INTRODUCTION:
Tanchjim is a well-established Chinese audio brand among the audiophiles producing high quality in-ear monitors and DAC/AMPs. Despite their huge lineup of products, they haven’t entered the market of headphones! And today in our hands is the Tanchjim RITA, their first ever headphone and in this review let’s check out it’s audio (including features) in detail.
Table Of Content
SPECIFICATIONS:
Driver: 40mm Dynamic Driver
Diaphragm Material PET with Beryllium Coating
Frequency Response: 20–20,000 Hz
Impedance: 32 Ω
THD: 0.039% @1kHz, 94 dB
Bluetooth Version: 6.0
Supported Codecs: AAC, SBC, LDAC
Playback Time: Up to 92h (ANC Off) / 51.5h (ANC On)
Operating Range: 15 m (open space)
Charging Port: Type-C, 5V/1A
Battery Capacity: 650 mAh, 3.7V
DISCLAIMER:
This unit was provided to me by Tanchjim Official in exchange for my honest opinion. The views are based on my observations and is not an influenced one.
PACKAGING:
Tanchjim follows a peculiar design language that goes very minimalist and neat. The white and grey theme with subtle branding gives the package an overall aesthetic look. The soft velvet pouch looks practical and carries the same aesthetic nature.
Additionally, the 3.5mm cable and Type C charging cable is also included within the package covering up all the essentials.
BUILD AND DESIGN:
The complete construction is made of ABS plastic except the headband slider. The in hand feel the RITA provides is exceptionally good for its price. The heft can be felt which gives a sense of premium touch to the product. The volume rockers, ON/OFF and Play/Pause buttons are neatly tucked onto the body for seamless action. A nice little LED indicator is given on the side to identify its working mode.
The rotatable earcups can be turned flat for easier storage and doesn’t interrupt the chin in idle when hanged around the neck. Vents are provided for ANC functionality and does have inbuilt mic for added functionality. The addition of 3.5mm jack serves as a backup if in case the battery runs out of charge.
APP SUPPORT:
The Tanchjim app is readily available both in Play store and Apple Store. The implementation is done well with no noticeable bugs. Detects the product just after connecting and that’s it! The customisations options are displayed straight on without complications.
The app provides 12 band equalisers to fine tune the sound with official presets included in it. The settings are stored onto the headphone itself ensuring they sound the same with multiple devices.
ADDED FEATURES:
ANC: They are above average, displaying noticeable reduction in the low-pitched noises. Rita is advertised as it silences -47dB and it’s close in real. Though not the best out there, this can’t be complained either! In its segment, this does excel in the ANC without doubt.
TRANSPARENCY: This opens the microphones allowing the external noises to seep in. Despite its noticeable amplification, the frequency feels natural without any artificial sense.
MICROPHONE: Rita acquires a well implemented microphone that picks up the voices with ease and isolates from the background noises well. Haven’t heard any complaints from the receiver’s end, making this an on-the-go device for picking up calls.
LDAC: Though this doesn’t affect the sound in general, I did notice its action in certain area like the note edges. The LDAC substantially reduced the sharp edges of the notes and made them sound smoother. This is noticed evidently in case of upper mid-section.
CONNECTIVITY: Rita comes with Bluetooth V 6.0 ensuring stable connection. This does supports dual connection with seamless switching between the devices.
BATTERY LIFE: 92 hours without ANC and 52 hours with ANC is what the brand states. The numbers are close in real, measuring 45 hours with ANC tuned on with 60 percent volume.
3.5mm OUTPUT: This delivers the default sound signature displaying an impactful bass, intimate mid-section and a muted upper mid profile. The wireless mode performs miles ahead of 3.5mm making them the primary mode to listen while the 3.5mm can be used as a backup. ANC becomes non-functional in wired mode since it relies on battery to run.
SOUND VERDICT:
Rita despite being the first headphone from the house of Tanchjim, ticks all the boxes that one aspires off in this segment. The 40 mm DMT5 Dynamic Driver (PET with Beryllium coating) hides behind the aesthetically pleasing off white designed earcups which feels ergonomic, exerting minimal clamping force. The headbands feel comfy enough with unique way of adjustment that slides smoothly and the rotatable earcups adds up the ergonomics a notch better. The minimal branding gives this product an overall subtle look but the fixed earpads are a big bummer.
Rita delivers a balanced sound with a subtle touch of darkness out of the box. But hey! This is where the game begins! The app is the key here. This got tons of EQ options that allows the users to fine tune the sound based on their liking. The included official presets are the starting point and from there you get a 12 band EQ system which you can fiddle with.
SETUP: MY EQ (Mild V Shape) + LDAC
OUT OF THE BOX SIGNATURE: Balanced with Dark tint (Muted Upper Mid)
AFTER EQ: Warm Harman with Elevated Upper Mid
TONE: Warm Neutral
BASS PROFILE:
Rita has a fun outlook yet maintains its boundary with the technical aspects which is quite rare to see in the headphones under 100 USD. Bass in general feels authoritative with good impact that resonates well throughout the presentation. They are on the precise side, displaying proper attack and decay that doesn’t smudges the other frequencies. The rumbles are called upon whenever the track calls leaving enough room for fun.
The bouncy bass profile might appear too thick in some instances, but this doesn’t interrupt the mid-section noticeably.
MID PROFILE:
The intimate mid-section brings the vocals forward giving space for the background instruments to spread out without congestion. This brings the engagement factor on to the table allowing Rita to represent itself as a versatile tool. The warmth gives the lower mid-section enough body to sound fuller. The dark tint out of the box got erased after elevating the upper mid through EQ giving Rita enough liveliness.
TREBLE PROFILE:
The treble extension is kept under control without losing out much on the details. The smoother elevation with adequate brightness and vividness brings a lot on to the table. Timbre is kept natural and that’s clearly seen with the cymbal and trumpet’s attack. Expecting shimmer and extreme detail retrieval from a headphone for this price is a crime!
TECHNICAL ASPECTS:
STAGING: Sense of width is clearly noticeable through its expansive presentation. Restriction can be seen with its height and that’s quite agreeable comparing the competitors in its segment.
IMAGING AND LAYERING: The notes are precisely locked onto their places with great positional accuracy. The notes with varying weights are brought out well without smudging each other. The depth in the presentation of Rita is applaudable, showcasing deeper bass notes with overlying high-pitched cymbals in ease.
Overall, RITA, the VALUE POWERHOUSE, shook the budget headphone game under 100 USD and adds as a valuable possession in one’s collection.
POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES:
Pros:
- Warm Neutral Tone with Natural Timbre
- Fuller bass, Intimate mid-section and Smoother Treble
- Customizable EQ Support (App Support)
- Ergonomic Construction
- Value Proposition
- Applaudable ANC, Transparency and Microphone
- Strong Battery Life
Cons:
- Fixed Ear pads
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