Unboxing
The Clarito is the second Rock Jaw Audio product I’ve encountered. The company sent me the new earphones after I published my review of the Alfa Genus V2. The Clarito isn’t meant to replace the Alfa Genus, instead representing a simple solution for people who just want their earphones to deliver natural, high-quality sound. Coming in at £23.95, it’s targeted towards buyers on a budget.
The Clarito doesn’t feature the customisable tuning filters of the Alfa Genus. It offers a balanced and measured output straight from the box with rounded bass and treble, instead of an emphasis on one of the two. For people who listen to a variety of genres, this decision is likely to be beneficial.
Rock Jaw Audio Clarito
Rock Jaw Audio
Inside the smartly designed box, you’ll find the earphones wrapped around a foam insert. They can be extracted by unravelling the cable. A set of three different sized silicone tips and a soft carry pouch are included. A clothing clip is also provided. The package conveys a sense of simplicity that suits the product’s intended purpose.
Design
The Clarito uses a similar design to the Alfa Genus with a few minor tweaks. The aluminium housing of each earbud is sculpted into a flat barrel, terminating in a round Rock Jaw logo in place of the Alfa Genus’ pointed tip. The silver metal finish looks good without attracting unnecessary attention. It is cool to the touch and comfortable to wear.
Rock Jaw Audio Clarito
Rock Jaw Audio
The provided earbud tips are also comfortable. You don’t get so many options here as with the Alfa Genus, having just the soft silicone finish available in three sizes, but the tips sit snugly in the ear and don’t ease themselves out if you move your head or snag the cable.
The cable itself is made of the same thick rubber material as the Alfa Genus. It exhibits many of the same problems, namely an overly rigid design that remains taut in use and is difficult to position. The cable also has a noticeable weight, even though the earphones themselves don’t, which detracts from the comfort of wearing the Clarito.
Rock Jaw Audio Clarito
Rock Jaw Audio
Rock Jaw informed me the cable is used because of its strength and durability, making it “almost impossible” to break compared with the thinner wire of the original Alfa Genus. Even so, this is one of the tautest cables I’ve encountered. A compromise midway between strength and rigidity would have been more welcome.
Sound quality
Throughout my testing, I was impressed by the audio produced by the Clarito. Rock Jaw didn’t tell me the price until I’d already begun my review and I was surprised to discover how little the product retails for. The Claritos don’t feel like £20 earphones and neither do they sound it.
Rock Jaw Audio Clarito
Rock Jaw Audio
Audio is clear across the different ranges and doesn’t come across as muffled. Very high treble notes can become a little harsh at higher volumes, losing some definition, but this occurs rarely and usually during more complex pieces. Likewise, some deeper bass notes can be lost in louder sections, obscured beneath the mid-range, but again this is only occasionally noticeable.
The Clarito has the same 8mm precision tuned drivers as the Alfa Genus V2 and audio quality is generally on par with its older and pricier sibling. The mid-range is less pronounced here than on the Alfa Genus though and bass lacks the noticeable deep booming tones the higher-end headset is capable of producing.
Rock Jaw Audio Clarito
Rock Jaw Audio
Overall, the Clarito delivers the crisp and balanced sound that Rock Jaw promises. Bass and treble are both enjoyable to listen to and neither appear to exist at the expense of the other. The Clarito’s output is reminiscent of the Alfa Genus V2 with the natural tuning filters fitted, settling in a comfortable mid-range between bass and treble.
Conclusion
With the Clarito, Rock Jaw is expanding its selection of high-quality earphones to a new kind of customer. By retaining many of the best features of the Alfa Genus but almost halving the price, Rock Jaw has created a pair of truly high-end budget earphones.
Rock Jaw Audio Clarito
Rock Jaw Audio
With sound quality that belies the price and an all-metal design that’s robust and attractive, the Clarito is likely to become a popular option in this price range. While not entirely without fault, the earphones are very good value and should be considered by people seeking quality audio on a budget.
The Rock Jaw Audio Clarito retails for £23.95 in the UK or the equivalent in select regions worldwide. Shipping is free for both UK and international customers. At this price, the Clarito is a great value proposition and sets a standard that may be hard for Rock Jaw’s rivals to beat. Coming in at under £25, the Clarito stands a good chance of resonating with its target audience. It has already attracted positive customer reviews on Rock Jaw’s website.
Verdict
For the price, you can’t go far wrong with the Rock Jaw Clarito. Despite targeting the budget end of the market, these are comfortable earphones that generally produce balanced and well-rounded sound, capable of creating both crisp highs and punchy lows. The cable could be better designed and the bass can be a bit lacking in some regions but overall these earphones are a fantastic option in their price range. For sheer value for money, you can’t go far wrong.
Pros
– Aluminium housings are attractive, lightweight and comfortable to wear
– Balanced sound
– Competitive price
Cons
– Rigid cable can be difficult to position
– Sound can occasionally lose fidelity
– Limited earbud tip options
