Sony XBA-H1 and XBA-H3 Hybrid Dynamic and BA IEM
Dec 9, 2013 at 1:57 AM Post #1,216 of 3,257
 
 
H3 graph. The bass is actually a bit tighter than the H2s, but looser than the H1s. So, I'll say the H1 has the best bass balance, though likely the H3 has better depth due to driver size and probably balances better when vent modded. Treble and midrange balance are pretty similar between all 3 except the H3 has much more treble bandwidth/airyness as expected. 

Could you please post the link? As per today I can only find the H1 and H2 measurenments on that site.
Found it myself on the Korean site:
http://ko.goldenears.net/board/3991032#34
 
Dec 9, 2013 at 3:37 AM Post #1,217 of 3,257
I think the innards tell the story. An acme 9mm single driver/ single ba, verses liquid polymer 16mm driver and two ba's.


The bigger dynamic driver and the fact that it has more drivers only tells you that it has potentially more bandwidth. Now check out the ASG2, it has a 15mm driver and 2 BAs yet the bass doesn't reach as low as the H1 or treble extend as much as the H1. The H3 does have more bandwidth but in stock form it's very slightly less balanced.

Link: http://goldenears.net/board/index.php?mid=GR_Earphones&document_srl=3991032
 
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:43 PM Post #1,220 of 3,257
  Have some time to kill, will go to Sogo taipei where they had the H3's on demo. Will bring my XBA-3SL for a comparison. report later

 
That'll be an interesting comparison. 'looking forward to it...
 
Dec 10, 2013 at 10:24 AM Post #1,221 of 3,257
OK tried both XBA-3SL and the H3 with my iPhone 5. The bottom end of the H3 does extend more and is fuller, but not by much, it is noticeable though. The top end? I think for listening the H3 is a tad smoother and sweeter on the top end, but the stereo imaging is better with the XBA-3SL, and noticeably  better to. Paul Simon's 50 ways .... the reverb trails are more noticeable and better separated in XBA-3SL than the H3. The H3s are a bit difficult to put on as there is some stiff shrink wrap that is supposed to loop over ear, I found it stiff... also it is a lot bigger and probably cannot be reshelled. I'll reshell the XBA-3SL s for live music usage, but the H3s are better listening earbuds, the separation is adequate and when enjoying music you won't be able to compare. With some tracks the top end of the XBA-3Ls can be a little bit ringy, tested several tracks with prominent Hi hats.... but then I was on my iPhone. If I had my digital converters and my studio set up other differences might show up. 
 
Dec 10, 2013 at 4:49 PM Post #1,222 of 3,257
Thanks for that Leftyray, The H3's might need a little more power and I find they improve after 40 hrs burn in. I did my review after 70 hrs.  Nice to see the XBA 3 can still cut it, despite the metallic's.. 
 
Dec 10, 2013 at 6:57 PM Post #1,223 of 3,257
So I have my XBA-H3 for some time now. They are growing on me. I only play AAC files @ 320 Kbit/s VBR created from CD with Itunes. These are fed from my Ipod Classic 120 GB or the Sony NWZ-A845. I use the large hybrid tips without foam. The foam tips do not provide a good seal for me.
 
They are very engaging in-ears. Yes they have a pronounced bass. The bass is never inexact, nor is it overwhelming. It is just the level that I like. They are on par with my Signature PRO cans concerning bass. The Signature DJ bass is much more pronounced. The bass seems to reach very deep, when the record provides it. They have good and fast mids and treble without ever being sibilant. The bass does not overshadow the mids. The mids are not recessed. The sound stage is big and out of the head with good instrument separation. Compared directly the MBR EX-1000 sound a little anemic. The XBA-H3 is not neutral, but far from being colored.
 
The XBA-H3 benefits a lot from being amped with either the Meier Stepdance or the FIIO E12. Both set to zero gain. The E12 is a little louder, the Stepdance is a tad more controlled. But the more hours the E12 performes, the closer the gap gets. Both amps are hiss free when coupled with the XBA-H3.
 
The fit is the same as the MBR EX-1000. The latter are much smaller and I like the EX-1000 cable more. The new flat cable construction of the XBA-H3 has a small amount of cable noise on a very low level, whereas the EX-1000 is nearly cable noise free.
 
Highly recommended!
 
Dec 12, 2013 at 10:44 PM Post #1,225 of 3,257
So I finally decided on these after going through many threads for similarly priced iems lol

Westone 3 at the discounted price on Amazon seemed a good deal but it looks like people are receiving refurbs or something

Did any of you guys get it for less than $290(usd)? That's the best I've found so far!
 
Dec 13, 2013 at 5:46 PM Post #1,226 of 3,257
I'm new to the whole audio systems. I am just learning the facts and the values etc. But I enjoy music very much and always like to listen best quality as possible that I can afford. I used to have Klipsch S4a and used it with my Android device (LG G2). Now I decided to upgrade my earphone and decided to go with Sony XBA H1.
 
I noticed FiiO E6 and people seems to have a good impression about it. If it improves with the quality of the music why not. But I'm not sure if it will work with my LG G2 - Sony XBA H1. Even if it works does it makes any difference? I also have Sony NWZ-B173F​ which I use as well 
 
I listen to most genres like POP, Rock, hip-hop, Easy Listens, Country and so on. I'm not a hard core base head but I enjoy them. I used to listen to Metallica, Linkin Park, Sting, Ramstein, Enya, The Script some of the Top 40's mostly in FLAC format sometime in mp3 320kbps.
 
I hope someone can help his newbie out. 
 
Dec 13, 2013 at 7:12 PM Post #1,227 of 3,257
If you are looking for the best quality, then a device like the Fiio E6 is not good enough. If you want better quality you might want to lisen to your music from a decent DAP and not from you smart phone. I have the Galaxy Note 1 and as much as I like the device, it is not my choice for music reproduction. And you know, garbage in, garbage out... An amp can only work with the signal that you feed him. And the Sony NWZ-B173F​ might be better than the LG, but Sony can do better for you for sure.
 
Dec 13, 2013 at 7:32 PM Post #1,228 of 3,257
  And the Sony NWZ-B173F​ might be better than the LG, but Sony can do better for you for sure.

 
You know what, dfkt measured both my cheap NWZ-B143 and expensive NWZ-A845 some time ago. Guess which one has better audio quality?
wink.gif
 
 
Dec 13, 2013 at 10:51 PM Post #1,229 of 3,257
  I noticed FiiO E6 and people seems to have a good impression about it. If it improves with the quality of the music why not. But I'm not sure if it will work with my LG G2 - Sony XBA H1. Even if it works does it makes any difference? I also have Sony NWZ-B173F​ which I use as well 
 

 
E6 is just a head phone amplifier so it'll pretty much work with everything that has an AUX out.
 
I don't think it's worth it unless your phone cannot pump out enough volume for the H1s, which I'm sure they will seeing that the G2 had been rated pretty good for sq over in the portable source section. As for sound improvements I don't think you will notice much difference other than higher gain etc lol
 
I have an E17 myself and unless I use USB out from my phone to the E17, there isnt much difference unless I use the additional treble/bass setting on the e17
 
Just save the money of buying the E6 and buy a H3 or something =D
 
Dec 14, 2013 at 4:44 AM Post #1,230 of 3,257

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