By Surojit Chatterjee email: s.chatterjee@mobilenapps.com | Feb 19, 2013 12:56 PM EST
MA-350 noise isolating aluminum earphones from UK-based RHA (Reid and Heath Acoustics) has been in the U.S. market for quite a while; recently we got to try it out and decide whether it's got enough pizzazz to take on the competition.
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MA-350 is a set of mid-priced earphones that'll set you back $40 at Apple stores and on Amazon.com. You shouldn't expect them to deliver the same audio quality that you'd expect, let's say, from a pair of Bose earphones. However, the depth and richness of the sound MA-350 delivered were pretty impressive.
RHA is known for making high-quality audio equipment and MA-350 meets that standard. After about a week of trying it out, it's clear MA-350 offers superb quality sound reproduction for in-ear canal headphones.
First, a quick look at the specifications: MA-350 has a 16-22,000Hz frequency response and 103dB sensitivity rating. The earphones come with a tangle-free braided nylon 1.2m-long cord, 10mm driver, 3.5mm gold plated headphone jack, three different sizes of rubber tips (for the right fit to get the best sound production and noise isolation as well) and a carry case.
Audio quality
MA-350 does not deliver deep, punchy bass (and it does not claim to do so) but it offers a balanced and detailed sound all the way through the frequency range.
In fact, it's one of the best noise isolating earphones in the $30-$50 price range and does a good job of not only blocking out most of the ambient noise around you but also makes sure there's no sound leak and no one can hear what you're listening to (even when you crank up the volume to maximum — although that's not good for your ears).
What We Like
> Comes with a carry pouch
> Constructed of solid aluminum (it can take knocks and bumps)
> 3.5mm gold plated headphone jack
> 1.2m fabric tangle-free cord
> Soft silicon tips in three different sizes (S, M and L) for the right fit
> Aerophonic design that delivers rich, natural sound all through the frequency range. Mids are very well-balanced, rich and smooth for $40 earphones.
> Good for listening to rock music or classical (but not for listening to pop)
What We Don't
> Bass is not that great. In fact, MA-350's rather bass-recessed when you use them for the first time
> Available in only black
> Does not come with airline adapter or stereo splitter
> No inline remote control or microphone
> Design not eye-catching
> Heavier and more bulbous than most in-ear headphones
Final Verdict - A well-made product that looks good, fits comfortably in the ear and delivers rich, natural sound. Not for audiophiles and it definitely doesn't blow rivals out of water. However, it does offer pretty good sound quality and is worth the money spent.
We Recommend: Buy it.
Have you used RHA products? Especially MA-350 earphones? Do you like it? Sound off below.
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