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Panasonic RP-HC500 Noise-Canceling Headphones | 
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| Brand: Panasonic
Category: CE
List Price: $199.99
Buy New: $80.16
You Save: $119.83 (60%)
New (53)
Avg. Customer Rating:  156 reviews
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries: 1
Batteries Included: Yes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 4
Dimensions (in): 5.1 x 8 x 10.3
MPN: RP-HC500
Model: RP-HC500
UPC: 379882620065
EAN: 0379882620065
ASIN: B000OKH6ZI
Promotion: Data not available Terms and Conditions
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | 92% noise reduction - 22dB at 200Hz | | • | Plug adaptor for aircraft | | • | Battery life: approx. 40H with AAA alkaline battery | | • | When noise-canceling effect is off, can be used as normal headphones | | • | Comes with hard case |
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Product Description
Whether used to block out sound while on an aircraft or to create a tranquil environment so you can enjoy your favorite CD track, these new headphones are up to the challenge. The new RP-HC500 noise canceling headphones are designed to reduce background noise by creating out-of-phase sounds that equal the background noise to effectively cancel it. Additionally, the headphones reduce low frequencies such as the drone of a plane's engine or a loud air conditioning unit. The noise-canceling feature can also be switched off to allow the user to converse or to reduce background noise by virtue of the headphone's comfortable insulated housing. Includes carrying pouch and plug adapter for airplane Suitable for MP3 and iPod players
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| Customer Reviews: Read 151 more reviews...
 As good as the BOSE November 26, 2008
The sound reduction works as well as the BOSE; which I tried for a few days and returned. After a few minutes, you will forget that you have it on, until you turn it off. The sound is great. I have owned other headphones, but this one is definitely my favorite. The folding design and case make it easy to carry.
Same as the discontinued Logitechs November 25, 2008
I will reiterate that these sound MUCH better with NC activated when listening to music (a good thing imo)
However, imagine my surprise when these showed up at my house and are the EXACT same as the Logitech noise cancelling headphones they were replacing (Logitechs broke after only a few transcontinental flights)
I don't know who did it first, but I guess it doesn't matter...obviously same factory made this unit for both companies. Difference is that the Logitech's set me back about $40, and the Pannys are about double that.
Will also reiterate the VERY snug fit, and very small "cups", so if you have a big head or big ears, not sure how comfortable these would be.
I think they fit great, they sound decent for NC headphones (don't expect them to sound as good as an equivalently priced pair of non NC phones), and they come with a nice (although bulky) travel pouch.
I would HIGHLY recommend that you always keep these in the case when traveling. I broke mine because I tried to get by with putting them into my briefcase since the travel pouch took up so much space. BAD IDEA! They were broken with a few stops. :(
Recommended, if not highly recommended. Wish price was a little lower though. Maybe $60 seems more reasonable imo.
These things are EXCELLENT; I'll compare them to the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7s. November 24, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I bought three pair of noise-canceling headphones over the course of one week; I returned two before I fell in love with these. They are well worth the trouble I went through to find them, and I have hardly taken them off in the week since I got them.
But I don't have all night to write this so I'll cut to the chase:
Pros:
1. They sound fantastic. Great bass, clear sound.
2. They are comfortable.
3. The noise-canceling works great.
4. They actually sound better with the noise-canceling switched on, which means I never have to make a choice between noise-canceling or sound quality.
Cons:
1. They might be a little small; I probably have average or small ears, and they fit me comfortably, but definitely snugly.
2. They do leak sound a bit, but that seems to be par for the course for NC headphones. (They are _much_ better in this respect than the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7s, which leak sound like a sieve.)
That's the long and the short of it. One of the headphones that I bought and returned was the afore-mentioned Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7. They also sounded great with NC off, but when I switched it on they lost all their bass and everything that was left became much louder and harsher. The Panasonics, OTOH, sound _better_ with NC _on_. When I first turned it on, I thought they had a similar problem as the ATs; that is, I thought they lost their bass. But after some careful comparisons and much rapid switching back and forth, it became clear that they don't lose any bass at all -- what actually happens is when you switch the NC on, the higher frequencies get much brighter and clearer. At first, this gives the illusion that the bass is gone, but it's really not; it's just more balanced, drawing your attention to the other frequencies. By way of comparison, switching it back off leaves them sounding muddied, lacking a degree of clarity and brightness. But that's fine, because I just switch it on and leave it on all the time. They sound freaking fantastic, and they're always canceling whatever noise is around, so I don't have to trade audio clarity/quality for noise-canceling. The only downside is I'll probably have to buy a few batteries (I went through my first one in exactly one week), but I think they're well worth it.
I guess that's about it.
Oh, and for what it's worth, while testing them this past week I listened to mostly metal/industrial/folk music, with the occasional Buddy Guy and Meatloaf thrown in. :)
 Excessive Noise Leakage November 23, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I purchased these headphones and had to return them in one day because of the excessive sound leakage from the headphones. I was very impressed with the headphones overall for the price, but as soon as I cranked up my music even a little in a quiet room, the sound could be heard as far away as 8 feet with the headphones on my head! I took them to work and the person next to my work space could identify each song by name by listening to the music coming from the headphones! It would seem this is a sound issue that could be easily corrected by Panasonic.
No regrets November 22, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I bought these headphones after spending $350 for the Bose (for my wife) and reading David Pogue's 7/14/2007 comparison of eight Bose competitors. I have no regrets - as Pogue wrote: "You get quality that's nearly indistinguishable from the Boses -- for a third the price." In fact, to my ear, the sound IS indistinguishable. The only quibble I have is that the tension of the headband is too tight because after extended listening I developed some mild soreness around my ears from the pressure. Haven't figured out a way to loosen the fit and probably never will since my wife now prefers the Panasonic to the Bose.
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