Panasonic RP-HT21 Lightweight On-Ear Headphones

先ずはシンプルなデザインに惹かれて注文したが、軽量かつ可動部分が少ないため無精者の日常使いにはピッタリと思われる。目下エージング中（稼働時間約２０h）のため音質については評価を控えるが、意外にもClassicが楽しめるのには驚かされた（中高音域に癖がなく伸びやか）。本製品は国内では流通しておらず逆輸入のようだが、販売価格が5000円前後とやや高めなのが唯一の難点。

after a month of use, one ear began to work quieter.
Fixed volume balance in Windows settings

Don’t bother cheap junk

I got these headphones to listen to music when I’m out walking. These headphones are lightweight (i.e. easy to carry around while walking), have “good enough” sound quality, and were also reasonably cheap to purchase. While I own headphones that have better sound quality, those other headphones are a lot heavier and also were more costly to buy originally. I also own some “Bluetooth” (wireless) headphones (whereas these require a headphone jack on your music player), but again those other headphones weigh more and were more costly to purchase.

NOTE: These are just headphones, so you do need to supply your own “music player” to use with them. I’m personally using my Android smartphone as my portable “music player”. Yes, the phone is slightly heavier than a standalone MP3 player, but I already carry around my phone when away from the house (so why add a standalone music player I also have to carry?). And with the micro SD card I’ve put in the phone, I was able to easily store my whole MP3 collection locally on the phone (effectively giving me a HUGE jukebox of music I carry around with me). And, as an added bonus, I also have any other handy phone apps/features whenever I need them. For example, I have a Pedometer app on the phone that automatically records how much I’m walking. And you never know when you might want a digital camera, when you might need GPS mapping software, or have the need to make/receive a phone call (all of which, and more, my phone can handle for me).

Stereo headphones have come a long way over several decades, and there have been so many advances, it’s often hard to keep up with the latest technologies. In the beginning, there was basically only ONE type, that of being, the completely over the ear, studio-type and others. As things progressed, “earbuds” of many types began to be offered and an expensive type of these have emerged, with the advent of the I-Pod and various other portable CD and MP3 players. I’ve never really liked these, as no matter how much one spends, they still have to snugly and comfortably fit the individual’s ears, which is no small task, as all human ears are not created equal. Fortunately, various forms of the original concept of over-ear, noise-canceling headphones have kept pace with the earbud variety. Some of these are more completely over the ear than others, some are more or less outside noise-canceling types, and then there are the cheapest non-earbud types, which can vary greatly in concept and overall quality.

For the best experience in private listening, one needs to spend at least $50 these days, if not upwards of $100 or more. However, these type of stereo headphones are usually very large and are not really suited to portable, on the go listening. Still, they do not suffer from the earache of buds, and usually produce the best overall, robust sound. In between most earbud types and most larger “monitor” types, there are so many varieties nowadays, that the general, plug-in stereo-headphones shopper is usually left quite confused when trying to pick out a suitable, high-quality model, at a reasonable price. For almost all purposes, this is a really good buy, and I give them high marks in just about every headphone category one can think of or desire. And the asking price is a bargain.

One little caveat however. The Amazon “product description” and even mentioned in a review or two, state that the cord length is nearly 10 feet. I think this must be referring to some earlier model or just a mistake, because the cord length of these is only about 6 feet total. While this does not interfere with my personal use or intentions of use before I even bought a pair, sound unheard, I think this should be pointed out. The difference between a 10-foot cord length and a 6 foot one is rather substantial. Therefore, these are in no way suitable for “roaming the room” or dancing “to your heart’s content,” as the Amazon product description states. Amazon should correct this product description. If one desires more than a six-foot cord length however, a cheap extension can always be purchased for a few bucks at Radio Shack and the like. It’s a 6 foot cord though, not 10.

Outside of this however, these are really great headphones for the price, and offer terrific sound and value. While they are “fold-able” in a way, this only applies somewhat, as they are not completely so, and attempts at making the set truly small for carrying purposes might only break them. While they are “over-the-ear,” they are not entirely of the more expensive, truly “noise-canceling” variety, though they do a fair job at this, again, for the price. The earphones are padded and the set is nicely adjustable for nearly all head sizes, unless you have the head size of a mouse or Eraserhead. Extended use is no problem, once you easily adjust them to comfortably fit personally. That is, wearing these for hours will not cause any real head/ear strains or pains, either during use or afterwards, volume levels and adjustments aside.

These tend to lean heavily towards the bass frequencies and are enhanced to do so, although the mid-range and upper-ranges come through very good as well. Still, since there is no equalizer function, it helps that whatever source you will be listening to with these, can be adjusted itself. That is, if you are using these to listen to a CD or MP3 player, it helps that you are able to use an equalizer at the source, since again, the bass response here is emphasized. I use these mainly for the computer, and my CD/MP3 player on that is fully adjustable as far as regulating highs, mids, and lows, so the extra bass is no problem. Still, even if one is not able to adjust low and mid and high end frequencies on your player source, the overall sound is excellent on generally all forms of music and sounds, and the stereo separation between left and right is, well, right on.

I have always had a generally good experience with Panasonic products, and that includes higher-end, higher priced headphones from them. While these are rather cheaply made and fragile, if you take care of them and don’t ask them to do what they are clearly not intended to do, you will be pleasantly surprised. A definite bonus is the small volume control on the cord. This comes in real handy at times, since not all music is recorded and produced at the same volume level, and this control allows one to raise or lower the volume without touching the source player. And again, while these headphones are not really suited for any long life with heavy abuse, and might seem too “cheaply” made for some, taking care during use negates any such negatives and I would guess these will last and perform well just about as long as you want them to.

I bought two pair of these, which got me free shipping, and I really can’t complain. They are great for plugging into one’s computer, or using with any CD/MP3 player with an equalizer, but generally, they perform well for just about any purpose as far as headphones go. They also fit nicely and comfortably as a “necklace” during breaks in listening. One can easily buy much better headphones, but for the price, these offer remarkable sound at an easily affordable price, and I recommend them highly.

Well made light comfortable easy to transport when travelling sounds great in all very happy