[REVIEW] Sony XBA-1 and XBA-4

[Ivabign]

I just purchased the XBA1IP for $39.99 out the door and am looking forward to demoing them when they arrive - from what everyone here says they should be a nice budget BA that if I lose or destroy, I won't go into a deep depression - I also noted that it comes with some of the Sony hybrid tips as well as some hybrids that add foam - I haven't tried these before - are they good, bad or indifferent?

 

[zaim]

I got mine today, in terms of bass my XB41's are quite a bit better, they are a bit louder but a lot deeper. This is something I expected the XBA4 to be like considering it has a "Woofer" & a "Super Woofer". Compared to the XBA 3 I can't tell if the bass has improved much if any. I'm using this with my Sony NWZ-Z1050 and a digizoid zo2 Amp.
 
One thing is for sure, these sound a lot better than my previous set (MDR-XB41)
 
Will the bass improve as i use them or ?

 

[Seekky]

Quote:

I got mine today, in terms of bass my XB41's are quite a bit better, they are a bit louder but a lot deeper. This is something I expected the XBA4 to be like considering it has a "Woofer" & a "Super Woofer". Compared to the XBA 3 I can't tell if the bass has improved much if any. I'm using this with my Sony NWZ-Z1050 and a digizoid zo2 Amp.
 
One thing is for sure, these sound a lot better than my previous set (MDR-XB41)
 
Will the bass improve as i use them or ?

i don't think the bass on your XB41 are 'real'. 
you have to get used to what the real and high quality bass is.

 

[zaim]

Not sure what you mean by its not real, I tested these a bit longer last night, the XBA is excellent in sound quality but falls flat when it comes to bass, the XB41's are like a Sub, the XBA is like a normal speaker, very little low end bass.
 
I think I might just give the XB90's ago.

 

[Seekky]

Quote:

Not sure what you mean by its not real, I tested these a bit longer last night, the XBA is excellent in sound quality but falls flat when it comes to bass, the XB41's are like a Sub, the XBA is like a normal speaker, very little low end bass.
 
I think I might just give the XB90's ago.

'Not real' means it's not close to the original recordings. The bass being HEAVILY colored.

 

[a_recording]

Quote:

Not sure what you mean by its not real, I tested these a bit longer last night, the XBA is excellent in sound quality but falls flat when it comes to bass, the XB41's are like a Sub, the XBA is like a normal speaker, very little low end bass.
 
I think I might just give the XB90's ago.

 
Keep in mind that the XB series is designed with EXTRA bass in mind. The XBA-3 already has a bass hump (that has been consistently measured) and the XBA-4 have an even stronger bass hump - but even the XBA series is meant to be vaguely neutral compared to the XB series.
 
It will take you some time to adjust but believe me you are not listening to normal amounts of bass if you consider the XBA-3 series to have 'very little' bass. (That or you just like turning up your subs massively loud). Nothing wrong with that if that's your cup of tea.
 
Listening to this reference test might give you some perspective: http://www.audiocheck.net/audiotests_frequencychecklow.php

 

[MrGuzmanWhite]

Anyone has experience comparing the XBA-2ip vs the XBA-3ip models?
 
I own the XBA-2ip and I and happy with it but I find the sound a bit too thin sometimes, I would like a sound with a bit more lush, more body, more musicality and more warmth. I am trying to figure out if it makes sense to jump to the XBA-3ip. Is the tonality of the XBA-3ip more musical and lush than the XBA-2ip?
 
Will I notice a significant upgrade in SQ from the XBA-2ip to the XBA-3ip?
 
The XBA-3ip is now quite inexpensive and tempting ...but only it is really an upgrade from the XBA-3ip ..

 

[rudeboybass]

just got the xba-4ip at b&h for 99$! bought comply foams cut about 1mm of foam off the tip and removed the foam inside the iem tube and,......wow wow wee wow. so much texture in the mids that wasn't there came out!

 

[snapple10]

Lucky you, must  have picked up the last one, site said discontinued now, enjoy!!!

 

[rudeboybass]

sony a865 series un amped seems to be the absolute best pairing with the XBA-4/ip out of all the amp/source combos i have . also tryed the ak-1000(hich is available for demo! at b&h) also very godly but the sony seems to have it beat in sq with the xba4! with the clear bass setting i can go to 3+ with no effect on the rest of the audio spectrum for some reason, resulting in glorious quantities of smooth clean bass. ive never experienced that with any other hp

 

[Migou67]

Quote:

just got the xba-4ip at b&h for 99$! bought comply foams cut about 1mm of foam off the tip and removed the foam inside the iem tube and,......wow wow wee wow. so much texture in the mids that wasn't there came out!

I have also removed some months ago the damper foam in the tube and never put it back

 

[Butter123]

Just got a pair of XBA-1 for $31 from amazon and it truly needs an amplifier to sound good. Just playing through my iphone 4, the high and low range screams for more power. As for how it sounds, it's warm, very mid centric with roll off at both ends. I am not a bass head, but if it had about 20% more bass, it would be an amazing pair of single BA earphones. IMO, UE 600/superfi 5 still provide a overall better sound and value if you want a single BA earphone.

 

[dnullify]

the xba-1 really needs deep insertion as well. i'm normally medium tip size but i've got the orange ones on right now, and the range is much more dynamic.
smaller tips + deeper insertion = money sound.
 
picked up a set for $21 on ebay the other day.

 

[Butter123]

I tried the orange foam, it does improve the bass, however it lose some soundstage and mutes the mid a little. 

 

[Butter123]

Quote:

Anyone has experience comparing the XBA-2ip vs the XBA-3ip models?
 
I own the XBA-2ip and I and happy with it but I find the sound a bit too thin sometimes, I would like a sound with a bit more lush, more body, more musicality and more warmth. I am trying to figure out if it makes sense to jump to the XBA-3ip. Is the tonality of the XBA-3ip more musical and lush than the XBA-2ip?
 
Will I notice a significant upgrade in SQ from the XBA-2ip to the XBA-3ip?
 
The XBA-3ip is now quite inexpensive and tempting ...but only it is really an upgrade from the XBA-3ip ..

Have you consider creative aurvana in ear 3 or UE700? The XBA-3 will require a portable amp