RHA MA-350 Noise Isolating In-Ear Headphones Review: Cut Off |
INTRODUCTION:
We usually heard the term "aluminum body" on smartphones and most of the times those phones belong to the high-end category. But, have you heard about an in-ear headphones with a body made of aluminum?
Honestly, I have not, until I recently met the Reid and Health Acoustics (RHA) MA-350, a noise isolating in-ear headphones with top-tier aluminum body.
UNBOXING:
Unboxing Video
Retail Package |
The retail package consists of 1 unit of MA-350 headphones, a carrying pouch, a clip, 2 sets of extra silicone tips and user's guide.
DESIGN:
The RHA MA-350 boasts an aluminum body and it is not just an ordinary metal, it was machined from an aircraft-grade aluminum. The body is completely enclosed and the only way the sound can escape is through the driver grille.
The 3.5mm audio jack connector has a 90 degree construction and plated with gold for less resistance and better conduction. Meanwhile, the 1.3m cable is braided with fabric which helps reduce tangling and prolongs its lifetime, however, in real life usage the cable tends to tangle a lot. The very minimalist RHA logo can be found on both the body and the connector, its simplicity adds a more stylish and premium look.
USAGE and PERFORMANCE:
By default, the MA-350 is sold with the medium silicone tips pre-installed, so I recommend to check if they perfectly fit your ears and if not, better grab the spares and change them. Once plugged into your ears, the ear buds block external sounds of your surroundings, but it is not completely isolated, you can still hear the noise coming from the outside.
The responds from low to mid frequencies are near perfect with the right balance and a little kick in the bass. At the higher frequency range, the output is still good, although there are times that the treble becomes too sharp, especially at high volume. Overall, the sound quality is clean and smooth.
CONCLUSION:
The RHA MA-350 has a premium build quality, produces a well-balanced audio output and comfortable fit plus the 3-year warranty. One thing I missed though is the microphone making it less versatile, especially during phone calls.
PROS:
Sturdy build quality
Well-balanced audio output
3-year warranty
CONS:
Cheap-looking packaging
Cable tangles very once in a while
Specifications:
- Driver: 10mm
- Frequency range: 16Hz to 22 KHz
- Impedance: 16 ohms
- Rated power: 3mW
- Max power: 10mW
- Sensitivity: 103db
The RHA is a British headphone company, in the Philippines their products are distributed by Digits Trading and available through their partner stores and resellers. The MA-200 has a retail price tag of Php1,350 while the MA-350 has an SRP of Php1,850.