Published 2018-08-23 - 8:36 am
- Bluetooth
- Wired remote control
- Blue LED Light
- aptX and AAC
- Water and sweat resistant (IPX5)
- Weight: 23 grams
- Battery: 6 hours
- Price: –
- Website: panasonic.com
A number of times I have stood with Panasonic’s official “Olympics in Rio”-earbuds in my hands and wondered how they are supposed to sit. The flexible hoops and winged earbuds are more odd than they are pretty. Panasonic should be given credit for making them sit comfortably in the ears, and they don’t feel at all as clumsy as they look. Due to the hoop, they sit so far out that you don’t feel closed in and you can still hear what’s going on around you. Strangely enough you can turn on some blue LED diodes if you want light in the wings. I don’t see the point of this feature, but it’s an amusing detail. Unfortunately, the remote control on the wire feels rather cheap and you have to push harder than you want to.
Excellent sound
Luckily, the unfortunate appearance and bad remote control are offset by the good sound quality. The headset supports the two audio standards aptX and AAC, and I swear that you hear really well. The RP BTS50E has a wide and well-defined soundscape. They lack neither bass nor treble, and are generally very pleasant to listen to. This can be done at least seven hours at a time before they need recharging, which is quite satisfactory.
Conclusion
The Panasonic Wings RP-BTS50E is perhaps not the prettiest thing that has come out from Panasonic’s factories, but thanks to good inner workings they play incredibly well, and therefore still deserve a chance. The hoops around your ears are a bit weird, and seem unnatural as they stick out from the ears. If you disregard this and the plasticky remote control on the cord, you get a set of Bluetooth headphones that play particularly well at an affordable price.
Also in this test
Bose SoundSport Pulse
Well playing lumps
Bose provides good sound, but disappoints regarding the battery life.
AfterShokz Trekz Titanium
Sound in the skull
Trekz Titanium does not enter the ear, but instead pumps sound in through the cheekbones.
Jaybird Freedom F5
Expected more
Poor fit and flat sound in Jaybird is disappointing.
Jabra Sport Pulse Special Edition
Plenty of bass
Jabra’s earbuds stay where they are meant to be, and play both loud and deep.
JBL Reflect Contour
As if glued stuck
Even an avid athlete will have trouble ripping the JBL out of the ears.
Monster iSport Victory
These play really well
One shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.
Plantronics Backbeat Fit
Fine Bluetooth hoop
Backbeat Fit is comfortable to wear and plays well.