[kevms89]

Thanks everyone for comparing to the XBA3's! I mainly want to know if they are that high SQ or if they sound more mid-level SQ (obviously the H3 will be high class)

 

[a_recording]

I don't know if the H3 will necessarily be 'obviously' fantastic.

The XBA-4 and XBA-40 have never been particularly well received on Head Fi as far as I can tell and from initial reports the H3 seems like it might be a very bassy and similarly polarizing experience.

All the early impressions seem to be pointing to the H1 as being the Head Fi favourite.

Let's not prime ourselves too much though. Very excited! Pity I don't hear much word on ETA in Australia. The new MDR-10r series is sitting pretty in the Sony store but not these.

 

[vwinter]

I don't know if the H3 will necessarily be 'obviously' fantastic.

The XBA-4 and XBA-40 have never been particularly well received on Head Fi as far as I can tell and from initial reports the H3 seems like it might be a very bassy and similarly polarizing experience.

All the early impressions seem to be pointing to the H1 as being the Head Fi favourite.

Let's not prime ourselves too much though. Very excited! Pity I don't hear much word on ETA in Australia. The new MDR-10r series is sitting pretty in the Sony store but not these.

My gf loves my her XBA-4. I'll thank you for your review on her behalf.

 

[a_recording]

My gf loves my her XBA-4. I'll thank you for your review on her behalf.

 
Sankyu sankyu. I will be sure to squeeze the H series into the 7550 / EX1000 / XBA-4 / XBA-40 roundup as well, though I no longer have the XBA-4.
 
I wish I reserved one more post on that darn roundup.

 

[zenpunk]

I one of the few who really appreciate the XBA-40 and I still thinks it offers phenomenal top tier  SQ for little money, superbly smooth and detailed sound with great imaging, but I think the overall finish and bulky design is sadly quite poor and unattractive.
I am also waiting for my H3, which I hope will sound very impressive, but I am afraid the large design might be an issue

 

[kevms89]

Do you guys think the H1 will be better or on par with the xba3 and 4 SQ wise or will the H3 be on the one to compete with those.

I want the H1 to replace my xba3 but at that price point I wonder if they will be lesser.

 

[d marc0]

Do you guys think the H1 will be better or on par with the xba3 and 4 SQ wise or will the H3 be on the one to compete with those.

I want the H1 to replace my xba3 but at that price point I wonder if they will be lesser.

If they refined the tuning in treble to make it more controlled than the xba3 and better dampening that doesn't cause the metallic grainy peaks then it's definitely an upgrade.

 

[T.R.A.N.C.E.]

If they refined the tuning in treble to make it more controlled than the xba3 and better dampening that doesn't cause the metallic grainy peaks then it's definitely an upgrade.

 
Sony Already did that in the XBA-30, so the H series should be extra refined from that, I sure hope.

 

[huameitang]

Getting pretty big there and possibly still isolation and wind noise challenges but I'm on board!

 

[DMinor]

Well definitely more wind issue (if used in that situation) because of more surface area for wind exposure. Isolation can be boosted with more dosage of music.

 

[nihontoman]

wonder how this will compare to the new ATH iems... although the price of their 4 BA flagship seems to be bit more than XBA H3, but still... and there's the 2 BA and the dual dynamic versions also (although the dynamics are gonna be cheaper than the XBA H1...)

 

[T.R.A.N.C.E.]

so will we only be able to hear bass from the dynamic driver? because sony's pictures depict the dynamic also producing mid frequencies which would overlap with the BA.

 

[gavinfabl]

The H1 looks very interesting.

 

[AT1987]

  so will we only be able to hear bass from the dynamic driver? because sony's pictures depict the dynamic also producing mid frequencies which would overlap with the BA.

I think it will be mixed with 2 BA drivers.

 

[pietcux]

  The H3 looks overweight compared to the EX1000.
 

Remember that the EX-1000 has the thinnest possible and most stable housing made fro Magnesium Alloy. The H3 in contrast seems to have a standard plastic housing that needs to be much thicker to be stable. But the fit seems to be equal. that alone make for 200 $ price difference.