[arnaud]

x-post from the impressions thread of Tokyo 2011 Fall Headphone Festival ( http://www.head-fi.org/t/577893/tokyo-japan-meet-at-the-fujiyaavic-2011-autumn-headphone-impressions/15#post_7857306 ):
 
 
 
Sony - new Balanced Armatures i.e.m's:

1. Really, I didn't expect anything here either (info here:               Sony Balanced Armature       ).
2. It just happened that one Sony staff managed to get me to try a unit. If I understood right, I actually talked to one of the engineers behind the new BA products (Tsunoda-san), which I found was really cool as I thought Sony was just sending "sales" staff to the booth.
3. Even more cool is the fact that Tsunoda-san knew about head-fi and asked me where I "bought my head-fi t-shirt" . Jude, you'll need to send Tsunoda-san a t-shirt I think .
4. I first listened to the 2 driver unit (XBA-2SL, JPY18,375 MSRP) and found it very smooth but maybe a bit rolled off. Midrange and bass were very clean and well balanced. I found it very natural sounding and close to my ideal for iem sound.
5. I then listened to the 3 driver unit (XBA-3SL, JPY24,675 MSRP). The feeling of treble roll-off was replaced by something very extended up top with lots of sparkle. It maybe a little bit forward in the high treble range but I didn't have enough time to clarify.
6. The comfort was good. I have tiny ear canal and the smallest tip ensured a proper seal without hurting. Would need to see after couple of hours but initial feeling was good.
7. I'll have to spend more time with it to reserve judgement, but I have a feeling the XBA-3SL will be replacing my shure SE-315 in the near future.
8. Actually, this may sound crazy but this is the item I liked the most with the V-Moda M-80 from all the things I sampled at the show (I liked it better than JH Audio 13's but this is likely due to a sealing problem with the non-custom demo).
9. I have a suspicion this new BA line from Sony is going to make a serious dent in the competition at and above its price range. Sony has the resources to make good products and they are big enough a company to be able to price it aggressively. So, this is all a very good news for us headphone enthusiasts!!
10.  

 

[kiteki]

 

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SONY 密閉型インナーイヤーレシーバー XBA-3IP XBA-3IP

by ソニー
Like 1320411887 false 0 0 0 0 (0)

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List Price: ￥ 25,935 Price: [size=small]￥ 18,907 [/size]& eligible for Free Shipping. Details You Save: ￥ 7,028 (27%)   「予約商品の価格保証」対象商品。 Learn more.   o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o

This item will be released on November 10, 2011. Click here for details of availability. Pre-order now! Ships from and sold by Amazon.co.jp. Gift-wrap available.

[size=xx-small]2 new[/size][size=xx-small] from ￥ 18,907[/size]

 

 

[kiteki]

 
Quote:

 

1. I have a suspicion this new BA line from Sony is going to make a serious dent in the competition at and above its price range. Sony has the resources to make good products and they are big enough a company to be able to price it aggressively. So, this is all a very good news for us headphone enthusiasts!!
    

I hope so.
 
The price of the XBA-3 and XBA-4 is very aggressive, compared to other 3 and 4 armature units that currently exist.
 
 

 

[arnaud]

Thanks for the link kitaki. The price is correct (same or similar to Fujiya Avic) but I think they're optimistic on the shipping date. Fujiya (and I believe Sony) says it's pushed back one month to early december. I will buy from Fujiya Avic since I discovered it thanks to their show...

 

[kiteki]

 
Can I buy from Fujiya Avic from overseas?
 

 

[arnaud]

nope, sorry about this....

 

[gaspir324]

For about 190€ the XBA-04 is a bargain. Any news on international release?

 

[RAFA]

Quote:

For about 190€ the XBA-04 is a bargain. Any news on international release?

Wow, dream price. That would be pretty nice and competitive towards Westone 4. Where do you have that information from?

 

[gaspir324]

Its on sale on amazon.co.jp for that price right now

. This is the only reason I'd like to live in Japan. Shame on you Sony for not giving such prices in Europe.
http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%82%BD%E3%83%8B%E3%83%BC-XBA-4SL-SONY-%E5%AF%86%E9%96%89%E5%9E%8B%E3%82%A4%E3%83%B3%E3%83%8A%E3%83%BC%E3%82%A4%E3%83%A4%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AC%E3%82%B7%E3%83%BC%E3%83%90%E3%83%BC/dp/B005OLXB0G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321295856&sr=8-1

 

[RAFA]

Quote:

Its on sale on amazon.co.jp for that price right now

. This is the only reason I'd like to live in Japan. Shame on you Sony for not giving such prices in Europe.
http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%82%BD%E3%83%8B%E3%83%BC-XBA-4SL-SONY-%E5%AF%86%E9%96%89%E5%9E%8B%E3%82%A4%E3%83%B3%E3%83%8A%E3%83%BC%E3%82%A4%E3%83%A4%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AC%E3%82%B7%E3%83%BC%E3%83%90%E3%83%BC/dp/B005OLXB0G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321295856&sr=8-1

FFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

 

[gaspir324]

First I was like:

But then I was like:

"It must be a joke"
Then I looked closer:

"It isn't a joke"
Then I was like:

Then I accepted the facts:

 

 

[RAFA]

A very adequate presentation of the reaction. I felt the same, so I ca tell it is a:

 
To make it understandable to everyone, without reading previous entries:
 
 
 

 
Quote:

First I was like:

But then I was like:

"It must be a joke"
Then I looked closer:

"It isn't a joke"
Then I was like:

Then I accepted the facts:

 

 

 

[gaspir324]

Thank God for 9gag to relieve the pain.
BTW it's meant to be "eF that es" meme on the link but it got censored.

 

[Aevum]

Any japanese head-fi members willing to pick them up for the rest of us.
 
Btw : werent there any services that will buy stuff in japan and mail it out ? or companies like audiocubes which will ship it from japan ?
 
19,000 yen ? thats 180 euros. add shipping and customs and its still cheaper then the SM3v2, W4 or SE535..

 

[arnaud]

Quote:

Any japanese head-fi members willing to pick them up for the rest of us.
 
Btw : werent there any services that will buy stuff in japan and mail it out ? or companies like audiocubes which will ship it from japan ?
 
19,000 yen ? thats 180 euros. add shipping and customs and its still cheaper then the SM3v2, W4 or SE535..

Conversely, the Shure are pretty expensive in Japan and, even though my SE315 is same price as the XBA-3, going from memory the Sony will absolutely kill the Shure in the Low/High extension department. The Shure might still be a bit more coherent across the frequency range but I will only be able to tell after some longer audition. I may be able to go to Sony building in Ginza (a several stories showroom in Tokyo) tomorrow: they have all the prototypes ready to listen to!
 
For the mailing out of stuff, if it was to support a store like Fujiya Avic (XBA-3SL at 17,800JPY, targeted delivery 12/10), I could possibly try to help out with a few pairs (note: EMS/insured only at full retail value, standard padded envelope, would not be taking any responbility for shipping and other damage, no warranty outside Japan, and so on...).