Sony XBA-H3

[|XcElLeNcE|]

Hi,

Shi Fu ~~ may I ask is the promotion still on for the NEX Sony store? Do we have to specially ask for the price?

thx

I called Sony NEX outlet they told me there is no stocks for the H3.

 

[honest99]

I called Sony NEX outlet they told me there is no stocks for the H3.

Did they mention when it will be back?

 

[|XcElLeNcE|]

Did they mention when it will be back?

They told me that they have no idea when will the next batch of stocks arrive.

 

[honest99]

They told me that they have no idea when will the next batch of stocks arrive.

okay thx, you also plan on buying?

got good price pls share share

 

[frekedech]

Just visited jaben. They are having 20% off if you like their page. Go get it!!

 

[ck100prp]

I have been using H3 for some time now.
They are realy big and sticks out of ear very much. But with foam hybrid tips they stay good in my ears.
From top tear IEMs i have only AudioTechnica CK100Pro. Sonys have warm and sweet sound, unlike ck100pro analytical sound signature. Compared to ck100pro, sony has more sub bass, midbass i think is similar. Mids are more boosted on H3, but highs on ck100pro. I find detail level similar, but ck100pro sound clearer.
In the end XBA-H3 is very impressive IEM, but i still prefer CK100Pro. H3 is much better than XBA-4 and other cheaper IEMs which i have owned - TF10, IM50, CKS1000, Westone 2.
I can post pictures how they size compare to CK100Pro if someone needs.
If anybody is interested - i can get few brand new H3's in sealed box for around U$ 280 shipped from Europe to any country. Please send PM to me.

 

[weng]

Hmm 280 usd doesn't seem worth it as it's about 360 sgd. Over here if there's 20% off it's 350 sgd and with local warranty.

 

[bangdoll]

Insist for local warranty! Support our sg economy

 

[weng]

size comparison between h3 and ex1000

 

[qubec2]

ex1000 seems to be of similar size to the H3.
so im guessing it will also protrude out of the ear when worn?

 

[weng]

ex1000 seems to be of similar size to the H3.
so im guessing it will also protrude out of the ear when worn?

yup abit not as out as h3.

 

[qubec2]

how is the build quality of the ex1000 vs the h3?
initially wanted to hoot ex800st but then h3 comes along at a discounted price..
Now also thinking of selling it since not so travel friendly design

 

[weng]

Cosmetic wise h3 definitely wins with the more modern look... More seamless joints and shiny trims. EX looks more dull. Built wise i don't see any inferiority in the thai built h3, yet. Even the cheapest h1 has similar built quality feel, just abit lesser bling. Their thai factory should be mature enough.

One major difference is the cable connector. EX is using screw-lock method and h3 (and h2) is using mmcx-alike push-pull method.

Yeah definitely not travel friendly. Isolation is mediocre.

 

[frekedech]

size comparison between h3 and ex1000

Which one do you prefer in terms of SQ?

 

[Guan22]

Personally for me, EX1000 was the last great earphones that Sony made
The XBAs after EX1000 were quite bad for me

 

[frekedech]

Personally for me, EX1000 was the last great earphones that Sony made
The XBAs after EX1000 were quite bad for me

Well... thats not surprising considering the price difference
Can elaborate why the ex1000 is better than xba, even the new hybrid?
Never have chance to try ex1000

 

[weng]

i've updated both ex1000 and h3 photos of being worn on the previous page in my post on size comparisons.

 

[Guan22]

Well... thats not surprising considering the price difference
Can elaborate why the ex1000 is better than xba, even the new hybrid?
Never have chance to try ex1000

Not gonna compare EX1000 to the XBA & H series, but gonna instead describe EX1000 a bit, since it's on my ears now.


U shld try it, EX1000 remains one of my all time favourite universal IEM.
So much so, I still keep it despite the poor fit.
Even gutted one of the stock cable for the pins, for use with Toxic Scorpion.

Bass is slightly lacking in impact and punch, but the slight loose bass makes it very beautiful.
Mid range is seductively sweet, especially for female vocals.
Treble is extended and smooth; some say it's sibilant, but it's ok for me.

Staging is wide, but not particularly deep.
Imaging is very good, as with instrument separation.
Details retrieval and clarity is amazing, considering its dynamic driver nature; yet it sounds so coherent throughout the frequency.


Pairing EX1000 with the Scorpion, several issues are resolved.
Firstly, bass now has more impact and punch.
Mid range is slightly more coloured now.
Treble is smoother and less hot.
Staging is slightly less wide, but gains more depth.


All in all, if your library consists of a lot of female vocals, you must listen to the EX1000 at least once in your audio journey.
I'm so glad I own this gem.

 

[frekedech]

Not gonna compare EX1000 to the XBA & H series, but gonna instead describe EX1000 a bit, since it's on my ears now.


U shld try it, EX1000 remains one of my all time favourite universal IEM.
So much so, I still keep it despite the poor fit.
Even gutted one of the stock cable for the pins, for use with Toxic Scorpion.

Bass is slightly lacking in impact and punch, but the slight loose bass makes it very beautiful.
Mid range is seductively sweet, especially for female vocals.
Treble is extended and smooth; some say it's sibilant, but it's ok for me.

Staging is wide, but not particularly deep.
Imaging is very good, as with instrument separation.
Details retrieval and clarity is amazing, considering its dynamic driver nature; yet it sounds so coherent throughout the frequency.


Pairing EX1000 with the Scorpion, several issues are resolved.
Firstly, bass now has more impact and punch.
Mid range is slightly more coloured now.
Treble is smoother and less hot.
Staging is slightly less wide, but gains more depth.


All in all, if your library consists of a lot of female vocals, you must listen to the EX1000 at least once in your audio journey.
I'm so glad I own this gem.

Nice review!
I shall find them out, did you get it from Japan?

I do find the H3's treble is hot and uncomfortable untill i EQed down 4-8KHz range a couple dBs to make it sounds more bearable (to me), this may be the reason why my dx50 is sitting collecting dust now...
Mids are pretty good where the bass can sometimes overpowered it. Again, need to EQ down 135Hz to isolate the boom-boom bass.

I have collected most of UE JH-era IEM (UE fans here ) after leaving Sony many years ago, but this new HBA just swayed me back. Now whenever i listen to my old triplefi, they sound less clear and more sibilant. H3 makes TF10 looks punny as well.

May EX1000 makes me sony's biggest fan again

 

[weng]

Wa that means you really quite sensitive to high freqs.. Would be expecting tf10 to sound more intrusive too like that. Not sure if the potential shrill of the ex1000 will bother you or not, but yeah do give it a try if you have the chance to. Scarly try already next day wts h3