Adidas RPT-02 SOL

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

Introduction

It’s not typically (or certainly ever) {that a} overview 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 newest headphones to function Exeger’s Powerfoyle expertise that first appeared in Urbanista’s Los Angeles headphones.

Chances are you’ll suppose that headphones powered by ambient gentle is a gimmicky function, however consider these headphones from a sustainable perspective, and cans of the RPT-02 SOL’s ilk may usher in a extra environmentally acutely 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 start out 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 reminiscent of on-ear pinching and out of doors noises filtering via. Nonetheless, you arguably do need exterior sounds filtering via 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 headscarf, which is wider on the RPT-02 to include the photo voltaic cell that absorbs gentle. The distinction within the width of the headscarf 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 health club session is over as they keep a rugged sensibility.

The material on the underside of the headscarf and over the ear-cups will be stripped off and chucked into the washer to present them a clear. On condition 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 (an excellent longer maintain) playback (a single press), monitor skipping (a flick to the left or proper) and quantity (flick up or down). It’s just like the controls for Marshall headphones, which isn’t 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 gentle it’s absorbing at any time), whereas the double or triple press will be custom-made to entry a voice assistant, open Spotify or the Adidas Operating app. Not in an setting 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 authentic
• 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 lowered in overcast and indoor environments, so whereas it’ll nonetheless take in ambient gentle, it received’t accomplish that on the identical price as it could in direct daylight.

The photo voltaic panel is undoubtedly a really cool function, 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 operating at night time, Adidas says you’ll have a dependable reserve of 80-hours to rely on when absolutely charged, which is double that of the unique. There’s no fast-charging (it’s not obligatory 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 may 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 speak about apart from the Adidas Headphones app. It presents means and methods of customising audio with a number of presets accessible (you possibly can edit any considered one of them or create a customized model). There’s additionally the flexibility to regulate music playback throughout the app in addition to see the speed at which the RPT-02 is charging in real-time with internet drain and acquire (on the high of the app) together with an easier, easy-to-understand model that exhibits 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 monitor 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, larger in dimension and having a higher presence throughout 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 throughout the soundstage, however the soundstage solely feels barely larger 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 strategy to dealing with the frequency vary.

Both strategy is each effective and welcome, tuning headphones for extra bass is a development that appears to be extra fashionable for operating 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 vitality up for a run. It definitely is the case for me.

With Tom Morello’s cowl of Voodoo Baby, the RPT-02 explode with extra vitality, energy and dynamic capacity. Neither headphone is packed to the rafters with a forensic sense of element. The RPT-01 takes the win on this specific battle due to their clearer, impartial tone however what’s supplied by the SOL is nice sufficient in a broad sense, and the vitality and bombast of its sound is a compelling various, 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 pay attention.

That richness extends to the highest finish of the frequency vary, a smoother strategy taken to the piano in GoGo Penguin’s Atomised. It’s wanting 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 suppose 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 appears like an pleasant match.

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Sustainability

Trusted Critiques’ holds the truth that world warming shouldn’t be a fantasy as a core worth and can constantly endeavour to assist defend our planet from hurt in its enterprise practices.

As a part of this mission, every time we overview a product we ship the corporate a collection of questions to assist us gauge and make clear the influence the machine has on the setting.

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