Rated 2.000000 out of 5 Stars
Reviewer:
Stuck
(Delaware)
Date
7-Apr-2012
I've had this product forless than a month
47of50
people found this helpful
Pros:
Clear mids and highs, small size and light weight
Cons:
Absence of bottom end makes those highs seem shrill. Plastic construction inconsistent with the price
I'd been waiting to see what Sony could do with balanced armature design since they have, in my opinion, already laid claim to the dynamic driver crown with their monstrous 16mm EX1000s.
These are not my first experience with balanced armature earbuds. Some "audiophiles" claim they are measured by a different metric, something I don't agree with. It either sounds good at it's price point, or is surpassed. These, sadly, fall into the latter category.
The XBA-1's feature only one full range driver. They offer piercingly bright mids and relatively clear highs, but the bottom end is missing in action. Without the low end to provide balance, those bright mids and highs border on shrillness.
On the positive side, they are quite comfortable. Their small size and light weight make them easy both to pocket and to use, though the plastic bodies of the buds do definitely lend an air of cheapness to them. They also finally bring a flat cord to Sony's earbud line - something that has been sorely lacking for quite some time - which do a fine job allaying the tangles and knots that are inevitable with repeatedly pocketing earbuds. Sony also supplies a decent case for storage in keeping with their other high end earbud offerings along with several sizes of silicone tip for the ideal fit.
If these buds were judged by merit alone, I'd consider them fair, but Sony has priced these at the same level as their dynamic driver MDR-EX310's; those are more worthy of consideration.
An interesting first effort in balanced armature design for Sony. While hardly a failure, their price forces me to recommend these only to those looking to expand their collection. For a set of daily drivers, look elsewhere.
Rated 5.000000 out of 5 Stars
Reviewer:
Navigator
(California)
Date
20-Jul-2012
I've had this product forless than a month
2of15
people found this helpful
Pros:
Look, feel, sound, design
Cons:
none
Just better headphones.
Rated 5.000000 out of 5 Stars
Reviewer:
DJtheDJ
Date
28-Jun-2012
I've had this product forless than a month
19of21
people found this helpful
Pros:
lush, warm, detailed sound with a good soundstage
Cons:
for the price I paid I can't find any
I think the people that give these bad reviews have never had experience with single balanced armatures or even multiple armatures. The bass is very clean with a good texture and impact, it sounds the way its truly intended because most IEM artificially boost the bass. The mids are forward and are lush and warm and the highs are laid back yet still have good detail. As for the soundstage its average with decent width and depth and the imaging and separation are also quite good.
For the $62 I paid these are a great pair of BA based IEM's and will work good for anyone thats not a big basshead. The warmth along with the detail makes these a really good IEM in their price range.
Rated 4.000000 out of 5 Stars
Reviewer:
jetairways
(Ontario)
Date
24-Dec-2012
I've had this product forless than a month
Pros:
Good Sound Quality
Cons:
Missing Bass, Price
This armature headphone features a lot of good sound....whether i played Rock or Jazz, the sound was excellent...but Bass was missing...could not hear to the level that i could in my other Sony Dynamic Driver headphones...I expected more bass for the price that i payed for these...
Rated 4.000000 out of 5 Stars
Reviewer:
VinceC
(Orlando, FL)
Date
25-Mar-2012
I've had this product foren_CA, SonyStyleText, REVIEWS_Have_Had_Product_For_
14of28
people found this helpful
Pros:
Sony makes the best headphones
Cons:
No inline volume control
No inline volume control like the MDR-E829V for making microadjustments to the volume.
Rated 4.000000 out of 5 Stars
Reviewer:
beatbox66
(Boston, MA)
Date
27-Apr-2012
I've had this product forless than a month
10of13
people found this helpful
Pros:
Lightweight, Good design and accessories
Cons:
No inline volume control
I got these as a Klout perk and they work as advertised. I have to be careful when outside because it cuts out a lot of noise :)
Rated 2.000000 out of 5 Stars
Reviewer:
AndyShedd
(Portland, ME)
Date
10-Oct-2012
I've had this product for1-3 months
3of6
people found this helpful
Pros:
Good noise isolation
Cons:
No bass, minimal treble
This is Sony's attempt to get you onto the Balanced Armiture bandwagon. They offer 2, 3, and 4 driver models which feature real bass, treble and all of the above, respectively. I do give Sony nods for the more than complete set of earplugs. I didn't notice any difference when using the enhanced noise-isolation earplugs with added foam but the standard plugs gave an excellent fit. Two stars for lack of bass and real treble. Other cheaper Sony earbuds do a better job. No need to upgrade there.
Connect