MA450i:
If you need a mic and a remote, get the MA450i. If you don’t, then the MA350 is what you want. If you want a great commuting pair of earphones, the decision couldn’t be any simpler.

MA450i:

Recently, when I reviewed RHA’s MA350 earphones, I concluded that they were a perfect second pair of earphones that were great for commuting. I considered their $40 price a bargain. However, one major (for some) drawback was a lack of a mic for making and receiving phone calls – especially for any commuting. RHA has an answer for that with the RHA MA450i earphone with remote and microphone.

You might think that there would be an audible difference between the RHA MA350 and the MA450i. After all, the MA450i is 100 more something than the 350, right? If you think that, you would be wrong. There is no difference in construction or sound between the MA350 and MA450i. If you don’t need a mic, you can stop right here. I’m not going to bother with a review of the audio quality of the MA450i, because I would just be repeating myself. You can go here to read my complete review of the sonically-identical MA350.

But I will talk about the included remote mic. Boy, did RHA get this one right.

Many earphones I have reviewed include a mic option. Most of them work just fine, but I always ask the person I am talking with if they can tell whether it’s me using the mic or my iPhone directly. I always get the same answer in varying degrees: From “Yes I can tell, but it’s not too bad” all the way to “Yes, I can tell and you sound like you’re in a tunnel.” I get this responses no matter how expensive or cheap the earphones are.

Until now, that is. Everyone I talked with could not tell that I wasn’t speaking into my iPhone, but instead was using a mic. Not one. I don’t know what RHA did or how they did it, but it works. This is one of those things you take for granted until you experience a lesser mic. The tapered remote works well with the usual Pause, Forward and Skip functions, but it’s hard to get excited about that. The middle pause button is easy to feel, but the + and – buttons can easily be confused.

The MA450i’s construction is another match to the MA350. The same aluminum shell with its aerophonic-designed shape plus their fabric-covered cables. You do get a much more varied choice of tips, however. Both the MA450i as well as the MA350 come with a 3-year no-hassle guarantee.

It all comes down to this: If you need a mic and a remote, get the MA450i. If you don’t, then the MA350 is what you want. If you want a great commuting pair of earphones, the decision couldn’t be any simpler.

Read the full article at Gadgeteer

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MA450i:
The bass is controlled and tight, with the right amount of midrange.

MA450i:

There are plethora of aftermarket headphones and earphones available for the iPhone these days. If you’re looking to spend some of that hard earned Christmas cash, you may not need to look any further than the RHA-ma450i earphones. If you haven’t heard of RHA Audio, they’re a Glasgow, UK based company that recently launched their products in North America and simple trip to the Apple Store will reveal their very affordable $50 price tag.

The RHA-ma450i come with seven (yes, 7) sets of ear inserts including a set of double coned tips in their own box, plus the headphones themselves and a soft classy carrying case. The tips come with 2 pairs each of Small, Medium, and Large so regardless of ear size, you should be able to find the right fit. The earphones are machined of aluminum, which makes them very attractive and much more durable than your typical plastic ones. The earphone cable is a braided fabric cable to reduce tangling and prolong cable life. If you’re anything like me, and you could probably tangle a 2×4, then these cables are for you. My days of tangling cables were over once I starting using these. They are compatible with any iPhone & iPod touch that supports inline mic/volume controls.

Audio Quality

The RHA-ma450i had some big shoes to fill, as my regular earphones are the audiophile oriented $400 Westone 3s. The earphones were very straightforward to use, offering much better than average sound quality. The bass is controlled and tight, with the right amount of midrange. My only complaint in sound quality was a little too much treble, not necessarily a bad thing, but it required an adjustment of the phone’s equilizer settings.
On the Phone

The inline mic offers good sound quality, even on a crowded subway; the recipient at the other end of the phone call could hear me just fine. There were no complaints of sounding distant or muffled conversation. While not a true noise cancelling headphone, a good fit with the correct ear tips provides excellent isolation from unwanted outside distractions and offers little to no sound leakage, another plus for those of us who like to travel.

Controls & Features

A note for Siri lovers: a long press will bring up everyone’s favourite voice assistant. The inline mic offers volume control, with one click offering pause, answer and hang up. A double click will skip to the next song while a quick triple click will take you back to the beginning of the last song. The mic also has a small indent in the center, making it very easy to locate the different controls. No fumbling in the dark or when you’re in a hurry to pick up a call. It would seem that the engineers and designers at RHA Audio thought through these very well.

RHA Hits MegaTechie Home Run

RHA claims to create unique, high specification audio products and everything they make is engineered to deliver professional grade, cutting edge sound. Each feature, detail and component is the result of extensive research and their uncompromising commitment to innovation and quality. In every aspect, the RHA-ma450i hits the mark. They are the perfect combination of price, sound quality, and performance.

The sound quality is on par with earphones costing a $100 more and the build quality is first rate. The inclusion of a 3 year, no questions asked warranty should seal the deal for anyone that is still on the fence. The only drawbacks I found with the headphones were the slightly higher treble than I would liked and the lack of replaceable cables. Now, for $50, I’m not going to argue about the cables.

Whether you’re a student on the go or an executive working out at the gym, the RHA-ma450i should be at the top of a very short list for anyone in the market for some new earphones.

Read the full article at Mega Tech News

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MA450i:
In addition to sounding fantastic, they’re also ultra-durable. The shell is constructed of aircraft grade aluminum, while the cord consists of reinforced copper cable inside a braided fabric enclosure.

MA450i:

British manufacturer RHA has recently released their line of headphones and earphones for the first time in the US. Of note: the company’s flagship MA450i noise isolating earphones.

In addition to sounding fantastic, they’re also ultra-durable. The shell is constructed of aircraft grade aluminum, while the cord consists of reinforced copper cable inside a braided fabric enclosure. An inline remote allows users to skip tracks, adjust volume and pause/play tunes on any iPhone/iPad/iPod. To ensure a snug but comfortable fit, they feature a choice of seven pairs of soft silicone ear-tips.

Read the full article at Vagabondish

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MA450i:
The sound from the all-aluminum MA450i is downright phenomenal. Bass thumping in my ear, clear highs and mid-ranges, all without full volume.

MA450i:
Let me begin by saying that there is at least one Apple product I cannot stand. Despite their initial cool look, the original stock earphones were a literal pain in my ear. Even adding the mic and remote on the cord of the second generation couldn’t convince me to use them for any length of time, so they are a back-up pair for those times I need earbuds – say while traveling (or having your earbuds yanked from your ear by a lawn mower… don’t ask). While I don’t have the newest version of Apple’s Earpods, the first and second generation of earphones didn’t give me much confidence in trying them out.

Depending on your needs, the best earphones/earbuds I’ve recently been using had the ability to sequester external noise so the sounds from the ear-embedded micro-speakers are more effective. Britain’s RHA entrance into this field are exceptional with their strangely-named MA450i.

The MA450i, so named for “Micro Aural” 450i (for Apple’s iDevices), is the next in line for RHA, and upgrades their MA350 version, a well-liked item at Amazon.com. Since the MA450i is for idevices, it places a familiar, yet an ergonomically curved, mic/remote on the right-eared cord.

By comparison to most other earphones, the sound from the all-aluminum MA450i is downright phenomenal. Bass thumping in my ear, clear highs and mid-ranges, all without full volume. Oh yes, these quickly have become my default earphones – for running and exercising, for podcasts, and even for drifting to sleep – because of the diminutive size and comfort in my ears. I suppose that was my biggest gripe of Apple’s earphones: they were just too honking big for my ear canal. On the other hand, I can wear the MA450i earphones for hours without adjustment or major discomfort.

Besides the earphones themselves, RHA sends many different size silicon tips (for noise isolating in different size ear canals) and even a superfluous velvet bag. RHA clearly is sending a strong belief in their product as well since they advertise a 3-year parts and labor warranty.

The MA450i’s come with a harder-than-usual-to-tangle fabric covered 1.5 meter cord. Now, I’m 6’3″, and 1.5 meters is over 4 feet of cord! That means I can put an iPhone below my knee before the cord length is used up. Most of the time when I need earphones, the furthest away my device is in my pocket, so there is a lot of cord left to drape, dangle, and get in the way. When I move my iPhone to an armband while running, I have to put over 3 feet of cord in my shirt to keep it from flopping around.

While the microphone is acceptable for both indoor and outdoor use, the curved remote buttons don’t always function so well with my iPhone, iPad, and iTunes on my MacBook Pro. Fidgeting with the remote while running and exercising is a distraction I’d rather not have.

Compared to $29 for Apple’s version of earphones/earpods, these high quality earphones earn high marks for their relatively inexpensive $50 price tag. Heck the comfort alone is worth $20, and getting heavy duty bass without distortion in one’s ear is this audiophile’s joy.

Read the full article at iSource

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MA450i:
As I tested these earphones I was continually impressed with how clear the audio was across the entire range of sound, including the lower bass levels, which are not easy to reproduce on an earbud at any price point. Highs and mid-ranges came across very cleanly too, making these a great choice for music lovers who prefer a full audio experience. Listening to my favorite music on the MA450i's was a rich, personal experience, highlighting subtle notes that aren't always noticeable on other earbuds.

MA450i:

Still looking for a last minute gift for the music lover on your holiday list? Look no further than the incredible sounding earphones from RHA Audio. The British company, which is relatively new to the U.S. market, makes some very high-quality earbuds that pack impressive sound without inflicting a lot of damage on your wallet. Here are two of their products that I've recently had the opportunity to test, coming away very impressed.

The MA450i is RHA's flagship in-ear model that is available through Apple Stores – both online and brick and mortar – as well as Amazon. These earphones are built from aircraft grade aluminum, which gives them a very solid and durable feel that you don't always find in similar headsets. They also feature a three-button inline remote that allows users to skip tracks, adjust volume or pause their music on an iPhone, iPod or iPad. The remote even has a built-in mic, which makes it easy to both place and receive calls that sound crisp and clear on the tiny speakers. RHA has also included seven sizes of interchangeable soft tips for the earphones allowing users to find just the right fit for isolating outside noise.

If you've ever gone in search of good earphones for your portable devices, the above description probably doesn't seem very out of the ordinary. After all, there are literally hundreds of options for earbuds on the market from dozens of different companies that offer a similar set of features. But where RHA's products stand out from the crowd is in their performance for the price. Simply put, these are easily the best sounding earbuds I've ever used in this price range and they equal or exceed the quality of many higher priced offerings as well.
As I tested these earphones I was continually impressed with how clear the audio was across the entire range of sound, including the lower bass levels, which are not easy to reproduce on an earbud at any price point. Highs and mid-ranges came across very cleanly too, making these a great choice for music lovers who prefer a full audio experience. Listening to my favorite music on the MA450i's was a rich, personal experience, highlighting subtle notes that aren't always noticeable on other earbuds.

I found these earphones to be super comfortable to wear as well, once I found the proper size tips to use. True to form, my ears always require different sizes to fit properly, but with all of the options that RHA includes, it was easy to adjust as needed. Once I had the right sizes dialed in, the MA450i's did an excellent job of isolating outside noise, which can be particularly distracting at times. These earphones were also comfortable to wear for hours on end, something that comes in very handy on long flights.

Available in both black and white, the MA450i's come with a nice little soft case for use while traveling. Throw in a long, durable cable and a full three-year warranty, all for a price of just $49.95, and you really have a set of headphones that are incredibly tough to beat. This kind of sound quality just doesn't show up very often at this price point, which makes them a bargain that is tough to pass up.

Read the full article at Gadling

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MA450i:
They do indeed give a richly detailed dound with no discernable distortion.

MA450i:

Read the full article at Swipe Magazine or download the full edition from the iTunes store.

View the MA450i product page.

MA450i:
The key to the MA450i's is balance. And richness within that balance. Bass will thrum and treble will sing, but these RHAs also allow you to hear all of the layers in a song.

MA450i:

RHA has had no shortage of praise from reviewers. Their products are wonderful. And, more importantly, affordable ... Since I'm pretty sure we're all broke.

From a design standpoint, the MA450i's are pleasantly minimalist. A soft black fabric-coated wire (which doesn't transfer much if any noise) splits into left and right wires and black aluminum earbuds with a silver trim. The wire leading to the right earbud includes a slim in-line volume control module/microphone. The earbuds themselves are remarkably light.

And, yes, the 'i' in the 450i means they're specifically tailored to Apple's i-devices.

From an acoustic standpoint, they're fantastic. Especially for the price: $49.95.

The key to the MA450i's is balance. And richness within that balance. Bass will thrum and treble will sing, but these RHAs also allow you to hear all of the layers in a song. These are not, I should point out, necessarily the earbuds to own if you want to drown yourself in brain-shaking bass or eye-melting high notes all the time. Again: They're balanced very well.

That's not to say I blew them out. They performed admirably during even my loudest death metal and soundtrack sessions (I've been using them, actually, to enjoy the Dredd 3D soundtrack -- which is a sort of industrial score). But they're not going to give you the kick you're looking for is you're all about bass. (See that pun? Good.)

The most important aspect of the MA450i's, for me, was the fact that I could wear them for more than an hour and not feel any discomfort. From my apartment, to my mile-walk, to the subway, to work. Their aforementioned lightness is a comfy blessing.

What we're talking about here is remarkable quality for not a lot of money. Which is, itself, a terrible sentence. But the thought is there. The MA450i's are superb and you're getting a lot at a low price.

I highly recommend them.

Read the full article at New York Post

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MA450i:
Also from a tactile point of view, because headphones and earbuds are as much about feeling and bells and whistles as they are about the sonic presentation, is the material of the headphone “string.” It’s not wire covered in black plastic, it’s wire covered in a thin, clothy, rope-like material. I’ve somehow cut through headphone wires before, and I don’t think that’s going to happen. These suckers are tough.

MA450i:

Most of the stuff on sale at the Apple Store, both physical and virtual, tends to be made by Apple itself. Usually if Apple likes a company that makes something that could make its products better, it just buys the company. British company RHA is a special exception, as it sells its line of earbuds directly through Apple.

The flagship of their line of just-for-iPhone, iPod, and iPadearbuds are the Ma450is. They offer great sound for hearing nuances even in compressed audio files (as well as glorious, glorious outside noise cancellation) more so than the ubiquitous white earbuds that come with those same Apple products. The extra $49.95 is worth it.

More earbud covers than you could possibly use or imagine. While they’re a little hard to get off and on, the upside of that meaning they don’t slip off or make the whole apparatus fall out of your ears when you shift slightly, they come standard with seven slightly different sets to make sure you’ve got absolutely the perfect fit. Certainly no other mainstream earbud set comes with so many lavish options for customization, or, if you’re so inclined, to share with your six siblings, all who have different-sized-by-a-few-millimeters earholes.

Also from a tactile point of view, because headphones and earbuds are as much about feeling and bells and whistles as they are about the sonic presentation, is the material of the headphone “string.” It’s not wire covered in black plastic, it’s wire covered in a thin, clothy, rope-like material. I’ve somehow cut through headphone wires before, and I don’t think that’s going to happen. These suckers are tough.

Another notable feature is the “remote,” or rather a convenience button on the string-wire for volume, so you don’t have to open up or unlock your iPhone or iPod just because you want to turn up the music. Yes, newer models have volume controls on the side of the device, but when you’re running or don’t want to pull out your $300 communications device on mass transit, it’s nice to be able to easily turn it up or turn it down. (RHA makes a version of the earbuds without that remote, the MA350, which cost a little less.)

Read the full article at Popdose

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