Don't need that fourth pole? Clarito are the headphones you want...

This is an interesting sideline from one of my favourite manufacturers of smartphone headsets. ROCKJAW have produced the stunning Arcana v2 and Alfa Genus headsets in the past, with a forth pole on the 3.5mm jack, for microphone and media control of course. Audio quality from each of these is exemplary and there's really no need to spend more than a few tens of pounds for other in-ear headsets - the Arcana v2 have been my go-to reference headset across all smartphones now for almost a couple of years.

Now, the Arcana v2 have been discontinued, but the Hydra v2 are very similar and only a few pounds more.

Now, what's this? Clarito is a cheaper budget version of the old Hydra/Arcana v2 design, but with standard 3-pole jack, i.e. there's no microphone and thus are aimed at wider headphone use. (Yes, you can use them with a smartphone, but you'll have no pause control or way of picking up a call.)



There doesn't seem to be a compromise in audio quality though - the Clarito drivers are every bit as high quality as the previous ROCKJAW designs, with crisp treble (think hi-hats and cymbals) and very decent bass. The latter if you take the time to pick the silicone seals that fit your ears and then insert them sufficiently to make a good seal*

* so many people give up on in-ears because they're afraid of them - in my experience, get the seal right and then you can really hear the quality in both the source audio material and the headphone drivers.



You get four different sizes of seal/bud in the package and they're all of high quality and distinctive, with an inner red core, as shown above.

The aluminium Clarito ear drivers are clearly marked with 'left' and 'right', something which many headsets omit - you've got to get these details right in order to appreciate stereo music with the sound stage that the artist intended, especially for live albums.

90% of my music is from smartphones, since they're the devices that are always with me, and I therefore need the facility to take calls, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this 3-pole Clarito headset for more generic headphone duties (e.g. iPod, iPad, radio, CD players).

At £24 including worldwide shipping these are a bit of a bargain. If, as I say, you don't need that fourth pole!

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