Since it's launching soon, and some of us have been trying it out, I thought I'd get an impressions thread started for the new RHA S500i. I guess I'll start?
For those that don’t know, my experience with RHA products stretches back a few years. Back when I was a youngin’ Head-Fier, I was asked if I’d be interested in checking out their MA350, which I found bassy, but liked for its super-fun signature. Then came the MA450i, SA950i, MA150, MA150 Rev. 2, MA600i, MA750i, T10i - and most recently - their new T20i. Now that i think back on it, the only RHA model I’ve never auditioned is an old circumaural headphone named the CA200 (I think?).
Anyway, my point is: I’ve had a fair bit of experience with both their individual units and their overall progress throughout the years. And the one thing that has always impressed me about them, above and beyond everything else, is their commitment to value. So when I heard that there was going to be a new entry-level product - the S500i - I was rather excited to give it a go - even more excited than I was about their recently-launched T20i. Would it hold up to RHA’s traditionally high price-to-performance ratio?
Specifications
Design
Build
It’s RHA... so in addition to being primarily metal, it features rather robust strain reliefs and solid y-joints. It also features the same ridiculously-overkill 3-year warranty that all of their other products offer, which renders worries about defects a moot point.
Surprise!
The S500i sounds like no RHA unit I have ever heard. Well, that’s not exactly true. There was this one T20i prototype that was very different from their house sound - actually never mind that, I’m just rambling.
But if you have any experience with their products at all, then you know that they tend to be warm… and by warm I mean bassy… and by bassy I mean BASSY… and by that I mean - oh you get the point. And yes MA600i, I’m looking at you here...
With the S500i (and presumably the S500 as well), you have something that is sooooo not that. In fact, if I were pressed to mention one thing that the S500i lacked, it would be bass. "WUT? An RHA that is bass shy? Now I know you’re screw*** with me Warren!” Nope, I’m being totally on the level. And if I hadn’t heard it for myself, I might not have believed it either.
Sound
The S500i’s signature features a flat and neutral bass response. Depending on your upstream gear, you might even be tempted to call the low-end response rather lean. Either way, bassheads need not apply, this is not the droid that you’re looking for. But for those that have always wanted a less (or non) bassy RHA, this might be exactly what you’ve envisioned.
The S500i sounds very linear through the lower mids all the way into the vocal range, so there’s no discernible bass hump that I can detect (which I like). But that also means that there’s a little less body and fullness in the lower mids, which I think I would’ve enjoyed if it were present.
But the S500i’s most defining sonic characteristic - by far - is a very prominent upper midrange emphasis. Again, just to be sure this point is not missed: very prominent upper midrange. So if you’ve traditionally been sensitive to treble peaks or sibilance, you can stop reading right now. This is not the droid that you’ve been looking for either.
The highs are neither rolled off nor exaggerated, but I’d honestly be surprised if they stood out for anyone given the upper midrange emphasis, which tends to occlude pretty much everything else above it FR-wise.
Achtung!
Straight out of the box, I found the upper midrange to be strident and grainy. I left it on continuous burn-in for some time, and it did improve significantly around the 50-hour mark (though improvement started to be noticeable at around 30 hours). If you get the S500/S500i, I would immediately put it on a burn-in cycle for at least 50 hours before coming to any conclusions on it.
It gets much better, and doesn't run nearly as hot, after it settles down from burn-in.
For Now...
Overall, the S500i is a very sudden shift from RHA’s house sound.
It’s neutral, flat, maybe even lean for some, and can run hot in the upper midrange and treble. As a result, percussion is going to sound very exciting, and acoustic music will seem to have a nice pop and presence to it. But modern pop music from the likes of Taylor Swift and Lucy Hale (don’t judge me) may not fare as well. We’re all different so YMMV.
In comparing it to other IEMs, nearly all of which are much more expensive, I would say that it bears resemblances to the Ortofon EQ-8, Etymotic ER-4PT, UE 700, and even a Noble 4 in some ways.
If you’ve always wanted to get into an RHA unit, but have been put off by the elevated bass response inherent to their house sound, I would highly encourage you to give the S500i a listen.
I am VERY interested in hearing what y’all think of it. If you've got impressions, by all means, please post 'em! BTW, I’ve been told that they’re going to start a review tour soon, so keep your eyes peeled for that as well.
For those that don’t know, my experience with RHA products stretches back a few years. Back when I was a youngin’ Head-Fier, I was asked if I’d be interested in checking out their MA350, which I found bassy, but liked for its super-fun signature. Then came the MA450i, SA950i, MA150, MA150 Rev. 2, MA600i, MA750i, T10i - and most recently - their new T20i. Now that i think back on it, the only RHA model I’ve never auditioned is an old circumaural headphone named the CA200 (I think?).
Anyway, my point is: I’ve had a fair bit of experience with both their individual units and their overall progress throughout the years. And the one thing that has always impressed me about them, above and beyond everything else, is their commitment to value. So when I heard that there was going to be a new entry-level product - the S500i - I was rather excited to give it a go - even more excited than I was about their recently-launched T20i. Would it hold up to RHA’s traditionally high price-to-performance ratio?
Specifications
Following the successful launch of new flagship in-ear headphone, the T20, earlier this year, award-winning audio manufacturer RHA has announced a new entry-level proposition, the S500i.
The new product will feature an ultra-compact design in aluminium, made possible by a high performance micro dynamic driver. The 140.1 model driver promises faithful listening experiences, having been engineered to deliver vibrant, immersive and detailed sound reproduction.
“The S500i is for those seeking an affordable, compact in-ear headphone that doesn’t sacrifice sound or build quality,” explained Lewis Heath, Product Director at RHA. “By developing a micro dynamic driver that can offer exciting, full range sound reproduction and using aluminium alloy housings, we’ve been able to make the product incredibly small and lightweight and therefore comfortable for any size or shape of ear. I’m excited for people to experience it at IFA in Berlin this year.”
In addition to offering a three-button remote and microphone for use with compatible Apple devices, the S500i’s 1.35m cable also features a two part material design; the upper half using a traditional TPE finish and the lower half featuring a tangle-resistant, fabric braided outer. Accessories include seven pairs of silicone ear tips in a variety of designs and sizes with holder, a fabric carry pouch and clothing clip.
With an MSRP of £39.95 / $49.95 / €49,95, the S500i in-ear headphone carries a three year manufacturer’s warranty and will be exclusively available through the Apple Store Network from October 2015. The S500, a version of the product without remote and microphone will be available from all sales channels later in 2015 with an MSRP of £29.95 / $39.95 / €39,95.
The S500i will be exclusively unveiled at Europe’s biggest consumer electronics trade show, IFA, in Berlin, Germany next month. Attendees can visit Halle 1.2, stand 102 from 4-9 September 2015 to audition RHA’s latest product.
Will you be in Berlin for IFA and want to check out the S500i? What do you think of RHA’s latest product? Let us know in the thread below!
Design
Bit of a Final Audio aesthetic to it I think? That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as Final Audio products are widely regarded as being gorgeous to look at if nothing else.
Build
It’s RHA... so in addition to being primarily metal, it features rather robust strain reliefs and solid y-joints. It also features the same ridiculously-overkill 3-year warranty that all of their other products offer, which renders worries about defects a moot point.
Surprise!
The S500i sounds like no RHA unit I have ever heard. Well, that’s not exactly true. There was this one T20i prototype that was very different from their house sound - actually never mind that, I’m just rambling.
But if you have any experience with their products at all, then you know that they tend to be warm… and by warm I mean bassy… and by bassy I mean BASSY… and by that I mean - oh you get the point. And yes MA600i, I’m looking at you here...
With the S500i (and presumably the S500 as well), you have something that is sooooo not that. In fact, if I were pressed to mention one thing that the S500i lacked, it would be bass. "WUT? An RHA that is bass shy? Now I know you’re screw*** with me Warren!” Nope, I’m being totally on the level. And if I hadn’t heard it for myself, I might not have believed it either.
Sound
The S500i’s signature features a flat and neutral bass response. Depending on your upstream gear, you might even be tempted to call the low-end response rather lean. Either way, bassheads need not apply, this is not the droid that you’re looking for. But for those that have always wanted a less (or non) bassy RHA, this might be exactly what you’ve envisioned.
The S500i sounds very linear through the lower mids all the way into the vocal range, so there’s no discernible bass hump that I can detect (which I like). But that also means that there’s a little less body and fullness in the lower mids, which I think I would’ve enjoyed if it were present.
But the S500i’s most defining sonic characteristic - by far - is a very prominent upper midrange emphasis. Again, just to be sure this point is not missed: very prominent upper midrange. So if you’ve traditionally been sensitive to treble peaks or sibilance, you can stop reading right now. This is not the droid that you’ve been looking for either.
The highs are neither rolled off nor exaggerated, but I’d honestly be surprised if they stood out for anyone given the upper midrange emphasis, which tends to occlude pretty much everything else above it FR-wise.
Achtung!
Straight out of the box, I found the upper midrange to be strident and grainy. I left it on continuous burn-in for some time, and it did improve significantly around the 50-hour mark (though improvement started to be noticeable at around 30 hours). If you get the S500/S500i, I would immediately put it on a burn-in cycle for at least 50 hours before coming to any conclusions on it.
It gets much better, and doesn't run nearly as hot, after it settles down from burn-in.
For Now...
Overall, the S500i is a very sudden shift from RHA’s house sound.
It’s neutral, flat, maybe even lean for some, and can run hot in the upper midrange and treble. As a result, percussion is going to sound very exciting, and acoustic music will seem to have a nice pop and presence to it. But modern pop music from the likes of Taylor Swift and Lucy Hale (don’t judge me) may not fare as well. We’re all different so YMMV.
In comparing it to other IEMs, nearly all of which are much more expensive, I would say that it bears resemblances to the Ortofon EQ-8, Etymotic ER-4PT, UE 700, and even a Noble 4 in some ways.
If you’ve always wanted to get into an RHA unit, but have been put off by the elevated bass response inherent to their house sound, I would highly encourage you to give the S500i a listen.
I am VERY interested in hearing what y’all think of it. If you've got impressions, by all means, please post 'em! BTW, I’ve been told that they’re going to start a review tour soon, so keep your eyes peeled for that as well.
