Edit: I realized this post was my 777th, it better bring Sony some luck!! I might have to stop posting for a while
x-post from the impressions thread of Tokyo 2011 Fall Headphone Festival ( http://www.head-fi.org/t/577893/tokyo-japan-meet-at-the-fujiyaavic-2011-autumn-headphone-impressions/15#post_7857306 ):
Sony - new Balanced Armatures i.e.m's:
Really, I didn't expect anything here either (info here: Sony Balanced Armature ). It just happened that one Sony staff managed to get me to try a unit. If I understood right, I actually talked to one of the engineers behind the new BA products (Tsunoda-san), which I found was really cool as I thought Sony was just sending "sales" staff to the booth. Even more cool is the fact that Tsunoda-san knew about head-fi and asked me where I "bought my head-fi t-shirt"
. Jude, you'll need to send Tsunoda-san a t-shirt I think
.
I first listened to the 2 driver unit (XBA-2SL, JPY18,375 MSRP) and found it very smooth but maybe a bit rolled off. Midrange and bass were very clean and well balanced. I found it very natural sounding and close to my ideal for iem sound. I then listened to the 3 driver unit (XBA-3SL, JPY24,675 MSRP). The feeling of treble roll-off was replaced by something very extended up top with lots of sparkle. It maybe a little bit forward in the high treble range but I didn't have enough time to clarify. The comfort was good. I have tiny ear canal and the smallest tip ensured a proper seal without hurting. Would need to see after couple of hours but initial feeling was good.
I'll have to spend more time with it to reserve judgement, but I have a feeling the XBA-3SL will be replacing my shure SE-315 in the near future. Actually, this may sound crazy but this is the item I liked the most with the V-Moda M-80 from all the things I sampled at the show (I liked it better than JH Audio 13's but this is likely due to a sealing problem with the non-custom demo). I have a suspicion this new BA line from Sony is going to make a serious dent in the competition at and above its price range. Sony has the resources to make good products and they are big enough a company to be able to price it aggressively. So, this is all a very good news for us headphone enthusiasts!!