sygyzy
1000+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2003
- Posts
- 1,146
- Likes
- 11
Thanks for the advice. Maybe I'll just hold off.
Definitely would love some XBA-3 owners to chime in as to whether the treble sounds metallic :3
Just wanted to say thanks for all the replies. I'm probably going to pull the trigger on the IE8s then.
Update:
Thanks to tomscy and whoever is behind the operation at Sonove, we have some pretty graphs!
I think that the tested frequency response for the EX1000 is a little off, as it isn't nearly as treble heavy as the graph would suggest. (The innerfidelity graph is a little more balanced.)
Hi, my setting is XBA-3ip to iPhone4s phone out (volume 6/16).
I feel its treble is veiled, very gentle, rolled-off.
I did plug to the 0404usb, and its treble sounds crisp and not veiled.
It seems the charts in p.1 (frequency response, impedance, output impedance) fit my situation.
I m really puzzled because the FR chart show XBA3 have a very good high frequency extension, but i feel the treble is rolled-off when i use it with the phone.
However, quite a lot of people said the treble is metallic and pronounced.
And when I use the iPhone's built-in equalizer (Bass Reducer), the treble isnt really that bad, it sounds quite good indeed. Clear but not too piercing.
Really confused.
Fast foward a year later and it seems like Sony has discontinued the XBA-1 to XBA-4 range (relaunched as the XBA-10 to XBA-40 range)...and local store have started discounting the old range. So much so that I'm tempted to pick one up to see if they're any good...especially since I no longer have a high-end IEM since ditching the TF10 and ER4.
This is probably the best headphone comparison review I've ever read. I even bought that Grimes song to do a similar A/B test with my MH1C and my RE0's.
If the cable on the XBA-x0 range is anything like the MDR-1R cable, it's probably a lot better. The XBA-x cable feels quite flimsy.
Definitely see if you can have a listen before buying them; they really aren't for everyone and the resale value on the FS forum here seems quite limited.
I'm a little late to this party but I just wanted to say that you provided a brilliant review, a_recording! Not only did you provide a lot of solid and easy to understand information it was also well and entertainingly written. Despite the length it never grew tiresome. Stellar job!
I just got the XBA-1ip today. I know it's a bit of a step from the XBA-4 but I thought I'd dip my toe into the XBA pool first and see what I thought and the 1s were available at a good price. I haven't unboxed them yet but am quite curious...
Thanks ^^ Let me know what you think of em. I think the XBA-1 is actually a nice neat little unit, along with the JVC FXD80 it would be my general recommendation to friends who want something decent, comfortable and easily acquired. (Not the wild eyed ORDER FROM THIS OBSCURE CHINESE OEM kind of advice).