We make no bones about our dislike for the earphones that come with most portable players, but that doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune replacing them; there are plenty of wallet-friendly options, like these Panasonics.
Though they feel a bit cheap in the hand, the '240s are comfortable and snug in-ear. They also deliver a bigger sound than expected – there's greater scale and weight than the diminutive size and price would suggest.
Much of that is due to abundant bass, but as well as being bold, it's also a bit monotonal and overbearing. The rather shouty treble will also grate over extended listening.
Still, there's decent rhythm and insight given the price, and they're an improvement over most bundled 'phones, so if twenty quid's your limit and you don't want over-head 'phones, they're well worth trying-out.
Panasonic RP-HJE240E review
They're certainly better than most bundled headphones, but even at £20 you can buy better Tested at £20.00
What Hi-Fi? Verdict
They're certainly better than most bundled headphones, but even at £20 you can buy better
Pros
- +
Comfortable
- +
big scale and weight for the size
Cons
- -
Feel cheap
- -
bass can be a bit dominant
Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.
