Adidas RPT-02 SOL

Verdict

The Adidas RPT-02 SOL are headphones with an lively audio efficiency and a design that harnesses the facility of the solar to cost your train classes. Whereas they’re dearer than their predecessor, the efficiency and know-how powering them is rock-solid.

Introduction

It’s not typically (or certainly ever) {that a} evaluation of headphone begins with lyrics from a New-age 70s band The fifth Dimensions, however Adidas’ newest headphones seem like a believer within the phrases of letting the sunshine in.

The Adidas RPT-02 SOL, to name them by their barely clunky identify, are the most recent headphones to characteristic Exeger’s Powerfoyle know-how that first appeared in Urbanista’s Los Angeles headphones.

You could assume that headphones powered by ambient mild is a gimmicky characteristic, however consider these headphones from a sustainable perspective, and cans of the RPT-02 SOL’s ilk might usher in a extra environmentally aware period for headphone design.

Design

• Comfy sufficient for on-ears
• Built-in photo voltaic cell for self-charging
• IPX4 score

Design is the place to begin with the RPT-02 SOL. They’re comparable in look to the RPT-01 (that are nonetheless accessible), constructed out of comparable steel and (recycled) plastic supplies although they’re heavier at 256g (209g for the unique). Regardless of that, I didn’t discover a lot distinction in weight when swapping between the 2.

The SOL are a light-weight pair however given they’re from the on-ear household, they do endure from points corresponding to on-ear pinching and out of doors noises filtering by. Nonetheless, you arguably do need outdoors sounds filtering by on a run anyway. The pinching didn’t happen too typically and when it did, it was often deep right into a run (round 35-minute mark) and solely a slight shift was required to alleviate the strain.

The distinction between the 2 headphones is the scarf, which is wider on the RPT-02 to include the photo voltaic cell that absorbs mild. The distinction within the width of the scarf is probably going a boon when it comes to distributing that heavier load throughout the top. They’re not as flexible and versatile, however I wouldn’t hesitate in chucking these into bag as soon as a fitness center session is over as they preserve a rugged sensibility.

The material on the underside of the scarf and over the ear-cups might be stripped off and chucked into the washer to offer them a clear. Provided that they’re sports activities headphones they’re additionally rated to IPX4, which protects them in opposition to splashes of water and perspiration.

The management scheme stays the identical too and intuitive to make use of at that. The multi-function dial covers energy (lengthy maintain), Bluetooth pairing (a fair longer maintain) playback (a single press), observe skipping (a flick to the left or proper) and quantity (flick up or down). It’s just like the controls for Marshall headphones, which is not any shock given each are made by Zound Industries.

There’s an Motion button on the left the place a press/maintain checks the sunshine situation (how a lot mild it’s absorbing at any time), whereas the double or triple press might be personalized to entry a voice assistant, open Spotify or the Adidas Working app. Not in an atmosphere the place the headphones can self-charge? Then there’s a USB-C port to take action by conventional means.

Options

• Actually lengthy battery life
• aptX-HD improve over unique
• Customisation in Adidas Headphones app

The photo voltaic absorption panel goes to seize the headlines, however its efficiency is diminished relying on the place it’s. The headphones’ absorption price is decreased in overcast and indoor environments, so whereas it’ll nonetheless absorb ambient mild, it gained’t accomplish that on the identical price as it will in direct daylight.

The photo voltaic panel is undoubtedly a really cool characteristic, although I wouldn’t say that it tops up the reserves of battery as such, extra that it slows down the speed at which the battery discharges. Having used them for a number of runs over a interval of six weeks (round 40 minutes every time), the RPT-02 SOL dropped from 51% to 43% – I’d say that’s a superb determine for any pair of headphones.

If, say, you’re working at night time, Adidas says you’ll have a dependable reserve of 80-hours to rely on when totally charged, which is double that of the unique. There’s no fast-charging (it’s not crucial with the photo voltaic panel) and filling the tank to full over USB-C is a reported two hours.

Bluetooth connectivity is model 5.2 with help as much as aptX-HD. That might point out high-res audio help however of the lossy (and decrease high quality) sort. True lossless playback nonetheless evades Bluetooth streaming at this second in time.

There’s not a lot else much less to talk about except for the Adidas Headphones app. It provides means and methods of customising audio with a number of presets accessible (you may edit any one in every of them or create a customized model). There’s additionally the power to manage music playback inside the app in addition to see the speed at which the RPT-02 is charging in real-time with internet drain and achieve (on the high of the app) together with an easier, easy-to-understand model that reveals whether or not the headphones are charging or discharging.

Sound High quality

• Wealthy, energetic efficiency
• Trades heat for some element and readability

The RPT-02 SOL carry a hotter tone than their predecessor that’s most evident with bassy tracks. Busta Rhymes’ basic hip-hop observe Contact It shows a higher low-end efficiency – the booming membership beats are conveyed with extra depth and extra richness. The beats don’t simply hit with a thud however reverberate with extra extension, greater in dimension and having a higher presence inside the frequency vary.

It’s not simply the bass that’s supplied with extra oomph, however the midrange is hotter too. The slight crispness and impartial tone for vocals that the unique had is changed by a efficiency that’s richer, smoother however not as detailed.

Bass and vocals tackle a higher presence inside the soundstage, however the soundstage solely feels barely greater than it did earlier than. The impact shouldn’t be one the place I believe something sounds squashed, however evaluating the 2 headphones, the RPT-02 SOL are extra boisterous and energetic, whereas the RPT-01 take a extra nuanced and balanced method to dealing with the frequency vary.

Both method is each fantastic and welcome, tuning headphones for extra bass is a development that appears to be extra fashionable for working headphones and for listening throughout exercises. Maybe it’s that subliminal sense that bass will get you extra amped for exercises or to get your power up for a run. It actually is the case for me.

With Tom Morello’s cowl of Voodoo Baby, the RPT-02 explode with extra power, energy and dynamic capability. Neither headphone is packed to the rafters with a forensic sense of element. The RPT-01 takes the win on this explicit battle due to their clearer, impartial tone however what’s supplied by the SOL is sweet sufficient in a broad sense, and the power and bombast of its sound is a compelling different, as is the marginally extra vividly realised stereo picture that tracks Morello’s guitar because it pans throughout the soundstage, etching out extra depth. Of the 2 it’s the RPT-02 that provides the extra thrilling hear.

That richness extends to the highest finish of the frequency vary, a smoother method taken to the piano in GoGo Penguin’s Atomised. It’s in need of top-end brilliance and shine, and the tonal variation of the piano is much less simple to tell apart. To be clear, I don’t assume the RPT-02 SOL are a better-sounding headphone than the RPT-01, however don’t let that essentially dissuade you. They’re a enjoyable and energetic experience, and for exercises that seems like an pleasurable match.

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Sustainability

Trusted Evaluations’ holds the truth that international warming shouldn’t be a fable as a core worth and can constantly endeavour to assist shield our planet from hurt in its enterprise practices.

As a part of this mission, each time we evaluation a product we ship the corporate a collection of questions to assist us gauge and make clear the affect the gadget has on the atmosphere.

We at present haven’t obtained solutions to the questions on this product, however will replace this web page the second we do. You may see an in depth breakdown of the questions we ask and why in our sustainability data web page.