Gadget: a-JAYS Three Tangle-free Earphones

Removing the a-JAYS from their tomb-like packaging is a bit like exhuming a corpse.

The black casing slides back to reveal tiny jet-black earphones resting in their perfectly proportioned coffin.

Unusually, you get a raft of accessories as standard including an in-flight adapter and stereo splitter for sharing the musical love.

Most useful of all is the bundled selection of silicone rubber sleeves ranging from extra small to large. Even if you've got pixie ears, the a-JAYS will fit.

There's even a cunning Batman-inspired spherical rotating earphone carry case included. In short, a-JAYS has covered all of the bases.

While the packaging may be a touch morbid, there's nothing deathly about the sound quality of these mini maestros. The best way to describe the sound signature of the a-JAYS is balanced.

They are Swedish precision instruments of audio accuracy. Make sure you shove them far enough in your ears.

I initially thought they were a bit bass-light until I got a tight fit. You'll often find some earphones suit certain genres of music, but the a-JAYS are just as happy to jump into bed with The Black Eyed Peas as Ellie Goulding.

From the thumping bass of N-Dubz to the velvet tones of Debussy, the a-JAYS cross-dress better than Lily Savage. OK, their soundstage is not as expansive as more expensive audiophile earphones such as the Sennheiser IE8, but for a quarter of the price, the a-JAYS are a steal.

Most interesting of all are the tangle-free cables. They feel like swimming goggle straps without the elasticity and only need a quick tug to slip out of any near knots.

Even after a few pocket stuffing exercises, the a-JAYS resisted the traditional tangle-athon. These puppies deserve their place alongside the headphone big boys.

a-JAYS Three Tangle-free Earphones

Available from www.jaysearphones.co.uk and www.amazon.co.uk for 39.99.

This article was first published in The Scotsman, 05 February, 2011