Our JDS Labs Subjective 3 Review focuses on the three-band equaliser. It is ideal for anyone who loves tailoring their listening experience to get the perfect sound that suits them best. The product also lets them adjust bass, mids, and highs to match their taste.
If you love fine-tuning every detail of your sound, this equaliser is the best option for you. Its straightforward design and Bypass mode make it an excellent addition to your setup. So whether you prefer deeper bass, clear mids, or brighter highs, the equaliser is flexible enough for your needs.
JDS Labs Subjective 3 Review – Design and Functionality
The Subjective 3 is a three-band equaliser with a 100% analogue interface. JDS Labs designed this product to offer a precise, streamlined audio tuning experience.
Its chassis measures only 108.50 x 80.00 x 29.50mm and weighs 340g, making it compact and lightweight. The small form factor does not require massive space, making it easy to integrate into your setup.
JDS Labs used the same chassis as the O2 amp and OL DAC, allowing you to form a neat stack. It is a sturdy aluminium enclosure that offers a premium and durable feel.
The black chassis is easy to integrate into our setup. Its plug-and-play design also allowed us to test it immediately for this JDS Labs Subjective 3 Review. Its minimalist design and interface only feature your audio needs, making it a simple, user-friendly product.
In front of the Subjective 3 are the three-band equaliser knobs for adjusting the bass, mids, and treble. These knobs are tactile, and each allows for a +/-15dB adjustment range. The leftmost portion features the bypass switch and power button.
The rear features the RCA input and output connectors for plugging audio sources and a 15VAC output port for power. This equaliser is for low noise and distortion and cleans audio adjustments while eliminating unwanted artefacts.
We observed its form while writing our JDS Labs Subjective 3 Review, and its compact, robust build boosts its aesthetic. Despite being tiny, it worked efficiently, and every adjustment made to the audio was immediately audible. Using it is also enjoyable, thanks to the knobs with tactile feedback.
Simplicity wins over tricky software solutions, so the equaliser is ideal if you prioritise the previous.
Key Features of the JDS Labs Subjective 3
Our JDS Labs Subjective 3 Review will also discuss more details and the benefits this product offers. It provides numerous advantages over software equalisers, including compatibility, ease of use, and more. What else can it do to improve your listening experiences?
100% Analogue
The Subjective 3 is a fully analogue equaliser that works with all apps. It has physical knobs for immediate hands-on control for intuitive adjustments. These accessible, tactile controls are ideal for live sound environments requiring quick changes and enhancements.
Since it is a physical equaliser, it does not require updates, drivers, and compatibility fixes. These benefits make the equaliser a future-proof gadget for improving your listening experiences.
Three Bands
When using Subjective 3, you can adjust the bass, mids, and treble with a wide adjustment range of +/-15dB. This equaliser lets you tune your audio and achieve low THD+N while the knobs are in their neutral positions.
We were impressed with its versatility while testing for our JDS Labs Subjective 3 Review. Slight adjustments on the bands already make a significant difference in the audio.
Bypass Mode
Bypass mode is a muting relay that removes transients. Original audio signals pass directly to its RCA output jacks with the equaliser switched off.
Specifications
Hands-on with the JDS Labs Subjective 3
Before discussing the product performance, our JDS Labs Subjective 3 Review will focus on its setup process. Setting up this equaliser is quick and straightforward, allowing us to test it after a few minutes.
Setting up the Equaliser
The first step is to connect the equaliser to a power source. Plug the AC power adaptor into the 15VAC power jack and a wall outlet.
Next, connect your audio source or DAC to the RCA input jacks with a cable. For the output jacks, connect your amplifier with another cable.
The front toggle lets you switch between EQ or bypass modes. EQ activates the equaliser and allows adjustments with the three-band knobs. Bypass outputs the original audio signal to the amplifier.
After connecting everything and making adjustments, you can enjoy your audio.
Performance of the JDS Labs 3 Subjective
We enjoyed using the product featured in our JDS Labs Subjective 3 Review. This versatile and intuitive analogue equaliser delivers clean, transparent audio, making it ideal for audiophiles and casual listeners.
Bypass mode retains the original audio quality, making this equaliser fully transparent. We loved the effective tweaking of the equaliser since these instantly adjusted the tone and various sound elements. Also, Subjective 3 delivered the changes without signal degradation.
We loved experimenting with different sound signatures, but what impressed us the most was the Subjective 3’s precision. It allowed us to make subtle adjustments in minimal increments until the audio quality satisfied us. This equaliser allowed us to achieve the perfect listening experience.
While writing this JDS Labs Subjective 3 Review, we noticed its excellent build and quiet performance. Although it only has three bands, these were versatile enough to adjust sounds. The bands were sufficiently wide.
Parametric equalisers may offer more adjustment options, but unlike physical equalisers, these tend to affect the signal and digital processing. The Subjective 3 offers excellent transparency, making it the ideal choice for audiophiles who love tweaking their audio.
Minor audio adjustments using the knobs made significant differences in the sound. We only moved the knobs by a few degrees, and the Subjective 3 delivered our desired sound. This equaliser allowed us to tweak low-quality audio and make it sound pleasing.
We appreciate its fully analogue interface since it offers a more user-friendly and intuitive hands-on experience, making adjustments easier. The equaliser delivered massive changes when we made minimal adjustments and did not restrict the amplifier output.
JDS Labs Subjective 3 Review Summary
The JDS Labs Subjective 3 is an exceptional choice for audiophiles and casual listeners alike, offering a straightforward and effective way to fine-tune audio. Its fully analogue interface delivers precise adjustments across bass, mids, and treble, ensuring users can create their ideal sound signature with ease. This simplicity and effectiveness make it a standout option in the world of equalisers.
The compact and sturdy build of the Subjective 3 enhances its appeal, fitting seamlessly into various setups without occupying much space. Its tactile controls and bypass mode ensure a user-friendly experience while maintaining the purity of the original audio signal. The product’s thoughtful design prioritises both functionality and ease of use.
In performance, the Subjective 3 shines with its ability to produce transparent, distortion-free audio. It enables users to make impactful tweaks without compromising the quality of the sound. The wide adjustment range of +/-15dB across three bands offers excellent versatility, making it suitable for various preferences and listening environments.
The Subjective 3 is a reliable and intuitive equaliser for those who value hands-on control and high-quality audio adjustments. Its precision, simplicity, and durability ensure it is a worthy addition to any audiophile’s setup, elevating the listening experience to a new level.
