Reloop RHP-5 Headphones Review

HQ — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 07:40:06 +0000

We recently recieved a pair of White Reloop RHP-5 headphones in the mail for review and I was excited to give them a listen because they looked so cool. They have a nice durable rubberized coating that really feels like it could save some potential damage when taking these with you everywhere. When I first took the headphones out of the box I was surprised that these headphones were being marketed towards DJs because they seemed so much smaller and lighter than what I’m used to. I’ve used Sony MDR-V700 headphones for the past 8 years or so and I’ve grown very accustomed to the way they feel and sound. They Reloop headphones didn’t feel nearly as durable or heavy as I was used to so I initially doubted that they could work their way into my DJ bag as a regular accessory.

I went to my computer, unplugged my Sonys, plugged in the RHP-5s, and loaded up FL Studio to start a new track. I was immediately impressed with the low end these little headphone put out. I switched out among 3 different pairs of headphones, the Sony V700s, Sony V500s, and Reloop RHP5s while playing the same bassline and found that the Reloop headphones volume level seemed to be a little bit louder than my other two headphones and that the bass was definitely louder than it was on both pairs of Sonys. Now the Reloop headphones do have a microphone and volume slider about 10 inches down the cord and I had the volume up as high as it would go so that accounts for some of the volume difference. I turned the volume down a bit so that it was equal to the Sony headphones and the bass was still sounding loud and proud. After the bass test I listened to some House, Techno, and Dubstep and all genres sounded great across the spectrum. It did seem as if the low end frequencies may have been pumped up a bit which would make these headphones great for listening to Dance Music and even DJing but not for studio work where a flat frequency response is essential. Now these headphones never claimed to be Studio Quality so I can’t hold that against them.

Over the next few days I took these headphones with me on a roadtrip and stashed them (they fold up nice and neatly) in the front pocket of my backpack easily. They came home with no noticeable wear. I have yet to try these headphone while DJing out in a loud club or warehouse party, but I’m not sure that I would for several reasons: The mircrophone/volume slider looks like a set of commercial headphones, they are smaller than most DJ headphones and therefore look cheaper (which they are), and the headband feels as if it could snap with the right kind of pressure on it. The specs for the headphones claim the headband is made with an extremely sturdy aluminum bar and double headband casing which sounds great but I have seen DJ headphones broken in every which way possible and I would just have liked to see the headband being a little wider. It would give me more confidence in the durability. After using the RHP-5s for several days I am very interested in giving the bigger brother to the RHP-5s, the RHP-10s a good listen.

I feel that these headphone would be great for a DJ as a second or back-up pair of headphones in your gig bag. I really haven’t heard any headphones this small sound this great. With the addition of the microphone these headphones would be perfect for use in an airport, hotel, bus, train, at the computer, by the pool, on the beach, etc. Paired with an iPhone or other smartphone it would be ideal so you don’t miss a call while listening to tunes. I am currently using these headphones when I’m working so I can listen to music without bothering those around me and still answer phone calls when they come in.

In review I would say these headphones are just as good if not better sounding than my Sony V500s but I still prefer the wider headband on the V500s. I do really love the rubberized coating, and this added durability makes them great for travel and ideal for use with the iPhone. Definitely give these headphones a listen if you get the chance.

Check out the press info and tech specs below:

Reloop is proud to present the RHP-5 series DJ headphones with integrated iPhone® control. Compact and lightweight, these headphones deliver a surprisingly robust sound without burning a hole in your wallet. The RHP-5 features rotating ear cups and a collapsible design for easy storage and maximum portability. These stylish headphones also include a microphone and an answer/mute button and work with all smartphones with 3.5mm jack including iPhone® and BlackBerry®. It also includes a volume slider and a convenient shirt clip. Perfectly right for travelling, trend-setting DJs. The RHP-5 boasts high quality drivers that deliver a full, rich sound with crisp highs and deep bass comparable to much more expensive models. Sleek aesthetic design features include a smooth rubber finish, aluminum inlays on the ear cups, and nine eye-catching color options, including Black, White, Cherry Black, Ceramic Mint, Purple Milk, Flash Black, Gold Rush, Solid Chrome, and Chocolate Crown. Mix and talk with the new Reloop RHP-5 headphones.

Available in the following colors: Black, White, Ceramic Mint, Purple Milk, Cherry Black, Chocolate Crown, Flash Black, Gold Rush, and Solid Chrome.

Features:

Compact DJ headphones with deep, powerful sound
Rotating ear cups and a collapsible design for easy storage
Classy rubber finish and Climabsorb net nylon headband
Aluminium inlays on ear cups
Flat-comfort construction: compact and light ear cup housing (diameter of only 70 mm) for comfortable wearing for hours
Powerful, deep, finely resolvent sound for perfect listening pleasure
High-quality headband with sturdy aluminium bar
Double headband casing: water-repellent, artificial leather (upper) and sweat-absorbing Climabsorb net nylon (lower side)
One-sided cord routing with integrated remote and shirt clip
Phone control incl. smartphone answer, mic and volume control for all current mobile phones with 1/8″ mm jack, for example iPhone, Blackberry & other compatible smartphones
All connections gold-plated, includes 1/4″ adapter

Technical Data:
Headphones:
- Frequency range: 10 Hz – 22 kHz
- Impedance: 32 ohm
- Acoustic pressure: 96 dB/1 mW (at 1 kHz)
- THD: <0.5% (at 1 kHz)
- Rated input power: 20 mW

Microphone:
- Directivity: omni-directional
- Frequency range: 50 Hz - 20 kHz
- Impedance: 2200 ohm
- Sensitivity: -65 dB ±3 dB (at 1 kHz)
- S/N ratio: -58 dB

- Connections: 3.5 mm jack, 6.3 mm jack adapter
- Cord: 1.3 m (helix cord incl. smartphone control unit)
- Weight: 136 g (without cord)
- Ear cup diameter: 70 mm
- Incl. gold-plated 6.3 mm jack adapter

More Information: Reloop RHP-5 Homepage

Using MIDI with the iPad

djnth — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 16:09:17 +0000

This is a great video from the Create Digital Music blog showing you how to hook up several different devices to get MIDI inputs and outputs on your iPad.

Drum Sticks and Guitar Picks for Your iPad or Android Tablet

djnth — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 19:56:35 +0000

Drum sticks and guitar picks for your iPad with conductive rubber tips (for your pleasure) have arrived. Get the precision and feel of an actual miniature drum set!! Place your pre-order now at the official website.

via: official website

M-Audio Torq Makes it to v1.5 Somehow

djnth — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 03:23:47 +0000

While software like Serato is very stripped down, it allows a DJ to quickly and easily perform his/her primary task – beatmatching and mixing music. The first time ever using Serato I quickly figured out how to use it with no instructions. The first time I looked at the user interface for Torq it made me want to cry. This interface is easily the most hideous looking thing I have seen in DJ Software market hands down! Even if M-Audio sent me a free copy I wouldn’t install this on my computer. I’m only reporting this new version of the software for those of you that do use it. I would love to hear some first hand comments about how great this software is so I can learn not to judge the software by the GUI, but I doubt I will hear any. Please let us know if you use this.

From the M-Audio Website

cue, beat-match and mix digital files > leave your cumbersome records and CDs safe at home
works instantly and seamlessly with compatible M-Audio hardware > no complex set-ups or conflicts
organizes digital audio files (including iTunes) into easily searchable database >instant access to your entire digital library
supports optional third-party VST effects > add your own signature sound
16-cell tempo-synced sampler > trigger loops and samples on the fly
ReWire support > take your performance to the studio
transmits and receives MIDI beat clock >flexible synchronization with external devices
compatible with control vinyl/CDs >easily integrates with traditional DJ hardware

DMb | Dance Music blog & Podcast » Hardware

Reloop RHP-5 Headphones Review

Using MIDI with the iPad

Drum Sticks and Guitar Picks for Your iPad or Android Tablet

M-Audio Torq Makes it to v1.5 Somehow