[Meth]

Feel free to share your experience with the Sony-XBA A3  

 

 
 

Features

1. • High-Resolution Audio HD Hybrid 3-way driver system
2.  
3. • Linear drive Balanced Armature driver HD super tweeter
4.  
5. • 16mm Liquid Crystal Polymer diaphragm dynamic driver
6.  
7. • Enjoy radiant highs and deep bass

Sourced: http://www.sony-asia.com/local/product/XBA-A3

 

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Update: 2 January, 2016 (+8 GMT)

To be updated..
 
 
Unboxing Video: Skip to 2:00 for the unboxing 

 

 
 
Full Product Specifications and Features:
http://www.sony.com.sg/electronics/hd-headphones/xba-a3/specifications#specifications

Amazon Reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-sealed-inner-receiver-XBA-A3/product-reviews/B00NW35A98/ref=cm_cr_dp_see_all_btm?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending
 
Japan Amazon Reviews: - Require Google Webpage Translate
http://www.amazon.co.jp/product-reviews/B00NW35A98/ref=cm_cr_dp_see_all_btm?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

Comparison A3 and Z5(by Lachlan):
http://www.lachlanlikesathing.com/2015/01/thoughts-on-sony-xba-z5-vs-xba-a3.html 
 
Head-Fi Review(by gerelmx1986):
http://www.head-fi.org/products/sony-xba-a3/reviews/14327

Overview in Russian - You can use Google's Webpage Translate (Review by Doctorhead):
https://doctorhead.ru/overviews/168710/
 

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Golden Ears Measured Data:
 
1. Frequency Response
 
 
2. Step Response

 
3. Impulse Response

 
4. Cumulative Spectral Decay

 
5. Impedance & Phase

Data Sourced: http://ko.goldenears.net/board/5388000 (Credits)
 

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Official Upgrade Cables Available:
 

 
MUC-S12SM1 Stereo Mini 1.2m Single-sided Cable
Specifications: http://www.sony-asia.com/electronics/headphone-accessories/muc-s12sm1
 

 
Wireless Bluetooth Audio MMCX (Transforming your XBA in-ear into a wireless headset)
Speficications: http://www.sony-asia.com/local/product/muc-m1bt1

 

[Rodmunch]

Here are some of my impressions:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/748846/sony-xba-a2-need-help-opinion/180#post_12169180
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/748846/sony-xba-a2-need-help-opinion/195#post_12171119
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/748846/sony-xba-a2-need-help-opinion/195#post_12198904

 

[cuiter23]

The A3 is one of the most underrated IEMs on Head-Fi. Wish more people are recognizing them. IMO they compete with IEMs in the $1k range.

 

[Meth]

  The A3 is one of the most underrated IEMs on Head-Fi. Wish more people are recognizing them. IMO they compete with IEMs in the $1k range.

 
Yeah man :/ I feel that it's a hidden gem. Apparently there's people selling these 2nd-handed at lower rates at around $180(USD). I think for the price, it fares really well for those with budget under $200(USD). It just sound so great with EDM and Classical music. Worth considering over among IEMs like the Fidue A83, DN-2000 and ER4P-T.

 

[Meth]

  Here are some of my impressions:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/748846/sony-xba-a2-need-help-opinion/180#post_12169180
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/748846/sony-xba-a2-need-help-opinion/195#post_12171119
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/748846/sony-xba-a2-need-help-opinion/195#post_12198904

 
Nice impressions! Was also considering the A2 but it's just love at first sight with the A3 for me haha!

 

[Meth]

Just ordered a Stranded Litz Copper Custom-Made Cable to pair with my XBA-A3 & DX80. Will do some sharing upon receiving it.

 

[nekromantik]

Do people think for trance music these better choice over the Fidue A83?
Upgrade over A73?
On ebay I can get these for £200 shipped from japan.

 

[Meth]

  Do people think for trance music these better choice over the Fidue A83?
Upgrade over A73?
On ebay I can get these for £200 shipped from japan.

 
If you're talking about Trance/Electronic related, definitely. Also, Afrojack & Kygo Albums sounds amazing with it, 2 which I really enjoy with (Afrojack, Spree Wilson - The Spark ft. Spree Wilson, Kygo - Stay ft. Maty Noyes). It also sounds great with POP too, but edm is just amazing.
 
After listening to it for over a good month, I feel that the large Sound-stage, coupled with a tight bass, and sparkly highs is what contributes to the amazingly paring with EDM/Trance/Tech music. I believe A83 is more towards reference sounding, whereas A3 is more of a bassy IEM, so the A3 bass would probably satisfy you more if you're leaning towards trance/electronics.

 

[nekromantik]

   
If you're talking about Trance/Electronic related, definitely. Also, Afrojack & Kygo Albums sounds amazing with it, 2 which I really enjoy with (Afrojack, Spree Wilson - The Spark ft. Spree Wilson, Kygo - Stay ft. Maty Noyes). It also sounds great with POP too, but edm is just amazing.
 
After listening to it for over a good month, I feel that the large Sound-stage, coupled with a tight bass, and sparkly highs is what contributes to the amazingly paring with EDM/Trance/Tech music. For the Bass I believe A83 is more towards refrence, A3's bass would probably satisfy you more if you're going towards trance/electronics etc.
 
 
P.s One thing I notice though, I don't quite enjoy certain elec/dup music that's recorded too over-crowdingly with the XBA-A3. As it may sounds a little messy. Quiet and precise, dark, clean recorded bass with good amount of space sounds best with it. Which may also be the reason why classical sound so good with these.

Thanks.
I think im little confused as in your post you said "If you're talking about Trance/Electronic related, definitely." and then later you said "For the Bass I believe A83 is more towards refrence, A3's bass would probably satisfy you more if you're going towards trance/electronics etc"
So for trance you think A83 better or A3?

 

[Meth]

  Thanks.
I think im little confused as in your post you said "If you're talking about Trance/Electronic related, definitely." and then later you said "For the Bass I believe A83 is more towards refrence, A3's bass would probably satisfy you more if you're going towards trance/electronics etc"
So for trance you think A83 better or A3?

 
My bad, it's being edited

 

[nekromantik]

 Thanks.
I think im little confused as in your post you said "If you're talking about Trance/Electronic related, definitely." and then later you said "For the Bass I believe A83 is more towards refrence, A3's bass would probably satisfy you more if you're going towards trance/electronics etc"
So for trance you think A83 better or A3?

 
My bad, it's being edited

Thanks

 

[Meth]

Just received my Custom Cable for my XBA-A3 yesterday and did some testing. Here's the result.
 





4-Braided Litz Copper Custom Cable
 
First of all, I think the biggest point goes to the looks and feel of this cable. Material feels much more solid and sturdy. (Also, no more black alien-looking tube sticking out of the ear!) I really like how Sony implement the over-the-ear hook for the comfort-fitting and also the non-tangle cable but the material feels a little cheap, lengthy, and the hook looks sort of weird.
 
Without the stock hooks now, I can store the IEM effortlessly without bending the hooks accidentally(which can get messy). Bought myself a 3rd Party Over-The-Ear Guide and it works like a charm. For the fitting I think both stands on equal term, equally comfortable(as if nothing's there). Sony's really done a great job with the over-the-ear hooks fitting and comfort I have to say.
 
Sound quality, yes! To my ears, the sound opens up even more now. Sound-stage feels bigger, airier, and also slightly better detailing. Overall experience is somewhat more smoother, relaxed and pleasant to listen to.

 

[nekromantik]

Cable looks good.
 
Its a shame many people dont have this, as I am looking for comparison with LZ A2 and Trinity Delta.

 

[omastic]

It is good to see an appreciation thread for the A3 finally. They are horribly underrated around here which is surprising as I found them to be better than the Z5 as well as a lot of other earphones in this price range. This and the FLC8s are 2 real gems which I think punches way above their price tag when it comes to performance. 
 
Enjoy!

 

[cuiter23]

  Just received my Custom Cable for my XBA-A3 yesterday and did some testing. Here's the result.
 





4-Braided Litz Copper Custom Cable
 
First of all, I think the biggest point goes to the looks and feel of this cable. Material feels much more solid and sturdy. (Also, no more black alien-looking tube sticking out of the ear!) I really like how Sony implement the over-the-ear hook for the comfort-fitting and also the non-tangle cable but the material feels a little cheap, lengthy, and the hook looks sort of weird.
 
Without the stock hooks now, I can store the IEM effortlessly without bending the hooks accidentally(which can get messy). Bought myself a 3rd Party Over-The-Ear Guide and it works like a charm. For the fitting I think both stands on equal term, equally comfortable(as if nothing's there). Sony's really done a great job with the over-the-ear hooks fitting and comfort I have to say.
 
Sound quality, yes! To my ears, the sound opens up even more now. Sound-stage feels bigger, airier, and also slightly better detailing. Overall experience is somewhat more smoother, relaxed and pleasant to listen to.

Nice looking cable. Did you use the stock Sony connectors? Aftermarket mmcx connectors that don't have the two grooves are guaranteed to cause connection failure with the iem. Many people have experienced this.
 
The safest way to upgrade cable is Sony's own MUC upgrade cable. Its 8-braid cable with the 2 grooves on the connectors.