bass”. The s-JAYS do go down very low, but the higher mid-bass frequencies overshadow the real sub-bass a bit. It’s a “fun” bass and should make Techno, Trance, and Hip Hop fans happy. Jazz enthusiasts would probably not appreciate to hear Charlie Mingus’ or Victor Wooten’s bass performances rendered via the s-JAYS, however.
The midrange sometimes gets overwhelmed by the bass; making dense, complex music a bit congested and veiled sounding. More minimalist genres, such as several kinds of electronic music, some Rock/Pop, or Hip Hop work mostly well though. They are presented in a rather “relaxed” manner, quite non-fatiguing to the ears. As long as the armatures in the s-JAYS don’t get overwhelmed they are fun to listen to. Similar phones like the Sennheiser CX300 or Sony EX51 have a somewhat recessed midrange in comparison; they appear to be “hollow” sounding as a result of exaggerated bass and treble tuning. Not so with the s-JAYS, they have a quite “full” midrange that sounds more natural.
Where the q-JAYS might have a bit too much and too aggressive treble for some tastes, the s-JAYS are the opposite: slightly too little and too recessed. With some tracks the high-range detail and “airiness” of the music are drowned out by the midrange and bass. For female voices, guitar solos, and similar there are better phones out there. On the other hand, electronic drums and synthesizers in Techno or Drum’n’Bass tracks might benefit from this kind of treble, since it takes some of their harshness away. Another positive aspect of this recessed treble is that the s-JAYS don’t suffer much from sssss… sibilance.
Soundstage (aka. stereo imaging) is pretty good on the s-JAYS, probably due to the big armature and big housing. Like many other aspects of this phone it resembles a dynamic driver more than an armature – housing/driver real estate always seems to be beneficial for stereo imaging. The s-JAYS are a lot better than the microscopically tiny q-JAYS and many other armature phones in that aspect. They’re more or less on par with most average dynamic driver IEMs.
One aspect where “fast” armatures are usually better than “slow” dynamic drivers is the attack speed of notes, the “punch”. The s-JAYS are no exception; they react quite snappy, even when the overall sound might get congested by dense, layered music. With less complex audio material they of course appear to provide even crisper attack speeds.
Conclusion
Bassheads rejoice – these are perhaps the first single armature earphones that might cater to your taste. They have bass that you can almost feel. The s-JAYS are certainly among the “warmest” and most “laid back” sounding of all armature earphones (meaning an emphasis towards the bass frequencies and away from treble). They're even warmer than many dynamic driver ones, like the Sennheiser CX300, V-Moda Vibes, or Sony EX51/EX71.
While the aforementioned CX300 and Sony EX51/71 appear to have a bit better clarity and precision than the s-JAYS with certain audio materials, their treble might be too harsh for some people, and their midrange too recessed. The s-JAYS can help in that aspect while still maintaining the bassy aspect of these kinds of phones – without the dreaded sibilance and a bit more natural midrange.
Even though I mentioned the q-JAYS several times in this review, they are pretty much the opposite of the s-JAYS’ sound signature – a comparison between those two would be futile. I believe there is a large demographic group out there that would appreciate the s-JAYS sound over the q-JAYS, so I think JAYS did the right thing in adding a bass heavy phone like this to their range of in-ear products.
The s-JAYS are not my cup of tea, but I’m sure several people out there will enjoy their sound signature. They work well with some kinds of music, and not so well with others.
Pros
- Huge bass for a single armature
- Good soundstage
- Solid build quality, unique design
- Nice range of accessories
Cons
- Sometimes congested and veiled sound; lacking some detail and precision
- Protective filters need to be replaced over time
- Left/right markers on the phones are very hard to see
Purchase
At the moment the s-JAYS are sold on JAYS’ UK website for €63.80/£59.97. International resellers should follow soon.
Comments
Confispect on January 19, 2009 4:38 PM
Man oh man im glad I got the Phonaks. The phonaks do sound better right Martin.....
TimMun on January 19, 2009 6:02 PM
I'm still very happy with my Sennheiser CX500's, but these look good!
Huva on January 20, 2009 3:59 PM
Yeah... an Impedance of 69ohms, you absoletly need an amplifier to this ..and your pmp volume @ 200% ..
Dont forget to carry your AC adapter with you coz , shure your pmp charge will crave in less then 4 hours of listening ..
Njoy your "S" !
Martin Sägmüller on January 20, 2009 4:08 PM
Did you read the paragraph about the impedance in the review?
Pepe on January 20, 2009 8:40 PM
This new IEM is getting me really interested :D
How much is the MSRP?
Huva on January 21, 2009 9:45 PM
@Martin.
Yes I did ..!
warisz00r on January 24, 2009 9:07 AM
Bollocks. 69ohms should be a piece of cake. I blown the left driver of my KSC-75 by turning too loud a volume from my pissy Sony A816. And that's 60ohms.
JAYS UK on January 30, 2009 5:35 AM
Just to let anyone know www.JAYSEarphones.co.uk ship to Mainland Europe Customers for £9.97 and International Customers for 12.97 per order.
Martin Sägmüller on February 2, 2009 12:08 PM
I just measured the supposedly 69 Ohm impedance of the s-Jays... it's about 25 Ohm in reality. No wonder they're loud and even hiss a bit with problematic sources.
Peter cedmer on February 2, 2009 4:33 PM
It's a difference between impedance and resistance Martin..
Martin Sägmüller on February 2, 2009 5:11 PM
Well, my CX300 and V-Moda Vibes measured at 16 Ohm, the Phonaks at 32 Ohm, the Ety ER-6 at 46 Ohm... just as the specs suggest....?
Peter cedmer on February 3, 2009 12:25 AM
Trust me on this. I'm an electronic engineer ;). The specifications are correct. Wikipedia might tell you a bit more about it. You can't measure impedance with a voltage meter and be sure it measures ok since impedance is measured at 1Khz.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_impedance
Regards Peter
Peter cedmer on February 3, 2009 12:52 AM
One more thing (as Steve would have said). I have no idea at what freq those earphones you mention above measures their Impedance.
Best Regards Peter
Martin Sägmüller on February 4, 2009 10:51 AM
Thanks for the clarification, Peter.
El Ballog on February 16, 2009 4:54 AM
It looks like a black c.ck
Patrick Ward on February 24, 2009 3:12 PM
Not that impressed at all. My Sennheiser CX300's are MUCH better.
Too much hype about these things
kevin walshe on May 14, 2009 11:33 AM
just got my s jays today,they give me the bass that was lacking on my cx 300's,if they had a bit more treble they would be spot on. ps paid £36 must be a bargain
SwayDizzle on June 3, 2009 10:21 AM
i love the revies as always here on ABI, excellent work. have you tried these with the sony A81X series? or one of the other similiar walkman mp3s? cuz i have a A816 and am thinking about buying s-jays. just wanted to hear your thoughts about that combination or any1 elses for that matter =)
cheers!
Seventeener on July 25, 2009 6:49 PM
I liked claims about huge bass etc. and bought the s-Jays. However a brief comparison with my 5-year-old Sony MDR-EX 71 showed that with the Sonys I heard some low bass notes that the s-Jays simply left out. In other words, the 71s have better practical low-frequency response rate than the s-Jays.