First off I want to apologize for taking so long to get this review put together. Circumstances and family responsibility have conspired against me this year in regards to being able put together a review when I wanted to. But I wanted to make sure I gave the T20 the proper effort as it is a worthy IEM that deserves that. I would also like to thank RHA for sending me their latest flagship IEM.
 
OK enough fluff and excuses lets get to it .
 
Last year when I wrote my T10 review I suggested that RHA had created the perfect Pizza but that it wasn't my flavor. At the end of my review I asked them to make a new flavor. Now, I have no illusions that the T20 was because of my request because I think that RHA was already thinking past the T10 but I think my and all of the other reviews and comments from Head-fi members gave RHA the feedback they needed to start working on the T20 because this IEM is CERTAINLY A DIFFERENT FLAVOR! If the T10 was an all meat then the T20 is a Deluxe Pizza. Unfortunately for me I ate to much meat Pizza last year so find this new pizza to be slightly to spicy for my tastes and slightly lacking the meat department. The good news is I think I will be in the minority in this regard .
 
Starting with build quality as I compare the T10i and the T20 RHA has slightly tweaked and refined their already solid design. The memory wire has been slightly stiffened to help hit retain it's shape a but better but without sacrificing the original T10's comfort. The cable also appears to be very slightly thinner and the sleeve feels a bit less rubbery. The changes are very small but is nice to see that RHA is continuing to improve upon their physical design.
 
The second bigger change RHA has made is their driver technology. The T10 had a single dynamic driver while the T20 has a DualCoil^TM Dynamic driver. The difference in this technology has allowed RHA to create a more technically proficient driver that offers a richer more detailed listening experience.
 
The accessory kit of the T20 is exaclty the same as the T10 model. Which is to say, VERY COMPLETE. RHA is one of the best manufactures out there when it comes to ensuring a person has everything they need to enjoy their products. The vast collection of tips are managed with a great easy to use organizer and the soft case houses everything a person needs easily. They also come with a good quality shirt clip. Overall I would rate the accessory kit of the T20 as a 5/5.
 
Isolation is pretty much exactly the same as the T10, it is not quite on the scale of an Etymotic or Shure IEM for passive isolation but it is close. So I give it a score of 4.5 in this area. While I am on the subject of sound (outside of the music) I think the micro phonics of this IEM are also above average and again deserve a score of 4.5 ot of 5.
 
Finally the T20 comes with the same filtering system as the T10. This allows a person to customize their sound to their preference at will. The even better news is the filter system seems to suite the T20 a bit better than the T10 as the T20 more balanced signature allows each filter to work as designed. For myself I found the neutral filter to work best as it allowed most of the bass and treble through without impacting the mid-range their is a slight V shape but it is very slight. The bass filter removes quite a bit of the midrange making the signature decidely V shaped. The treble filter removes quite a bit of the bass and lower mid-range giving an upper mid-range / treble oriented signature. For many the treble filter will be considered the most neutral especially if they come from IEM's like Etymotic or classic full size headphones like the AKG K/Q7xx line. For my testing I have settled on using the neutral filter as it suites my tastes best.
 
When it comes to sound, like last year I need to say again... TO HECK WITH WHAT I LIKE! I say this because I was introduced to a darker less upper mid-range and treble oriented sound with the T10 and continued to search for an IEM that reflected that type of signature which lead me me down a different path to meet my personal requirements. So when I got the T20 I had already become used to this new signature. But the T20 is pretty much exactly what I envisioned RHA making when I initially reviewed the T10. So I do believe the T20 will be enjoyed by a large segment of audiophile oriented music lovers.
 
In regards to which group that should avoid this IEM I would say if you really like a bass oriented experience the T20 will come up a bit short for you. Similarly if you struggle with any glare in the upper registers and ear fatigue you might find the T20 a bit to much for you as well. If you happen to like bass AND are treble sensitive you will find yourself turning up the volume to try and satisfy your bass love which then makes the treble even more problematic.
 
Bass - I found the bass of the T20 to be much less than the T10 verging on being a bit to polite for my tastes. Having said that the bass is tight and detailed. It seems to have slightly less sub bass which is the one area I miss the most. I rate the bass as a 3.5 for bass lovers, 4.5 for balanced signature lovers, and 4 for treble lovers. But this is one area where the filters can make more of a difference especially the treble filter which will make the bass more in line with an Etymotic type of sound for the treble lovers.
 
Mid-range - The midrange is more forward than the T10 with lots of wonderful detail and is decidedly less warm sounding. It is also more aggressive and edgy as compared to the T10. For most audiophile listeners the T20 offers the type of sound they want. Personally I wish is had a bit more warmth while maintaining the level of detail it has. I rate the mid-range as a solid 4 for my tastes and a 4.5 for balanced and treble lovers.
 
Treble - The treble of the T20 is a massive step up from the T10. Where the T10 erred so far on the side of caution as to be considered muddy by many Head-fi members the T20 is clear, detailed, edgy, and ever so slightly hot. Personally I find the slight peak in the lower treble a bit to much for my ears causing slight fatigue especially if turn up the volume.. But for most audiophile listeners I think this won't be an issue. In regards to sibilance I only noticed what was naturally occurring in an album and then it was never really harsh or annoying. I rate the treble as a 4 for my tastes, 4.5 for balanced lovers, and 5 for treble lovers.
 
My overall score based on my own preferences would be a 4, for balanced lovers and treble lovers 4.25 - 4.5

This is an encouraging tale of disappointment and an anecdote of the merits of patience -- an unveiling of sound that’s rich, lush and beguiling!



I quite recently purchased the RHA T20, as I was curious about the tuning filters (Bass, Reference, Treble) and the proprietary Dual Coil dynamic driver. I’ve heard a lot of good things about their MA750 (and mixed thoughts about their overly bass-focused T10). When I first put on the T20 at the store right after purchase and played some test tracks, I had the compulsion to immediately return the item. But after mustering some courage (and faith), I decided to keep them and let them run their course. So after about a week of (brain or gear) burn in, I’ve come to enjoy these sexy & robustly built IEMs (with a bit of tip-rolling).

For this review, I won’t go over the packaging, build and accessories (as others have done a wonderful job with that already), but will focus on the RHA T20’s sonic qualities.

***PREAMBLE***

I’m a 41 year old lover of all things sonic, with some classical voice training. I compose cinematic-inspired pieces & make choral arrangements in my spare time. I enjoy listening to a wide spectrum of genres, such as classical & cinematic scores, choral music, jazz, folk, world / new age, musicals/theater, pop, rock & alternative. I prefer a relatively flat signature, with some bass enhancement (but not bass-head levels), or presentations with a mild “u” signature (not an exaggerated “v”). I don’t consider myself as an “audiophile” but I am a self-professed music lover. Despite being new to this hobby, I believe I can discern tonal & pitch variances quite accurately. Nope, I am not getting monetary compensation from RHA for this review – this is simply an exercise of sharing my auditory experience regarding RHA’s in-ear monitor, the T20, with the hope that you may find it helpful (if not, at least entertaining). Just remember – my ears, gears & sensibilities. Your tastes and perceptions would most likely vary.

Btw, do check out some notes at the end of this review for my thoughts on burn in (gear/brain), suggested product improvements, as well as RHA’s superb after-sales service.

***GEARS & MUSIC TRACKS***

For this assessment, I used my Cayin N3 (warmish neutral tonality), gain set on medium for most tracks, volume primarily at 50%. The T20’s stock “reference” tuning filter was used. EQ was left untouched. Aside from at least 100 hours burn in (brain or gear), most importantly, I also used some spare wide bore / shallow tips I had lying around. Using these tips, instead of the stock tips, the sound opened up and the bass was tamed yet still commanding, while maintaining body of the mids, as well as the treble energy. I tried the “treble” filters, but found the overall signature became too “v-shaped” for my tastes, and the “bass” filter was just too bassy for an already warm default signature. No external amp was used.

Below are the primary tracks (FLAC) used to evaluate sonic qualities & presentation, and the T20’s delivery of certain genres, instruments & vocal ranges:

Jupiter: The Bringer of Jollity (Gustav Holst)
Chasing Pavements -- Live at The Royal Albert Hall (Adele)
Marche Royale (Igor Stravinsky)
There’s A Small Hotel (Jane Monheit – soprano range)
Anch'il mar par che sommerga -- Bajazet (Cecilia Bartoli -- mezzo soprano range)
Breathe Again (Toni Braxton – alto range)
Even Flow (Pearl Jam – baritone/high-baritone range)
Believe Me Natalie (The Killers – high-baritone/tenor range)
If Ever I Would Leave You (Robert Goulet – low baritone / bass range).
Kadu Buva (Kenny Wollesen, Jonathon Haffner & Dalius Naujo)
Young Hearts Run Free (Kym Mazelle)
Tundra (Amber Rubarth)
Sweet Georgia Brown (Monty Alexander)
Pretty Piece of Flesh (One Inch Punch)

…and some other music tracks, across different genres.


***THE MEAT***

So here are my thoughts about the previous flagship offering from Reid Heath Acoustics – the T20…

TONALITY & SIGNATURE

INITIAL LISTEN:

Bloom. Boom. Dark. Veiled. Aggressive. Congested.

The lows were overly dominant, as if one was swimming in sub-bass. Vocals and mids sounded curtained off. Treble sounded muffled. Gasping for air.

AFTER BRAIN/GEAR BURN IN:

Detailed. Energetic. Warm. Rich. Expansive.

The T20 follows RHA’s V-shaped house/signature sound with a stout low-end and pronounced highs, best paired with a neutral or slightly bright/cold DAP/DAC, in my opinion. I think my initial dismay was due to the fact that I’ve been using the Fiio EX1 2nd Generation on most days prior to acquiring the T20. The Fiio EX1ii is an IEM that is generally bright and somewhat balanced, with enhanced but controlled lows, superb soundstage / airiness / imaging, and with mids & treble that I enjoy. Also, I believe that my Cayin N3 (unfortunately) adds to that already warm & bass-heavy presentation of the T20 (the N3 is slightly warm to neutral).
So yes, the sound did take some getting used to (or the drivers have finally flexed their muscles).
Now the T20 is more enjoyable, offering a full-bodied, richer and impactful presentation.
The T20 is not the most revealing, but in lieu of this, it enhances the sound making even some bad recordings/mixes sound quite enjoyable. The T20 is not ideal for reference/mixing but it is definitely crafted for music enjoyment, assuming you’ve taken a liking to its type of presentation.

LOWS
Sub-bass emphasis, with decent rumble & extension – a good backdrop to the rest of the higher frequencies. Emphasized but rendered like a sonic wall at the back of the stage.
Mid-bass is punchy and quite fast, and surprisingly doesn’t intrude much on the lower mids.
I would have loved the lows, if they were at least 2db lower. The bass can be a little too much for my tastes, thus, I had to tip roll as I don’t like touching the EQ on my DAP. The stock narrow-bore / low silicone tips further emphasize the bass, which may suit those who want heftier lows. I chose to use my spare wide bore / short silicone tips to lessen the funnel effect and tone down the bass – the sound becoming more balanced and enjoyable!

MIDS
Male Vocals are natural and full-bodied, though very slightly recessed and can get quite drowned out on busier tracks (especially baritone/bass voices). Eddie Vedder’s vocals in “Even Flow” was well rendered with ample grit but a little less so compared to how the Audiofly AF56 or iBasso IT03 does it. Still, alternative rock/grunge sounds great on the T20! Robert Goulet’s rendition of “If Ever I Would Leave You” was simply sublime, with sufficient body, emotion and warmth!
Lower Female Vocals are more forward, slightly dry yet natural sounding – Tony Braxton’s vocals in “Breathe Again” had an enticing warmth & heft to it! Higher Female vocals have better imaging and ample airiness, and carries over some warmth of the lower registers, resulting in vocals that sound fuller despite the higher pitch.
Good transience and micro-detail retrieval for instruments such as trumpets, horns, guitars – as long as the track does not get too busy.

TREBLE
Lower treble is prominent with decent clarity & detail retrieval, giving it energy & character. Violins are energetic, forward and detailed enough yet sound ever so slightly smoothed over. I actually find this treble rendition as one of the T20’s charms – energetic yet not grating! Btw, I could handle pronounced treble, so YMMV.
Upper treble extends quite well. Cymbals and high hats have good shimmer without becoming splashy, though sound slightly fuller than they should. Sibilant-prone tracks are not as sibilant, due to the overall darker / warmer character of the T20.

SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING, TRANSPARENCY
Quite intimate compared to the superbly staged Fiio EX1ii and the iBasso IT03, but still above average. However, I occasionally get surprised with the T20’s soundstage rendition – it can sound expansive, depending on the track (resolution, mix/mastering, etc.). The T20 has ample width, closely followed by height, and some depth. It has enough air, but is not as airy as the offerings from Fiio and iBasso. However, the T20 can still deliver exceptional directional queues, positioning & holographic effects despite its more intimate soundstage. Things can get quite claustrophobic on very busy tracks, due to the overall warmth – however, it barely shows distortion even in louder volume settings (an interesting finding!).

DRIVABILITY & SENSITIVITY
The T20 is quite easy to drive (16 Ohm impedance with 90dB sensitivity) on my Cayin N3 with volume averaging at 50% on medium gain. Its frequency range of 16-40,000Hz does hint at the impactful presence of lows & highs. It has an almost black background and an unnoticeable driver reflex (if any).

BRIEF COMPARISONS
As of now, I don’t have other gear in the same price range to directly compare with the RHA T20 (purchased at approximately US$200).

So I’ll just make comparisons with some of my other IEMs:
Vsonic GR07 Classic Edition (approx. US$100)
iBasso IT03 (approx. US$300)
Audiofly AF56 (approx. US$100)

Hopefully these comparisons will help you get a better idea of the sound virtues (and cons) across the budget/entry/mid-level price ranges. Just note that the aforementioned prices were as of time & location of purchase.
Comparison Guide:
> is defined as “more but just by a little compared to…”
>> is defined as “very perceptible variance; obvious difference”
= is defined as “equal to; same as”

*By the way, even if a certain IEM is positioned at the last rung, it doesn’t mean that that particular quality is absent or lacking, as it can still be average / above average. I will call it out if the model really suffers/shines immensely in a particular aspect.

So here are the gears stacked against each other, exemplifying certain qualities, from the most to the least:

Neutrality = GR07 > IT03 > AF56 > T20
Timber/Naturalness = T20 > IT03 = AF56 > GR07 (upon further listening, I realized that the GR07 is the least natural sounding among this roster. However, the GR07 still has good timbre and doesn’t sound too digital / artificial / metallic, albeit sounding ever so slightly nasal in certain vocal renditions, compared to the other three)
Detail/Resolution = IT03 >> AF56 = T20 > GR07
Airiness & Clarity = IT03 > GR07 = AF56 > T20
Imaging & Positioning = GR07 = IT03 > AF56 > T20
Soundstage = IT03 = AF56 > GR07 > T20
Dynamics = GR07 = AF56 > IT03 > T20
Transience = IT03 > AF56 > T20 = GR07
Bass Quantity = T20 > AF56 = IT03 > GR07
Bass Quality = T20 = AF56 > IT03 > GR07
Mids Quantity = GR07 = IT03 > T20 > AF56
Mids Quality = T20 = AF56 = IT03 > GR07
Treble Quantity = T20 = IT03 > AF56 > GR07
Treble Quality = IT03 > T20 = AF56 > GR07
Amount of Sibilance = GR07 = AF56 > IT03 > T20 (based on first listen, but all have tapered down after ample burn in, and clearly, the T20 wins here!)
Comfort = T20 > GR07 >> IT03 > AF56
Apparent Build / Durability = T20 >> IT03 > GR07 > AF56
Immersion / Engagement = T20 = AF56 = IT03 >> GR07 (the GR07 is the most neutral of the four but still manages to be engaging. But the other three models have the upper hand with their own unique form of immersive presentation.)

CLASSICAL/LIVE = IT03 > AF56 = GR07 = T20 (the enhanced lows of the T20 and AF56 balance the typical treble-centered classical genre, while the GR07 allows most, if not all, the voices & instruments to clearly assert themselves)
ALTERNATIVE/ROCK= T20 > AF56 = IT03 > GR07 (the T20 really shines here, though the IT03 & AF56 are not very far behind!)
R&B/JAZZ = T20 > AF56 > IT03 = GR07
POP/EDM = IT03 = T20 > AF56 > GR07


***OVERALL***

The RHA T20 is a commendable all-rounder and a good day-to-day music companion, excelling in studio-produced tracks (alternative, rock, EDM, pop), and genres that call for more pronounced lows. It’s satisfying enough for live or concert hall recordings that demand impeccable imaging, clarity and soundstage, while giving an entertaining and exceptional low-end balance to treble-focused genres such as classical/orchestral. The T20 is a looker with a luscious pebble-like solid steel injection-molded housing. It feels robust, with RHA’s standard three-year warranty adding to that confidence. Although the T20 can improve on staging, it delivers a cohesive sound with its Dual Coil dynamic driver. If you’re used to cold / neutral / flattish IEMs and are seeking an exciting yet warm signature, natural (almost analog-like) timbre and a robust bass, the T20 is certainly a viable option. What began as a dark & lackluster experience transitioned into a tale of delight, with Reid Heath Acoustics’ T20 eventually unveiling its charms – an immersive, lush and full-bodied life-like sound for sheer musical enjoyment!

***NOTES***

1) WARRANTY
Aside from the sexy & robust metal housing, and lively sound, I purchased the T20 due to the generous 3-Year RHA warranty. When my cable had some problem (it happens to the best of us) and the local retailer was less than engaged with my problem, I emailed RHA directly and they responded and acted fast, sending a replacement unit immediately. Thus, it’s easy for me to recommend the T20, and RHA as a company – buy with confidence!

2) BURN IN
I’m still on the fence regarding burn in. Do small transducers, particularly Dynamic Drivers, really change their sonic renditions in time, or is it just my brain becoming accustomed to the sound and/or has become selective to the presentation and frequencies to create a more enjoyable listen? Frankly, there’s not much change in my other IEMs after ample burn in, but with the RHA T20, it’s quite a "night & day" difference! So whether the T20’s dual-coil dynamic driver really flexed itself to sound better through use, or my brain and ears simply adjusted, I would still recommend these IEMs for that lush and natural sound (albeit sometimes too powerful bass).

3) RECOMMENDATIONS to RHA
I think RHA has something nice going on with the T10 and T20, particularly with the tuning filters. The T20 is simply bass-abundant, so whichever filter you use, the lows would still assert their undeniable presence. It would be nice if RHA could create some tuning filters that really enhance the mids (making them more forward) or one that truly tones down the bass. The over-ear hooks' sheathing could be improved, too, as they have started to crinkle a tiny bit. Length of the wire/cord could also be reduced for more manageability. But, please, do keep using that sexy injection molded stainless steel construction (which is surprisingly light!) to maintain the robust and premium feel of your products, as most plastic/resin housings can feel quite, well, inexpensive. Replaceable wires/cords would also be a nice touch, to lengthen use and enjoyment of RHA IEMs.

 
INTRODUCTION
Being a fan of the RHA MA750 (RHA's first flagship IEM), I was quite excited to hear when RHA released the T10i.  The new stainless shells, novel "memory wire" implementation, and smartphone-friendly plug along with tune-able sound via interchangeable filters got me pretty excited, so I took part in a tour for the T10 at that time and spent a week using the T10 as my primary IEM.  While the new ergonomic shell and "memory wire" solved my biggest problem with my MA750 (comfortably staying in place), the sound wasn't what I was looking for in the MA750's successor as RHA's flagship.  It had a quite dark / warm sound signature that satisfied a lot of bass-heads but just wasn't for me.  But even back then, there were promises of more to come from RHA...
 
So what is this new IEM RHA unleashed on us with the T20?  I got to spend a week with these as the first tour member in the U.S. / Canada tour and if you don't read any further, I want you to know that in my opinion the T20 is RHA's next-generation, all-new & improved flagship and a very worthy successor to the MA750.  In his recent review, @Koolpep@ called the T20 the love-child of the MA750 and the T10.  I agree with that statement but think the T20 are more than that, and I hope to convince you of that in this review.  Read on to find out why...
 

(PHOTOS COURTESY OF RHA)

 
RHA T20 PRODUCT PAGE
 
 
RHA T20 TOUR
When the T20 was announced on Head-Fi, I reached out to RHA to see if we could set up a U.S. / Canada review tour.  RHA obliged, and here we are.  Many thanks to RHA for sending a pair for the tour, and a special shout out to Iain at RHA for helping to coordinate the tour!
 
 
ABOUT ME
I'm a 43 year old music lover who listens to a wide variety of genres and artists (but mostly electronic, metal, and modern composition these days). As with a lot of people my age, I've got some hearing issues - some upper frequency loss and mild tinnitus. 
 
My portable music journey started with the venerable Sony Cassette Walkman and then progressed to portable CD players, minidisc recorders, and finally on to DAPs like the Rio Karma, iRiver IHP-120, iPod, iPhone, and the newer crop of DAPs from Fiio and iBasso. 
 
My headphone journey started with Sony MDR e888 and Eggos back in my minidisc days.  I moved on to full-size Beyerdynamic and Ultrasone cans and Shure E2 and E3 IEM. Those all served me well for quite some time.  Then I rediscovered Head-Fi, and my poor wallet...
 
 
SPECS

 
 
PACKAGING & ACCESSORIES
I'm not one to go on about packaging and accessories, so I'll keep this short and sweet.  The packaging and accessories are up to snuff for an IEM at this price point - several pairs of tips (single flange, double flange, and foamies) in a credit card style stainless steel tip holder, interchangeable tuning filters screwed into a small stainless steel plate, shirt clip, and nice zip-up case.  In fact, they're pretty much the same accessories that came with the MA750 with the exception of the filters.  And they are the same as those that came with the T10, so if you're familiar with either of those you'll know what to expect. 
 
My only complaint was the shirt clip, which was too small to accommodate the T20's cable. It bent out of shape and showed signs of stress (whitening) when I attempted to insert the T20's clip just below the y-splitter. I informed RHA of this and hope it will be fixed before final release.  In the meantime, I affixed an aftermarket shirt clip to the tour T20. 
 


 

 
BUILD & ERGONOMICS
 

 
My first reaction after opening the box was, “Looks a lot like the T10i!”  In fact, they look pretty much identical to the T10i with the exception of the T20’s black cable.  When I removed them from the foam insert, I was reassured by the weight and super solid construction.  The injection molded stainless steel shells are very smooth and comfortable sitting in your ear with no exposed sharp bits.  I’ve found this can be a problem with a lot of shells. Whether metal or plastic, a lot of shells have one or two spots with an exposed seam of other sharp bit that irritates your ear after a while.  Not so with the T20!   
 
The T20’s shells are fairly heavy, but once inserted I didn't find them overly heavy due to RHA’s novel memory wire implementation.  With other memory wire cables I’ve used, you bend the memory wire and it just stays in place with no give. RHA’s memory wire implementation is pretty springy.  After inserting the T20, I would gently press the memory wire in place, give it a gentle tug near the small weight below the memory wire, and the T20 would stay in place.  I wear glasses and the one nitpick I have with RHA’s memory wire implementation is that it is thicker than other memory wire I’ve used.  This means it will interfere more with the arms on your glasses.  Is it a deal breaker?  No.  Would it have been better for me as a gasses wearer if the memory wire were thinner?  Definitely.  That said, I don’t know if RHA can make their novel memory wire implementation any thinner.
 
Speaking of thick vs. thin, the cable is another point where I think some improvement could be made.  As with the MA750 and T10i, the T20’s cable is quite thick.  It honestly seems more like a headphone cable than an IEM cable.  Luckily, it is pretty flexible and doesn’t have memory issues, so you can coil it up to store them away in the included case, pull them out, and they straighten out right quick.  The main improvement I could see here would be to thin down the cable both above and below the y-splitter.  If the main cable were the thickness of the two cables above the y-splitter, they’d still be plenty thick.  The other improvement I’d suggest is to have a better balance between the cable length above and below the y-splitter.  I’m 5’ 10”, and the y-splitter nearly reaches my belly button.  In my opinion, that’s too long.  I’d rather see it hit me mid-chest, so the shirt clip was in a more reasonable location.  I’ve never used an IEM where the y-splitter sat so low.  It again reminds me more of a headphone cable than an IEM cable. 
 
So how’re the tips?  I know from previous experience that RHA’s double flange tips don’t fit me well, so I stuck with the stock medium single flange tips.  They fit well and sounded good, so I left those on for most of the review.  I only took them off to try a pair of medium foam-filled Sony Hybrids.  I enjoy those on my MA750.  They help keep them from popping out and add a bit more oomph to the bass.  With the T20’s memory wire, more ergonomic shells, and sound signature, I didn’t find the Sony Hybrids to be an improvement and took them off.  Are the stock tips perfect?  No, they’re not.  They still pop out after a while, but I have this problem with a lot of IEM and it wasn’t enough of a bother to warrant a change in my opinion.
 
I once referred to the MA750 as a multi-use IEM.  You can listen to them, and they sound great.  If you’re short a tie-down, you could probably use the MA750’s cable in a pinch to help secure a load. And if you’re attacked, well… there are several ways I can envision using the MA750 for self-defense.  RHA has taken the same approach with the T20 but kicked it up notch, creating a really nice balance between ergonomics and durability.
 
 
SOUND
(PHOTO COURTESY OF RHA)

Frequency Response Curves
Red = Treble Filter
Gray = Reference Filter
Black = Bass Filter
 

I'm going to keep this section simple. I appreciate reviewers who wax eloquent, describing each peak and valley - but that's not my forte.
 
With that disclaimer out of the way, how do they sound?  Does this new DualCoil™ technology perform? Based on the performance of the T20 vs. MA750 and T10i, I’m going to say that the answer is a definitive yes!
 
After receiving the T20, I used them with the Reference filter and stock medium single flange tips for several days to accustom myself to their sound signature.  For those of you who are "burn-in believers”, I left them playing overnight at a moderate volume with my music collection on shuffle for the first three nights I had them in addition to listening for a few hours each day.  After that, I tried out the Bass and Treble filters and compared them to my Dunu DN-1000 and T-PEOS Altone200.  I listened to a wide variety of music but stuck with albums I know well.  A lot of my listening was done with Bjork’s most recent albums (Biophlia and Vulicura), as they have a wide range of musical elements.  The RHA delivered very nicely! 

The Bass filter imparts a more intimate soundstage and treble roll off.  This is the “relaxed listening session” filter and reminds me a bit of the T10i with the Reference Filter.  However, it didn’t suit my taste.   With bass-heavy music, the bass emphasis was just too much for me becoming more one-dimensional, slower and more ponderous instead of quick and responsive.  I know the bassheads out there will really like it, but it wasn't my cup of tea.  Instead of using it for electronic music as suggested, I could actually see using this filter for acoustic / instrumental music to add depth / warmth.

The Reference filter strikes a good balance between warmth, clarity, and soundstage - nice! The bass was quick and responsive with good attack, decay, and texture.  Mids were well-balanced with the rest of the spectrum, and vocals came through clearly without getting shouty.  Upper mids and treble were crisp and clean with nice detail.  There was some discussion about these being aggressive in the upper mids and treble region with the Reference filters, but I didn’t think so.  It was certainly vivid and added nice shimmer / sparkle, but it seemed natural and lifelike to me - definitely not over the top like some BA IEM can get.  For those of you with younger ears, your mileage may vary.  These attributes plus the expansive soundstage kept my ears quite happy for my week with the T20.  This is your all-rounder filter.  For those of you with the T10, the T20 with this filter reminded me most of the T10 with the Treble filter on but with more controlled bass, crisper highs and larger soundstage.  

The Treble filter is for those you who like to live on the edge.  Compared with the Reference filter, the bass is a bit less prominent and upper mids and treble take a leap forward.  I found it was a bit shouty and aggressive.  I thought I'd hear a larger soundstage with this filter but was happy that I think I heard a wee bit larger soundstage with the Reference filter.

I'm sure all three filters will have their advocates.  Devoted bassheads will screw on the black Bass filter and never look back, if Ety fans were to pick this up they’d head right for the Treble filter, but most people will be more than happy with the Reference filter.  This makes me really happy as after hearing the T10i, I was a strong advocate for the Treble filter being the most balanced.  After owning the MA50 and auditioning the T10i, I’m really glad RHA had the T20 up their sleeve.  Good job making an IEM for the rest of us, RHA!
 
 
ISOLATION & MICROPHONICS
Not much to say here.  Everything is fine.  Isolation is on par with my other dynamic and hybrid IEM, and the over ear fit plus thick, rubbery cable control microphonics very nicely.
 
 
LISTENING NOTES VS OTHER IEM

 

Unless otherwise specified all comments apply to T20.
 
vs. MA750 (with foam-filled Sony Hybrids)
- more engaging
- more holographic soundstage
- better instrumental separation
- increased clarity
- more well-rounded, impactful, less one-dimensional bass
- same cable but in black
- same y-splitter
- plug now fits into phone cases
- more ergonomic shells
- memory wire works better than MA750 ear hooks
- clear sonic upgrade for those looking for more impactful bass response, more mid presence, and increased clarity, soundstage, and instrumental separation
- MA750 would be more like T20 bass filter mids, upper end, clarity, and soundstage + treble filter bass
- clear ergonomic upgrade
- comparable durability
 
vs. DN1K (with red ring + clear tips)
- more of a fair fight but T20 are again more engaging
- slightly more spacious
- slightly better instrument separation 
- slightly increased clarity
- similar bass weight but with faster attack and less one-dimensional character - less bloated
- T20 has more ergonomic shell and more durable but less ergonomic cable
- sonic upgrade
- toss-up in ergonomics
- upgrade in durability
 
vs. A200 (with foam-filled Sony Hybrids)
- again more of a fair fight but T20 are again more slightly more engaging
- slightly more spacious
- slightly more instrument separation 
- slightly increased clarity
- warmer mids
- similar bass weight, impact, and decay but more well-rounded
- sonic upgrade
- toss-up in ergonomics
- upgrade in durability

 
My preference: T20 > A200 > DN1K > MA750

 
 
SUMMARY
The T20 are an attractive, well-built pair of IEM with filters that work to very clearly customize the sound signature.  With the Reference filter, the sound is quite engaging - a clear upgrade from the MA750 and T10i.  They’re also very competitive with the triple driver hybrids I own.  It’s obvious that RHA not only pays attention to sound but also ergonomics and durability.  My only nitpick with the T20 is the headphone-like cable which could be thinned down a bit for IEM without compromising durability, but that's certainly not a deal breaker.  RHA's best IEM yet!
 
Thanks again to RHA for the opportunity to give these a listen!

What do you think of when you hear: injection moulded stainless steel housing, dual coil drivers, interchangeable tuning filters, and a 3 year warranty.
The RHA T20 is the probably the only earphone with this mix of characteristics.   At first glance, the T20 appear awfully similar to its sibling the T10.  I thought the same way when I finally saw pictures of them, there seems to be very little differences, aesthetically anyway.
 
However, it seems that RHA had been listening to the feedback  they received from the T10 and upped the ante with the T20, by implementing a “dual coil dynamic driver” (aimed to better separate the bass, mids and treble), in addition to all the goodies that was already present on the T10.
Despite the beautiful craftsmanship and accessories of the T10, the sound of the T10 had generated mixed responses from many users on head-fi and beyond, especially being premium, luxury product at the price of ~$199.
Lets find out, if its strike 2 for RHA or have they hit homerun with the T20s.
 
Disclaimer: As with every review, price is always in consideration when rating and commenting about the gear I am reviewing. I want to thank RHA and nmathesis as well as all my other peers on head-fi for making this T20 tour possible. I’m very glad to be a part of the North American Tour for the T20.
 
Below is my Full video review over on youtube of the T20 and my T10i review for reference. (i have also included my comparison video of the T20 vs T10i as well). Enjoy!
 

 

 

 
Accessories:
The T20s come with an abundance of accessories, and for good reason considering, it’s a premium product commanding almost a $300 price tag.  It comes with:
3 interchangeable filters (bass- black, reference-silver, treble-gold)
A Metal Platelet  to display the above mentioned filters
6 sets of single flange (of the hybrid variety, in various sizes)
2 sets of biflanges (2 sizes)
2 sets of foam tips
An elegant metal frame to hold the included eartips
A large zipper carrying case (to store the earphones and all the eartips)
A clothing clip
An Exceptionally Long standing 3 year warranty.

 

 

 

 
 
Summing up, theres not much more you can really ask for in terms of accessories, the T20s have certainly impressed me with the amount of goodies it comes with.
Overall: 10/10
 
Build quality:
The T20s are built simply superb. The injection moulded stainless steel earpieces have a very robust quality to them, they are quite heavy, on display is beautiful craftsmanship and a luxurious feel.  Moving down toward the cables, the T20s have a black, medium-stiffness memory wire, to help prevent the cable from flopping around, especially since the cables are on the chunkier and thicker side. The cables impress and provide assurance that the T20s will last for a long time, even under the most active and rigorous conditions (I honestly think they can be a used a rope to harness your bikes to your car on road trips). The drawback of this thick cable is the additional weight that comes with, making a bit cumbersome and noticeable when turning your head quickly.  
The headphone jack terminates in a straight angle jack with a long spring acting as as a strain relief. Personally, I would have liked to see a small, compact L shape/90 angle plug with a shorter strain relief section to help assist in portable listening environments.
Overall: 10/10
 

 
 

 



 

 
 
 
Comfort:
The way the T20s were designed and with the addition of memory wires, signal that the T20s were intended to worn cable up, helping to to minimize cable noise.  I found the comfort to be above average, despite the slightly larger, “tubbier” housing. This is mostly due to the very smooth housing, that convey a sort of “organic” shape.  I found sleeping with them quite comfortable, I was able to lie on my side in bed with them, and because their so solidly built, I’m wasn’t afraid of waking up to broken earphones, considering I toss around in bed quite a bit.
 In retrospect, my outer ear did get a bit sore after 2-3 hour session; I suspect that may have more to do with the angle of the nozzle then anything else. I would prefer a nozzle that is angled about 45-60 degrees as with its competitors. Overall, in terms of ergonomics, I felt RHA has done a fine job.
Overall: 8/10

 

 
 
 
 
Isolation:
In my short time with them, unfortunately, I wasn’t able to use really put the T20 to the test on public transit and the like. However, in my general use, (around the house and around the neighborhood and mall), I found the isolation to be above average, despite the vent/mesh on the face of the earpieces.
Overall: 7.5/10
 
Sound (In general terms)
The RHA T20, is an essentially a re-tuned, and I consider “better tuned T10”.  In my opinion, I felt T20’s sound is what the T10 should’ve been. But in my conversation with nmathesis, we agreed that the T20 came to fruition only because of the feedback from the community and consumers alike from the T10s. Well, if that’s the case, I’m happy camper.
So, lets get down it!
The T20’s general sound signature stays true to their house sound, a textbook “V shape sound signature”, that’s warm, and bassy with a crisp treble that works well with today’s modern music.
 
Filter system:
**In my conversations with RHA, I was able to confirm that the T20s have the same tuning system as the T10i.**
 
I will summarize the sound signature of the T20 below, the filters do alter the sound (but it’s more of a tweak, rather than 3 completely separate earphones).
 
Bass- The bass is impactful albeit a bit on the slower side, but attention grabbing, quite satisfying bass. It impress you with the amount of bass those dual coil drivers can generate, more so then the detail and the texture. The bass has more emphasis in the midbass, with a bit of bloat, but is compensates with great definition down into the sub bass as well. This makes the T20, fun but not an overwhelming bassy experience. I think this bass boost if very appropriate if your using them during your commute to help cut through the rumbling and shuffling in loud noisy environments. (If this doesn’t sound like its enough bass for you, skip down to the bass filter section).
 
Midrange- The midrange does take a small dip, but is quite competent, clear. While a doing good job sounding  clean, and natural, (good detail in conveying the texture and characteristics of voices). However, obviously it wasn’t tuned with classical or acoustic pieces in mind, instead it chooses to excel in genres such as pop, and electronic music. That said for as bassy earphone, I’m very happy with the midrange performance of the T20. The Reference filter helps accentuate conveys the most “natural” sound of the bunch. (skip to the reference filter section below).
 
Treble- The slight dip in the midrange climbs up in the upper midrange to the lower treble, giving more life and energy, giving tambourines, and chimes a “clean” sort of metallic/shimmery texture.  The top end extension is good, but I feel its missing that extra little bit of “air” needed to really take the T20s onto another level. (If you want more treble extension and sparkle see the Treble filter section below).
 
 

 

 

 
 
Favorite Filters Ranking:
 
#1 Treble filter sound
They open up the RHA house sound, which makes the sound leaner, which I think is a good addition considering I find the T20s can get a bit congested at times with the other filters (the Treble filter is stark contrast compared to the Bass filters). The treble gets a bit more shimmer and extension, and allows female vocals to gain more energy, but at times I can see that it can be interpreted as maybe a bit thin or brash. I think it could use a bit of tightening up here (maybe a bit of dampening), however it’s the liveliest sounding of the 3 filters. The treble filter just edges out the reference filter as my favorite filter.
 
#2 Reference filter
I quite like the tuning with the reference filter; the tonality is spot on for a bassy earphone. I could use a bit less bass however, as I felt that it can get a bit too thick in the mid to upper bass, causing a bit of smearing. The reference filter is probably the filter with the widest appeal (don’t let the word “reference” fool you, they’re anything but flat or neutral sounding).  The reference filter is probably the most natural sounding of the bunch and that’s why I slotted them at a firm #2.
 
#3 Bass filter
This is where bassheads unite! The bass filter on the T20 I find is more likeable than the T10i with the same filter. The bass here does reach basshead levels and its very chunky and very chesty, and it does dominate the sound signature as expected.  This filter is a great option for the average consumer who wants big bass punch with a rolled off treble.  For me however, I found the Bass filter to be my least favorite of the bunch, it felt too bloated to my ears, and due to the rolled off treble, caused it to sound dull and overly dark.  
 

 

 

 

 
 
Comparing the Brainwavz S5 with RHA T20 (with Treble filter)
The T20s have a more refined sound overall, the bass more even (less midbass bloat), and hits lower. The treble is cleaner, refined as well, it also has less veiling in the upper midrange. Soundstage-wise, it’s more well rounded, where as the S5s are wider in terms of left and right then height.
 
Comparing to the Yamaha EPH 100 with the RHA T20 (with Reference Filter)
The tuning here is more similar, with more bass punch on the T20s, whereas the EPH 100 has more defined and extended treble, revealing the finer details.  The biggest difference between the T20s and the EPH 100 lies in terms of their physical build. Where the EPH 100, sorely disappoints with a thin, fragile cable, with long but flimsy strain reliefs. Whereas the T20s, look like they can withstand the heavy abuse squashed under a backpack full of heavy textbooks.
 
RHA T20 Bass Filter with RHA T10i with Bass Filter
This is a direct comparison between the current and former flagship from RHA, with the same filters. Listening to songs like  “Let’s Go by Calvin Harris Feat Ne-Yo”, and “ Party Rock Anthem by LMAO, the T10i will give that boomy, chesty bass bump, but I felt the bass suffered from some smearing and can sound one-note.  In terms of the bass, I found the T20 to be tighter, with the edge in terms of scaling. Also, the T20 trades off some of that bass found in the T10is for a bit more upper midrange-lower treble, giving those synths more liveliness. Both earphones are polite, and dark sounding, so they good choices for the treble-sensitive bassheads out there.
 

 
 
Overall: 8.5/10
 
 
In conclusion, while the price tag of $249 is not what many attribute as being a “budget” product. The T20 is not really targeted toward that demographic. For a mid-high tier product, the T20 packs a lot of desirable features (robust steel housing, ergonomics, and sound) in a relatively compact package.  Personally, I would be more comfortable seeing the T20 in the $170-200 price range, but it’s an earphone I can very comfortably recommend if you have the extra cash to splurge.
 
Overall Rating: 44/50= 88%

First of all I’d like to thank RHA for sending out a unit of the T20 for us to do an Australasian tour. RHA is a company that I am quite familiar with now, having tried their other two previous flagship IEMs. The MA750 was the first RHA product I tried and I was very impressed by the build and the sound that it put out. However, their last entry into the mid-range market, the T10 left me wanting a lot more as far as sound went. It was overly bass heavy and I noted that they needed a more “reference” reference filter.  
 

 
The T20 is the successor and the new RHA flagship and is supposed to incorporate the suggestions that came from the T10 and pick up from its mistakes. I had very high hopes for the T20, and I loved the design aspect of the T10, so was happy when I discovered that the T20 would have the same design as the T10. RHA is known for the build and meticulous attention to detail of their IEMs and the T20 certainly continues that trend.
 
The T20 is priced at $240 in the US and this slots perfectly into the mid-range of IEMs. This is a price bracket which I feel has the best money to sound ratio and going into the high end market will cost considerably more with little return. The competition over here is very stiff and I was curious as to see whether it would knock off the DN-2000.
 
**Disclaimer** These were provided by RHA for a tour in return for an unbiased review.
 
 

Unboxing & Accessories

The packaging is classic RHA again and it certainly looks very well presented. The box shows off the many features that it has and it showcases the red dot design award that it received. It tells you on the front of the box that it comes with a three year warranty, compared to the one or two that most other competitors offer. Opening the flap will reveal a graph with all three of the tuning filters and there is a clear plastic window where you can see the T20 along with the tips and filters. Good presentation and the packaging survived the tour rather well, so it seems unlikely that it would get damaged in transit.
 
The T20 certainly comes with a ton of accessories. It has a lot of tips including foam ones so everybody should be able to find a comfortable fit easily. The tips are all on a metal plate, just like the other RHA IEMs and this is a really nice design IMO. There are 3 tuning filters, which is one of the selling points. The change is not all that large between each of them, but it’s not exactly subtle either. The case is also the standard RHA leather case and it serves its job very well, but it would maybe be nice to see something that it more protective. There is also a cable clip and a manual. Overall, this area is good just like all of their other IEMs.
 

 

Design & Isolation

The physical presentation of the T20 is amazing, it is the same as the T10 except it has a vent on the face. The brushed metal looks excellent and it is very well built. The build is also very impressive, all the seams are very tight and the earpieces just feel very well built. They do scratch quite easily though, so be careful with them. The entire housing is made of brushed stainless steel and is very well finished. The left and right side are colour coordinated, which is a nice touch. The shape also fits very well in my ear and it is shaped like Shure or Westone IEMs. Seal was a little hard to get with these with the stock tips, but I think that might just be my ears and not the T20.
 
The cable is awesome just like the T10. There is no remote on the T20, but I’ve heard that RHA are going to come out with a T20i, which is the version of the T20 with a remote and mic. The memory wire, just like the T10, is ever so slightly too long and it goes a little past my ears. The cable feels very solid and is just the right thickness and still remains flexible. The jack has a good strain relief, but it’s is really long and it is probably just a little too intrusive. It would be nice to see a more low profile strain relief.
 
Isolation is probably a little under average for these, the vent really doesn’t help isolation too much. In relatively quiet areas, the T20 has no issues, but in noisier public places the T20 may not do a sufficient job at blocking out sound. It’s not bad, it’s just not that great. Listening to this while I am typing this review, I can hear my mechanical keyboard quite clearly.
 

 

Testing Gear

I tried the T20 with a range of sources and I discovered that it actually scales quite a lot, more than the price would suggest. The best pairing I found was the iBasso stack that I have been pairing with the 1plus2. I used it with the D14 as a DAC and the P5 as the amp. I felt like this really brought out the dynamic sound of the T20, and made it sound more alive than from other sources I tried. The DX90 was quite a good pairing, but it didn’t drive the dynamic driver with the same authority that the P5 had. I tried with the iPhone 6 and the Xperia Z2 and they sounded really poor, lifeless and quite dull, I would really recommend pairing these with a high end source, because they really need something good to shine. I also decided to use the treble filter for the review, because I found that it was the more natural sounding filter out of all the three options.  
 

 

Sound

Just a word of warning, these require burning. RHA sent them to me first and out of the box I was really disappointed. Upon hearing them, I felt like RHA still hadn’t addressed the issues that plagued the T10 – bloated bass, overly warm sound that lacked clarity. However, after it did the rounds around Australia and New Zealand, I was actually really impressed with the sound and was shocked just how much it had changed. So when you just get them, don’t judge them straight away. I’m not sure how many hours the T20 had gone on the tour, but I’d say to burin them in for around 200 hours before judging them.
 
 

Filters

Like I mentioned before, I used the treble filter to assess the T20 and I’ll give a short comparison of what the other filters sound like. The reference wound is bass heavy and is a little less treble happy compared to the treble filter. However, with the treble filters, the bass also seemed to decrease. I’m not sure if this was actually the case, or whether the increase in treble gave the impression of reduced bass. The bass filter was not great IMO, it increased the bass from the reference filter, which was already a little too heavy to start off with, so unless you are a basshead, I wouldn’t recommend going anywhere near the bass filter.
 

 

Bass

The bass was pretty much what I expected TBH. I knew that RHA are a somewhat bass heavy company and all of their IEMs that I have tried are all somewhat bass heavy. The T10 was overly so, but the T20 certainly takes a good step back and it is nowhere near as bass heavy as the T10. The bass is strong, but feels rather controlled and is not bloated whatsoever. There is a little bit of boominess, but it is not to the point where it bleeds into the midrange and it is actually rather pleasant. I find myself reaching for the T20 over my other IEMs when I am looking for a bit more of a bass response. Detail is quite good, speed is obviously not great, but this is the trade-off for a bass heavy IEM. Extension is quite good, but not the best I have heard in the price range. There seems to be a bit of sub-bass roll off and the bass hump sounds like it is in the mid-bass. Bassheads will love this.
 
 

Midrange

The midrange was probably the area that came as the largest shock of all. It is very clean and crisp, not warm or tinny at all like the T10. The midrange actually sounds like it some from a BA driver and not a dynamic driver. The clarity that is has is excellent, on par with the DN-2000, and I’m very surprised that it manages to do all of this with a single dynamic driver. It is probably one of the cleanest sounding midranges from a single dynamic driver IEM. I felt like the tonality of these with the treble filter were perhaps just a tad bright, but they are by no means cold at all. With the treble filter, it is a little recessed, but not overly so, they are just a little laid back. Instruments have a natural timbre to them. Vocals are excellent, they sound very natural and they sound very clear due to the tuning.
 
 

Treble

With the treble filter, obviously the treble is more boosted than the reference filter, but it sits right in my sweet spot – it is almost perfect for my preference. I like treble to be slightly elevated and the T20 with the treble filter is exactly that. With the reference filter the treble was quite neutral. The upper registers have slight roll off, even with the treble filters, but it doesn’t really affect the sound much. Cymbals are excellent and they have a very natural tone and sparkle to them. There wasn’t any sibilance, but I’m not very treble sensitive so I guess this can change from person to person. Detail is excellent, not quite as good as the dual TWFK of the DN-200, but it holds its own well. The treble sounds excellent with the treble filter, it really showcases the ability of the T20.
 

 

Soundstage & Imaging

The soundstage on these is rather large, both wide and tall. It certainly challenges the DN-2000 and perhaps even betters it in this regard. The soundstage seems much more expansive than the T10, which is nice. The width especially was impressive, it was considerably wider than the DN-2000, but obviously doesn’t reach the levels of the 1plus2. Height is good too, it gives the entire presentation a concert hall sound. However, something that could perhaps be improved on is the depth, it wasn’t quite able to keep up with the DN-2000 and as a result, the DN-2000 had a more 3D soundstage. The T20 is very impressive in this areas.
 
The imaging is on par with the soundstage, they are both very impressive. While it isn’t as pinpoint as the TWFK hybrids that I have heard, it does superbly for its price point and its single dynamic driver produces a very accurate and clear stage. It doesn’t do layering quite as good as the DN-2000, but it is still very good. It is very easy to tell where instruments are even when the stage gets quite crowded. Overall, the T20 is very proficient in this area and passes with flying colours.
 

 

Separation, Detail & Clarity

The T20 is also very goods in separation despite its single dynamic driver. It fares well on congested tracks and background instruments are not masked by the main ones even in complex passages. It doesn’t quite do as well as the dual TWFK in the DN-2000, but it holds its own well. It is certainly a huge upgrade over the T10. The T20 is up there with the best in this area, but it doesn’t quite match the DN-2000.
 
With the treble filters, the T20 is actually a really detailed IEM. I wasn’t expecting the T20 to be as detailed as it was, having heard their past 2 flagships. They were both warm and that blurred out details. However, this is not the case with the T20, and it is a very detailed IEM, but falls short of the best of the BA IEMs. TWFKs simply are more detailed, but for a dynamic in this price bracket, the T20 is excellent.
 
While the T20 isn’t as cool as the DN-2000, it is about as clear as the Dunu. The bass response is boosted, but this doesn’t really affect the clarity. Everything sounds sharp and clear without seeming artificial. The decay is very realistic and natural, the timbre is just right. Both vocals and instruments are all very well balanced. The T20 is superb here, it manages to have great clarity while still sounding natural.
 

 

Conclusion

The T20 with the reference is the perfect IEM for a moderate basshead, who likes their bass, but also looks for clean mids and treble. The reference filter is great for people who just was a more V shaped sound. The T20 is a very versatile and the filters allow people to select the tuning which they prefer the most. It is an excellent choice and stands alongside the DN-2000 as an IEM between $200 and $300 that I would happily recommend to others. The T20 really does stand out from the crowd with its design and energetic sound signature.

RHA T20 Review
 
Introduction
RHA just launched the T20 in the UAE where I live. It was a great event in a brand new beautiful hotel, the TAJ Dubai, perfect choice, RHA
 
I was lucky enough to attend this event and got the chance to listen to the T20 and also listen to a review sample for the following days.
The way RHA is supporting the local distributor and the audiophile community is really exemplary and a shining example for other manufacturers in the region. Thanks as well to gadgitechme.com for their support. All pictures in this review can be viewed at full resolution. Just click on them.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

one earpiece without tip of T20 in front, T10 in back
 
About RHA:
 
RHA is short for Reid Heath Audio - a Scottish headphone company that is still quite young but churning out better and better earphones with amazing quality and generous warranty.
 
From release to release RHA managed to up the quality and production value of their earphones. It seems that every detail they learned was implemented in the subsequent product - and they listen closely to what the community and customers have to say. A very interesting approach to start with the lower cost headphones and work your way up step by step. It's not the easiest way to establish a brand but I like it.
 
RHA produces their own drivers and uses metal housings for their headphones which makes them stand out from the competition.
 


T20 with another newby - Fiio X5ii
 
TL;DR
Does the T20 deliver: Yes. Clearly the new flagship in the RHA stable. Their best in-ear yet. 
 
About myself:
 
As a benchmark: I am 42, my headphone inventory can be found in my profile. The test was conducted mostly with the Fiio X5ii, the CEntrance DACmini CX with 1 Ohm mod, the AK100, an iPhone 6 and lastly an iFi iDSD micro. I listen to an eclectic choice of music from industrial to classic, mostly FLAC and ALAC but also some MP3 320kbps and AAC 256 kbps thrown in.
 
I own the MA350, MA 750 and T10, none of the earphones I have from RHA have a microphone, the respective i-versions of these in-ears do have an iOS compatible remote and mic. The mic does work with most Android phones as well….
 

 
 

 

 
 
 Manufacture’s Specifications

1. Type: in-ear
2. Drivers Size: ??
3. Drivers Type: Dynamic with Dual Coil(TM)
4. Frequency Response: 16Hz to 40KHz
5. Sensitivity: 90dB @1mW
6. Impedance:  16 Ω
7. Microphone sensitivity: 
8. Maximum Input:  2/5mW
9. Cable: multicore OFC, 1.35mm thick
10. Weight with cable: 39g  
11. Connector: 3.5mm single ended
12. MSRP:  $279

 
Design
 
The T20 is constructed with injection molded, stainless steel components. It has a thick and sturdy cable that is not replaceable. The design is identical to the T10 and T10i with the exception that the cable is now black instead of grey. Everything feels top quality and the 3 years warranty is certainly something you can believe in. The in-ear comes with replaceable metal tuning filters that alter the sound to a certain extend. RHA calls the driver technology “revolutionary” - well, we'll see about that later. Let me explain what is special on these drivers.
 


T10 and T20 next to each other. T20 has the black cable
 
Dual Coil Dynamic Driver:
This driver supposedly outperforms conventional drivers in resolution, clarity and detail with the use of two voice coils for one diaphragm. The way it works is that there is a voice coil on the outer edge of the diaphragm and one in the “normal” place in the middle of the diaphragm. The coils are operating independent from each other, the outer one (ring shaped) is responsible for the highs and the inner one for the lows. While we recently saw quite a few hybrid designs with in-ears using one or more balanced armature drivers and a dynamic driver, or dual drivers opposing or in line, etc, this is indeed a different approach. 



 
Style

 
The metal body feels extremely well made and sturdy. Like the T10 before them, they are worn over the ear with a patent pending ear hook system. I don’t know what exactly is patent pending on it though, forgot to ask.



 
Build quality

Solid and reliable. Everything I mentioned in the review of the 750 is valid here too. They seem to be rock solid and should outlast man other headphones. And if not: they come with a 3 year warranty that should help with the peace of mind.
 
For a projected price slightly below $300 I would have loved to see a detachable cable. 
 



 
Comfort

They slip into my ears like customs, I sound like a fanboy because if it comes to the fit with the T20 (or T10, MA750) I really am a fanboy. I have funny ear canals, right and left are different so finding something that is easy to insert and provides a great seal without filling around is really making me very happy. Others might not be as lucky but as the T10 these just fit perfect in my ears, comfortable for many hours, they “disappear” - they sit deep enough in your ears so you don’t feel their weight (39g).

Supplied accessories

Standard RHA fare. Nothing new from the MA750 or T10. A nice and soft carrying case (zip-up wallet style) made of soft touch plastic with compartments for all supplied accessories, including the metal tip holder. Great selection or ear tips: 6 pairs of silicone tips, two pairs of double flange tips and two pairs of memory foam tips (10 pairs in total).  A clothing clip is also provided. Like the T10 the additional 2 pairs of tuning filters come screwed into a nice carrying plate made of brushed metal with a color coding on them to distinguish between the filters.
 

Carry case filled with accessories
 

Size comparison carry case
 

Supplied accessories
 

Sound tuning filters in their metal plate holder (screw in)
 
Sound
Ok, so the preliminary price of the T20 is $279 so around $80 more than the T10 and double the price of the MA750… So how does it stack up soundwise? I really liked the T10’s sound - however I found it a bit too thick on the bass, even though I consider myself a semi-basshead, but I like it well delivered and not bloated or overly emphasized. I am happy to say this has been fixed. The T20s indeed deliver everything the T10 did well and fixed most of the shortcomings. It's probably the most neutral in-ear from RHA so far.
 

Frequency response curve - red-treble filter, black bass filter, grey reference...
 
IMPORTANT NOTICE: 
I have done the whole review with the reference filters. I will update this review when I have spend more time listening to the Treble and Bass filters.
 
REFERENCE FILTER IMPRESSIONS:

Bass

Punchy, fast and dry - lovely. This is the bass you want, not too overpowering like the T10 but so THERE if you need it. Hard to describe but the bass is extremely impactful when needed but has a bit of distance in it, so it hits you in front of your head - like with speakers or at a concert. In short - the bass is amazing and it hits hard when it needs to and is absent when it’s absent in the music. Not an easy feat. Way enhanced towards the T10 - Exactly the way I like it. The only criticism I might have is that really low sub bass quality could be a tad better. But then, this is complaining on a very high level. 

Mid-range

More forward than the T10, giving this headphone a lovely fun signature. Female vocals sound great and full, male vocals are clean and engaging.
 
Treble

Haahhh, so much detail. While it’s not a multi balanced armature in-ear it does deliver a lot of detail and clarity indeed. Definitively increased from the T10, they do sound like BA drivers. Not sure how (well probably the dual coil) they did this but the range and detail of available on tap is amazing. With the reference filter the experience is amazing - such an extension from the T10. No wonder these in ears got the HiRes certification from the Japan Audio Society.



Since people asked: left T10 filters with screw up, right T20 filters. They are identical.
 
 

 
Filter sets are identical between the T10 and T20.
 
TREBLE FILTER IMPRESSIONS:

coming soon

BASS FILTER IMPRESSIONS:

vs. T10 with Reference Filter: Putting the bass filters on the T20 is elevating the bass back into basshead levels. Still articulate but it's a LOT of bass. I swapped back and forth with the T10 with Reference filter and must say, the bass is now on T10 level. However you still hear the slightly recessed mids from the T10 that come apparent in that A/B test. Testing the different filters shows, that the T10 is not a bad in ear at all.

vs. T10 with Bass Filter: Geeez, T10 whips the ass of the T20 in bass quantity - that's basshead calibre. The T10 is getting into bloated territory with the bass filters. It can be fun for some songs, but it's too much for me. But I can see the appeal for bass lovers with this filter.

Vs. T10 with treble filter: Still lots of bass on the T10 - however the treble can flow freely into your ears, makes the T10 more V-shaped and enjoyable for me. It's the same amount of bass as with the Reference filter but thanks to the less rolled off highs, you can listen to lower volume and here have a more balanced sound. For the T10 - these are my favorite filters.

Summary: The T20 with bass filter are close to the T10 with treble and reference filter in bass quantity. Quality remains better with the T20 though. They should please bass lovers with this filter... The bass is lovely elevated and still has lots of texture. Not my favorite filter for the T20 but clearly a fun thing to use with certain genres.



 

Sound Stage and instruments separations

 
The way you want it. Expansive but not overly expansive (or artificially large) but enough and I find it deeper than what you usually get in this price range. Pretty exciting balance. It reminds me of my Hifiman HE-560 which envelopes you in the music. The T20 can do that too. Precise and defined placement of instruments. Perfect. I thought long and hard what could be better, and I am not sure I could find something I was missing.
 


​Plug of the T20 (left) and T10 (right) - reads: 303F - 522 for T20 and 303F - 448 for T10
 
Comparisons:
 
vs. T10:
- less bass bloat - bass still there and slightly boosted but never bloated or overbearing, impactful and dry
- midrange not as recessed, more forward, overall more pleasant
- a lot more treble extension, lots of details in the treble you might not find in the T10
 
EDIT: will add other comparisons later once I have made some head2head comparisons...
 
 
Pros & Cons

Pros:

1. sound quality 
2. comfort
3. soundstage
4. crazy versatile bass (with no bloat)
5. high build quality, feels like it can withstand lots of abuse
6. 3 years warranty and great customer service
7. evolutionary step up from the MA750 and T10

Cons:

1. a bit heavier due to metal build (didn’t bother me at all but just want to mention it)
2. no microphone i-version available yet
3. needs some burn-in time to sound best (or brain burn-in)
4. requires a good seal
5. no detachable cable

 
 Rating

1. Comfort                       9/10
2. Sound Quality             10/10
3. Design                        9/10
4. Durability                    9/10
5. Value for Money         8/10

 
Based on a price of $279 retail. 
 
Conclusion
 
Quick recap of the 750 and T10: great build quality, 3 years warranty, great sounding, comfortable, great accessories from a great company. 
 
The new flagship of the RHA line up delivers in spades. What I wrote in the 750 review still holds true, constant improvement and evolution is the name of the game. RHA took the best of the 750 and T10 and combined it with the T20. There is indeed more clarity and detail and the slightly flawed bass heavy T10 was tamed. Though a bit more sub bass (quality not quantity) would have been nice. The detail and clarity of this headphone is really astonishing. The treble is extended compared to the T10. Without being harsh, these are indeed better.
 
In a direct shoot out between the T10 and the T20 I found the T20 to be more involving, more enveloping, with a lot more detail and clarity in the treble. They are also louder and easier to drive than the T10 however the better the amp, the nicer they sound (not referring to power). This is still not a neutral earphone but way more neutral than the T10. As Warrenpchi put it: "the most balanced RHA unit I've heard this far, by a wide margin." That's exactly what I heard as well.
 

​Used the T20 also for some X5 vs X5ii shoot out. T20 quickly became my favorite in-ear
 

Since some of you asked - sound level with T10 (volume matched via iPhone decibel meter app)
 

...and here the same volume with the T20, enlarge to see the small lines I added, yellow T20, red T10. 
 
 
Why no i version?
That question was brought up a lot. RHA obviously thinks that people who buy a headphone like the T20 use it with a DAP and so don’t need a mic. I am not so sure. Personally I prefer not to have a microphone but I sure am in the minority. I guess an i version is in the works or at least seriously considered.   
 
So…..: Yes, they are now my favorite in-ears under $300, maybe even above that price. As far as dynamic in-ears go, this could very well be the new benchmark. I used to use the 750 and T10 as well as the JVC HA-FX850, RE-400 and UE900s a lot before... but now… not so much. The T20, even after wearing off the new-toy-syndrome, is a hit. Properly driven this in-ears delivers. Well done, RHA, very well done. 
 

T10 white/grey cable, T20 black cable
 
 
Update 21st June 2015:
Comparison to MA750:

In the right corner, the contender, with a fighting weight of 39g, the T20, in the left corner the reigning champion, with a fighting weight of 35g, the MaaaaaaaAAAAA SevenFiftyyyyyyyyyy.
The referee today is the Audioengine D3 24 bit DAC. 
MA750 vs T20 - FIGHT!

 
Observations from this comparison:
 
Fundamentally the T20 with the reference filter share the same signature as the 750. They are clearly coming from the same producer, they share the "house sound" of RHA you could say.
But to throw in a Spinal Tap reference: The T20 go to 11.
 
This is what the T20 delivers above the 750:
- more immediate sound with a wider soundstage ( bit of an oxymoron here, the sound is closer to you but the soundstage is wider, if that makes any sense)
- more treble detail without being harsh
- hits harder and goes deeper in the bass and sub bass
 
A fuller, warmer sound with the T20s without loosing treble detail. The T20 with reference filter is an upgrade for any 750 owner. I can hands down recommend this, if it's in your budget. It's not 2 times better than the MA750 but you will have improvements in every area...it's a clear upgrade path for owners of the 750.
 
 
 
Disclaimer: RHA provided a T20 for review following their launch event in Dubai. I own the MA350, 750 and T10.