RHA
RHA MA390 Universal: pretty intras that lack subtlety
Aprox. 29€ - see price -
The MA390 Universal is one of RHA's most accessible intras, even more so than the S500. Placed under the € 30 mark, they promise one of the best quality / price ratios on the market. The reality is quite different.
Our review
Ergonomics
Like the S500i, the MA390 Universal benefit from good manufacturing quality, especially with regard to their pricing positioning. Each interior is adorned with an aluminum chassis that is robust, compact and light. Even if no certification is specified by the manufacturer, these intras did not show any sign of fatigue during our trial period (sport, rain ...).
The thickness of the cable is correct. The braided design of the main part seems to offer a little welcome extra protection. It also prevents tangling the cable at all times, even when it is quickly stored in the pocket without paying particular attention. The manufacturer still provides a pouch to protect these intras.
If we appreciate the quality / price ratio of MA390 Universal, it is however less the case of the remote control. The plastic shell that protects it is very thin, it sounds hollow and its assembly does not seem to be done with great care; we hear a little click between the two plastic parts when we move the cable.
The comfort provided by the MA390 Universal is very honorable. The great lightness and compactness have a lot to do with it. In addition, they fit fairly naturally into the duct without being particularly intrusive. Three pairs of silicone tips are delivered to find the right shoe. We would almost forget about them after a few minutes of use. However, the sensitivity of the cable to solid-state transmissions, especially friction, reminds us of the presence of intras. These noises can be significantly reduced by passing the cable under a garment or by using the clamp provided, for example, but it can happen to perceive still some repercussions when one moves a lot.
On the control side, the simplicity is absolute. The MA390 Universal, so-called universal, therefore only offer a single multifunction button to manage music playback, calls and navigate between tracks. We can forget about the volume control, but, at least, they can be used without worry on both Android and iOS. The performance of the microphone - housed in the remote control - is good. It detaches the voice well from the surrounding sounds in fairly noisy environments, even when speaking discreetly.
Audio
The RHA MA390 Universal sign a very average sound performance with a V signature far from subtle.
They show a very wide preference for the extreme low / low and the high-midrange, which also marks a fairly clear break with what the manufacturer is used to offering. Unfortunately, the membranes quickly get carried away in the first part of the spectrum. We get bass certainly deep, but very compact and imprecise. It is difficult to differentiate between the sources that operate in this register.
The peak in the high mids strongly boosts the impression of clarity, the scenic presence and the attack of certain sources. This also helps to limit the slightly invasive nature of the bass. However, at a sustained listening volume, and on certain sources (typically, saturated guitars), this coloring tends to become aggressive. In addition, we are far from being overwhelmed by the finesse of the restitution, especially since the withdrawal in the treble does not necessarily allow to enjoy an airy restitution of the scene. Fortunately, there is no sibilance to report and the voices are naturally placed well ahead. The RHA MA390 Universal offer a very correct passive isolation, which allows you to cut off significantly from the surrounding sounds. We are very far from what memory foam tips or some active noise reduction can offer, but the effect is sufficient for use in an urban environment.
The distortion is fairly contained over the entire audible spectrum and is therefore not a problem. By asking 210 mVrms to reach 94 dB SPL, the RHA MA390 Universal are not the easiest to propel on the market. Very weak smartphones and portable players will therefore have to be pushed to their limits to reach a good level of listening. However, this remains lower than their cousins S500i, which require no less than 315 mVrms to reach this same threshold.
Conclusion
Sold at low prices, well manufactured and comfortable, the MA390u offer only passable sound performance. A use as a hands-free kit is however widely conceivable, especially in view of what some intras supplied with smartphones can offer.
Reviews
Incredible Earbuds For Not a Lot of $$$
Really enjoying the RHA's after just 24 hours of play. I've put a variety of music thru them (rock, metal, blues, hip hop, jazz, r & b, classical, and spoken word) and I'm pleasantly surprised at how balanced these are for sub $ 30 buds. The bass and treble are a bit over-pronounced, but still within my acceptable ranges for listening. Guitar focused music sounds amazing. I spent some time listening to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Gary Clark, Jr and was amazed at how good they sounded through these buds. One last note about the sound of these buds ... The cable is well designed to reduce microphonics. I walk my dog all the time while listening to podcasts or music. Earbuds with cheap cabling cause all kinds of rustling as the cable moves against my clothes. These RHAs do NOT have that problem. The bottom half of the cord - before the splitter - is covered in a woven protective fabric that completely removes any rustle. The top half is coated in the usual rubber, but is thick enough not to cause any rustle. This means i hear my music when walking ... not cord microphonics.
So, the sound is very good ... incredible at this price point. The next question is how they fit. I've tried all kinds of buds and I tend to prefer small and light. I don't like the kind that wrap over your ear, or the kind that have huge bass ports that end out hurting your ears after more than an hour of listening. The RHAs, I'm happy to report, are small and unobtrusive. After 5 minutes you forget they are there. There are included ear tips to change sizes. I found the default worked perfectly for me ... no slippage and decent noise isolation. Keep in mind ... these are passive noise isolation, so some noise can seep through at low volumes. However, considering how loud these buds can get, you likely won't notice much.
How's the build quality? The aluminum housings seem very well designed. I already mentioned the cable covers are good. I'll report back after a few weeks / months of wearing these every day to see how they hold up, but thus far I'm very impressed with the attention to small details on these buds. The aluminum is smooth w / out burrs and the cable connections seem sturdy and well protected.
Overall, I love these new buds. I'm always looking for <$ 50 ear buds because I use them so much that the normal wear and tear means I go through a few sets every year. I wear them at work ... while walking my dog ... in the gym ... just about 6 - 8 hours a day. That's a lot of use, so any buds that can last 3 - 6 months - to me - are really good buds. That being said, I don't like to sacrifice sound quality, which is where these RHAs come in. I'm really digging how they sound. I'm listening to James Brown as I write this, and the growl in his voice, the groove of the bass, and the blare of the trumpets is crystal clear. If you're looking for earbuds to really get into your music, these can't be beat at this price.
UPDATE Jan 2019
Still using these again headphones 5 months later and they aren't still in great shape. I use them daily and carry them around in my pocket without a case. I can't believe they are this durable and sounds this good. I'm an RHA fan now! Highly recommended.
Failure But Fast Replacement
The earphones failed after seven months of one hour daily use. I do not listen to music but only podcasts so these $ 30 earphones were just fine. The company sent a new one under their three year warranty - and didn't want the other one back - in a few days.
So, yes it probably failed too soon. But for the cost and their great service, I'm not unhappy.
At this price I didn't expected anything amazing but the reviews are good so I gave a ...
I'm not an audiophile but I'm still very picky when it's about music. I usually spent lot money on headphones but I keep losing them in the subway = p After some research I found those RHA MA390 U. At this price I didn't expected anything amazing but the reviews are good so I gave a shop and I have no regrets. This sound is clear and they're offering good bass. So far I found those earbuds very comfortable.
do not buy - awful sound and they began to fail after only a month
these are awful, I purchased them in May and here it is June 18th and they already are failing. the sound is terrible and one ear will fade out every once in awhile. the cord gets kinked regularly.
Amazing sound, and noise isolation
I found these through another website reviewing earbuds. These seemed to be the best quality for the price. I went biking and was suprised at how well they fit, and how loud they were with no distortion. Perfect find! And no, I didnt get paid to write this.
Top quality, and not just for the price!
This is a well-earned 5-stars for both product and company. The sound quality on the MA390 is truly outstanding, and they really feel well-made. I will mention that the bass is pretty hefty. Not a complaint by any means! In fact, I find that the solid bass, coupled with the noise-isolating design, allows me to enjoy music at a lower volume than I might with another set of headphones. However, if you like less bass, it sounds like the S500 might be a better fit for you, though I've not owned a pair.
After owning this pair for 9 months, the in-line microphone developed a small issue where sound would cut-out intermittently in one ear. I contacted RHA and they sent me a replacement with very little fuss. So, here's proof that the 3-year warranty is real, and RHA is as good as their word.
Not only do they sound good with nice bass
For the price, this met my expectations. Not only do they sound good with nice bass, but the interface for phone conversations worked well, and those that I called confirmed that I sounded good ..