[ClieOS]

   
    " thank you thank you thank you , you are far too kaaind " seriously thank you . i was wondering how these new BAs will sound like , they call it like linear something something , a new design .
can you vice us the impressions of A1AP or A2 many be ? im being greedy .

 
Haven't heard the XBA-A series yet.
 

Good to know. I have an xba-10 and I'm looking for an upgrade. How about the audio technica im70 vs xba-10/xba-100 ? Can you recommend me an upgrade? I'm looking for the same sound signature as the xba-10 (slightly mid centric but warmish sound). It should have a great soundstage and better overall sound quality. My budget is limited to $130.

 
The two IEM (Havi B3 Pro-1 and Zero Audio DX200) in your budget that I know to have better clarity and soundstage are both on the colder side of the presentation, so I am not sure they will be what you are looking for. I'll recommend Ostry KC06A instead - slightly smaller in soundstage, but more room filling detail. You will surprised how much detail you have missed out in XBA-10. So even though you get a smaller image, the detail is going to be much sharper and noticeable. The difference is like looking at a 5MP picture taken by a 3MP camera vs. a 3MP picture taken by a 5MP camera. iM70 in comparison will be very similar to KC06A, but in a lesser form - so it will better just to get KC06A instead.

 

[nihontoman]

small soundstage killed it for me. I came to a conclusion that a big soundstage with correct positioning is the most important aspect in sound for me so these won't be for me it seems... thanks for the impressions though, they really helped

 

[justgotlucky123]

The two IEM (Havi B3 Pro-1 and Zero Audio DX200) in your budget that I know to have better clarity and soundstage are both on the colder side of the presentation, so I am not sure they will be what you are looking for. I'll recommend Ostry KC06A instead - slightly smaller in soundstage, but more room filling detail. You will surprised how much detail you have missed out in XBA-10. So even though you get a smaller image, the detail is going to be much sharper and noticeable. The difference is like looking at a 5MP picture taken by a 3MP camera vs. a 3MP picture taken by a 5MP camera. iM70 in comparison will be very similar to KC06A, but in a lesser form - so it will better just to get KC06A instead.

I'll try to look for the kc06a then. So, the im70 is a good alternative for kc06a? Isn't the fit on the kc06a is shallow compared to xba-10?

What do you mean by "colder side of things"? You mean leaning towards bassy sound?

 

[JK1]

"The retail price is 9,999 JPY, however you can find it for 8,500 JPY and given the Sony xba line history, I think in some months it can achieve the 7,000 JPY mark."
 
8,500 yen =$74.56.     7,000 yen= $61.40
 
Given the history of the XBA line, some might be expecting this to eventually get to $25 as the XBA-1 did. I might be willing to pay up to around $45 for this, but that is about it. I can't see paying over $50 for this. 
 
When I first saw the XBA-1 and the price was $80 firm, I said that I might buy it at under $50. I ended up buying the XBA-1 at $25. It is good for $25, although if I paid $50 for it I would probably be disappointed.

 

[ClieOS]

I'll try to look for the kc06a then. So, the im70 is a good alternative for kc06a? Isn't the fit on the kc06a is shallow compared to xba-10?

What do you mean by "colder side of things"? You mean leaning towards bassy sound?

 
KC06A fits about as shallow as XBA-10, at least for me. Of course you can push XBA-10 deeper if wanted. IM70 is a good alternative only if KC06A can't be found.
 
By 'colder', I mean leaner and more neutral, opposite of warm / bassy.

 

[tomscy2000]

Seeko: http://www.seeko.co.kr/zboard4/zboard.php?id=cool_review&no=444

 

[Inks]

As expected, high distortion and low bandwidth. A single BA just can't cover everything

 

[Kaffeemann]

As expected, high distortion and low bandwidth. A single BA just can't cover everything

 
They measure distortion at 1 mW, which is 105 dB with this IEM. You won't ever listen this loud-
It'd be better if they could measure THD at 90dB or so. Would make more sense.

 

[tomscy2000]

They measure distortion at 1 mW, which is 105 dB with this IEM. You won't ever listen this loud-
It'd be better if they could measure THD at 90dB or so. Would make more sense.

I agree that measuring distortion at 1 mW is too high but that's the standard that site measures with, and if you look at well designed multi-BA or high end single dynamic driver models measured in the same fashion, they don't have as much distortion.

With that being said, however, the XBA-100 is probably less distorting than its predecessors the XBA-10 and XBA-1, and that's at least an improvement.

I listened to the new XBA-100 and found it quite enjoyable, though I did detect some distortion, right around where it was measured the highest (they didn't publish the measurements yet when I listened), so the distortion is indeed audible, but somewhat minor.

 

[Sakura90]

How about these vs ATH-IM70? They are about the same price but the XBA-100 seems more inclined towards highs and vocals, which seems good to me. I always turn the treble up on my players (at least higher than bass). I don't like it punchy or booming at all. The IM70 on the other hand are highly praised everywhere, maybe they are a safe bet. But these also look better and smaller, more comfy perhaps?

 

[Eustachian]

How does the bass on these compare to that of the Gr-07 Bass Edition?

 

[sardar17]

As expected, high distortion and low bandwidth. A single BA just can't cover everything

Still less than havi's

 

[Sp12er3]

I wonder... Is it true that the Sound sig is kinda similar to Grado house sound? If true, it'd be great, but if not, what IEM is?

 

[Asteradragon]

Just got these today - Pretty spectacular little things. The brass is great, nice and weighty without being too heavy, strain reliefs are great, cable is a little bit microphonic but the included clip and over-ear wearability counteracts that enough.
 
SQ wise, I like them. Really clear, instrument separation is top notch. Bass extends low, hits decently but obviously not boomy. Was worried before these came in that they'd be bass-anemic but no worries now.
 
Loving these for rock/jazz/trance. For $80, I think they're pretty worth it.

 

[Sp12er3]

Just decided to order these... when it arrived, I'll have an IEM for every situations, Final for female vocal heavy-JPop, IM50 for daily and XBA 100 for occasional OST's when I want to relax.