Review of the JBuds J3 Micro Atomic In-Ear Earphones with Update

 

I’ve been a happy owner of the JBuds 1, about $10, and theJBuds 2, about $14. And now comes along the JBuds J3 Premium Micro Atomic In-Ear Earphones, about $30. Of the three, the J3s are my least favorite.

Here’s why: While they’re great looking in electric blue and comfortable, JBuds crammed too much treble in these tiny speakers. The treble-heavy J3s stuck in your ears have the hyper-caffeinated jittery quality you get when you’re driving a four-cylinder sports car overloaded with 300 horsepower. It’s a fast ride, but it’s not a relaxing one.

Another reason to not like the J3s. They amplify the slightest static and hiss through the radio. Even my strong stations, 89.9 and 88.1, through my CCrane CCR-2 had a shrill hiss.

I wanted off this hyper-tuned car, so to speak, and gave the J3s to my wife who likes the electric blue color. She hasn’t tried them yet though. I hope she doesn’t notice the treble-happy things like I do. Since she doesn’t use earbuds with radios ( just her iPod) she at least doesn’t have to contend with the hiss and static. Nevertheless, I feel a bit guilty for giving them to her.

I’m happy with my J2s, which are half price and less problematic. My next pair of earbuds will probably be something high-end, like the $79 Klipsch S4s. But now I’m concerned that high-end speakers will attenuate radio hiss, so I’m a bit shy to pull the trigger. 

Update: 

JBuds contacted me since reading this post and they want me to re-evaluate the JBuds J3s after I break them in. I think that's fair. So here's my second look at the J3s.

Comments

[Bester]

Has anybody got the Westone UM1? I'm especially interested on durability, the sound is said to be excellent.

[Radio Russ]

Jeff - The J3s sound like my worst nightmare. I don't like earbuds in the first place but that's a personal problem. Having ones that screech in my ear with too much treble would be too much to endure.

In your opinion as someone who uses earbuds a lot, do you feel that they have become more comfortable to wear over the years? Sound quality aside, I didn't like the physical sensation of having them in my ears. I haven't tried any new models for several years. It would solve several problems if I could find some that I didn't mind wearing while bike riding, shoveling snow etc. Then there's the issue of the darn things actually staying in place without constantly pushing them back in place.

[Jeffrey McMahon]

Russ, I just stick one bud in one ear for night talk radio so I don't drive my wife crazy. For music, the buds don't do. I use real headphones, my Audio-Technica 500, which are no longer made. The 700 version is still made and is supposed to be better.