When I buy earbuds, the most important thing for me is the sound quality, followed by how comfortable they are in my ears. The J4 delivered on both of these. I was really impressed by the clarity of the sound and the attention to details in the design. I have had to toss other earbuds because of a flimsy jack or cheap connectors. With the J4s, it is pretty clear that they put some thought into trying to build a product that could take a beating. I have owned other JLab products and have always been impressed with their products and customer service. I highly recommend these to anyone looking for an affordable high quality set of earbuds. JBuds J4 Rugged Metal In-Ear Earbuds Style Headphones with Travel Case (Obsidian Black)
I've been a fan of JBuds for a while and have owned several pairs of J3s... keyword several. They had the most amazing sound (although lacking somewhat in bass) but they just weren't durable. I found myself constantly trying to protect them but inevitably one or both earbuds would go out. But no longer.
Durability:
-These things are tanks. You really won't believe it until you see them. Everything from the cable, to the earbuds, to the connector is built to last. I carry my headphones wrapped up in my pocket wherever I go and I can say I am not worried in the least about hurting these things.
Comfort:
-These are just as comfortable as the J3s if not moreso. For those of you who don't have J3s, basically these are just amazing to wear. I honestly often forget I'm wearing them. Furthermore, it comes with SEVEN TIPS!! There's practically no way you won't find one that fits you perfectly. When I first got the J4s however, I was worried about them staying in my ears because the cable and split is just so heavy. These fears were unfounded, and it ended up just being a slightly different feel from my previous very light earbuds.
Sound Quality:
-With the J4s I can distinctly pick apart each instrument and sound in the song. Nothing is muddied and nothing is lost. They're incredibly clear and have actually turned me into a sort of audiophile. I make sure to get the highest quality music files because I can hear every detail in them. It's truly amazing.
Price:
-Can't beat it!
This is one very nice set of earbuds. If the price seems a bit steep (I don't why it would), remember these things will probably outlive your grandchildren.
Right out of the box, I could tell it has a higher build quality than the previous JBuds. The flat cable feels very "solid" and the buds themselves are built stronger. The J4s are much heavier than the J3s and previous earbuds; if you are looking for lightweight, J3 is the way to go. My main concern about the build of these earbuds is how long the flat cable will last, much like the Beats earbuds by Dre. I think if the flat cable near the base bends too much from being in your pocket or the like, it will sever easily.
Onto audio quality. For the $30 that I shelled out, the J4s are a GREAT deal. I have only burned in for about 6 hours, but the bass is very "boomy," meaning they are strong and resonate well. I would have to disagree with one of the other reviews here; the mids don't sound actually that great for me. The mids are good, but not absolutely great; they can be muddied out by the bass sometimes. The treble is not nearly as high as the J3s, which are known for being very "bright" and having powerful treble. Overall, the sound quality is very good for the money.
Comfort is very subjective, so I will not go into too much here. It can be a bit annoying when something hits the cable and the sound travels to your ears. If you wish to run or hit the gym with these earphones, these are definitely not for you. It is not as bad when music is on and I'm just sitting or lightly walking.
Good earbuds, and a wonderful buy for the money.
*UPDATE*
Well, it's been about a month and a half since I purchased this. The right ear has blown out after light usage.
I used it about an hour a day on a 30 minute ride to and from work. Did not last nearly as long as I wished they did. I'm fairly disappointed.
WOW!!! First of all, let me say that when you first open the free case that is included in the cost, you are aware of the fact that these are some very different buds. The flat cable is a major improvment in design and durability! There is a clip that is included for keeping the cable in a somewhat stable position. Then the quality of the material itself is evident. These were built to last! I am thinking of seeing if stock is available for these guys. This is a company that is listening to the customer and developing a product that is superb and if I am right about the quality, will last for many years to come. I am listening to a variety of music as I write this and every song has been improved by the range of these cans! I am really happy to also have a case that fits my Zen X-Fi2 in the mesh and then leaves me the choice of using the plastic insert that holds the J4's in place during shipment or just tossing them in this large tray area that is there without the plastic insert. The sound quality is perfect for my taste. The J3's were a little bright IMO. These are strong in the mids and a nice full bass to boot. The highs are just bright enough. I can't wait to just finish up this review and just kick back and listen to Ocean Cloud by Marillion which is just starting, no time for spell check!!! Hope this helps. - Headphones - J4 - Earphones - Jbuds'
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