XBA-3/ XBA-30 thread.
Feb 9, 2013 at 8:06 AM Post #467 of 1,196
Quote:
I have tried the XBA4 but wasn't impressed by the bass, so I'm wondering if the XBA3 has a better bass sound? I listen to alot of rap and r&B. I'm really trying to decide between this and the JVC FX700.

I have the XBA 3, I think the bass on the XBA 4 is too much and sometime will go out of tuned, as for the XBA 3, it's a very good option, you can also considered the newer version the XBA 30, the differences are the ohms, if you are listening on a system that can push with a high ohm rating, you can stick with the XBA 3, otherwise go for the XBA 30, which also has a better headset cored.
 
Feb 9, 2013 at 10:22 AM Post #468 of 1,196
What didn't impress you, exactly? If you want more bass quantity, the XBA-3 will have less than the 4. Though at this point in time you should check out the new XBA line. The XBA-40's bass is said to sound very club-like and is improved over the 4's.
 
Feb 9, 2013 at 10:26 AM Post #469 of 1,196
@kms108
 
It shows same specifications for both on the official website :
 
Sensitivity 108dB (150mV)
Power Handling Capacity 100mW
Impedance 12ohms at 1kHz
 
Where did you read that?
 
Feb 9, 2013 at 10:45 AM Post #470 of 1,196
Quote:
 
Quote:
I have tried the XBA4 but wasn't impressed by the bass, so I'm wondering if the XBA3 has a better bass sound? I listen to alot of rap and r&B. I'm really trying to decide between this and the JVC FX700.

I have the XBA 3, I think the bass on the XBA 4 is too much and sometime will go out of tuned, as for the XBA 3, it's a very good option, you can also considered the newer version the XBA 30, the differences are the ohms, if you are listening on a system that can push with a high ohm rating, you can stick with the XBA 3, otherwise go for the XBA 30, which also has a better headset cored.

I disagree with kms108. The XBA 4 has good bass, better than that of XBA 3 (and I'm guessing, XBA 30). If ronaldo7messi10 was unsatisfied with the bass on XBA 4, I highly doubt that he'll like the XBA 3 better (unless his problem with the bass was that there's too much of it).  Also, while I think that the XBA 3 is a versatile iem, it's far from ideal for genres like rap. I can't comment on the JVC FX700 because I haven't tried them, but I will definitely not recommend the XBA 3 to kms108. Although like kms108, I feel some post-purchase rationalization too... But if you're unsatisfied by XBA 4's bass, the XBA 3s are not gonna do better. 
Look at something like Sennheiser ie8/ie80 or Yamaha EPH-100sl. While I haven't tried either of those (and thus can't comment on their sound), they have been described on this website by others to have a more emphasized and still tight bass. In fact, I think dynamic driver iems would be a safer bet for you.
 
Feb 9, 2013 at 11:51 AM Post #471 of 1,196
Quote:
I have tried the XBA4 but wasn't impressed by the bass, so I'm wondering if the XBA3 has a better bass sound? I listen to alot of rap and r&B. I'm really trying to decide between this and the JVC FX700.


The XBA-40 has more, fuller, and better bass than the xba-4, or xba-3/30.
 
If you are looking for bass slam, that doesn't kill the mids but is still forceful, and that club sound coming through your ears, than the 40's will do it for you.
 
Feb 19, 2013 at 4:09 AM Post #473 of 1,196
I've had the XBA-30 for a few days now.. I'll have some thoughts up soon, but so far, I'm very impressed.  They compare quite favorably with my favorite universal IEMs under $500 (GR07 MKII & BA200).  I've never heard any of the other XBA series phones (new or revised) so I can't provide comparisons there.. but what I can say is that the XBA-30's treble sound quite well controlled to my ears.. it's got nice sparkle & air.. but remains smooth.. no obtuse spike in the 3-6K "sibilant" range.
 
Feb 19, 2013 at 4:40 AM Post #474 of 1,196
I've had the XBA-30 for a few days now.. I'll have some thoughts up soon, but so far, I've very impressed.  They compare quite favorable with my favorite universal IEMs under $500 (GR07 MKII & BA200).  I've never heard any of the XBA series phones (new or revised) so I can't provide comparisons there.. but what I can say is that the XBA-30's treble sound quite well controlled to my ears.. it's got nice sparkle & air.. but remains smooth.. no obtuse spike in the 3-6K "sibilant" range.


Exactly the upgrade I've been waiting for! Just waiting for the price to go down a bit... Or maybe I should sell my XBA3...
 
Feb 19, 2013 at 10:35 AM Post #475 of 1,196
Quote:
I've had the XBA-30 for a few days now.. I'll have some thoughts up soon, but so far, I'm very impressed.  They compare quite favorably with my favorite universal IEMs under $500 (GR07 MKII & BA200).  I've never heard any of the other XBA series phones (new or revised) so I can't provide comparisons there.. but what I can say is that the XBA-30's treble sound quite well controlled to my ears.. it's got nice sparkle & air.. but remains smooth.. no obtuse spike in the 3-6K "sibilant" range.

 
Any comments about the bass? The only comparison that I've seen between the XBA-3 and the XBA-30s was a ever so slight toning down of bass...
 
Feb 19, 2013 at 12:07 PM Post #476 of 1,196
Quote:
 
Any comments about the bass? The only comparison that I've seen between the XBA-3 and the XBA-30s was a ever so slight toning down of bass...

 
I hope they didn't alter the lower frequencies because the bass on the XBA 3 is already pretty good!
 
Feb 19, 2013 at 12:24 PM Post #477 of 1,196
Might sell my XBA-3. They don't compare too well to my Phonaks or IE80, at least to my taste. The treble is just too harsh and metallic. I need to give the new XBA-30 a try.
 
Feb 19, 2013 at 1:07 PM Post #478 of 1,196
Quote:
 
I hope they didn't alter the lower frequencies because the bass on the XBA 3 is already pretty good!

 
I wholeheartedly agree.
 
What I'm expecting from the XBA-30
 
-No metallic tinge
-Refined bass
-Smoother treble (no more harshness)
-Better soundstage/imaging
 
Here is a comparison from the XBA-4 to the XBA-40
http://www.head-fi.org/t/641530/sony-xba-4-vs-new-xba-40/15#post_9068243
 
 
I guess the extra 4 Ohms and PCOCC cable would make a difference 
 
Feb 19, 2013 at 2:28 PM Post #479 of 1,196
I wholeheartedly agree.

What I'm expecting from the XBA-30

-No metallic tinge
-Refined bass
-Smoother treble (no more harshness)
-Better soundstage/imaging


^ this would make the xba 30 the IEM to beat!
 
Feb 19, 2013 at 4:03 PM Post #480 of 1,196
Quote:
I've had the XBA-30 for a few days now.. I'll have some thoughts up soon, but so far, I'm very impressed.  They compare quite favorably with my favorite universal IEMs under $500 (GR07 MKII & BA200).  I've never heard any of the other XBA series phones (new or revised) so I can't provide comparisons there.. but what I can say is that the XBA-30's treble sound quite well controlled to my ears.. it's got nice sparkle & air.. but remains smooth.. no obtuse spike in the 3-6K "sibilant" range.

 
+1. The XBA-30s are my favorite universals. They strike a great balance between color and accuracy. The sound is so smooth and lively, but still very refined. The resolution is just fantastic and the details are all there.
 
 
Quote:
 
Any comments about the bass? The only comparison that I've seen between the XBA-3 and the XBA-30s was a ever so slight toning down of bass...

 
I heard from several sources that the bass is improved on all the new XBA. The 30s are more full and robust than the 3s. The low end sounds dynamic-like to me.
 

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