RHA CA-200 review

Promising design and build but sound falls a little flat Tested at £40

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

We’ve enjoyed previous RHAs, but these aren’t the company’s finest moment

Pros

  • +

    Light and comfortable to wear

  • +

    dynamic, punchy presentation

Cons

  • -

    Lack definition and detail in the midrange

  • -

    spiky treble frequencies

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There's a lot to like about the RHA CA-200s. For starters, at just 166 grams they're very light by the standards of over-ear headphones.

A combination of RHA's 'ergofit' tech (basically earcups that articulate on
their sliding ball-and-socket mechanism plenty more than most rival designs) and soft, pliant ear-pads mean it's easy to get a comfortable fit around your ears.

And while having both earcups wired isn't the last word in ergonomic sophistication, the braided cable resists tangling well and is detachable should that nevertheless occur.

Sound falls a little flat

Conspicuous by its absence from that list of plus points is sound quality.

An easy-going recording like Amy Winehouse's A Song For You served up as an uncompressed FLAC file sounds just a little muddy and indistinct in the CA-200s' hands.

Low frequencies are a touch hazy and ill-defined, while the midrange gives away too much fine detail to paint a complete picture.

At the top, treble bites a bit more fiercely than it should.

Given these shortcomings, the RHAs' dynamic prowess and punch are scant-ish consolations.

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What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.


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