There’s a big difference between “cheap headphones” and headphones that happen to be cheap, and that distinction is important to make when it comes to headphones like the Panasonic RP-HTX7′s – while these unassuming looking cans might seem like an everyday pair of budget headphones, they actually pack more of a punch in terms of audio quality and durability than a lot of them which are many times their price. The Panasonic RP-HTX7 headphones were included on our list of the best headphones under 50 dollars.
An issue you have to deal with when it comes to buying headphones in this price range is that many of them tend to be junk. Thankfully, we’ve been able to test out multiple models in order to separate the trash from the treasures, and the Panasonic HTX7′s definitely are treasures of the bunch!
The first thing most people are likely to notice about the Panasonic HTX7′s is what Panasonic refers to as “Retro Styling”. Instead of trying to outdo the big brands with an even more sleek and stylish look, Panasonic opted to construct the HTX7′s with an old school retro design.
Every element of these headphones (besides the sound quality thankfully!) is a throwback to the 80′s, from the adjustable leather headband to the multiple neon color options for the exterior. You can also get them in standard black and white if you prefer, but they’ve got everything from neon purple to green to choose from.
- Retro design, referred to as “Retro Styling” by Panasonic gives them an old school look and feel
- Tough plastic doming around each earphone ensures durability
- Available in a variety of different colors from lime green to fire engine red
- Over the ear headphones design prevents external noise from entering and internal sound from leaking
- Balanced frequency range with warm, full sound stage
- At only 5.4 ounces (less than half of a pound) they’re some of the most lightweight full sized headphones
- Adjustable leather headband for comfort and perfect fit
- Large, soft ear pads are comfortable to wear for hours
- 4 foot long cord
Excellent Sound Quality
Despite the retro look and feel on the outside, the Panasonic RP-HTX7 headphones boast very modern audio capabilities. I have to admit right away that I was downright blown away at their ability to keep external noise out as well as preventing sound from leaking.
At a fraction of the price, the RP HTX7′s actually function better as closed back headphones than some models that are several times the price of these!
As I suspected before even trying them, these headphones certainly have an emphasis on bass over mids and highs, but not so much that they muddy or overpower them like so many cheap headphones are notorious for.
While the bass is more boomy and in your face than studio quality reference headphones are going to be, it’s not obnoxious – in fact, I’d say that it does an excellent job of complimenting the surprisingly clear mids and highs.
Someone looking for bass heavy headphones that are going to rattle their jaws off might be disappointed, but the HTX7′s pack a lot more of a punch than their exterior might have you believe.
The bass has a boomy presence, and the closed back design really allows you to feel out the depth and texture of each frequency that the HTX7′s are capable of reproducing.
Cheap headphones are also notoriously uncomfortable to wear, but the Panasonic RP HTX7′s have managed to dodge this fatal flaw as well. Thankfully due to the retro design (which includes the large ear cups) there’s plenty of foam padding to keep the cups from digging into the sides of your head. This is another issue that even some professional quality headphones seem to have which the Panasonic HTX7′s have dutifully avoided.
The fact that the HTX7′s are so lightweight also contributes to their professional level of comfort and ease of use. As I stated before, the large foam ear pads provide plenty of padding to keep the clamping headphones from digging into the sides of your head. Along with the proper padding is also the fact that these headphones only weigh a total of 5.4 ounces; not even a quarter of a pound!
It’s very easy to simply forget that they’re on your head after some time has passed due to how unintrusive they are. This is a breath of fresh air compared to many modern headphones which have a tendency to be bulky and heavy.
At the end of the day, the Panasonic RP-HTX7 headphones are a great bang for your buck. Typically they retail for around $30 or so, which is an absolute steal for someone simply looking for a decent pair of headphones that are going to deliver above average sound quality at a fraction of the price of some only marginally superior products.
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