Sound Signature: Warm, Balanced
Disclaimer: LREY Jagan v3 was loaned to me for an unbiased writeup. This will be as honest a review as it can get. I uphold my morale code to be fair and just. All you can read here will be my own opinion, subject to different factors such as gear used, tracks and what my own ears perceive. I also only write reviews after thoroughly listening to it for a week or more rather than just a day; both casually and critically with reference tracks I'm personally familiar with. For listening, I used donut foams. Please be respectful towards the comments section. With all that on the side, let's talk LREY Jagan v3.
Price: 20 USD/Php 1000
Specifications:
Impedance: 32Ω
Frequency range: 20-20000Hz
Sensitivty: 116dbmw
Cable: Oxygen-free Copper (OFC) pre-made cable
Driver diameter: 15.4mm
Gear used:
(Hiby Music) Mi 9T Pro (naked)/Mi 9T Pro > Tempotec Sonata HD Pro w/ 2 Vrms. (Foobar2000) Desktop (naked)
Reference Music:
Dream Eyes - Mine, Kosuke Quintet (DSD 128)
Evolution Orange - Earth, Wind & Fire (DSD 128)
Giorgo by Moroder - Daft Punk (DSD256)
Making of a Cyborg - Kenji Kawai (FLAC 24bit)
On the Run - Pink Floyd (FLAC 24bit)
Charlie Wasn't Afraid - Day Din (FLAC 16bit)
Uchiage Hanabi - DAOKO x Kenshi Yonezu (FLAC 24bit)
Upstairs - Psapp (FLAC 16bit)
Grand Escape - RADWIMPS ft. Toko Miura (FLAC 24bit)
Superfast Jellyfish - Gorillaz (FLAC 16bit)
Hotel California - The Eagles (WAV 32bit)
Black Rainbows - Hawaii: Part II (FLAC 16bit)
Isle Unto Thyself - Hawaii: Part II (FLAC 16bit)
Introduction:
Two weeks ago, a message came through my Facebook asking if I can do a detailed review for his own custom buds. Of course it was Sir Jaycee Patricio of LREY Portable Music telling me that he wanted a well-done honest review for his new Jagan v3. This came to me as a surprise as I'm known to criticize "good-sounding" earbuds to many. Accepting the offer, I gave a disclaimer that my reviews are my own and to appreciate it as constructive criticism rather than dismiss it as negative banters. Fast forward to now, after all the delays; I'm now finally writing this long-ass explanation about how good these are and how it can be improved.
A brief introduction to LREY Portable Music:
Sir Jaycee Patricio started not with tuning his own earbuds, but rather creating customized shells, modded Zishan units and brass splitters. Not until 2019 that he partnered with Madcap Music for brass hardwares, producing brass shells and splitters exclusively for the startup company. As 2020 enters and lockdowns were implemented in different cities, he took it upon himself to learn modding and create earbuds with the guiding hand of his mentor. As months passed, he learned how to tune properly and build his own pair. He also expanded his shell manufacturing business to provide more flavors as he continuously improves his work.
The name Jagan came from the manga/manhwa "Jagaaaaaan". This was his go to reading material whilst tinkering with the prototype version of these earbuds. He really liked the manga a lot and in honor, named one of his earbuds; Jagan.
Build:
The typical black mx500 shell. Matte-painted and is made of plastic. L & R markings are present at the bottom of the stem, painted in white. Markings are distinctive and can be seen clearly unless you're in low light.
Cables is where it looks premium. An Oxygen-free copper (OFC) with black and copper colorway, they look durable but doesn't carry too much memory; they aren't stiff either. Cables near left and right terminations have plastic heat shrinks with different color pattern: blue for left and red for right, making it a breeze to discern which is which without even looking for the L & R markings. Splitters are made of gold-colored aluminum which compliments the cable's colorway superbly. Jack is straight and gold-plated, single-ended.
Comfort:
LREY Jagan v3 feels light on my ears and thus doesn't irritate me so much despite being in mx500 shells. I went outside for groceries with it on my ears, worn it for hours and never felt the need to adjust them, as a matter of fact I actually forgot I'm wearing them.
Isolation:
These are earbuds, don't expect too much.
Sounds:
As "out of the box syndrome" goes, I liked them a lot the moment I received them. I thought they sounded so casual that I find it more enjoyable to listen to than the other earbuds scattered on my table. When I first got a listen to them, LREY's Jagan v3 took me in a park, a field of grass and flowers, where I share a picnic with my significant other. No I'm not drunk or high when I'm writing this, rather, just describing the imagery in my brain when I took Jagan v3 for a spin. After a week of brain burn and listening to my reference tracks, did they hold up? In-depth review below:
Lows:
Jagan v3's greatest strength. If you're expecting lows with volume and quantity, these aren't the case but rather; a bass presentation filled with "just right" amount of punch, texture and body. Jagan v3 prides quality lows rather than filling your ears with disjointed rumble. Punch is good, albeit decay might feel quicker than usual; texture compensates this well as I feel any genres are justified. Playing Giorgio by Moroder of Daft Punk, synths are well presented and highly addictive. Listening to heavier bass-centric tracks such as Charlie Wasn't Afraid by Day Din note weight may feel lacking but it doesn't sound off nor thin. Bassheads might want more, but this is more than satisfactory to me. Dubsteps and electro won't disappoint
Midrange:
Smoothened and musicale, Jagan v3 approaches mids with the intention of captivating listeners to a clean melody. The tonality is very forgiving and you'll never get tired listening to tracks like the whole Hawaii Part II album and Taylor Swift's discography. Female vocals are well-presented, positioning is impeccable and they don't feel too intimate nor are they drowned by instruments. Grand Escape by RADWIMPS feat Toko Miura, from the moment Toko's voice echoed; you are immersed with lush, comforting vocals with nothing more to ask for. Despite a really good female vocal presentation, male vocals lack warmth and thickness; as evidence when listening to Evolution Orange by Earth, Wind & Fire; as Maurice's voice lack the usual raspyness & thickness that we all loved. Kenshi Yonezu from the song Uchiage Hanabi might sound underwhelming, most likely due to early roll-off on mid-bass (80-300hz) which is a likely explanation to the bass's early decay as well.
Treble:
The weakest frequency of Jagan v3. At first, I initially thought these are analytical but after days of brain burn, and listening to my treble reference tracks like Dream Eyes by Mine, Kosuke Quintet it felt average or rather it needs more extension. Upper midrange to presence region transition are well done, as evidence to the really musicale female vocals, which means lower treble is tuned properly. They are inoffensive, listening to them for hours; youll never feel any peaks and is fatigue-free guaranteed. Jagan v3 also has more than decent initial attack on percussive instruments. Cymbal strikes can be clearly heard but can definitely be improved. Air region doesn't feel rolled-off, as these earbuds are micro-detail capable and songs like Hotel California by the Eagles, each and every instrument are presented well with clarity and definition. Despite the praise, the overall tonality for treble is underwhelming as they feel distant and just average. They're still better than most within its price range but if you're looking for sparks, they're not quite there.
Soundstage:
Quick Note: Soundstage is a highly subjective spectrum of audio. Different factors such as how the track was recorded or if it was properly mastered, plays a crucial role in identifying soundstage. Please take everything with a grain of ajinomoto seasoning.
Above-average. LREY's Jagan v3 despite lacking in some treble regions, had more than enough in their belt to impress me. On the Run by Pink Floyd sounds good with proper horizontal imaging and depth as it continues to surround you left and right. Headroom can be improved however as Upstairs by PSAPP doesn't sound upstairs at all but rather just a mater above you with quick strides off the wooden floor.
Layering and Separation:
Instrument separation is good. Tracks with a lot going on such as Hotel California by the Eagles are played well, with accurate separation; as guitar instruments and percussives dont smear each other. You can identify which is which even with multiple string instruments present. However, busier tracks like Metropolis Part 1 by Dream Theater aren't up to par, but hey this are $20, you can't ask for more.
Comparisons:
Quick disclaimer: Comparisons are made with my own preference and bias, solely based on experience. My ears are my own. Whether you take this as a compliment, a constructive criticism or dismiss it entirely is up to you.
Vido Red: Winner (LREY Jagan v3) For less than $2, Vido Red still comes as real bargain champions. With a really warm tonality, they're famous for bass quantity, drowning you with over the top lows with good texture and punch. However, they're double edged swords as most of the time they're congested and smears other frequencies. Jagan v3 wins because of musicality, they're downright better on all frequencies especially with lows as texture-wise, Jagan wins. Vido's midrange doesn't feel soothing at all whilst our challenger has very clean tonality. Jagan v3 is just better without a doubt.
VE Monks Plus: Winner (LREY Jagan v3) Monks Plus gained its status for its well-renowned price to performance ratio, and they do sound good for the price. They come with well-rounded midrange, transparent and natural despite a little bit edgy. Monks Plus's treble is sparkly, micro-detail capable and soundstage are wider than Jagan's but the races ends there. Personally I find its highs untamed which may peak on certain songs. Jagan's inoffensive tuning tops this as they just sound so soothing on your ears. Our challenger also showcases better midrange timbre especially female vocals as they sound lush compared to Monks' edgy mids. And we just can't compare the lows, Jagan v3 takes the throne this time.
Qianyun Qian39: Winner (Qian39 by preference) The best comparison we have for today is between the budget sleep 14.8mm buds Qianyun Qian39 and our #lokal challenger LREY Jagan v3. I really want to compare them as they both perform well and sound musical, they just might be brothers from another mother. Our contender, Qian39 takes the lead with its lows, as they have perfectly-timed bass decay, good bass texture and tight cohesive punch. Jagan didn't back down either as their bass presentation proves to be a match with texture and decent punch, still Qian has the edge for this one. Midrange again, the musicality of Qian39 prevails as both male and female vocals are just better when compares to Jagan's. Frankly when it comes to treble I don't know which one wins. However, Jagan v3's overall tonality made it a good match for Qian39 because they're a delight to listen to, they might lack some warmth or note weight but I personally feel it adds character to Jagan's timbre. If not for Qian39's bass, Jagan could have probably won.
Monks Slim-Metal: Winner (Monks Slim-metal) These two are very different so it all comes down to preference, and for me; Monks Sm won. Whilst Jagan has calm tonality, Monks SM surprises you with a bright presentation, so treble-sensitive individuals beware. Still I'd grab SM as they pick up details way better, soundstage is the most immersive I've heard amongst my collection and those cymbal strikes are "muuwah". Despite clearly lacking lows, they're not thin sounding at the very least like Shiro-yuki and they're punchy and full-bodied. As an advice, if you want to listen to tracks that have bias towards percussive instruments such as hi-hats and cymbals (Sincerity is Scary 1975) go listen to Monks SM but, if you just want to listen and appreciate music casually, have fun and go all-rounder, Jagan v3 is an easy choice.
Conclusions:
The #lokal earbuds scenery is certainly booming with well-made earbuds and LREY Jagan v3 is no exception. They are worth the $20 you spend and can compete with anyone within its price range. Do I recommend them? Yes, especially if you just want to relax, these are earbuds that you'd want to carry anywhere you go. Be it during groceries, a picnic, a date or just going to work, Jagan v3 will satisfy your ears and won't drown them anywhere you go. They just released last month so hurry up and grab them whilst stocks last.
Grab them here:
LREY Portable Music