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(More customer reviews)There's no such thing as a "perfect" pair of earbuds for every ear and every type of music, but these J4s come impressively close.
If the J2s had great power and punch at expense of a little balance, weight, fit, rugged durability, and treble clarity, and the J3s had amazing treble clarity, balance, weight and sturdy construction at expense of melodic bass reproduction, I can well and truthfully say that the J4 (and its mic-attached M sibling) is a true "best of all worlds" upgrade to both already impressive products. This is a truly class-defining product, and I'm blown away by it.
The glassy clear highs are slightly subdued as compared to the J3s, but the ringing liquid clarity of cymbals, hats and string pads is leagues beyond the the J2, and a little less shrill than the J3 at no discernible cost of clarity. The boost notch for mids is back to the post-J2 sweet spot, making songs like "Runway Runaway" by Duran Duran positively effervescent, the guitars and synth playing in a tightly coupled, articulate dance around one another. The bass, however, is far more skillfully realized than even the J2s managed, with a gentle notch to the low end of the bass drums and a smoother, wider boost of the melodic bass. The bass no longer wanders in and out of the "sweet" range on the characteristic Duran fretless octave jumps, and that's a problem I'd found frustrating on the J3s.
The thick, flat cables with rugged connectors are leagues beyond anything else I've used, just light enough to be comfortable and balanced well enough to feel very secure in the ears, a problem I had with the J2s. While the device-side connector is thicker than their standard, the tapered ring makes it a neat fit into even tighter cases -- I have it plugged into my iPhone4 with an Incipio Feather case, and I have no problems.
While I can tell a difference between its sound and that of my Klipsch S4is, it's no longer a difference in quality, merely in nuances of EQ and reproduction emphasis, and it's subtle. These sound like $100-$200 tier earphones, feel like them, and are markedly more durable and heavier-duty than most products in that price point.
The phone control is adequate, the mic is nice, but if JLab is listening (and they surely are, their customer support is nothing short of epic), may I ask for an addition to the J5M? Please consider on-cable volume controls. The multifunction button included is excellent -- during music playback, one click pauses or restarts, two clicks skip ahead, and three clicks skip back a track -- but I'd really love a pair of volume control buttons like the ones my Klipsch has, too. Something to consider; it'd make these buds even better.
Even at $50, these earbuds are a steal. JLab is well known for its excellent products, but this one's outstanding even for them. Don't let the price jump scare you; these buds are very much the "best in show," and hold their own beautifully against the pricier pairs.
Beautiful job on these, JLab Audio. I keep insisting there's no such thing as "perfect" earbuds, but you're really giving that claim a run for its money!
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JBuds J4M Rugged Metal In-Ear Earbuds Style Headphones with Travel Case for iPod, iPhone, HTC and Blackberry (Obsidian Black)JLab seeks to up the game with every new generation of the best-selling JBuds line, and the J4 Rugged Metal Earbuds Style Headphones are no exception. Building on the sleek style, premium sound, and maximum comfort of the bestselling JBuds J3 earbuds, we gave the new JBuds J4's a flexible exoskeleton armor over all components for extreme durability and a hot new rugged look. These cans are built to last!The J4 ear buds also feature a rock solid, heavy duty aluminum housing, tangle-free flat cables with kevlar reinforcement, eye candy 3D logo details, and an extra tough EVA carrying case with room for your J4's and an iPod nano or shuffle. The J4's also include 7 pairs of custom molded earbuds cushions, in both single flange (XS, S, M, L) and double flange (XS/S, S/M, L/XL). The J4's are arguably the most rugged and durable earphones ever made. They're the perfect solution for those seeking an extra tough, heavy duty pair of ear buds with the legendary JLab sound: balanced wide range response, tight bass, and crisp clarity. The J4 is available with and without a mic in a range of bold, stylish color combos. Compatible with all iPods, iPhone 3G, 4G, HTC, Blackberry, Kindle, iPad, laptops, and any device with a standard 3.5mm jack. For those seeking ultra lightweight, slightly slimmer earbuds, you can't beat the JBuds J3, for iPhone 1 and 2 owners, we recommend the J3M.
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