RHA is a British headphone company which impressed us with its budget MA450i set that punched above their weight for sound quality. The MA750i is almost twice the price, taking RHA well out of budget territory, but again you get a lot for your money. Here’s our RHA MA750i review. See also: Best sub-£50 headphones
RHA MA750i review: design
You can feel the quality the instant you unwrap the thick, heavyweight 1.35m cable from its home in the box. The stainless steel driver housing is similarly strong and heavy, plus the gold-plated 3.5mm connector has a spring to help prevent cable damage. The drivers are handmade, say RHA, and there’s no doubting the stylish, purposeful design. We’d far rather be seen with the MA750i than some of garish cans out there. Things get a little confusing as there are two models: MA750 and MA750i. The only difference, aside a £10 increase in price, is that the ‘i’ version has an in-line remote and microphone which works with Apple devices. So if you don’t want to be able to adjust the volume or make calls with your headphones in, save money and go for the MA750 for £79.99. http://www.amazon.co.uk/RHA-MA750-Noise-Isolating-Headphone/dp/B00ELAM8LE/
In the box you get a metal holder and zip case for the 10 pairs of tips. This is a lot more than you usually see, and should ensure you can get the ideal fit for your ears. Most are silicone, but there are two pairs of memory foam tips, so you’ll have to try them all to see which suits you best. Like some high-end headphones, including Shure’s, the MA750 has moulded cables which are shaped to be looped over the top of your ears to help prevent the extra weight pulling the tips out. Some people find this fiddly and less comfortable than standard in-ear headphones, so it’s something to consider before buying. We quickly got used to it, but note that the slider to keep the wires together can only go up as far as the bottom of the remote control, so you can’t hold the wires in place behind your head as with Shure’s. Not that you’re likely to be using the MA750i live on stage, but it’s worth knowing.
RHA MA750i review: audio quality
As with a new pair of shoes, you have to use the MA750i for a while to get used to them. For example, bass is highly dependent on using tips that are a snug fit for your ears. This applies to most in-ear headphones, but it’s especially noticeable with these. Unless there’s a good seal, you won’t hear any bass. But even with the best-fitting tips, bass isn’t that powerful. It’s clear and well-defined, but if you’re after the kind of punch you get with Beats, you’re certainly looking in the wrong place.
The MA750 is all about flat response, so no frequency overpowers any other. Because of this sound quality is fairly neutral, and that’s exactly what you want if you’re after reference sound on a budget. If we’re being picky, the mid-range doesn’t quite have the clarity we’d like, but it’s slightly unfair given the sub-£100 price. And don’t forget you get a three-year warranty and zip-up carry case which adds value.
RHA MA750i review: bottom line
If you’re after reference audio quality but you’re on a budget, the MA750 shouldn’t disappoint. They’re well made, have a natural sound and a long warranty. For those that love bass, there are better choices which cost half the price, such as Rock Jaw’s Arcana V2. Plus, don’t forget that RHA’s own MA450i costs only £40 and also offers outstanding sound quality for those on an even tighter budget.
Jim has been testing and reviewing products for over 20 years. His main beats include VPN services and antivirus. He also covers smart home tech, mesh Wi-Fi and electric bikes.
