RHA MA450i Review
Our 1st exposure to RHA headphones came about this time last year, when a pair on the SA-850 on-ear headphones showed up at our desk. While a strong work for $80, the SA-850 didn't quite resonate with us. The diamond-shaped stitching around the headband, short cable length and what had been then described as muddy highs kept us from tendering a rounding endorsement.
Now Glasgow, Scotland's RHA has two new headphone models crossing the pond: The MA450i in-ear headphone is an update towards the company's MA350 and is obtainable as of right now, even though the SA-950i on-ear headphone ?a which stands to replace to the aforementioned SA-850 will be released later in October of this year.
Can RHA do greater with in-ear headphones than it has with the a lot more classic kind? We popped inside the MA450i to discover out. We'll provide our full take on the SA-950i closer to launch (even though, as a preview, we don't mind telling you that they're an improvement on their predecessor).
Out in the box
RHA packages the MA450i within a rather unassuming, dark grey box with vibrant orange accents a design that is confident to match proper in at the Apple shop.
RHA MA450i Overview headphones front rear enclosureInside the box we identified the earphones, a felt storage pouch with drawstring, and an above-and-beyond selection of six diverse eartip sizes, for a total of seven with the pair currently installed. We think about this a big deal, considering that earphone sound top quality depends drastically on appropriately fitted eartips ?a the a lot more options, the far better.
Additionally to a solid choice of eartips, we noticed that RHA opted for an eartip design and style that employs a slightly rigid plastic tube through which sound is channeled. This design in no way affected comfort levels, but, in our case, did serve to facilitate a greater seal. Take note, nevertheless, that the eartips is usually a small difficult to install, given that the tube material isn't as malleable because the silicone it's surrounded by.
Characteristics and design and style
RHA claims that the MA450i's shape is inspired by the aerophonic design of a trumpet's bell, a bit of advertising and marketing copy that piques this specific reviewer's interest, as he happens to be an expert trumpet player. No doubt, there will likely be a lot brass sampled through the MA450i for the duration of this overview.
The MA450i are machined from a solid piece of aluminum, coated with a scratch-resistant material, then outfitted with 10mm drivers. The earphone cable, which runs roughly 5 feet, is covered having a woven fabric in an attempt to lessen tangling and shield the wires within. When relaxed from a tightly coiled position, the cable does a superb job of remaining manageable.
RHA MA450i Overview headphones mic in earOf course, that ?in the model quantity indicates iOS device compatibility a requisite feature for any item to create an Apple store appearance. In this case, RHA has included a three-button microphone that wins points for its simply distinguishable button, strong really feel and close proximity towards the mouth a crucial consideration for any microphone, if you ask us.
Overall performance
To evaluate the MA450i, we employed an iPhone 4S loaded with a mix of higher resolution and regular 256kbps iTunes tracks as well as a HeadRoom Micro DAC and Micro Amp fed by a laptop loaded with uncompressed audio test tracks.
The MA450i gave us a actual scare straight out from the box. With out any break-in time, these earphones had been unbearably harsh. The brash therapy of high frequencies had us very first wincing, followed by yanking the earphones out with haste. Getting seasoned related circumstances having a broad mix of each in-ear and on-ear headphones (in addition to obtaining just listened for the SA950i's almost polar opposite sound signature) we decided some considerable break-in time was in order.
Right after three hours of constant play time, the MA450i had currently smoothed out a little, although not enough for our tastes. We gave them one more 3 hours and after that launched into our evaluation.
These earphones pump out some impressive, linear bass response. From OutKast to Oscar Peterson, bass was faithfully rendered, with possibly just a little of emphasis under 200Hz for flair. The MA450i played evenly from 200Hz down to about 35Hz, where they seemed to roll off precipitously. Absent was any mid-bass bloat that would give the earphones an artificially fat feeling an aspect we really appreciate.
RHA MA450i Assessment headphones driverVocal reproduction and midrange performance in general was very very good. We enjoyed listening to Seven Days by Sting along with the Police as Sting's voice overall performance came through clearly and distinctly without having any veiling in the upper midrange region.
However, that exact same track exposed the harshness issues we had seasoned just before, although to a lesser degree this time. Each time Sting pronounced an S sound, the MA450i bit at our ears a little. The same came with every thwack of Stuart Copeland's snare drum, which sounded each artificially thin and poignant.
With our attention hung up on this higher frequency situation and recalling RHA's trumpet reference in the item style copy we decided to operate the MA450i more than with some brass-heavy material. Right here, we had mixed benefits, based around the nature in the recording. Bob Curnow's L.A. Huge Band featuring Bobby Shew offers a tribute to two modern day jazz giants with the Music of Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays. This occurs to be a warm recording, so the MA450i sounded excellent as we created our way through all 12 tracks. Even so, Maceo Parker's current collaboration together with the WDR massive band, Soul Classics, is, while an extremely fun record, anything but warm. The bright brass and aggressive Alto sax work put the MA450i's brightness situation beneath a microscope and, for us, it was uncomfortable.
RHA MA450i Assessment headphones rear enclosure in earThe MA450i did, nevertheless, exhibit a fantastic soundstage and really mesmerizing imaging properties anything we rarely expertise with earphones and in some cases more hardly ever from these below a $100 price point, let alone at $50. We heard instruments as if they had been coming from a variety of places both about us and well outside of our headspace. It was a fun trick, and we desire to hear more!
The MA450i also occur to become supremely comfortable. We wore them for over 3 hours inside a row with definitely no ear fatigue whatsoever. We can't recall the final time we wore an in-ear for that extended with no any difficulties.
Conclusion
It really is feasible that, with 30 more hours of break in, the MA450i might smooth out enough that they wouldn't rub us the incorrect way so much and we'll certainly give them that likelihood but we've got our doubts. Plus, we think most folks just aren't that patient.
With that mentioned, those that aren't as well sensitive about higher frequency response and/or individuals who are constantly proclaiming that they want headphones that sound far more crisp (we abhor that adjective, by the way) will most likely get pleasure from the MA450i. We are able to see listeners, in time, getting utilized for the distinct sound and possibly even enjoying it. And if not, we would encourage folks to look into the SA-950i, due out within a couple of weeks, simply because seriously it puts out an entirely diverse sound.
Frankly, we've been largely unimpressed using the sub-$50 in-ear headphone offerings lately. RHA gets seriously close to redefining what could be completed at that cost point using the MA450i. Have been it not for our considerable trepidation more than their treble (it's a deal-breaker for us) ,we'd provide an additional point to our score. Since it stands, nevertheless, we are rating these at 6.5.
Highs
Superb bass and midrange response
Wide collection of eartips
Extremely lightweight
Hugely sensitive
Lows
Aggressive and typically harsh treble response
Piercing at higher volumes