JPL Telecom JPL-501S-USB Specifications, Tests and Review

The JPL Telecom JPL-501S-USB are wired headphones. In the case of studio and professional DJ headphones, a wired connection is a standard and a necessity. In this case, connecting via cable reduces audio transmission delays and prevents unwanted battery drain as it would be in case of wireless headphones. The same is de facto true for gaming headsets. In case of headphones for normal music listening, the cable is rather a relic, although it still has its fans. However, the wireless option is much more popular for everyday use in today’s world.

The headphones are designed as on-ear. On-ear headphones are generally lighter. However, their design has fewer isolation capabilities, and therefore, for example, more sound can be let in and out compared to around-ear headphones. The weight of the headphones is 68 g.

The sound quality can be affected by many factors. Overall, these headphones can reproduce sound up to 132 dB. However, be careful. Repeatedly playing music continuously at really high volumes can damage your hearing.

The device connected to the headphones also plays a role most times. The lower impedance value (approximately 100 to 150 Ohms) is suitable for playback from mobile phones, laptops or other portable players that do not have a powerful enough amplifier. The lower impedance will ensure that the required volume level is achieved with less power, thus extending the life of the player. However, at the same time, with lower impedance, there is more distortion of the sound. Headphones with a higher impedance of around 250 Ohms and above are then more suitable for playback from really powerful signal sources or using a headphone amplifier, otherwise the sound coming out of them might not be loud enough. At the same time, higher-impedance headphones will also ensure less distortion in the sound. In the case of these headphones, the impedance reaches the 24 Ohm value.

The headphones are composed of many various components, one of the most important is the diaphragm. Diaphragm transforms the electrical signal into sound and therefore its quality affects the overall listening experience. There are three types of diaphragms: thin, medium-thick, and thicker. A thin 6 mm thick diaphragm responds quickly to high frequencies but less sensitively to bass. The medium-thick 10 mm diaphragm provides a balanced sound profile, allowing you to enjoy both bass and treble. The thicker 20 mm diaphragm is more sensitive to higher frequencies but has a poorer bass response. These headphones are equipped with the 55 mm.

JPL Telecom JPL-501S-USB has a boom–type microphone. The microphone sensitivity is -43 dB. A lower microphone sensitivity will generally ensure that even quieter sounds are caught. On the other hand, in noisier environments, distortion of the recording may occur. With a higher sensitivity, the microphone will not distort the recording even in noisy environments. On the other hand, the microphone will not pick up quieter sounds. So it depends on the environment and the purposes you plan to use the headphones for.