Hong Kong headphone maker Rhapsodio has been pleasing music lovers around the world for more than a year. A distinctive feature of the company is its readiness for constant experiments, most of which are very, very successful. In their rapidly updated model range there were both multi-driver reinforcing headphones and hybrid models, and now it is headed by a dynamic model using “only” one driver. Meet .
Headphones are a top model, and therefore have a very unchild price tag of $ 1,000. Like any product of this level, they are not a solution for everyone. That is why the developers tried to maintain a decent level in all that relates to RTi1.
In this model, only one dynamic radiator is used for each channel, which is slightly at odds with the traditional approach of the modern manufacturers of top headphones “more drivers in each ear”. But, of course, the emitter used is not quite normal, its 8 mm diaphragm is made of titanium. In creating dynamic emitters, developers always have to keep a balance in order to make the diffuser both light and tough. Stiffness avoids distortion caused by uneven movement of the membrane, and lightness reduces the effect of inertia on the diffuser. Titan, which combines both hardness and lightness at the same time, fits the role of a material for a radiator membrane almost perfectly, which the creators of RTi1 used. Actually, the name of the model is decoded Reference Titanium.
Specifications
- Impedance: 16Ω
- Sensitivity: 96 dB
- Emitter: dynamic, with a titanium diaphragm, 8 mm
- Body Material: Aluminum
- Cable: interchangeable, balanced
- Plug: 3.5mm TRS
Package and Delivery
We have to admit that in terms of packaging RTi1 became for me the absolute champions. They are delivered in a very stylish metal case with a buckle, it is guaranteed to save headphones from all adversity, including the global flood and the fall of large meteorites, followed by global icing.
In addition to the headphones themselves, you will receive three pairs of interchangeable nozzles of different sizes, but I immediately took advantage of others, because the complete sets did not give me the desired fit, and for the Rhapsodio RTi1 this is very important.
Design and wearing comfort
Headphones look very cool. The developers made their enclosures all-aluminum, silver in color, and it greatly benefited the perception of their appearance. They look solid and very reliable, the case is given in the hands of a pleasant weight and cool metal. Headphones are designed solely for ear wear, attempts to wear them otherwise - will not succeed.
The cable at RTi1 is interchangeable, it is very, very high quality, since Rhapsodio in addition to headphones does the cable (their range is very wide and surprises with the scale of the approach, you can find it on the manufacturer’s website). The bundled cable is very soft, does not harden in the cold, is not prone to tangling, the microphone effect is mild.
My main claim to the headphones relates to their short sound guide. Because of this, I didn’t get the complete attachments, but, fortunately, the selection of this accessory did not take much time, one of the Fischer Audio models served as a good donor. Choosing nozzles, you need to choose those that will provide maximum insulation RTi1, so you get the right level of bass. Nozzles with narrow sockets are especially suitable for them (although this is for my taste, you can experiment).
Actually, wearing comfort is determined by the selection of nozzles, if you choose them correctly - you can listen to the headphones for a long time, without the slightest discomfort. Sound insulation - at a typical level for the form factor.
Sound
The following equipment was used for listening:
- Yulong DA8 as a DAC and Amplifier
- Resonessence Labs Concero HP as a DAC and Amplifier
- Apple MacBook Pro Retina 2013 as a source
- Fidelia as a player
- Fiio X5 and QLS QA360 as portable players
- Lear BD4.2 and Ambient Acoustics AM6 as a headphone for comparison
- High-resolution recordings in Lossless-formats (Dr. Chesky The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc and others)
Before listening to the headphones were heated for 96 hours.
Reviews about RTi1 on the Internet are directly polar. Many are delighted with them, others cannot even understand what they found in them for such money. I think the reason is that the RTi1 is very analytical headphones, and the headphones are very picky about the source. Apart from the fact that they need to find the right nozzles with tight insulation (otherwise you risk losing the bass in them), they also need a powerful source (or the resolution and the same bass will suffer). In addition, RTi1 are among those rare headphones that really need warm-up to develop a suspension cone. And finally, you can simply dislike the smooth analytical sound.
In general, the nature of the headphones is very detailed, with little or no staining, with little emphasis on mid and high frequencies. The titanium diaphragm made it possible to achieve an excellent resolution for non-armature combined with the musicality of the dynamic radiator.
Bass with proper fit is very, very good. He is pleased with the resolution, speed and the right amount. Because of this, the bass fit perfectly into the overall monitor feed RTi1, complementing the sound. Stalling the low-frequency part of the range on the brutal styles that many headphones suffer from is not observed here.
The mids do not cause almost any complaints. The main feature of the RTi1 is the honesty of their transmission, so with a poor quality source or recordings, you risk hearing all the flaws, but if you pick up all the components of the system by the level of the headphones, you can discover many nuances of sound. The emotions of the vocalists, the nature of the instruments, their location on an imaginary stage, all this RTi1 will reveal to you in full. Many compositions actually appear from a new, not quite well-known side. Headphones play very “widely”, even surprisingly for a co-channel model, recording large orchestras, electronic music with special effects and many other genres benefit from it. At the junction of MF and HF there is a small peak, quite small, if it were not for the price, it would not even be worthy of mention.
The high-frequency range is also very good. The length, detail, resolution, everything you need is here. Headphones are not inclined to add sibilants from themselves (but if they are on the record, you will hear them) and do not strain your ears during long-term listening (although this is, of course, subjective).
In general, as you understand, forcing the RTi1 to play "to the fullest" is not so easy, but having achieved this, you will get a very interesting sound, not typical for headphones-inserts.
Compatibility
Low-impedance headphones with not the highest sensitivity - quite a complex load for most sources. That is why there is no point in trying RTi1 with regular players and smartphones. Even specialized players are not all suitable for them. After testing the entire fleet of the equipment I had, I came to the conclusion that the Concero HP from Resonessence Labs and QLS QA360 of players are well suited to headphones. They revealed the potential of Rhapsodio from the best side, having pleased with really excellent sound.
Also, high-quality recordings are very critical for headphones, since the slightest flaws in recordings and information will be presented in all their “beauty”.
findings
Headphones, unusual from all sides. They require considerable financial investments, they require a very, very high-quality source, they require a selection of nozzles for a perfect fit, but they more than compensate for all the effort expended on them with a very high-quality sound appropriate to this category of headphones.
The article is based on materials .
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