aldownie
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2013
- Posts
- 9
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- 0
Hi all, this is my first post, please be kind!
After reading MANY reviews on this and other sites, I eventually decided to buy a pair of Sony XBA30ip earphones - I wanted best-possible sound quality combined with good quality remote operation of my iPhone. Today they arrived, and I have to say my heart sank when I plugged them in and fired up my best CDs. They sound *rubbish*! Honestly, after reading reviews which described 'huge sounstage' and 'crystal clear detail', I was really looking forward to something spectacular, but rather than feeling like I'm on stage with the performers, it sounds like a cheap transistor radio is playing inside a sealed plastic lunchbox. It's *so* bad I'm wondering if they're fake. I compared them to my pair of Bowers & Wilkins P5 headphones and they're WORLDS apart, but I guess that's like comparing apples to oranges. However, I also have a £20 pair of Sennheiser CX160 earphones which were bought as a temporary measure until I decided on the 'proper' earphones, and they're also MUCH better than the XBA30s. I'm pretty sure I'm not just used to the sound of my other headphones - this isn't just a nuance thing - they really are pretty awful (I've experimented with all the buds to ensure the correct fit and seal; they fit well and securely).
I bought them from Amazon.co.uk (still advertised) and they were shipped from Hong Kong. I'm about to contact Amazon to arrange a return, but thought I'd write here to see if anyone has alternate advice. If you do have any helpful comments, I'd be very grateful!
Thanks a lot,
Al
After reading MANY reviews on this and other sites, I eventually decided to buy a pair of Sony XBA30ip earphones - I wanted best-possible sound quality combined with good quality remote operation of my iPhone. Today they arrived, and I have to say my heart sank when I plugged them in and fired up my best CDs. They sound *rubbish*! Honestly, after reading reviews which described 'huge sounstage' and 'crystal clear detail', I was really looking forward to something spectacular, but rather than feeling like I'm on stage with the performers, it sounds like a cheap transistor radio is playing inside a sealed plastic lunchbox. It's *so* bad I'm wondering if they're fake. I compared them to my pair of Bowers & Wilkins P5 headphones and they're WORLDS apart, but I guess that's like comparing apples to oranges. However, I also have a £20 pair of Sennheiser CX160 earphones which were bought as a temporary measure until I decided on the 'proper' earphones, and they're also MUCH better than the XBA30s. I'm pretty sure I'm not just used to the sound of my other headphones - this isn't just a nuance thing - they really are pretty awful (I've experimented with all the buds to ensure the correct fit and seal; they fit well and securely).
I bought them from Amazon.co.uk (still advertised) and they were shipped from Hong Kong. I'm about to contact Amazon to arrange a return, but thought I'd write here to see if anyone has alternate advice. If you do have any helpful comments, I'd be very grateful!
Thanks a lot,
Al