SA950i:
Neither the highs nor the lows overwhelm the midrange, which is pleasant and offers good detail. The headset also does a good job of communicating subtleties that give music its drive.
SA950i:
RHA is a British headphone company that produces high-quality, attractive headphones at relatively low prices without skimping on premium features. Indeed, the SA950i looks great given its $60 price. The headband and earpads have a leather-like texture, and the glossy-black earpieces are somewhat similar to those of Skullcandy’s Aviator and Navigator. Chrome highlights grace the design as well. When I pulled the review sample out of its shipping box, I guessed that it cost two or three more than it actually does.
The SA950i features a three-button, Apple-style inline remote and microphone module for controlling music and taking phone calls. The fabric-wrapped cable attaches to the left earpiece via a standard 3.5mm miniplug. Unlike the other models here, the SA950i doesn’t come with a carrying bag or case—or any other accessories—but RHA does provide a three-year warranty.
Comfort is good for a model of this size, with adequate earpiece and headband padding and light weight, though the SA950i doesn’t feel as sturdy as the other models here. People with large heads should try out this headset (or any of the other three reviewed here) before buying, as its small size and sealed design put more pressure on a wearer’s ears and head than most full-size models do. For my large head, however, the SA950i exerted the least pressure of the four models I tested. The disadvantage of the less tight fit is that the SA950i offers less noise isolation than the other three headsets.
RHA designed the earpieces with the ability to pivot 180 degrees, so the SA950i can double as a set of DJ headphones. The SA950i’s cloth-wrapped cable, though a nice touch, is prone to kinking and doesn’t feel as sturdy as the V-Moda Crossfade M-80 v2’s cable. The remote’s volume buttons are helpfully raised and easy to access, but the depression for the center (play/pause/talk) button is a bit too small and a bit too recessed for reliably effective pressing. I found that the glossy-plastic earpieces scratched and scuffed fairly easily, so consider using a bag or case to transport the headphones.
The SA950i looks much better than its $60 price tag would lead you to expect, and it delivers fun sound, with a slight high-end emphasis that makes cymbals sparkle. High frequencies are distinct, though they lack the realism of the treble reproduction found in higher-end models. The SA950i also has a low-end boost that provides strong bass response, including kick drums with substantial impact.
Bass quality is good overall, though it possesses some of the flab that I’ve come to expect from sealed (non-in-ear) headphones. Neither the highs nor the lows overwhelm the midrange, which is pleasant and offers good detail. The headset also does a good job of communicating subtleties that give music its drive. Beyond tighter bass and better high-frequency detail, the primary thing missing from the SA950i is the je ne sais quoi of higher-end models that draws a listener fully into the music.
But let’s not lose perspective here: We’re talking about an attractive set of on-ear headphones with a three-button remote/microphone and pleasant sound for $60. The SA950i is a great value.
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