AnGeLiCbOrIs
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2005
- Posts
- 593
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- 10
Hey all. I think I may have found the new holy grail of cheap canalphones. I'm talking about the thus far unmentioned on head-fi: Panasonic RP-HJE300. I picked them up on a whim while in J&R last week and I must say that I am extremely impressed, especially for only $20!
Firstly, looks. These are modeled in the style of the Sony EX90 as can be seen in the picture. The build quality feels nice and most head-fiers will be happy to note that they have a "Y" cable. They come with three sets of tips and a velvety pouch, which is a nice touch in this price range. The most interesting thing about the design is that the tips attach to an oval shaped tube, rather than the normal circular style.
When I first put them in my ears I was pretty happy but not that impressed. They were very comfortable and light but also very bassy. After a few hours of burn-in they really come into their own. The highs come out of hiding and the bass evens out but still provides a nice clean punch. The only thing I found a bit lacking was a slight lack of emphasis on the mid-range but they by no means sounded bad. Isolation was fairly lacking and they remonded me a bit of Vibes in that regard - although IMHO the HJE300s may sound better.
These babies definitely have a purer, more natural sound than the JVC FX33 and I would choose them first for a budget option unless I required better isolation. Because of the lack of isolation they also have less microphonics than other canalphones I've tried.
All in all, the Panasonic RP-HJE300 is a legitimate contender for the top $20 canalphone crown and it also sounds better than many more expensive canalphones I've tried in the past.
Firstly, looks. These are modeled in the style of the Sony EX90 as can be seen in the picture. The build quality feels nice and most head-fiers will be happy to note that they have a "Y" cable. They come with three sets of tips and a velvety pouch, which is a nice touch in this price range. The most interesting thing about the design is that the tips attach to an oval shaped tube, rather than the normal circular style.
When I first put them in my ears I was pretty happy but not that impressed. They were very comfortable and light but also very bassy. After a few hours of burn-in they really come into their own. The highs come out of hiding and the bass evens out but still provides a nice clean punch. The only thing I found a bit lacking was a slight lack of emphasis on the mid-range but they by no means sounded bad. Isolation was fairly lacking and they remonded me a bit of Vibes in that regard - although IMHO the HJE300s may sound better.
These babies definitely have a purer, more natural sound than the JVC FX33 and I would choose them first for a budget option unless I required better isolation. Because of the lack of isolation they also have less microphonics than other canalphones I've tried.
All in all, the Panasonic RP-HJE300 is a legitimate contender for the top $20 canalphone crown and it also sounds better than many more expensive canalphones I've tried in the past.
