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3-Driver In-Ear Headphones

Model number: XBA-3
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
Sporting three Balanced Armature driver units (full range, woofer and tweeter), these audiophile-friendly in-ear headphones are buffed out for serious sound.

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$279.99

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Higher highs and lower lows.

Tune into a dramatic soundscape of clear, sparkling highs and deep, bottomless lows with these XBA-3 Balanced Armature in-ear headphones. With a full-range driver, woofer and tweeter, these premium headphones sport three Sony Balanced Armature driver units precision engineered to optimize your music. Revel in incredibly crisp vocals, buffed out bass and a remarkably balanced frequency response for the ultimate earbud listening experience.

  • Sensational Sound

    Designed for discerning audiophiles, XBA Series in-ear headphones are outfitted with Sony's newly developed Balanced Armature driver units engineered for crisp, balanced sound of incredible depth and precision. Infused with premium audio technology, even the most subtle musical nuances are delivered with tremendous clarity and detail.

  • Balanced Armature Drivers

    Sporting three Balanced Armature drivers (full range, woofer and tweeter), these XBA-3 in-ear headphones deliver a full-bodied spectrum of sound rounded out by perky highs and profound lows. Meticulously pre-tuned by Sony engineers, these micro-sized drivers reproduce a balanced high to low frequency response, and even emphasize key sound characteristics to enhance your music.

  • Double Layer Housing

    A specially made inner housing constructed of high strength magnesium holds the driver units rigidly in place for super smooth frequency response. Enclosed in an ABS outer housing that suppresses unwanted vibrations, this innovative double layer design delivers crystal-clear mid to high range sound and overall crisp, rich audio.

  • Long Lasting Comfort

    Because Balanced Armature drivers sport an ultra compact design for a smaller overall form factor, they slip easily inside the ear for a snug, more natural-feeling fit. The result? Reduced ambient noise and long-lasting comfort and wearability—even after hours of
    non-stop listening.

  • Noise Blocking Design

    Lock in the sounds of your favorite songs, and block out disruptive background noise. Because Sony XBA Series in-ear headphones boast a noise-blocking design and a snug, comfortable fit, they prevent sound leakage—both in and out of the ear—so you can enjoy your music without annoying your neighbor, and get lost in a distraction-free listening experience.

  • Secure Fit

    With four sizes of hybrid silicone and three sizes of noise isolating ear cushions included, you can choose the best fit for your ears to maximize overall sound quality and comfort. With the perfect-fitting pair, your XBA Series in-ear headphones stay securely in place—even during strenuous exercise—while keeping ambient background noise at bay.

Engineered for music lovers, these premium XBA-3 in-ear headphones boast a total of three Balanced Armature drivers (full range, woofer and tweeter) to hit every note, from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows. Precision tuned by Sony engineers, these newly developed drivers work in concert to bring you remarkably balanced frequency response and a full range of rich, sensational sound—all at a fraction of the size of dynamic drivers. A specially made double layer housing suppresses unwanted vibrations for ultimate crispness and clarity, while a noise-blocking design locks out annoying background sound.

Sound Story

Compared to conventional Dynamic drivers, Balanced Armature drivers reproduce a smooth, broad, and even frequency response with notable vocal clarity. Sony® Balanced Armature drivers can even be tuned for higher or lower frequency response, as well as combined to emphasize certain sound characteristics.

Wearing Comfort

The smaller size of the Balanced Armature (BA) driver allows an improved fit inside the ear for better, long-term comfort. This attenuates outside sounds better than headphones with Dynamic drivers, resulting in a superior listening experience.

Noise Attenuation

Noise isolation earbuds (Included: Small, Medium, and Large) not only provide an outstanding fit, but utilize pressure relieving urethane foam to further reduce ambient noise.

Double Layer Housing

It’s in the details? A special, high strength magnesium inner housing provides the necessary rigidity for smooth frequency response, while an ABS outer housing suppresses vibrations for clear mid-high frequency sound reproduction. The result is rich audio performance.

Secure Fit

Hybrid silicone earbuds, in 4 sizes, allow for a tailored fit that further maximizes overall sound quality and comfort.

Balanced Armature Driver

Newly developed micro-size driver units (full-range + woofer + tweeter) deliver smooth and clear vocals with rich, powerful bass and detailed high frequencies. Get reacquainted with your favorite music.

Noise Blocking Design

Sony® XBA-Series Earbuds provide a comfortable fit that also results in significantly lower sound leakage levels both in or out, allowing you uninterrupted access to your music.

Carrying Case

A carrying case is included to keep your headphones protected while traveling.

Product Specifications

General

  • Case Type : Carrying Case
  • Plug : Gold-plated L-type stereo mini plug
  • Type of Use : Portable

Weights and Measurements

  • Weight (Approx.) : 7 g (0.25 oz) without cord

Audio

  • Driver Unit : Closed, Triple Balanced Armature
  • Frequency Response : 4 - 28,000 Hz
  • Impedance : 12 ohms at 1 kHz
  • Sensitivity (db) : 108 dB/mW

Hardware

  • Cord : 47 1/4 in. (1.2 m), OFC Litz cord neck-chain
  • Headphone Type : Vertical in-the-ear style earbuds

Audio Features

  • Ear Cups : N/A

Power

  • Power Handling Capacity : 100 mW (IEC)

In the Box

  • Operating Instructions (1)
  • Carrying Case (1)
  • Hybrid Silicone Earbuds - SS (2), S (2), M (2), L (2)
  • Warranty Card (1)
  • Noise Isolation Earbuds - S (2), M (2), L (2)
  • Cord Adjuster (1)

Product Profile

Support

XBA-3 3 5 2 2
Very well executed There are as many opinions as people on this planet. So, I will speak for myself. I can not call myself audiophile but I do have many hobbies and building custom DAC, headphone amplifiers, speakers, modding headphones are part of my list. I was looking for good in-ear headphones. XBA-3 did fit my bill. So, I will not be writing about great value or headphones in similar price range. My observation is about sound only. In short - XBA-3 are GREAT! Very neutral, no excess bass or anything else. They sound clinical. So, garbage IN - garbage OUT. Make sure what you are using something what has at least SNR 95dB and has enough power to drive them. You will hear any imperfection in you music source. It's exactly what I was looking for. Because when you have good setup, you will appreciate quality of these headphones. Wide soundstage, one of the cleanest and even frequency response (at least for my ears). Nice artificial leather case. Excellent selection of ear-tips (I love one with foam core and silicon shell). I just wish them to be smaller but three drivers need space, so I am no complaining. April 11, 2013
Worst buy I've made in years It took me a long time to get some money to buy some good headphones. I found the sony Xba-3 in a Portuguese site for ? 205. When I opened the box, the first thing I noticed was the build quality. The headphones are lightweight and made of plastic and the cable is thin and weak. I connected it to my Sony Xperia arc, and I was just disappointed with the sound. I also have Sony headphones (MDR-EX310LP, which cost me ? 45). The sound on the XBA-3 is much lower than in EX310Lp and has no bass at all. The highs have more clarity than in EX310lp but the sound in MDR-ex310lp is much more balanced, the bass is deep and clean without muffle the mids and treble, although I need to pay more attention to hear some details compared to the XBA-3. Of course I had to test the sound on my computer, I have one of the best sound cards on the market (creative sound blaster x-fi titanium HD). The sound in the Xba-3 improved greatly as well as the MDR-EX310Lp. The headphones are quite sensitive to the equalizer, but when I tried to adjust the bass, they began to distort, and I began to hear vibrations in the left earpiece which only stopped when I put my finger on it. The MDR-EX310lp proved quite balanced sound, the treble as also defined but not as defined and separated as the Xba-3( you need to pay a bit more attention to the music tho ear some details that you can ear in the xba-3 more easily), but in return they reproduce clean and deep bass. The sound in the Xba-3 begins to mix when increasing the volume!!!.   I just did not returned it because I could not but I have already put them on sale on the Internet and if i sell them i will buy the SHURE es215. In short: these headphones do not reproduce balanced sound as mentioned by Sony, you only will listen highs, some mids and no lows, the bass is nearly nonexistent (even my old Philips who I used to use with my Sony Ericsson w995 produce better bass and cost me only 15 ?!) and have poor quality of construction. Bad advertising and definitely not worth ? 205, and will probably be the last I'll buy from Sony. January 19, 2013
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