When we took a look at headphones as an accessory to gift this Christmas, we hadn’t yet had a chance to test out RHA’s lightweight, compact option: the SA950i. Priced at £49.95, this is a pair you can easily slot into the ‘on a budget’ category, whether it’s as a Christmas gift or to satisfy your own music addiction. Here’s what we thought of them.

Design

You can feel good walking around in these. RHA’s SA950i headphones are black and chrome all over, and while the design isn’t revolutionary, there’s a strong argument for the versatility and longevity of something classic. And because the ear-cups are relatively small, it’s a pair that looks elegant on both genders.

A clever aspect of the RHA design is the detachable cable. One of the biggest causes of headphone deaths is that wear and tear that occurs where the cable attaches. With the SA950i, you can avoid that achilles heel and also keep both parts neatly – and separately – stored in your bag as you travel.

Comfort

One of the best things about the SA950i headset is that it’s comfortable. The soft, padded cups sit comfortably over the ears and are flexible enough not to turn into the headache-inducing vice that some pairs do after long wear.

Sound

Realistically, the SA950i was never going to reach the same sound quality as a pair of headphones that costs upwards of $500. But for their £49.95 (USD$59.95) price tag, this little pair is none the less impressive, achieving excellent sound quality even at high volumes. The serious audiophile will notice some imperfections, but as an everyday pair of headphones – especially for the commuter who wants something lightweight and mobile – the RHA SA950i has all the right bases covered. The only downfall is that the cups don’t fold in to make it completely compact.

Beyond that, £49.95 for a classic-looking, great quality pair of headphones makes RHA’s SA950i an accessory worth buying – for others, or yourself.

Visit rha-audio.com.