The XBA-A3 differs from its competitors by the presence of three different emitters at once. Moreover, each one works on a separate frequency range. This is the reason for the high sound quality of the device. The headphones use reinforcement drivers; a number of unique technical solutions are collected in such a small package.

Equipment

The complete package of the device makes a strong impression. At the very least, this justifies the relatively high cost.

Separately, it should be noted that the headphones are supplied with two sets of cables:

• for the player;
• for smartphone.

The difference lies precisely in the presence of a call answer button, as well as a microphone. This makes the model a full-fledged headset that can be used with your phone as comfortably as possible. In addition, the headphones come with a fairly convenient case. This makes it easy to carry and use the Sony XBA-A3. You can carry it without much difficulty, the cable will not get tangled.

Another point that sometimes greatly surprises all users is the presence of a large number of overlays. Today, you can count on one hand the models of in-ear headphones that come with such a choice. Which is undoubtedly a serious advantage.

In total there are as many as 6 pairs of different linings. They all have different sizes. This will allow any user to choose an ear pad for their own ears without any difficulty. Three sets are made of special rubber. The rest are supplied with a special filler. This allows you to choose pads of suitable softness. It is the configuration of the Sony XBA-A3 model that significantly distinguishes it from its analogues.

Design, model construction

Despite the positioning of the model as compact for its class, the XBA-A3 are quite massive headphones, taking into account their in-ear type. Such a decision is forced, since the significant overall dimensions are a consequence of the use of as many as three sound emitters in each earbud.

The headphone body is made of plastic. But at the same time its surface is rough. Therefore, even with frequent use, the presence of fingerprints will not be noticeable. There is a border in the center of the front panel. This design solution makes the model somewhat more compact – but only visually.

Most users evaluate the Sony XBA-A3 positively in appearance. Moreover, despite the year of manufacture, some analogues from other manufacturers in this price range are significantly inferior in this sense. An example would be Master&Dynamic ME05BL. But the given model differs in the material of manufacture. The body is made of metal, while the XBA-A3 is entirely plastic.

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Comfort of use

The XBA-A3 is distinguished by its extremely unique fit. Moreover, it is much less convenient than analogues in this price category or more expensive. For example, Dunu DN-2000 Gold is much more comfortable in this sense. But their price is at least 2 times higher. However, with enough diligence and desire, you can easily select the appropriate tips for a particular ear. Moreover, due to its ergonomics and shape, getting used to this model will not be difficult.

Compactness makes use as convenient as possible. However, others will be able to see the somewhat protruding body of the headphones. This affects use in winter. Due to its size, this model may simply not “make friends” with some hats. The length of both included cables is 1.2 m. Due to this, you can use the headphones as comfortably as possible.

Sound

The model is initially positioned as a device for listening to music. And it does its job perfectly. The T-shaped diaphragm design creates maximum driver linearity. This can significantly reduce distortion. The sound quality is at the highest possible level. Which completely justifies the cost. Detailing has especially increased at mid and low frequencies.

Users highlight excellent tonal balance in the midrange. There is no typical problem for tunnel headphones - closed space. The sound easily goes beyond your head even when playing low-quality music. The bass is as rich as possible, the volume is completely preserved. All this together makes it easy to compete with more modern counterparts. For example, with Philips Fidelio S2 White.

With proper equalizer settings, you can achieve the most noticeable channel separation. This will significantly emphasize the lower frequencies. The articulation of the bass will make it easy to perceive the sound as clearly as possible.

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Performance characteristics

Basic device parameters:

• full range of reproduced frequencies – 3 - 40,000 Hz;
• impedance value – 32 Ohm;
• sensitivity – 105 dB/mW;
• membrane diameter – 12 mm.

Separately, it is necessary to note the design of the connection cables. They are made of oxygen-free copper. This type of metal allows you to maximize the quality of transmitted sound. The model is distinguished by the finest attention to detail. This applies to both production and sound. Some users are put off by the size and price. But 95% of all reviews about this model are positive. But all lovers of high-quality sound will undoubtedly love the Sony XBA-A3.

Only a year has passed since the launch of Sony's line of hybrid in-ear headphones, but the company has already managed to rethink the technology and update the entire series. Before this, two models were available to Russians - XBA-H1 and XBA-H3. The new family has replaced the letter 'H' with 'A' and consists of 3 models - A1, A2, A3, plus: Sony introduces the flagship model XBA-Z5. We will definitely look at the entire new model range, but today we will focus on the XBA-A3, which replaced the XBA-H3.

Design and construction

If you remember the XBA-H3 model, then you can imagine that these were quite massive - by the standards of the in-ear class - headphones. Which is not surprising if you take into account the hybrid design of the model. Inside each earphone there are three sound emitters at once: two reinforcement ones and a large dynamic one with a membrane with a diameter of 16 mm. The XBA-A3 are created using a similar 3-driver design, but thanks to the efforts of Sony engineers and designers, the headphones have lost a little weight and generally look less bulky. The plastic case is no longer glossy, but matte and looks more like metal; fingerprints on it are now practically invisible. There is a straight groove running down the center of the front panel - this clever solution visually makes the model more compact and neat. The left and right earbuds are marked with colored circles located on the rear panel - white 'L' and red 'R', respectively. The detachable cable is also color-coded at the point where it connects to the headphones - you won’t be able to mix up the channels.

The fit has remained virtually unchanged; due to the design, it is quite specific and is a bit reminiscent of the UltimateEars TripleFi 10. Unlike, for example, Shure or Westone, the body of which is placed in the auricle parallel to the head, the XBA-A3 are positioned perpendicularly and protrude from the ears. For additional fixation, there are ear hooks made of rubber with a memory effect - about 10 centimeters of cable are wrapped in it. Despite the large size of the case, the fit of the model is not very deep, so owners of small ears should not be alarmed ahead of time.

Of course, the fit of the XBA-A3 is not the most common, but new does not mean bad. If you take the time to select suitable attachments (of which there are as many as 7 types in the set), you quickly get used to the headphones; from the outside you can see them more than others, but the feeling is that you can easily forget about them. The only point worth noting is that due to the part of the case protruding from the ear, the headphones may not “make friends” with some winter hats (but even here everything is not so simple; the author of the review, on the contrary, received additional fixation due to the hat).

Before moving on to the most interesting part, let’s pay attention to the XBA-A3 configuration. In addition to the headphones themselves, the box contains a convenient leather case with a zipper; in addition to the main compartment, it has a couple of pockets for tips, accessories and a replacement cable. There are 2 cables included - standard and headset. Both are 1.2m long, flat with fine longitudinal grooves for tangle resistance and microphone suppression, angled jacks. The headset cable is single-button and compatible with smartphones on any platform (iPhone, Android, Windows Phone). As mentioned above, the set includes 7 pairs of replaceable attachments: 4 sizes of regular silicone and 3 sizes of special combined attachments from Sony - the outside is the same silicone, but inside it is sealed with foam material. These tips combine the benefits of foam tips (tighter fit and sound insulation) with the durability of silicone tips. Additional accessories include a reel for adjusting the length of the cable and a clip for fixing it on clothing.

Sound

The idea of ​​hybrid headphones is to combine the advantages of different types of drivers - the warm and powerful bass of dynamic drivers, plus the precise and detailed mids and highs characteristic of drivers with a balanced armature.

In terms of sound, Sony made quite a lot of progress with the previous model. The XBA-H3 headphones had a very rich and lively sound with an excellent stereo panorama for the class of in-ear headphones - the model could compete even with full-size headphones. What has changed in the new version of XBA-A3?

Sony have developed armature drivers with a new design that differs from competitors: the armature in them is T-shaped and connects directly to the diaphragm. According to the company, this design provides higher driver linearity and reduces distortion. Indeed, the detail and quality of mid and high frequencies have increased noticeably. With the XBA-H3, the 'middle' was pushed back a little, which, together with the rise in the midbass region, made the sound of vocals or, for example, a guitar somewhat distant, plunging them into the depths of the mix. Here the tonal balance has become smoother, voices sound clearer and more pleasant. The bass retained its depth and volume, while also adding a little detail. The sound stage and the transfer of space in the new product are even better, there is no isolation of conventional ‘plugs’, the sound extends beyond the head, the instruments are well separated from each other. The hybrids have a multi-genre sound - hip-hop and dance genres rock, metal pleases with dynamics and a clear rhythm section, and symphonic music with airiness and conveyance of space.

As for a source suitable for headphones, the XBA-A3 demonstrates its character and quality sound even with a smartphone. Thanks to high sensitivity, there is no lack of volume. If you are not spoiled by Hi-End, perhaps this bundle will seem more than sufficient. And yet, this is far from the limit of the capabilities of this model, which is further hinted at by the Hi-Res Audio label placed on the box - Sony has optimized the headphones for playing high-definition audio formats (with quality from 96 kHz / 24 bits and higher) and working with high-quality sources . For example, in conjunction with the Sony Walknam ZX1 and Hi-Res recordings, the sound of the XBA-A3 truly blossoms - if not with new, then with brighter colors and their combinations, and the musical canvas is drawn with more precise and finer strokes. The sound stage becomes wider, as if someone had opened the windows, transparency and detail reach new heights, and there is no trace left of the remnants of tightness typical of in-ear headphones.

We also tested the model with Sony's new flagship portable DAC/amplifier PHA-3 (PCM support up to 384 kHz / 32 bit, DSD 2.8 MHz / 5.6 MHz). In addition to the standard 3.5 mm jack, this device has a Sony format balanced jack (2 x 3.5 mm). A balanced headphone cable is not included in the package; it must be purchased separately (for testing, we used the balanced cable included with the flagship XBA-Z5 model, a review of which is expected in early December). When using a standard connection, the sound of the XBA-A3 with the PHA-3 is excellent, even more delicate than with the ZX1, plus more power reserve. But uncompromising perfectionists should, of course, try a balanced connection with this amplifier. In this way, you can achieve excellent channel separation and detail; a balanced cable has a particularly good effect on the low-frequency response, and the bass becomes even more concentrated and articulate.

I'm looking forward to connecting the headphones to the player and checking whether all these experiments with sizes are justified.

Listening

Overall, the Sony XBA-H3 plays interestingly, noticeably different from the average in-ear headphones. At the same time, the sound has both obvious advantages and disappointments. For example, we did not hear the expressive bass due to the use of a separate driver. But the middle and top really turned out to be up to par. There is impressive detail that remains even as volume increases. And the frequency balance itself seems ideal to us. The headphones provide full drive, so many instruments (especially rock - electric guitar, bass guitar) sound like real ones. You often catch yourself thinking that the sound is simply not tied to the emitters themselves.

I was also pleased with the versatility of the model. Due to the standard impedance and high sensitivity, acceptable volume and “evenness” are achieved with almost any source. For example, we got excellent results when paired with the HiFiMan HM-601 player. When switching to a cheap smartphone with a mediocre output, only the detail dropped, but the volume remained sufficient.

Competitors

There are not so many hybrid headphones on the market, but there are still worthy competitors, albeit not yet widespread in Russia. For example, we can name the Korean T-PEOS H-200. They are very similar in design - also three-driver, but the body dimensions are more humane. The price turned out to be approximately comparable.

Take your listening experience to the next level.
Bring powerful high-resolution audio to any music with the XBA-A3 in-ear headphones. Featuring a hybrid 3-way speaker system, the headphones are perfectly compatible with the PHA-3 amplifier (not included), allowing for a balanced audio connection. This means no crosstalk and cleaner sound in any music composition.

All-encompassing sound.
Hybrid 3-way speaker system with 16mm cone and dual balanced armature drivers delivers accurate, rich sound across the entire frequency range.

A new range of impressions.
Experience deep bass and unparalleled highs with an extended audio range up to 40 kHz.

Wide compatibility.
With a high sensitivity of up to 105 dB/mW, the headphones are compatible with a variety of devices from MP3 players to stereo systems.

Full spectrum of sound.
Enjoy rich bass, crisp mids and crystal clear highs with the 3-way hybrid speaker system. A wide frequency range of 3 Hz–40 kHz allows for optimal sound quality in high-resolution audio. You can enjoy the music the way it was created.

Reliable design.
The driver features a 16mm aluminum-coated LCD resin cone designed for stable resonance even at high frequencies.

Rich sound.
Bring bright highs and rich mids with a full-range, balanced armature driver. Linear connection and T-shape reduce distortion and maintain crisp, clear sound.

Treble sound accuracy.
The ultra-tweeter with a balanced armature delivers crystal clear, crisp high notes. The aluminum diaphragm is designed for fast response and less resonance.

Impeccable sound.
The XBA-A3 headphones include a 1.2-meter dual-layer cable with a copper core for precise high-frequency reproduction and silver plating for detailed low-frequency reproduction.

Hands-free calls.
Simply connect the included dual-layer 1.2m cable for Android phones and make or receive calls from your smartphone using the built-in microphone and remote control.

Ideal for everyone.
The XBA-A3 headphones are designed for maximum wearing comfort and feature three sets of silicone foam earbuds in different sizes for comfortable listening and minimal sound leakage.

Reliability of fastening.
Made from memory rubber, the flexible earhooks securely hold your in-ear headphones in place and provide a comfortable fit to your ear.