esanthosh
Skilled
As far as Sony warranty goes, both are correct in a strange way. They did not originally have warranty. But, purchases made after 17 May, 2012 carry one year warranty. That is what the Sony HO tells me.
First Thoughts
Anyways, bought XBA-1 and XBA-3. I have just opened the boxes and have tried them for 3 mins each. So, this may not be accurate. Anyways, read it in conjunction with my ranking list (found in my signature) to understand my thought process here.
Clip+, Random song: Opeth - Hessian Peel.
XBA-1 is pretty decent. It has good clarity, but I mostly hear a mid-range emphasis. Bass extension or quantity was not that great. The trouble was in the treble - it seems to roll off a bit, cymbals were a bit smeared. I do not hear more details, rather the focus seems to be a smooth, relaxed signature which has a slight emphasis on the mid range. I am not sure if it has the potential to rival PFE or HF2. I was thinking more of 'better than PL50 and A151, but somewhat short of HF2/PFE range, somewhere around Tandem'. Will need some A/B though!
While XBA-1 gave the feeling "Hmm...This is good", XBA-3 is "OH! this IS good". But, on the size side, it also makes me think that it is already big and my ears may not fit XBA-4. The only accessory change from XBA-1 to 3 is that XBA-1 comes with the pouch and this with a small case (I am not sure how useful it's going to be). In case you didn't know, they both are J-Cords, so J-Cord Hater's club, please stay away (unless you can import the iPhone versions which have a normal y-cable)!
The first few things I noticed coming from XBA-1 was that details, resolution, clarity, timbre - all improved. It better be at double the price, right? Now, the bass quantity is good - something which is a bit tipped up, but not overly so. The treble region is better. The mid range sounds clearer and also engaging. Now, this is something I can pit against the likes of PFE and HF2, may be somewhere around or below TF10 in terms of BA, FXT90 and up overall? I really don't think this has the makings of a DBA-02 MKII / CK10 beater though.
Both needed a little more volume between -35 and -30dB on Rockboxed Clip+. I think I ought to test them with UHA-6S. I need more time to achieve a coherent thought about these IEMs. First dinner, then some rest and then may be a little more IEM time (.. or not!)
Post Dinner Update ( OR > 3 min impressions with Clip+ on shuffle as I hate running test tracks)
XBA-1
PFE and HF2 represent what you can achieve in terms of neutral/balanced, detailed signature with a single BA. XBA-1 definitely has more of the A151 / PL50 thought process in terms of tuning with a mid range focus. But, I think it's very well done. I think that it sounds like a (single BA) competitor to (dual dynamic micro driver) Tandem than trying to compete against the likes of Etymotics.
XBA-1 has what I'd call an adequate quantity of bass with a very decent impact and texture - something you won't call as lacking in bass. If I had to use my poor audio memory to draw a comparison, somewhat better than Brainwavz M3 in both quantity and impact. The treble is a bit rolled off for my taste and does not have as much sparkle. When there's much happening in terms of cymbals / hi-hats, it's hard to hear details clearly. Otherwise, it's somewhat decent in a supporting role. IIRC, I think it does better in this region than MEE A151 for sure. I don't find it problematic when I am listening to Clapton's 'Layla'. But with Opeth, I am used to liking that sparkle, so I feel it's a bit short. But, someone allergic to treble will find it right at home. Mids are clear, forward, smooth, but not very detailed. Sound stage is not huge - I am thinking somewhere along the size of Brainwavz M1, but not sure. But imaging and separation are good. I think it makes for a good, relaxing, background listening set as it gives me easy, comfortable, tight seal and fit.
XBA-3
Same Opeth, same 'Death whispered a Lullaby'. Switching to XBA-3 brings the track alive. Bass quantity is a little north of what I want. Bass has good impact, but it sounds slightly muddy in some tracks I have listened to so far - I guess it's the slightly thicker note. Treble is energetic - just the way I want it. I'd say it's energetic, but not offensive / harsh / excessive. Much like bass, may be a bit more than what some would want, but it certainly does not have spikes / peaks as far as I can hear.
However, all's not well - it's a bit sibilant with a song of 'The Beatles' (No! I am not familiar with Beatles despite having an album in Clip+). On hearing more tracks, the ones I am familiar with, I'd say sibilance in track will be reproduced and not swept under carpet, but it's only slight and not too annoying (No! Not like GR07 / Hippo VB - nowhere near). Next up is Hendrix with 'Voodoo Child (Slight return)'. Listening to this track, I am reminded of how many albums I never listen to on a regular basis. Anyways, things happen wild all around the head in this track and XBA-3 copes up with this. Sound stage as with XBA-1 is 'normal' in width, but has decent depth - a bit better than XBA-1 perhaps. But, it does not provide me a sense of space as with FX700 or EX-1000 for sure.
But, I am not getting that 'special' vibe from XBA-3 as I would do with DBA-02, FX700 or Sony's own EX-1000. That may be attributed to it's slightly relaxed sound in comparison to those. Overall, my feeling is somewhat similar to what I get/got with FXT90 or GR07/e-Q5 - something good, better than many others out there, but not special.
Shortly...
Given the peril Rupee is in against USD, I think XBA-1 offers very good value. I wish it had done better by providing a case, Y-split and a shirt clip. But, sound wise, I think it does very well for the price. It may not be everyone's cup of tea and if you happen to audition both XBA-1 and 3, it's likely that you would choose XBA-3. But IMO, at 4K, it's certainly not a disappointment. GR06 @ $60 could be a competitor, but I've neither heard it nor have the intention to buy it.
As for XBA-3, around the 8K mark (say INR comes down to 50/USD), there is lot of competition (FXT90, MG7, DBA-02 MK2, EX-600, FX500, GR07). The good thing about XBA-3, at least to my ears, is that it has less annoyances. It is not special in any way, it does have defects like every other IEM - for instance, I'd have loved a wider sound stage or a little less bass quantity. But, overall, it has forgivable boundary crossings, not "I wish it had not done that" kind of issues. I think here, a little more research would be necessary to determine what kind of signature you are after. As far as value for money goes, I can only say 'par for the course' - neither 'punching above the weight' nor 'punching below the waist'.
I have to try it with UHA-6S / 2SD and see if amp improves things. But, that's all folks! ... for today.
First Thoughts
Anyways, bought XBA-1 and XBA-3. I have just opened the boxes and have tried them for 3 mins each. So, this may not be accurate. Anyways, read it in conjunction with my ranking list (found in my signature) to understand my thought process here.
Clip+, Random song: Opeth - Hessian Peel.
XBA-1 is pretty decent. It has good clarity, but I mostly hear a mid-range emphasis. Bass extension or quantity was not that great. The trouble was in the treble - it seems to roll off a bit, cymbals were a bit smeared. I do not hear more details, rather the focus seems to be a smooth, relaxed signature which has a slight emphasis on the mid range. I am not sure if it has the potential to rival PFE or HF2. I was thinking more of 'better than PL50 and A151, but somewhat short of HF2/PFE range, somewhere around Tandem'. Will need some A/B though!
While XBA-1 gave the feeling "Hmm...This is good", XBA-3 is "OH! this IS good". But, on the size side, it also makes me think that it is already big and my ears may not fit XBA-4. The only accessory change from XBA-1 to 3 is that XBA-1 comes with the pouch and this with a small case (I am not sure how useful it's going to be). In case you didn't know, they both are J-Cords, so J-Cord Hater's club, please stay away (unless you can import the iPhone versions which have a normal y-cable)!
The first few things I noticed coming from XBA-1 was that details, resolution, clarity, timbre - all improved. It better be at double the price, right? Now, the bass quantity is good - something which is a bit tipped up, but not overly so. The treble region is better. The mid range sounds clearer and also engaging. Now, this is something I can pit against the likes of PFE and HF2, may be somewhere around or below TF10 in terms of BA, FXT90 and up overall? I really don't think this has the makings of a DBA-02 MKII / CK10 beater though.
Both needed a little more volume between -35 and -30dB on Rockboxed Clip+. I think I ought to test them with UHA-6S. I need more time to achieve a coherent thought about these IEMs. First dinner, then some rest and then may be a little more IEM time (.. or not!)
Post Dinner Update ( OR > 3 min impressions with Clip+ on shuffle as I hate running test tracks)
XBA-1
PFE and HF2 represent what you can achieve in terms of neutral/balanced, detailed signature with a single BA. XBA-1 definitely has more of the A151 / PL50 thought process in terms of tuning with a mid range focus. But, I think it's very well done. I think that it sounds like a (single BA) competitor to (dual dynamic micro driver) Tandem than trying to compete against the likes of Etymotics.
XBA-1 has what I'd call an adequate quantity of bass with a very decent impact and texture - something you won't call as lacking in bass. If I had to use my poor audio memory to draw a comparison, somewhat better than Brainwavz M3 in both quantity and impact. The treble is a bit rolled off for my taste and does not have as much sparkle. When there's much happening in terms of cymbals / hi-hats, it's hard to hear details clearly. Otherwise, it's somewhat decent in a supporting role. IIRC, I think it does better in this region than MEE A151 for sure. I don't find it problematic when I am listening to Clapton's 'Layla'. But with Opeth, I am used to liking that sparkle, so I feel it's a bit short. But, someone allergic to treble will find it right at home. Mids are clear, forward, smooth, but not very detailed. Sound stage is not huge - I am thinking somewhere along the size of Brainwavz M1, but not sure. But imaging and separation are good. I think it makes for a good, relaxing, background listening set as it gives me easy, comfortable, tight seal and fit.
XBA-3
Same Opeth, same 'Death whispered a Lullaby'. Switching to XBA-3 brings the track alive. Bass quantity is a little north of what I want. Bass has good impact, but it sounds slightly muddy in some tracks I have listened to so far - I guess it's the slightly thicker note. Treble is energetic - just the way I want it. I'd say it's energetic, but not offensive / harsh / excessive. Much like bass, may be a bit more than what some would want, but it certainly does not have spikes / peaks as far as I can hear.
However, all's not well - it's a bit sibilant with a song of 'The Beatles' (No! I am not familiar with Beatles despite having an album in Clip+). On hearing more tracks, the ones I am familiar with, I'd say sibilance in track will be reproduced and not swept under carpet, but it's only slight and not too annoying (No! Not like GR07 / Hippo VB - nowhere near). Next up is Hendrix with 'Voodoo Child (Slight return)'. Listening to this track, I am reminded of how many albums I never listen to on a regular basis. Anyways, things happen wild all around the head in this track and XBA-3 copes up with this. Sound stage as with XBA-1 is 'normal' in width, but has decent depth - a bit better than XBA-1 perhaps. But, it does not provide me a sense of space as with FX700 or EX-1000 for sure.
But, I am not getting that 'special' vibe from XBA-3 as I would do with DBA-02, FX700 or Sony's own EX-1000. That may be attributed to it's slightly relaxed sound in comparison to those. Overall, my feeling is somewhat similar to what I get/got with FXT90 or GR07/e-Q5 - something good, better than many others out there, but not special.
Shortly...
Given the peril Rupee is in against USD, I think XBA-1 offers very good value. I wish it had done better by providing a case, Y-split and a shirt clip. But, sound wise, I think it does very well for the price. It may not be everyone's cup of tea and if you happen to audition both XBA-1 and 3, it's likely that you would choose XBA-3. But IMO, at 4K, it's certainly not a disappointment. GR06 @ $60 could be a competitor, but I've neither heard it nor have the intention to buy it.
As for XBA-3, around the 8K mark (say INR comes down to 50/USD), there is lot of competition (FXT90, MG7, DBA-02 MK2, EX-600, FX500, GR07). The good thing about XBA-3, at least to my ears, is that it has less annoyances. It is not special in any way, it does have defects like every other IEM - for instance, I'd have loved a wider sound stage or a little less bass quantity. But, overall, it has forgivable boundary crossings, not "I wish it had not done that" kind of issues. I think here, a little more research would be necessary to determine what kind of signature you are after. As far as value for money goes, I can only say 'par for the course' - neither 'punching above the weight' nor 'punching below the waist'.
I have to try it with UHA-6S / 2SD and see if amp improves things. But, that's all folks! ... for today.
