Panasonic, similar to many prominent Asian technology brands, maintains a diverse portfolio encompassing entertainment technology, including televisions, alongside other technical products such as air conditioning units, household appliances, personal care products, and batteries. In the headphone market, Panasonic’s presence in Sweden has been relatively modest, partly due to a somewhat limited model range, and also due to the strategic placement of a significant portion of their audio product development under their subsidiary, Technics.
We were able to obtain their high-end headphones, now available at a mid-range price point (video review above). The Panasonic RP-HD10 headphones exhibit a stylish design, a luxurious feel, and a comfortable fit, featuring adjustable depth over the ears. The overall impression suggests a level of quality exceeding their price. These are dynamic over-ear headphones with a low impedance of 18 Ohms, indicating ease of use with a variety of devices. The 50 mm earcups incorporate noise reduction and multi-layer membrane film technology designed to produce sound, aiming for “HD sound” within a stated range of 5-50,000 Hz. While this extended frequency response may be more marketing than practical benefit (considering the human auditory range typically falls between 16-20,000 Hz), the low impedance is a noteworthy feature. It suggests the Panasonic HD10’s potential for effective use with lower-powered sound sources, such as smartphones and portable music players. However, practical testing reveals a more nuanced performance profile.
The Panasonic HD10s offer a sound signature that can be described as neutral and accurate. However, when paired directly with a mobile phone, the audio output can sound somewhat sharp, slightly echoey, and lacking in richness, potentially leading to listening fatigue over extended periods. The deep bass frequencies found in headphones specifically optimized for mobile use, such as those from Dr. Dre Beats, are noticeably absent, which can result in an initial impression that falls short of expectations. While the low impedance does allow for achieving high volume levels even with low-power sources like smartphones, the question arises: is sheer volume the primary objective? Connecting the headphones to a computer equipped with a high-quality DAC, or to a dedicated home theater amplifier (via the included 6.3 mm adapter), reveals the true capabilities of the “High Resolution sound” that Panasonic promotes. The Panasonic HD10s demonstrate their potential, delivering a sound quality that is genuinely impressive, particularly considering their price. This highlights that while low-impedance headphones can achieve high volume levels even with limited power, this attribute alone does not guarantee superior sound quality. The quality of the audio source plays a crucial role in maximizing audio fidelity when driving headphones or speakers. Therefore, for users primarily listening at home or at a computer and who are not averse to using wired connections, these headphones present an excellent value proposition. The absence of wireless connectivity is, however, a notable limitation.
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