[Malfunkt]

I can vouch for the 7550 (800st). I badly want the sound of the A3 back, but I’ll say the 7550 is also very tempting to get again. Single dynamic, very balanced with extended bass.

 

[Sp12er3]

There was a slew of Ex800st and EX1000 sold used here locally $150-230, but I missed it. Now I'm really regretting not picking it while I can..

 

[Gosod]

There was a slew of Ex800st and EX1000 sold used here locally $150-230, but I missed it. Now I'm really regretting not picking it while I can..

I listened to these headphones.
They lose xba a3

 

[Sp12er3]

Hm? On what qualities? I think the old Sony has quite different tuning to the current models they have.
I'd like to have them just on the ground of having something new to play around with

 

[udesign48]

I listened to these headphones.
They lose xba a3

XBA A3 vs Shure SE846?

Which one do you prefer?

 

[Sp12er3]

I listened to these headphones.
They lose xba a3

Yeah utd be nice to hear your take on A3 and SE846 as well, it's not often to get comparison of the two.

 

[Hinomotocho]

I feel you summed them up very well - I tried the N3 and really liked them for the exact qualities you listed but chose to keep my A3

Ha! I just found this old post - I couldn't remember if I had tried the N3 when I was in Japan a few years ago. I missed the Sony XBA sound so I bought a secondhand N3 to fill that gap.

 

[Sp12er3]

Ha! I just found this old post - I couldn't remember if I had tried the N3 when I was in Japan a few years ago. I missed the Sony XBA sound so I bought a secondhand N3 to fill that gap.

How di you feel the N3 is faring?
I know I love my A3, but sometimes I do think what am I going to do when someday it went off on me.
Z5 and Z1Ris obvious choice but if the N3 does, and can substitute for it, I'd be interested of that too.

And oh,

Look at who decides to visit

 

[Hinomotocho]

How di you feel the N3 is faring?
I know I love my A3, but sometimes I do think what am I going to do when someday it went off on me.
Z5 and Z1Ris obvious choice but if the N3 does, and can substitute for it, I'd be interested of that too.

And oh,

Look at who decides to visit

I am still awaiting delivery of my N3.
I really loved my A3, but because the Z5 existed I felt the need to upgrade. The sound of the Z5 were perfection for me, but I loathed the design - they looked stupid and as they were heavier than the A3 they just wouldn't stay in my ears.
My main iems (balanced from ZX300) are Oriolus, but as I still miss the Sony sound I saw a good priced secondhand N3 to replace my iBasso IT01. I will use them from my phone and tablet when I don't want to carry my precious main set-up, so I don't think I'll go balanced with them.

 

[udesign48]

in my opinion, N3 is way better than A3. N3 sounds more authentic... A3 has lots of fake bass. I'm looking forward to get XBA-Z5.

 

[Hinomotocho]

Probably my main reason for choosing to stay with the A3 at the time is that I wanted over ear design, good to hear your opinion of the bass

 

[Hinomotocho]

in my opinion, N3 is way better than A3. N3 sounds more authentic... A3 has lots of fake bass. I'm looking forward to get XBA-Z5.

I felt that the Z5 was a small but decent worthwhile step up from the A3 - perhaps something that over longer listening periods became more evident. I'm sure you've heard that they benefit from a bit of power, balanced really makes them outstanding (*opinion)

 

[beautiophile]

I also felt unhappy with the bass of A3. I fixed it by reduce the ClearBass on my Walkman. I got rid of the problem completely after replacing the stock cable with the Oyaide and it came closer to Z5. However, I have to confess that the A3 is still not comfortable to wear.

 

[James Shoegazer]

I rate the A3s head to head with EX1Ks. Both are different animals. While A3 is one of the most pleasant and smoothest I heard, it lacks the resolving capability of EX1K. Conversely the EX1K gives more air and upper energy, but the grating nature of that area generates fatigue.

I would prefer the fun, fuller body, intimate male vocals and immersive bass of A3 but on the other hand for vocal, instrumental clarity and intimacy (esp. female vocals) I would reach for EX1000s. The latter also has a quicker decay overall and tighter midbass.

 

[Sp12er3]

to own both the A3 and EX1000 is enough to last you through any kind of music genre really, the two complements each other so well.