Panasonic RP-HJE900 Zirconia Review

[tienbasse]

My best pair of in-ear ever. Great match with my Cowon D2.

The V-type sound feel very natural to the ears (I was very disappointed with my Shure SE420 in that regard, they sound soooooo flat that you have to play with the equalizer quite a lot, only the very high noise reduction is of value).

I had to replace the provided silicon tips by thicker ones from Philips SHE9800 to get a good fit, the original ones are too easily squeezed, they just don't stick in the ears at all.

I was even surprised by the clarity of some instruments in the low trebles, which I could not hear so clearly with large open headphones like AKG K241. The soundstage on the Panasonic is nearly as large as on the AKG K241, which is quite a feat.

I did not hear much difference between normal and over-the-ear insertion since they are not built with a specific angle, but they are comfortable on both positions.

Really worth your money!

PS: one note though, the sound is VERY punchy, it may not please people looking for a neutral sound not tiring over long sessions.

[lestatar]

tienbasse: Welcome to ABi and thanks a lot for your Pana HJE900 impressions. Very very useful.

Indeed, every positive user comment makes me lust for these even more than I already do.Will pull the trigger shortly I am sure :-D

BTW, how do you find the mids presence on the Panas? I am a huge fan of guitar work and do listen as well to jazz/opera with strong vocals [think stuff like Diana Krall, Pavoratti, etc...]

Enjoy!
-lestatar

[tienbasse]

Medium are quite present (at least for V-type in-ears), more than other V-type in-ears that I have. You may get more medium with the Bose in-ears for example, but at the expense of the rest (same with Shure in-ears). Guitar work sounds good for me, I listen quite a lot of metal and progressive rock.

Voices are extremely clear and present (definitely the strong point of the Panas), probably a bit too much for some purist of neutral sound, but it gives a sort of live feeling. That can be dampened through equalizers of course if needed.

[lestatar]

excellent tienbasse - your feedback/impressions reinforce what others have said. An excellent sign that the Panas are indeed potentially for me the last pair of IEMs I ever need.

And I too listen to mostly prog/metal/guitar...the other stuff is on my faves as well...

btw, <shameless plug #25879> - join us here:
http://www.anythingbutipod.com/forum...php?groupid=63

[JxK]

The pannies would be great, if only they were more ergonomic. I don't know what it is about the shape of my ears, but I'm always fiddling with straight barrel IEMs. Half the reason I like my M6 so much is just thanks to the form factor, which gives a perfect fit each time.

[rickysio]

Originally Posted by JxK

The pannies would be great, if only they were more ergonomic. I don't know what it is about the shape of my ears, but I'm always fiddling with straight barrel IEMs. Half the reason I like my M6 so much is just thanks to the form factor, which gives a perfect fit each time.

So the VBs give you the same issue? Given the issue, I'd think your ears are hinting that they want custom molds.

[dfkt]

HJE900 for GBP 89.99 on Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...pf_rd_i=468294

Only 3 left at the time of writing. Thanks Aevum, for finding that.

[rickysio]

Originally Posted by dfkt

HJE900 for GBP 89.99 on Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...pf_rd_i=468294

Only 3 left at the time of writing. Thanks Aevum, for finding that.

Those who haven't got one, quick, click the 1-click buy button.

[tienbasse]

Originally Posted by rickysio

So the VBs give you the same issue? Given the issue, I'd think your ears are hinting that they want custom molds.

Agreed, Panas come with bad silicon tips. They're too soft, they don't stay in place correctly.
Try other tips if you have the occasion.

[lestatar]

From Froogle: In USA, this is the current lowest price I have seen - still gonna wait tho:
http://www.videodirect.com/Merchant2...Code=PANERPHNS

Shipping to NYC adds 12 bucks, for a total of ~142USD.

No idea on reputation of vendor, but froogle gives em a green circle of goodness.

[multi-user]

Originally Posted by lestatar

From Froogle: In USA, this is the current lowest price I have seen - still gonna wait tho:
http://www.videodirect.com/Merchant2...Code=PANERPHNS

Shipping to NYC adds 12 bucks, for a total of ~142USD.

No idea on reputation of vendor, but froogle gives em a green circle of goodness.

J & R Music World in the US is also selling them at that price; and I've dealt with them (J&R) numerous times, so I know from past experience that they do a good job.

[CLipster]

here is the price as of 3:57 Central time

http://www.jr.com/panasonic/pe/PAN_RPHJE900/


hope this empties some pockets.

opps. they are out of stock.

[multi-user]

Originally Posted by CLipster

here is the price as of 3:57 Central time

http://www.jr.com/panasonic/pe/PAN_RPHJE900/


hope this empties some pockets.

They are out of stock, but I placed an order anyway. I'm in no rush to get them. If they never become available (which I doubt) they are good at refunds.

[rickysio]

Have any of you caught a sight of the white model? Seems like it's Japan only.

[pspr33]

I ended up buying some but I haven't managed to pick them up from the mail depot yet (itching to get my hands on them tomorrow).

Is there any chance of there ever being any fakes of these being made? I managed to get them off of eBay for £65 (BIN) after debating whether to get the £89 ones off of Amazon.

[fender]

How did you find them on ebay? I couldn't find them. I'm in Australia by the way and still looking for a best deal with shiiping to Australia.

[rickysio]

Originally Posted by pspr33

I ended up buying some but I haven't managed to pick them up from the mail depot yet (itching to get my hands on them tomorrow).

Is there any chance of there ever being any fakes of these being made? I managed to get them off of eBay for £65 (BIN) after debating whether to get the £89 ones off of Amazon.

There's the chance that it could be a fake. I don't really know.

[pspr33]

Originally Posted by fender

How did you find them on ebay? I couldn't find them. I'm in Australia by the way and still looking for a best deal with shiiping to Australia.

eBay UK > search 'Panasonic RP-HJE900'.

I guess I'll find out if I bought fakes tomorrow and claim my money back from PayPal if they are (and keep the fakes)

[JxK]

J&R currently has them listed for $89, which should be a super deal. They're listed as currently out of stock, but the dealer should honor the current purchase price. They're a fairly well known retailer, after all.

[fender]

Ahh.. I searched for 'Panasonic HJE 900' only. No wonder I couldn't find them. Cheers, mate! I hope you get the real ones!