SONY XBA-4 vs new XBA-40?

Not that I know of, simply cosmetic change and something to the cable...
 

I didn't manage to try the sound but I have had heard some head-fier who is fortunate enough to audition it said that the sound are much clearer compared to XBA-4

Speaking from a owner of XBA-4. I would like to let you know what, the highs can be metallic at high volume & I would highly recommend using it with a source with output impedance lower than 1. XBA-4 is a very picky source.

It's just cosmetic changes, ill post data later on.

As I read before ordering my XBA-4 its appearance and cable changes, but for me the drivers remains the same.

XBA-4 :
Type : Quad-balanced armature type sealed
Sensitivity : 108dB
Playback frequency band : 3-28,000 Hz
Impedance : 8 Ω
Maximum input : 100mW
Cord length : Ritz 0.6m OFC wire (neck chain)
Input Plug : Fri-lated stereo mini plug
Mass : About 8g

XBA-40 :
Type: Sealed Quad Balanced Armature type
Driver Unit: Quad Balanced Armature
Sensitivity: 108dB
Frequency Response: 3-28,000 Hz
Impedance: 8 Ω
Output sound pressure level (sensitivity): 100mW
Cord length: 1.2m PC-OCC Cord
Plug: L type stereo mini plug (gold plated)
Weight: 8g

Edited by Migou67 - 12/26/12 at 1:02am

In the latest specifications from Sony, they show that the XBA-40 have a different impedance at 12 ohms !

 

Type	Closed, Quad Balanced Armature

Driver Unit	Quad Balanced Armature

Sensitivity	108 dB**

Power Handling Capacity	100 mW (IEC*)

Impedance	12 Ω at 1 kHz

Frequency Response	4 Hz – 25,000 Hz

Cord	PCOCC (Y-type)

Cord Length	1.2 m

Plug	Gold-plated L-shaped stereo mini plug

Weight (Without Cord)	Approx. 8 g (without cord)

Supplied Accessories	Hybrid silicone rubber earbuds* (SSx2, Sx2, MSx2, Mx2, MLx2, Lx2, LLx2), Noise isolation earbuds** (Sx2, Mx2, Lx2), Cord Adjuster (winds cord up to 50cm) x 1, Clip x 1, Carrying Pouch x 1

Edited by Migou67 - 12/26/12 at 1:13am

Which means that XBA-40 won't be as picky of the source as the XBA-4?

Hope so it will be the case, the XBA-4 are good IEM when correctly feeded

It's not picky of source because of it's low impedance, that's only part of the story. It's impedance phase has a pattern. If these new ones indeed have more resistance, it means it has a bit less bass and more treble. I know this because I know the pattern it follows. 

 

The other XBA series are likely about the same in their new versions. See this for the XBA1 and XBA10 comparison. As shown, pretty much the same...

 

 

Edited by Inks - 12/27/12 at 6:34pm

Yes its only a part of the story, I have used the XBA-4 on the F807 with an impedance of 16 3-4 ohms and in the iBasso D7 with less than 1 ohm of impedance, not so much differences to listen, both drive well the 8 ohms of the XBA-4.

Edited by Migou67 - 1/29/13 at 9:32am

The higher impedance XBA3, 2 and 1 change just as much with more impedance by it's source. That's because their impedance curves are about the same. 

I've been meaning to get these, so have been looking up for specs in the various websites.
It seems that the different regions specified different impedance for them:
Sony Asia Pacific / Singapore / Malaysia - 12 ohms
Sony Japan / Hong Kong - 8 ohms
Sony China - 16 ohms

They could be any impedance depending on what frequency they decide to measure at. I doubt it's changed and these were actually about 7 ohms below 100hz. Cable looks different.

Edited by goodvibes - 12/29/12 at 7:27am