Panasonic RPHJE120 In-Ear Headphones Review
Rating: 4/5
Pros:
- Excellent audio range with deep bass and clear highs
- Great surrounding sound isolation
- Very comfortable and streamlined fit
Cons:
- Thin wire is prone to tangles
- No volume or mic
- Prone to wire-slap noise
Summary: The Panasonic RPHJE120 series are by far the best sub-$10 headphones I have ever used. They have a surprisingly balanced audio range, with decent bass and clear highs. In a blind test, it would be difficult to distinguish these from other more expensive headphones. If you want a pair of cheap in-ear headphones these are definitely a good choice.
Where to Buy
Build Quality & Appearance
Overall the build quality of these headphones is average. For this price range this is great news. The plastic doesn’t flex but the wire is extremely thin. I would’ve preferred a noodle cable so it doesn’t tangle easily, but that’s just me nitpicking. The color is bright and the finish shiny- the headphones easily stand out among the tangle of wires in my drawer. I can’t find fault with the build quality, even if it is a little on the cheaper end. They’ve held up for over a year with moderate use, and that’s more than can be said for many far more expensive headphones I’ve used.
Audio Quality
As with all in-ear headphones, it is important to note that audio quality is affected by their fit. If they are not in your ear properly you will not have isolation nor bass. Once fitted correctly, these headphones sound shockingly good. Among the many pairs of sub- $10 headphones these stand out for their wonderful highs and deep bass. It isn’t as booming as my reference headphones, but it makes for a balanced experience that is pleasant across all genres.
Comfort
As is standard, these in-ear headphones include 3 different size pieces. I found the smallest fit me best and resulted in the best audio quality. They fit very well even with long-term use. These headphones stay comfortable even after a 9-hour flight. They’re also small enough to lie on, but I wouldn’t recommend it as they do creak annoyingly when pressure is applied.
Other Notes
It’s worth noting that these headphones don’t have a mic built in. This isn’t a big deal- if you receive a phone call you’ll just have to actually pull the phone out of your pocket and speak into its microphone. You can still hear call audio through the headphones.
Price at time of review: $6.99
Conclusion
With over 22,000 reviews on Amazon and a 4.5/5 rating it’s hard to recommend an alternative in this price range. Despite a few flaws that come with the low price-point, these headphones have proven as far better than expected and I would highly recommend them to anyone who needs decent headphones and doesn’t want to spend a lot of money.
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