Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Sony MDR-1RBT or XBA-40??
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Sony MDR-1RBT or XBA-40??

post #1 of 6
2/3/13 at 1:35am
Thread Starter 

I'm kinda new to here, so if possible, please don't use technical terms .... Thanks in advance beerchug.gif

 

 

 

I've been trying to buy a new headphone for my new phone (which I haven't bought yet, but probably it will be the Xperia Z), and I was stuck between the in-ear earphone XBA-40 or the over-ear, wireless headphone MDR-1RBT.

 

And yes, I'm a Sony fanboy.

Originally I want to buy xba-4 as many sites say that xba-4 sounds good, but then Sony released the newer xba-40. From what I read in this forum, xba-40 sounds better than the xba-4.

 

What got my eyes with the MDR-1RBT is its design and the wireless function, and studio quality sound. At first I also considered the noise-canceling version MDR-1RNC. Although most says the sound and the noise canceling function is good, some also says that it hisses in quite environment.

 

I usually listen to pop and rock music, instrumentals (mostly game or movie soundtracks), and some classical musics.

 

Could you tell me which one I should buy? Or any other recommendations (price range 300~500 USD)? 

 

Thx a lot beyersmile.png

 

 

p.s.

 

I'm studying in China now, so I'm buying my headphone there. The thing is, the pricing is different than in USA. If the item is sold by official seller + made in China, it's usually cheaper than in USA (MDR-1RNC for 2300 yuan in Sony Store - about 380 USD), but if it's not meant to be sold in China, like it has to be imported in small quantity, it's ridiculously expensive (MDR-X10 for around 3000 yuan - or almost 500 USD).

Reply

Head-Fi's Best Sellers

post #2 of 6
2/3/13 at 5:03am
Hi!

Personally, I own the XBA-4 & tried the MDR-1R. Both are excellent headphone but the XBA-4 is very picky in source and so do XBA-40. I am not sure if the Xperia Z will play well as I tried pair it with iClassic 80GB, there's quite a lot of sibilance & I almost got my volume max. Do note that, I don't play loud, usually at max 5% of the volume bar on my iPhone Original. With iPhone Original( I still keep it and use it as my DAP biggrin.gif ), I just like how smooth things sound and it plays pretty loud! With iPad2, although it didn't play as loud as iPhone Original but it sound really really good! With iBasso D7, it give in too much bass for my taste. Overall, I find it sound best with pop, rocks, classical, acounstic because of it's ted metallic sound. If probably drived, I much prefer this over MDR-1R.

As for MDR-1R, driving straight out of my iPad2, it sound smooth with Justin Timberlake songs. To my memory, XBA-4 have better details and soundstage than 1R.

Another thing to note is that, XBA-4/40 are massive! Not ears size are suitable but it should fit in most ears! Hope this help!

Billson smily_headphones1.gif
Reply
post #3 of 6
2/3/13 at 7:36am
Thread Starter 

Thanks a lot for the reply :D

I've seen the XBA-4 in Sony store, and I agree with you that it is rather large and probably looks ridiculous to have large thingy dangling out of your ear.

 

After I read your comment, I got even more confused tongue_smile.gif Because I like to hear the details of my musics, but I also like to hear the 'thump' on my ear. Plus, I really love the design of MDR-1R series

Reply
post #4 of 6
2/3/13 at 10:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nyxstef View Post

Thanks a lot for the reply biggrin.gif


I've seen the XBA-4 in Sony store, and I agree with you that it is rather large and probably looks ridiculous to have large thingy dangling out of your ear.

After I read your comment, I got even more confused tongue_smile.gif
 Because I like to hear the details of my musics, but I also like to hear the 'thump' on my ear. Plus, I really love the design of MDR-1R series

If that's the case go for XBA-4 with an amp. The E6 should be good enough or even better, the D-Zero that are highly recommended for low impedance IEMs. If carrying an amp is impossible for you, then I would recommend you to go for Sennheiser Momentum. Good sense of "thumbs", it looks good to me and as for details, better than MDR-1R a little but less than XBA-4 to me. However, I have issue with Momentum's fitting. It's rather a on-ear instead of over-ear due to my big ears... Just my 2cents smily_headphones1.gif
Reply
post #5 of 6
2/8/13 at 2:32pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BillsonChang007 View Post


If that's the case go for XBA-4 with an amp. The E6 should be good enough or even better, the D-Zero that are highly recommended for low impedance IEMs. If carrying an amp is impossible for you, then I would recommend you to go for Sennheiser Momentum. Good sense of "thumbs", it looks good to me and as for details, better than MDR-1R a little but less than XBA-4 to me. However, I have issue with Momentum's fitting. It's rather a on-ear instead of over-ear due to my big ears... Just my 2cents smily_headphones1.gif

Thanks man :D

Now I'm browsing for a good amp. Is using amp too much for MDR-1R / Sennseiser Momentum headphones?

Reply
post #6 of 6
2/9/13 at 8:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nyxstef View Post

Thanks man :D

Now I'm browsing for a good amp. Is using amp too much for MDR-1R / Sennseiser Momentum headphones?

Not sure about that but I heard Momentums really shine with an amp. Have a look a FiiO or iBasso for budget amp :) hope this help! 

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphones (full-size)

Head-Fi's Best Sellers

Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Sony MDR-1RBT or XBA-40??