The RHA SA-500s don’t fold, so they’re not too handy for travel, but the fabric headphone cable is detachable so it needn’t get tangled up in your bag.
The earpads slide up and down a simple rail system. They’re on the small side, so require more in the way of positioning to create a decent seal. But it’s hardly a flawed design…
The sound is open, clean and inviting. For the money, only the Panasonic RP-HTX 7s dig up more detail.
Simple but effective
Still, these produce an admirably well-judged, balanced sound. They’re a little lightweight, but this lack of heft doesn’t mean they sound thin or tinny.
The low frequencies you do hear are detailed and defined, with no real trace of distortion, and high frequencies don’t get sharp, edgy or brittle, which is a result.
For the money, these headphones provide a simple yet extremely effective solution.
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RHA SA-500 review
These closed-back headphones produce a well-judged, balanced sound Tested at £35
What Hi-Fi? Verdict
Pipped to the five-star post by the amazing Panasonic RP-HTX 7s, these are nevertheless a fantastic buy at the money
Pros
- +
Good, balanced sound
Cons
- -
Don't fold
- -
need positioning carefully
Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.
