This week is the Consumer Electronics Show, set at Las Vegas, Nevada. The CES is where many manufacturers announce, showcase and launch new products and services, including smartphones, tablets, Chromebooks, laptops and desktop computers. We also see a number of accessories being launched and today we are covering Panasonic’s latest high quality headphones: the RP-HD10C. Before we take a look at the new Panasonic headphones, one of the distinguishing differences between many premium smartphones and those that are perhaps built down to a price is in the sound quality. This can include the call audio quality as well as the sound quality through the headphone socket. Google acknowledged that sound quality was important and implemented a number of improvements to (potential) audio quality as part of Android 5.0 Lollipop, plus we have seen a number of manufacturers incorporating premium quality sound components into their smartphones. Furthermore, if you enjoy your music crisp and clear, you will understand the difference between standard headphones and higher definition headphones. Panasonic’s description of the RP-HD10C headphones describes these as Over-the-Ear High Resolution Premium Headphones, and the product benefits from Panasonic’s sound expertise.
Under the black exterior, the RP-HD10Cs are based around 50 mm high definition drivers designed to produce “powerful low bass sounds” as well as delivering “extraordinary clear treble.” The frequency response of these headphones runs from 4 Hz to 50 kHz for a thorough, premium listening experience. Panasonic have build the diaphragm from multi layer film, or MLF: it consists of hundreds of individual layers designed to reduce distortion to the minimum. And on a similar note, Panasonic’s engineers used a PLA driver chassis designed to suppress resonance from the driver, so as to further enhance the sound quality.
The designers did not leave out wearer comfort and the company boasts that the cans use ear pads designed to both reduce external noise and be comfortable for long periods. The HD10s use an “horizontal slide adjustment system” that allows the wearer to adjust the headphones without moving the earpads. Panasonic are including a detachable microphone and remote control cord for use with a cell ‘phone. If you are interested in the Panasonic RP-HD10C headphones, these are now up for pre-order on their website at $269.99 but we do not yet have a release date.