RHA does certain things incredibly well. High quality build, and a punchy, warm sound that’s ideal for pop and hip-hop. I’ve listened to their most expensive models, but I’m particularly impressed by their cheaper buds, which are great value for money. So, I’m very curious to try out their least expensive model, the MA390. What level of sound can you get for 2995 pennies? Let’s find out in this RHA MA390 Universal Review.
RHA MA390 Universal Review
IN the BOX
FIT
Who needs noise-cancelling crap with the kind of sound isolation these buds provide? I mean, I still hear traffic and my pain in the ass boss, but not even noise-cancelling headphones can negate all that. Certainly, if you’re looking for a great seal, the RHA MA390 won’t disappoint. They come with 3 different sized ear tips, so, unless you have circus ears, finding the right fit shouldn’t be a problem. (Upgrade to the RHA S500, and you’ll get more accessory ear tips than you can handle).
DESIGN
The MA390 has a great minimalist design that characterizes all RHA models. Sleek, light aluminum shells and a nice fabric woven cable. The cable also has a remote and mic for calls. And if you choose to use the charming, but rather stupid, Siri, or the classier, yet equally challenged, Google Assistant, you can. It’s Universal, baby. There’s no volume control, so, you’ll just have to muster up the energy to adjust the volume from your phone.
I never write an RHA review without highlighting their 3 YEAR WARRANTY. Yes, that’s a long time in the headphone world.
SOUND
RHA really rocks the low frequencies. And the RHA MA390 certainly lives up to the brand’s reputation. Fat, subby, warm and fast, these buds make ol’ JT damn fun to listen to. The low-end lushness also lends itself well to rock and pop-rock songs that require a full-bodied sound.
But here’s the problem: the upper mids are way too emphasized. The result? Harsh vocals and percussion on pop and rock tracks. And if you tend to listen at louder volumes, your ears will be grated raw. So, the balance is a bit off.
That being said, these buds do everything else really well. Listening to folk and acoustic guitars, there was a nice amount of transparency and definition for an earphone at this price point. In fact, I’m always impressed when cheap earphones are able to pull off deep lows without muddying the rest of the mix. And RHA does this with class on its lowest priced buds.
The highs are generally smooth sounding, but get too sharp in the highest registers. (Stay away from Miles Davis).
SUMMARY
The RHA MA390 is a master of low frequencies and a poster-boy for clarity in this price range. If the balance was a little more even, I would say, jump on these buds. But my ears just can’t handle the abrasive upper-mids. Do yourself a solid, and get the RHA S500 Universal. It’s 10 bucks more expensive but so worth it. You’ll still get slightly emphasized upper-mids, but it’s an easier listening experience and a bigger bang for your buck.
You can find these earphones for the best price at:
Audio 46 (Use our promo code, “majorhifi” to get a 10% discount)
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SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency Range: 16 – 22,000Hz
Impedance: 16 Ohms
Sensitivity: 89dB
Cable Length: 1.35m
Weight: 15g
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