Since Apple dropped the 3.5mm headphone jack, other companies have followed their lead. Yes, the 3.5mm headphone jack is quickly disappearing. In its place, there is a flood of new wireless headphones. Still, there is a place for this “older” technology, and the Flare JET earphones show just how good wired headphones with a 3.5mm jack can be.
The Flare JET earphones don’t look like anything special when you first pull them from the box.
Inside, you will find the earphones, three pairs of silicon ear tips (they refer to them as earfoams) so you can get the best fit, and a JET carry pouch to hold the extra ear tips and the earphones when not in use. (You can purchase extra tips if yours get lost or wear out.)
The JET has a simple 3.5mm jack that is reinforced with silicon so it won’t wear out. The cable is a reinforced rubberized material that isn’t overly thick but seems tough enough to put up with a fair amount of use and abuse. One benefit of the material they chose is the fact that, no matter how hard you try, the cable simply won’t get tangled. If you have ever dealt with a bird’s nest of earphone cable you know how great this is! The point at which the cable splits into the left and right channel is reinforced with rubber. It feels quite sturdy.
Part way up the cable on one of the earphones there is a small, one-button remote and microphone. The single button falls short of supplying the degree of control more complicated inline remotes off, but it gets the job done while maintaining a small size and low weight that doesn’t make the earphones feel unbalanced.
The earphones themselves come in a choice of three different materials. The Jet 1 is made from a high tensile polymer and has an MSRP of $61.80. The JET 2 is made from aerospace aluminum and has an MSRP of $87.15. The most expensive option is the JET 3. They are made from titanium and have an MSRP of $112.41. I was sent the JET 2, and I am quite impressed with the sound coming from earphones that cost under $90.
The reason the JET sound so good is no mystery but does look, and sound, like a bit of magic. As the company explains it, the earphones use a patent-pending technology that “uses jets to control and focus sound directly into your ears.” That might sound like a bit of spin but, regardless of how they describe their technology there can be no denying the fact that they sound awesome. Bass is deep but not overpowering. Mids and highs have a degree of clarity I have not previously encountered in sub-$100 earphones.
Jet technology is precise pressure balancing across all frequencies. This technology allows us to match the air pressure in front of the driver, to the rear of the driver. As a result, we are able to release a buildup of pressure, or use it to maximize the front output of the earphone. Flares JET uses this technology to maximize the front output of the earphone. This reduces distortion levels and boost overall volume enabling the driver to perform as efficiently as possible.
Imagine if you had X-Ray hearing. Flares JET earphones give you the ability to hear all the subtle nuances and detail in your favourite music. Combine this with superb isolation and get the best sound anywhere.
The company makes clear the fact that the difference between the three versions of the earphones is not just the material used in their construction. As you move up model numbers, the quality of the sound also goes up. Thus, my Flare Jet 2 sit in the middle of the pack. They are super impressive, so I can’t imagine how good the Jet 3 are!
Features:
- Jet patent-pending sound balancing technology
- Precision turned from titanium, aerospace aluminum or high tensile polymer
- 3.5mm gold plated jack connector
- Microphone and controller capabilities
- Cable Length | 1.15m
- Driver diameter | 10mm
- Frequency response | 05-20KHz
- Driver sensitivity | 93dB/1mW
The Flare Jet 2 earphones are impressive. They deliver premium sound and top quality construction without carrying a premium cost. They are comfortable, have tangle-free cables, comes with various sized ear inserts and have a small but functional inline remote with microphone. The technology Flare employs works since these earphones bring music to life and truly let you enjoy your tunes. It’s all good except for the fact that, as 2018 comes to an end, the gold-plated 3.5mm connector belongs in the dustbin of technology. Sure, there are still plenty of devices still sporting a 3.5mm headphone plug but, more quickly than many of us expected, that number is diminishing.
If your device still has a 3.5mm plug, or you are willing to use the awkward 3.5mm-to-Lighting adapter Apple used to include with their iPhones, these earphones are worth checking into. I hope. Flare releases a version with Lightning or USB-C. For now, however, I’ll either use these with my old iPad or suck it up and use the Apple adapter because, while I hate using adapters, the Flare Jet 2 sound that good! Check them out here.
Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample
What I Like: Sturdy cable; Sound amazing; Comfortable; Nicely priced
What Needs Improvement: Still depend upon 3.5mm headphone jack which is rapidly becoming obsolete
