Panasonic RP-HC500 Noise-Canceling Headphones by Panasonic
|
Our Price: $329.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $199.00 (click here) Category: CE See more digital camera details and other models |
|---|
Digital camera reviews of Panasonic RP-HC500 Noise-Canceling Headphones
Digital camera Review: Definitely Worth It!
Summary: 5 Stars
I FINALLY went on an airplane to test these out from L.A. to NYC, and they worked exactly the way I expected. I was sitting toward the front of the plane, against the window and forward from the engine, and all I could hear was a low frequency rumble, and that's without any music. With music and the onboard movie I couldn't hear any noise. I kept turning the head phones on and off and taking them off my ear to compare the reduction. Amazing!!! The headphones work as advertised, about 75% of ambient noise. I actually missed the stewardess twice and almost missed meal service because these headphones were so good. The best investment for a plane ever!
The sound is top notch. I own a pair of Sony MDR-7508 Studio Monitors which i consider "perfect" sound for all types of music, and the Panasonic's were practically identical. I really couldn't tell the difference. They handle bass very well, like any studio monitor. The case helps A LOT to keep me from damaging them. And the case has a pouch for an extra battery.
Totally worth it!!!
Digital camera Review: Designed for noise-canceling, but
Summary: 3 Stars
I just purchased the phones and am already not completely satisfied. I am usually an optimistic person, but I have to say that they don't cancel much sporadic noise during quiet listening environment. They do cancel the computer fan noise, but not people talking. I tried to snap my fingers with the noise-canceling function on and off, and didn't see any difference. They are probably good for plane travel, as noted by other reviewers. But when in quiet situations, you can hear a little background noise that is added to them, probably curcuit noise, or "pink noise", like 1 reviewer said. With the button turned on, the sound from the phones just seemed to shift up a notch in tone, that's all. Still could hear the faint noise from dishes clanging in the kitchen.Digital camera Review: Disappointing sound quality
Summary: 3 Stars
I was very disappointed with the quality of sound with these, particularly after reading few in-depth raving reviews of how these compare to others. I've never tried bose $350 nc phones, but if these are better than them, I pity bose (but won't believe it until I can compare them myself.)
While the active noise cancelling feature is very effective and very appreciated, it comes at a compromise in quality of sound that you can find much better in other headphones near this price range.
Ironically, I've been on the market for noise-canceling headphones since my 1.5 year old Logitech's n-c phones broke...and these appear to be the exact same model with some minor aesthetic improvements. Perhaps the Logitech's were simply rebranded panasonic's? (which, btw, Logitech no longer sells.)
The most difficult time I had with these was wearing them a long time. They became painful because the head rest doesn't extend far enough from my ears, and I found the headrest support to be a bit hard after a while. Also, the ear pads only fit over 1/2 the ear, and in time my ears became sore. I wear phones all day during work, and these simply wouldn't do for me.
As for my final choice, I went with the ATH-A700's headphones (non noise-canceling). They cost me a little more, but the sound quality and comfort is really a treat. Since I would enjoy the noise canceling feature of these most during flights, and that I only fly once or twice a year, I decided to put sound quality and comfort first.
Digital camera Review: Disturbing Ear Heating
Summary: 3 Stars
The noise canceling on these is great, but they made my ears disturbingly hot to the point of not being able to keep using them.
Not sure if my pair were broken... but uncomfortable ear heating made me decide to return them and try something else.
Digital camera Review: Does anyone lese have this problem??
Summary: 3 Stars
I bought these for only ONE reason! To try to fight back against the totally retarded parents who INSIST ON BRINGING a baby under 2 on any plane just because they don't have to pay! How can these people be so inconsiderate? Just because they are deaf from their little darlings' screaming doesn't mean the other 250 people on the plane should suffer!! Anyway, the low sounds like the engines of the 767, the noise can works for OK. But that's not what I mind so much as the high pitched screams of these holy terrors!! Do they work in the high end for anybody else Please?