Sony XBA Series Review and Comparison (XBA-1, 2, 3, 4) - Page 8

How do the XBA-1's compare to the Hifiman re-262?

I had both at the same time and over all the RE262 is quite a bit better imo.  The RE262 has more over all detail in the mids which are very good and the soundstage along with the imaging and separation are also better.  The XBA-1 is a nice warm and smooth IEM for the price but now that the RE262 is $120 that's a much better deal imo.

Great Thanks!

I can't comment on XBA-1 but I do have the XBA-10. Been using them for a few weeks now, previously I had been using the stock MDR-NC020 headphones that came with the Sony X1060 MP3 player for at least 2 years now - they still work but I had a friend visiting Japan so I thought I'd try out the XBA-10 to see how it compares.

 

First thing I noticed was that the cord was Y-shape and not J-shape like the XBA-1, its a good cord that can be untangled easily.

 

I'm no expert, also I've only just signed up as a user to this forum.. mids and highs are nice but there is little low end bass regardless of what size tip I tried. The sound feels natural, comfortable but lacks the warmth of sound I get from the MDR-NC020. For 6000 yen they are good and feel like they will last a long time.

I have the XBA-2ip that I purchased 4 weeks ago, and now I have the opportunity to grab the XBA-3ip for even less cost of what I paid for the xba-2ip (I can get the xba-3ip for USD$100). I like the XBA-2ip is some sense but not in others so i wonder if you can advise me on the rationale to upgrade and get the XBA-3ip.

 

Things I like of the XBA-2ip

• Very good clarity
• Reasonable soundstage, and good instrument separation
• Good mids albeit I find the voices a bit "unnatural"
• Good highs but somethings a bit to edgy
• Very comfortable, good fit for my ears

 

Things I would expect the XBA-3ip to improve to justify the upgrade

• More body in the sound, the XBA-2 sounds a bit too thin, perhaps sounds a bit too bright and I would like a bit more warmth without losing clarity
• More bass presence
• Better defined highs, not so edgy
• Similar comfort
• Perhaps wider soundstage, and perhaps better intrument separation (albeit I am fine on this with the XBA-2)

 

Anyway, please let me know if the jump from the XBA-2 to the XBA-3 would improve the sounds in these areas.

 

Thanks indeed.

Yesterday I got the XBA-4 (for very cheap $1424 mexican pesos, something like $115 US Dollars) and I got to say that I like the XBA-1 the best, I would be very mad if I had paid the original MSRP (like $3799 mexican pesos or more than $300 US Dollars). The XBA-1 sound louder and they fit better, thus better sound and isolation. I bought the XBA-3 directly from Sony Mexico on December and still haven't got them (actually paid more for the XBA-3, like $120 US dollars). Hope those are better than the 4s and 1s.

Just got my XBA-3. Will be testing over the next week and giving some feedback soon after that. They weren't exactly what I was wanting, but I couldn't pass them up for $59. New toys make me excited!

At the prices people are picking these up at, I would say the XBA line is amazing value.  I got my XBA-3 for $99 and can't complain one bit from a price/performance perspective.

Hey, first post here, been lurking a while looking for opinions on some relatively cheap IEMs and wanted to mention I just picked up a pair of XBA-1s at my local Target on clearance for <$25! I gave them a test right out of the box and must say I'm very pleased with them, especially at such a great price. I'm giving them a burn-in now and look forward to hearing how they come out.

I can't comment on the 2s, but the 3s are to me, exactly what you're predicting. I've had my share of IEMs to go on and the 3s are a great value for the amount of detail you get. The mids and highs seem a little more aggressive to me, but they're also the clearest I've heard in a non $300+ iem. The stage is a little wider than average, however, instrument separation is quite nice. I'm not blown away by the bass, at least not in terms of quantity. What IS there is quite controlled and balanced, and I'm thinking some portable amp love may put the perfect bump in my proverbial trunk. Cheers!