[ericp10]

The EX-1000 was uncomfortable for me, so I have not doubt the H3 would have been an horrendous experience for me. Thanks again james444.

 

[dweaver]

So I loaned my H1 to a friend at work (he bought my original GR07) and he never came back until near the end of the day ( a good sign usually as he often returns gear I let him try out within minutes if he doesn't like them). So I asked him what he thought and his exact words were, "one of the best if not best IEM I have heard". Now to put that into some perspective he listens to lots of house and trance music (hope I have the lingo down correct) which seems to do better with good bass.

The more I read about the H3 I am really glad I didn't give them a try but the H1 is a nice IEM. I am not sure I will keep them (my friend has already called dibs of I decide to sell LOL) as I just love the comfort and quiet of the QC20 but I will see.

 

[d marc0]

So I loaned my H1 to a friend at work (he bought my original GR07) and he never came back until near the end of the day ( a good sign usually as he often returns gear I let him try out within minutes if he doesn't like them). So I asked him what he thought and his exact words were, "one of the best if not best IEM I have heard". Now to put that into some perspective he listens to lots of house and trance music (hope I have the lingo down correct) alot which seems to do better with good bass.

The more I read about the H3 I am really glad I didn't give them a try but the H1 is a nice IEM. I am not sure I will keep them (my friend has already called dibs of I decide to sell LOL) as I just love the comfort and quiet of the QC20 but I will see.

How are they for rock and metal Dweaver? Is the bass fast enough so it doesn't become a bloody mess when things get busy?

 

[dweaver]

The rock I listen to sounds very good and these keep up very well. But I don't listen to modern heavy metal, Led Zeppelin and AC/DC sound good though. I will try the fastest AC/DC tune tomorrow and let you know how they sound.

 

[d marc0]

The rock I listen to sounds very good and these keep up very well. But I don't listen to modern heavy metal, Led Zeppelin and AC/DC sound good though. I will try the fastest AC/DC tune tomorrow and let you know how they sound.

Well thanks dweaver! I look forward to your impressions. Good on you...

 

[kevms89]

Thinking about selling my H1 and going for the xba40's, thoughts?

 

[marlonmarabe]

The xba-h2 might be the dark horse? Still waiting for impressions hehe

 

[kevms89]

Selling my H1 for $140

Selling my XBA3IP for $80

Anyone interested hit me up!

 

[f198]

Impressions index :
 
H3

http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/615#post_9902871
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/660#post_9908323
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/735#post_9915472
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/765#post_9918477

H1

http://www.head-fi.org/t/685463/sony-xba-h1-pictures-and-impressions#post_9880496
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/510#post_9893658
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/525#post_9895105
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/540#post_9896468
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/570#post_9900745
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/585#post_9902181
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/585#post_9902275
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/660#post_9908471
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/690#post_9912803
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/705#post_9913029
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/705#post_9913478
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/720#post_9914875
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/720#post_9915073
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/720#post_9915101
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/720#post_9915114
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/750#post_9916210

H3 & H1

http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/45#post_9776726
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/75#post_9778733
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/390#post_9874792
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/525#post_9894598
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/645#post_9907978
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/645#post_9908080

 

[james444]

They're buried somewhere in this thread (i'll try to dig em up). They're pretty dodgy machine translations, but the gist of it was that the H3 delivered an overwhelming sound, very "hi-FI", made it out to feel like a V-Shaped phone I think. I was expecting something sort've akin to the 1P2 I guess from the descriptions. And I highly doubt your impressions are off the mark, I'm just curious whether these things'll benefit from run-in at all, or if they're just a lost cause. At the moment though, I don't think my K3K will go up on the chopping block anytime soon

Edit: impressions here- http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/75#post_9778733

 
Thanks! Thing is, the high end extension they're talking about is already there on the XBA-3, my guess being that the H3's upper mids and treble will probably graph quite similar. The low end is where the impression of "overwhelming" sound may be coming from and it's ultimately a matter of taste. Soundstage is indeed slightly wider on the H3 vs. XBA-3 due to their design, but let's not forget that the H3 go for double the price of the XBA-3 and look much less inconspicuous in your ears. Based on what I've been hearing so far, the H3 are in not in the K3003 / 1plus2 league in my book.
 

So I loaned my H1 to a friend at work (he bought my original GR07) and he never came back until near the end of the day ( a good sign usually as he often returns gear I let him try out within minutes if he doesn't like them). So I asked him what he thought and his exact words were, "one of the best if not best IEM I have heard". Now to put that into some perspective he listens to lots of house and trance music (hope I have the lingo down correct) which seems to do better with good bass.

The more I read about the H3 I am really glad I didn't give them a try but the H1 is a nice IEM. I am not sure I will keep them (my friend has already called dibs of I decide to sell LOL) as I just love the comfort and quiet of the QC20 but I will see.

 
In case I end up returning the H3, I'll possibly take a stab at the H1 (pun intended

).

 

[getclikinagas]

  Impressions index :
 
H3

http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/615#post_9902871
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/660#post_9908323
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/735#post_9915472
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/765#post_9918477

H1

http://www.head-fi.org/t/685463/sony-xba-h1-pictures-and-impressions#post_9880496
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/510#post_9893658
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/525#post_9895105
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/540#post_9896468
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/570#post_9900745
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/585#post_9902181
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/585#post_9902275
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/660#post_9908471
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/690#post_9912803
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/705#post_9913029
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/705#post_9913478
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/720#post_9914875
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/720#post_9915073
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/720#post_9915101
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/720#post_9915114
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/750#post_9916210

H3 & H1

http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/45#post_9776726
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/75#post_9778733
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/390#post_9874792
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/525#post_9894598
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/645#post_9907978
http://www.head-fi.org/t/680119/sony-xba-h1-and-xba-h3-hybrid-dynamic-and-ba-iem/645#post_9908080

!! Give this guy a medal!
 
Will an amp be necessary for the H1? How will it perform, say, out of a clip+?

 

[Simons]

So I am testing my XBA-H3 right now and I can not understand why some of you are disappointed. But like most IEs the seal is important and I guess the source is also affecting the sound. And maybe a source working for the XBA-3 is not working for H3.
I try to first make a short conclusion of the overall features, but I just heard about 1 hour.
 
Package/Fit:
The packaging is not too impressive, I expected something more fancy for 300€ but it is ok and the accessories are sufficient. For me the smallest silicone-foam-plugs are fine and the channel which is going in the ear is a bit to big (but smaller then the TDK IE 800). The overall fit is still great and i really like the stiffer part of the cable you could wrap around your ear. really comfortable.
 
Soundimpression:
I am listening with a mac book pro right now and overall it sounds great!
The most impressive and surprising part is, that all sounds totally separated. Most songs sound like the music is coming out of some tall speakers and there is someone sitting on my desk singing to it. Its really hard to describe and I have never heard anything like that before, not with my hifi speakers at home or any other headphone. But I just had the XBA-2 of the XBA line. All the instruments and music parts sound like they came from different sources. Nothing is mixing up. When I try to focus on the singer I hear it clearly, when I focus on the bassdrum I could just hear the bassdrum and so on.
 
Special observations in different songs:
Chase and Status - End credits:
my actual favorite song, the separation of the voice to the instruments is incredible you could hear every detail in his voice. Also the drum and bass part background is great, the bass is deep and fast and the offbeat is crisp without hissing.
I listened to stimers songs and even if I do not like that kind of music too much, they sounded great. The bass was really deep, but not overwhelming. So there is a permanent bass "floor" but it is not affecting the clarity of the other instruments.
the last one "ultrademon ft. showyousuck - automatic" I turned of after less then 1 minute. the bass was so …… (i don't know a word for that) I got goosebumps and felt uncomfortable, like I just know it from some clubs when you feel the bass in your stomach and it makes you kind of sick. I never expect something like that from an earphone.
 
Comparison to other IEMs:
TDK IE800/Klipsch S5/Shure SE115/phonak audeo pfe012: you can not compare them. They all sound like putting all instruments into a shoebox and then you listen to the merged sound of this box. The H3 sounds like you are in a big room and all parts of the music come from different sources.
XBA-2: The H3 is way ahead, but the separation and sharpness of some instruments is going in the same direction. So if you like what the xba-2 is making better then the others, the H3 is going in the direction you want. (but the xba-2 makes other things worse then i.e. TDK IE800)
 
 
edit:
I just noticed in "cant get you out of my head - Female vibes" which is actually a Jazz/Lounge version of that Song, that there is a Bar background-sound of voices and it is not only the first time I notice that background, I could even UNDERSTAND what they are saying sometimes.

 

[BlinkST]

So, you would say it sounds like you're listening to speakers, as opposed to listening to a studio recording.

That's just about what I was looking for in my next set of headphones, and I'm happy these seem like they will suit me just fine.

Thanks for the information.

If it's not too much trouble, can you tell us what this sounds like?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9p8O_JfQEsU

On my current headphones, I hear the performer's voice as if I was the microphone they were speaking into. If I understand what you're saying, I expect this to "open" up a bit more and sound more "live".

 

[pietcux]

Yes, with IEMs the seal is the most important factor. This is what I call a second opinion. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Simons]

if you are talking about "speakers" as people who speak - yes.
If you talk about speakers like loudspeakers - no (or maybe the loudspeakers I know are bad)
for example, in that song with the background noises of talking people, at first I turned to the left, because I thought someone is talking to me in my room and I turned exactly to a position on the left behind me.
 
regarding that song of Bubba Sparxxx. The Bass in the Youtube link is a bit clipping, but I have it in simfy, too. The first part
 
I've been travelin for some time
With my fishin pole and my bottle of shine....
 
sounds blurred and as if a chorus is singing it with more voices and with no exact position, more like an area, where the voices are coming from. But when he is singing
 
I left off of mama's with my thumb in the wind
The leaves on the ground, winter's comin again
Solid on the surface as I crumble within.....
 
it sounds really close. actually sometimes like he is talking to me and standing really close in front of me. In the last part of the second verse it sounds sometimes like he is bending away or is not looking at me while he talks