Jays Q Jays Review | 93 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£350
  • Avg. price in US: ~$250
  • Form factor: in-ear
  • Connectivity: wired
  • Battery life: N/A hours
  • Active noise cancellation (ANC): no

Jays Q Jays review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among headphones and if it is worth buying.

5.5

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.

Score components:

80.0%

5.4

Technical Score

20.0%

5.9

User score

Good
5.4

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the headphones' technical performance, covering key areas such as sound quality, noise cancelling, microphone performance, battery life, comfort, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

52.0%

6.0

Sound

20.0%

2.7

Features

10.0%

10

Design

8.0%

5.8

Connectivity

6.0%

1.0

Battery

4.0%

5.7

Calls & Controls

Good
5.9

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.

When it matters: When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.

Score components:

70.0%

7.1

User reviews

30.0%

3.0

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
3.3
(22)
amazon
4.1
(8)
amazon
3.7
(5)
amazon
3.7
(4)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
3.3
(22)
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
(8)
Amazon_logo.png
3.7
(5)
Amazon_logo.png
3.7
(4)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Good
  • 2.8
    Gaming

    Score components:

    35.0%

    0.0

    Audio latency

    25.0%

    0.0

    Low-latency game mode

    20.0%

    10

    Can be used as a headset

    12.0%

    7.0

    Noise-canceling microphone

    8.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

  • 2.1
    Travel

    Score components:

    28.0%

    1.0

    Active noise cancellation (ANC)

    24.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

    18.0%

    10

    Weight

    16.0%

    0.0

    Multipoint support

    14.0%

    0.0

    Ambient sound mode

  • 4.4
    Calls

    Score components:

    28.0%

    7.0

    Noise-canceling microphone

    24.0%

    10

    Can be used as a headset

    18.0%

    0.0

    Multipoint support

    16.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

    14.0%

    0.0

    Companion app

  • 5.0
    Workout

    Score components:

    28.0%

    10

    Weight

    24.0%

    1.0

    Water resistance

    20.0%

    4.0

    IP rating

    16.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

    12.0%

    10

    Can be used as a headset

  • jays-q-jays
  • jays-q-jays
jays-q-jays
jays-q-jays

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

?

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Jays q-JAYS are ultra-compact in-ear monitors featuring a dual balanced-armature driver system—one WideBand module and one subwoofer—housed in a metal-injection molded steel chassis. Specifically engineered for a reference-quality sound, they offer a wide frequency response of 5 Hz to 20,000 Hz, a 50-ohm impedance, and a sensitivity of 103 dB. Their main characteristics include a minimalist Swedish design and a detachable SSMCX cable system that supports optional iOS or Android remote controls. The primary pros are their extremely lightweight build (approx. 8g), exceptional comfort due to their tiny size, and a highly detailed, articulate sound signature that excels in clarity and separation. However, some users note cons such as a lack of aggressive bass impact, audible cable microphonics (noise when the cable rubs against clothing), and a high premium price point compared to other dual-driver monitors.

Technical Specifications of Jays Q Jays

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the headphones' technical performance, covering key areas such as sound quality, noise cancelling, microphone performance, battery life, comfort, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

52.0%

6.0

Sound

20.0%

2.7

Features

10.0%

10

Design

8.0%

5.8

Connectivity

6.0%

1.0

Battery

4.0%

5.7

Calls & Controls

5.4
Jays Q Jays has a technical score of 5.43 points, which is higher than that of 65.3% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.

When it matters: When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.

Score components:

70.0%

7.1

User reviews

30.0%

3.0

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
3.3
(22)
amazon
4.1
(8)
amazon
3.7
(5)
amazon
3.7
(4)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
3.3
(22)
Amazon_logo.png
4.1
(8)
Amazon_logo.png
3.7
(5)
Amazon_logo.png
3.7
(4)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

5.9
Jays Q Jays has a user score of 5.87 points, which is lower than that of 94.9% of products in this category.
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters: When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
3.0
Jays Q Jays has a popularity of 3 points, which is lower than 60.4% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

5.5

Overall score

40.0%

8.7

Price

6.5
Jays Q Jays has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.5 points, which is lower than 60.6% of products in this category.
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
What it is: Reduces background noise using active technology
When it matters: When blocking office, travel, or aircraft noise is a priority.

Importance: HIGH

no
Jays Q Jays does not support active noise cancellation. 27.4% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
What it is: Type of speaker driver technology used
When it matters: When the underlying sound character and driver technology matter to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

balanced armature
Driver size
What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit
When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.

Importance: MEDIUM

?
Number of drivers
What it is: Total number of speaker drivers per earcup
When it matters: When multi-driver designs are part of your buying criteria.

Importance: LOW

2
Jays Q Jays uses 2 drivers, more drivers than 96% of headphones and equal to 2.5% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=10 Hz

5 Hz
Jays Q Jays reaches a lowest frequency of 5 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 86.3% of headphones and equal to 10.8% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls
When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.

Importance: MEDIUM

?
Can be used as a headset
What it is: Shows whether the headphones can handle voice chat and calls in addition to normal audio playback.
When it matters: When one pair needs to cover music, calls, meetings, and gaming chat.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Jays Q Jays is headset-ready, 84.7% is not. 15.3% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
What it is: Total number of built-in microphones
When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2

0
Jays Q Jays has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 74.1% of headphones and equal to 25.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity
When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.

Importance: LOW

yes
Jays Q Jays includes a boom microphone. 84.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
What it is: Signal-to-noise ratio of the microphone
When it matters: When call clarity matters and you want your voice picked up more cleanly instead of buried in background hiss.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >80 dB

N/A
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Connectivity
What it is: Available connection methods (wired, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.)
When it matters: When the headphones need to match how you listen across wired and wireless devices.

Importance: HIGH

wired
Jays Q Jays supports wired connectivity, equal to 52.6% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
What it is: Version of Bluetooth technology supported
When it matters: When wireless stability, efficiency, and feature support matter more than treating Bluetooth as a box-check spec.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5.0

N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
What it is: Maximum wireless operating distance from source device
When it matters: When you move around rooms and want fewer dropouts from your source device.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=10 m

N/A
Audio latency
What it is: Delay between audio and video in wireless mode
When it matters: When you watch video or play games and need sound to stay in sync.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <60 ms

N/A
Multipoint support
What it is: Supports simultaneous connections to multiple devices
When it matters: When you switch often between a phone and a laptop during the day.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
Show more
Ambient sound mode
What it is: Allows external sounds to pass through for awareness
When it matters: When you need to stay aware of traffic, voices, or announcements.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
EQ support
What it is: Allows customization of sound profile via equalizer
When it matters: When the stock tuning is not enough and you want to shape bass, mids, or treble to match your taste.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Jays Q Jays does not support EQ customization. 23.3% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
What it is: Dedicated mobile app for customization and updates
When it matters: When software customization, updates, and extra controls matter.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
Adjustable ANC levels
What it is: Allows adjustment of noise cancellation intensity levels
When it matters: When you move between quiet rooms, offices, streets, and public transport and do not want one ANC setting for every situation.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=4

N/A
Voice assistant support
What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant
When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.

Importance: LOW

no
Jays Q Jays does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
What it is: Playback time on a single charge
When it matters: When you commute, travel, or work long shifts and do not want charging breaks to interrupt listening.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >45 hours

N/A
Battery life with ANC
What it is: Playback time with active noise cancellation enabled
When it matters: When you plan to keep noise cancellation on for most of the day.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >40 hours

N/A
Charging time
What it is: Time required for a full battery charge
When it matters: When you often need the headphones ready again after short breaks.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=2 hours

N/A
Quick charge
What it is: Provides quick playback time with short charging period
When it matters: When a short top-up needs to deliver useful playback before you leave.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
Battery capacity
What it is: Total energy storage of the internal battery
When it matters: When you are estimating how much battery headroom the design may have before relying only on the official runtime claim.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=720 mAh

N/A
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Brand name
What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.
When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Jays
Form factor
What it is: Overall design type of the headphones (over-ear, on-ear, in-ear, etc.)
When it matters: When comfort, portability, and isolation depend on the overall headphone style.

Importance: HIGH

in-ear
Weight
What it is: Total weight of the headphones
When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <150 g

8 g
Jays Q Jays weighs 8 g, lighter than 97.2% of headphones and equal to 0.7% of headphones.
Acoustic design
What it is: Type of acoustic design (open-back, closed-back, semi-open)
When it matters: When you need the right balance of isolation, leakage, and soundstage.

Importance: HIGH

closed-back
Clamp force
What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head
When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
Show more

Jays Q Jays vs the average headphone

  • 96.3% lower weight
    Jays Q Jays is lighter than the average headphone (8 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    What it is: Total weight of the headphones
    When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <150 g

    Jays Q Jays is lighter than the average headphone (8 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.8 g vs 218 g
  • 13 Hz lower bass extension
    Jays Q Jays has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (5 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
    When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <=10 Hz

    Jays Q Jays has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (5 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.5 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • In-line controls
    Jays Q Jays includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
    What it is: Controls available on in-line remote of wired cable
    When it matters: When your wired setup depends on cable-mounted buttons or call controls.

    Importance: LOW

    Jays Q Jays includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • Boom microphone included
    Jays Q Jays includes a boom microphone, the average headphone does not. 15.6% of headphones have a boom microphone.
    What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity
    When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.

    Importance: LOW

    Jays Q Jays includes a boom microphone, the average headphone does not. 15.6% of headphones have a boom microphone.
  • 96.3% lower weight
    Jays Q Jays is lighter than the average headphone (8 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
  • 13 Hz lower bass extension
    Jays Q Jays has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (5 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
  • In-line controls
    Jays Q Jays includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • Boom microphone included
    Jays Q Jays includes a boom microphone, the average headphone does not. 15.6% of headphones have a boom microphone.
  • 1 fewer drivers
    Jays Q Jays has fewer drivers than the average headphone (2 vs 1). The average headphones use 1 drivers.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    Jays Q Jays has fewer microphones than the average headphone (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
  • No voice assistant support
    Jays Q Jays does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 10 years older release date
    Jays Q Jays was released earlier than the average headphone (2,007 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
    October 2007
  • No voice assistant support
    Jays Q Jays does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
    What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant
    When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.

    Importance: LOW

    Jays Q Jays does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 3.89x more expensive
    Jays Q Jays is more expensive than the average headphone (£350 vs £90).
    Jays Q Jays is more expensive than the average headphone (£350 vs £90).£350 vs £90
  • 1 fewer microphones
    Jays Q Jays has fewer microphones than the average headphone (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    What it is: Total number of built-in microphones
    When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >=2

    Jays Q Jays has fewer microphones than the average headphone (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.0 vs 1
  • 36.3% lower user score
    Jays Q Jays has a lower user score than the average headphone (5.87 vs 8.000).
    What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters: When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Jays Q Jays has a lower user score than the average headphone (5.87 vs 8.000).5.87 vs 8
  • 10 years older release date
    Jays Q Jays was released earlier than the average headphone (2,007 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
    October 2007
    What it is: Official release or launch date of the model
    When it matters: When you want a newer model for fresher features, longer support life, or simply to avoid buying into an older generation.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >=2020

    Jays Q Jays was released earlier than the average headphone (2,007 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.2007 vs 2017
  • 1 fewer drivers
    Jays Q Jays has fewer drivers than the average headphone (2 vs 1). The average headphones use 1 drivers.
    What it is: Total number of speaker drivers per earcup
    When it matters: When multi-driver designs are part of your buying criteria.

    Importance: LOW

    Jays Q Jays has fewer drivers than the average headphone (2 vs 1). The average headphones use 1 drivers.2 vs 1
  • 4.2% worse value for money
    Jays Q Jays has worse value for money than the average headphone (6.47 vs 6.736).
    What it is: An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
    When it matters: When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
    Jays Q Jays has worse value for money than the average headphone (6.47 vs 6.736).6.47 vs 6.74

Graphic comparison of Jays Q Jays and

Attribute category
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Third-party reviews

What customers like about Jays Q Jays?

  • Extremely compact and lightweight form factor
  • Superior build quality with metal injection molded steel housings
  • Highly comfortable for long sessions; small enough to wear while sleeping
  • Exceptional detail, clarity, and instrument separation
  • Neutral and analytical sound signature ideal for classical and instrumental music
  • Excellent sound isolation for a universal in-ear monitor
  • Durable, user-replaceable cables with secure screw-on connectors

What customers dislike about Jays Q Jays?

  • Premium price point with high 'audiophile' cost
  • Bass lacks punch and physical impact, which may disappoint bass-heads
  • Treble can be overly bright, sharp, or sibilant, especially at higher volumes
  • Cables are prone to microphonics (cord feedback) from movement
  • Requires a significant break-in period to reach optimal sound quality
  • Soundstage can feel slightly narrow or 'cramped' when driven directly from a smartphone
  • Replacement cables are relatively expensive

Expert reviews

6
6moons.com
No Date Provided

The Swedish-made Jays q-Jays are ultra-small, dual-armature in-ear monitors retailing for $179 that offer a clean, lively, and well-balanced sound profile with impressive full-range extension for their size. Designed for high portability and excellent noise isolation, these lightweight 8-gram earphones effectively block ambient noise and prevent sound leakage, making them ideal for...Read more

F
forums.ilounge.com
26/06/2008

The Jays q-JAYS earphones are praised for their ultra-compact, lightweight design that enables easy insertion and a direct-down cable, offering superior comfort and an excellent acoustic seal. They provide an engrossing, detailed sound profile with deeper, warmer bass compared to competitors like Etymotics, delivering a strong, immersive listening experience. However, the reviews...Read more

C
cnet.com
07/10/2010

The Jays q-Jays are dual-micro armature driver in-ear headphones that deliver an exceptionally balanced, full, and dynamic sound, making them especially well-suited for classic rock, jazz, or orchestral music rather than a boosted "pop" sound. The earphones feature great fit and effective noise attenuation, and they come packed with an extensive array of accessories including five...Read more

E
earphonia.com
25/05/2017

The earphonia.com review of the q-JAYS in-ear monitors highlights their miniature, ergonomic construction and premium presentation as standout design elements, featuring a comfortable fit with Comply foam tips and a secure, screw-type SSMCX cable connector. While praised for their durable build and refined reference sound, the earphones are limited by a lack of aftermarket cable...Read more

H
headfonia.com
24/09/2015

The Headfonia review of the second-generation JAYS q-JAYS highlights an exceptionally built, ultra-compact dual balanced armature IEM featuring a comfortable deep-insertion fit and secure proprietary SSMCX threaded connectors. Sonically, it delivers a highly transparent, fast, and analytical sound, characterized by a wide, spatial soundstage and exceptional midrange and treble...Read more

H
headfonics.com
01/09/2015

The q-JAYS IEM is lauded by Headfonics for its exceptional, compact structural engineering and superior build quality, which sets a high standard for its price point. Sonically, these dual balanced-armature earphones offer a fast, smooth, and detailed sound profile featuring an open, airy soundstage with excellent instrument separation. Conversely, the review highlights that the...Read more

H
head-fi.org
21/09/2015

The Jays q-JAYS v2.0 in-ear monitors are lauded on Head-Fi for their exceptionally compact, durable metal-injection molded stainless steel design and high-level, analytical sound signature. They offer precise, articulate, and airy performance with superior treble, excellent instrument separation, and a secure SSMCX cable system. YouTube· Conversely, the v2.0 face criticism for...Read more

M
majorhifi.com
19/04/2016

The Jays Q-Jays 2nd Generation earphones feature a durable design crafted from metal-injection molded steel. They operate using dual balanced-armature drivers, combining a WideBand module with a dedicated subwoofer. On the technical side, they offer a wide frequency range of 5 to 20,000 Hz alongside a nominal impedance of 50 ohms. In the box, listeners receive both silicone and...Read more

L
lesnumeriques.com
11/12/2001

The Les Numériques review sets up a head-to-head technology duel between two best-selling portable audio icons of their era: the Jays Q-Jays in-ear monitors and the Sennheiser HD 25 on-ear headphones. This comparison focuses heavily on laboratory measurements, evaluating the distinct audio reproduction profiles and acoustic properties inherent to each form factor. The evaluation...Read more

O
on-mag.fr
16/05/2012

The ON-mag review praises the Jays q-JAYS as a minimalist, high-end kit of in-ear monitors tailored for demanding audiophiles. The pros highlight their immaculate, ultra-compact single-piece stainless steel construction, which provides an exceptionally lightweight and comfortable fit that effortlessly adapts to any ear canal. Sonically, the dual balanced-armature drivers deliver a...Read more

L
lesnumeriques.com
16/03/2009

The q-JAYS (2nd generation) in-ear monitors by Swedish manufacturer JAYS have arrived at the audio lab, receiving a highly flattering initial review and a perfect 5 out of 5 rating. Launched at a premium price point of €399, these ultra-compact earphones are highlighted as the smallest cable-exchangeable in-ears in the world. Their premium build quality features an stainless steel...Read more

L
lesnumeriques.com
08/11/2017

The Les Numériques review of the Jays q-Jays gives these dual-driver, "all-terrain" in-ear monitors a 5/5 star rating, highlighting their extremely small, lightweight, and comfortable design. They offer a quasi-analytical, detailed, and airy sound with exceptional instrument separation. Key strengths include excellent passive noise isolation and a generous accessory package...Read more

X
xataka.com
13/11/2007

Overview The q-JAYS are dual-driver in-ear headphones that pack a dedicated tweeter and woofer into remarkably small ear casings, successfully delivering enhanced sound clarity across all frequencies. Priced at around €170, they come with a comprehensive accessory kit, including seven pairs of ear tips in varying sizes, four replacement filters, two 90 cm extension cables (one...Read more

Video reviews

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