Design and features:The closed design and electronic noise-canceling feature of this home/studio-style over-ear model reduce both outside noise and sound leaking out into your environment. The headphones work with or without the noise-canceling feature being turned on. You can use the noise-canceling feature without listening to music, and the 58-inch long audio cable can be detached to get it out of the way when the headphones are being used for noise reduction only. The headphones have medium sensitivity when the noise-cancellation feature is turned on so they can provide satisfying volume levels when used with home audio equipment and all but the lowest-powered portable audio devices. When the noise-cancellation feature is turned off they have low sensitivity; so while they can provide satisfying volume levels when used with home audio equipment and higher-powered portable audio devices, they may not be a good match for lower-powered portables. The RP-HC800 has an inline volume control that works with iPads and some iPod and iPhone models, plus an integrated microphone and music player function control that are compatible with iPads, some iPods, and some iPhones and some other cellphones. The call connect/disconnect button can be used with some iPhones and some other cellphones. These headphones may not operate properly with some non-iPod players or other audio equipment. Additional features include earphones that swivel to flat for ease of carrying and storage. This model comes with a mini-plug-to-airplane-jack adapter and a carrying case.
Sound quality: We found the RP-HC800 delivers good overall sound with a warm character and excellent active noise reduction. Bass has lots of impact and goes deep, but is very pronounced and boomy. Midrange is gritty, a bit nasal and overwhelmed by the bass. Lower and mid treble are a bit smeared and upper treble is rolled off. Closed-in sounding with decent dynamics. With the noise-canceling feature turned off the sound drops to fair. Bass has good impact and goes deep, but is muddy and boomy. Midrange is muffled, gritty, and a bit nasal. Lower and mid treble are recessed and a bit smeared; upper treble is rolled off. Closed-in sounding with so-so dynamics. These headphone provide excellent noise reduction on a wide range noise.
Comfort: We found that these headphones produce a sense of moderate pressure around the ears. The ear pads might feel hot and/or sticky after prolonged use.
