Subscores
Sony is back in the world of in-ear headphones with the XBA range, boasting a balanced armature driver and a relatively high price tag for their market position. Sony promises quality, but can it deliver?
Design: Bundle Could Be Better
Despite being made entirely from plastic, the XBA-1 headphones have a nice look and seem well-made. We had no problems with their assembly and finish. In fact, you can't really ask for more at this price point.
We've got no complaints about comfort either. These headphones sit perfectly well in your ears. Note, however, that even if the XBA-1 can be worn with the cable over the top of your ears, you'll have to be a bit careful about wear and tear, as there are no cable guides to protect the joint between cables and earphones.
The cable is tight, flat and slim, and although it doesn't feel particularly flimsy, it's not the best-quality cable we've ever seen. On the other end, you'll find the usual L-shaped audio jack.
The bundle is disappointing. You get a pair of noise-reducing earbuds (see inset), as well as three pairs of regular silicone earbuds. The only other accessories supplied are a soft case and a cable winder. To be honest, we were hoping for more.
Audio: We've Seen Worse
The £40-£90 price bracket seems to constitute the core of the in-ear headphones market right now, and manufacturers have made a lot of effort to improve audio quality in these products. This is clearly evident in the XBA-1 which, despite using only one balanced armature driver, still deliver a more-than-decent performance.
Frequency response for the XBA-1 headphones: Left = low frequencies (bass) / Right = high frequencies
There's not much to say about audio quality. The frequency response graph is excellent. When listening, you may notice a slight lack of bass, but that's common in in-ear models, which don't give the same physical effect as speakers or other types of headphones. But apart from the lower end of the spectrum, the rest of the frequency response graph speaks for itself. The overall output is level, with slightly reinforced mediums that augment voices a little. A very slight hiss is just occasionally perceptible.
In terms of accuracy, these headphones have the usual limitations of compact, mid-range in-ear models. Distortion is generally low, but it's still stronger then in some more advanced in-ears. This is confirmed in practice, with an output that's very clean and even, but which could be a bit sharper. The soundstage and instrument positioning aren't amazing, but there are no major problems to report.
At this price point, so long as you're not too bothered about strong, pumping bass and you don't mind the rather meagre bundle, the XBA-1 headphones are certainly worth a look. After all, it's not like any competitors do a better job at this price!
Design: Bundle Could Be Better
Despite being made entirely from plastic, the XBA-1 headphones have a nice look and seem well-made. We had no problems with their assembly and finish. In fact, you can't really ask for more at this price point.
We've got no complaints about comfort either. These headphones sit perfectly well in your ears. Note, however, that even if the XBA-1 can be worn with the cable over the top of your ears, you'll have to be a bit careful about wear and tear, as there are no cable guides to protect the joint between cables and earphones.
The cable is tight, flat and slim, and although it doesn't feel particularly flimsy, it's not the best-quality cable we've ever seen. On the other end, you'll find the usual L-shaped audio jack.
The bundle is disappointing. You get a pair of noise-reducing earbuds (see inset), as well as three pairs of regular silicone earbuds. The only other accessories supplied are a soft case and a cable winder. To be honest, we were hoping for more.
Audio: We've Seen Worse
The £40-£90 price bracket seems to constitute the core of the in-ear headphones market right now, and manufacturers have made a lot of effort to improve audio quality in these products. This is clearly evident in the XBA-1 which, despite using only one balanced armature driver, still deliver a more-than-decent performance.
Frequency response for the XBA-1 headphones: Left = low frequencies (bass) / Right = high frequencies
There's not much to say about audio quality. The frequency response graph is excellent. When listening, you may notice a slight lack of bass, but that's common in in-ear models, which don't give the same physical effect as speakers or other types of headphones. But apart from the lower end of the spectrum, the rest of the frequency response graph speaks for itself. The overall output is level, with slightly reinforced mediums that augment voices a little. A very slight hiss is just occasionally perceptible.
Left: THD+N in % / Right: harmonic distortion in dB
In terms of accuracy, these headphones have the usual limitations of compact, mid-range in-ear models. Distortion is generally low, but it's still stronger then in some more advanced in-ears. This is confirmed in practice, with an output that's very clean and even, but which could be a bit sharper. The soundstage and instrument positioning aren't amazing, but there are no major problems to report.
At this price point, so long as you're not too bothered about strong, pumping bass and you don't mind the rather meagre bundle, the XBA-1 headphones are certainly worth a look. After all, it's not like any competitors do a better job at this price!
Pros
- Build, finish
- Audio quality
- Balanced output
Cons
- Bass is slightly weak
- Accessories bundle could be more generous
Conclusion
At the higher end of the entry-level headphones market, the Sony XBA-1 do a good job. You'll inevitably have to accept a few compromises, but nothing too serious for headphones at this price.
OUR SCORE
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