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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Sony XBA 1 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£70Form factor:in-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Sony XBA 1 Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Sony XBA 1
6.0/10

Overall score

Score
6.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
Score components

80%

5.7

Technical score

20%

7.1

User score

â–¼Worse than 65% of headphones
7.2

Value for money

Value for money
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Score components

70%

6.0

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 59%
5.7

Technical score

Technical score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
Score components

52%

6.4

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

7.2

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.9

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 64%
7.1

User score

User score
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 83% of models
Score components

70%

7.6

User ratings

30%

6.0

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 83%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Sony XBA 1

Technical score
Technical score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
Score components:

52%

6.4

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

7.2

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.9

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

5.7
User score
User score
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 83% of models
Score components

70%

7.6

User ratings

30%

6.0

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
7.1
Popularity
Popularity
6.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 51% of models
Popularity:
Sony XBA 1 has a popularity score of 6 points, which is higher than that of 51% of products in this category.
6.0
Value for money
Value for money
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Score components:

70%

6.0

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.2
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
balanced armature
Driver size
?
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
5 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 5 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 86.3% of headphones and equal to 10.8% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
no
This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while 15.1% is. 84.9% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
Show more
Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Sony
Form factor
in-ear
Weight
3 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 3 g, lighter than 99.8% of headphones and equal to 0.2% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
N/A
Show more

Sony XBA 1 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 98.6% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (3 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    3 g vs 218 g
  • 13 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (5 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    5 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • 6 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (108 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    108 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 5,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (25,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    25,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 18 dB higher max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a higher max SPL than the average pair of headphones (128 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    128 dB vs 110 dB
  • 98.6% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (3 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    3 g vs 218 g
  • 13 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (5 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    5 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 6 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (108 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    108 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 5,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (25,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    25,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 18 dB higher max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a higher max SPL than the average pair of headphones (128 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    128 dB vs 110 dB
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • Non-replaceable earpads
    This pair of headphones has non-replaceable earpads, while the average pair of headphones has replaceable ones. 75.6% of headphones have replaceable earpads.
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 0.7 % higher distortion
    This pair of headphones has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    1 % vs 0.3 %
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • 12.4% lower user score
    User score
    7.1/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Sony XBA 1
    the average pair of headphones
    Sony XBA 1 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.12 vs 8).
    7.12 vs 8
  • 4 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2012 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    February 2012
    2012 vs 2016
  • 12.4% lower user score
    User score
    7.1/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Sony XBA 1
    the average pair of headphones
    Sony XBA 1 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.12 vs 8).
    7.12 vs 8
  • Non-replaceable earpads
    This pair of headphones has non-replaceable earpads, while the average pair of headphones has replaceable ones. 75.6% of headphones have replaceable earpads.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 0.7 % higher distortion
    This pair of headphones has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    1 % vs 0.3 %
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 4 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2012 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    February 2012
    2012 vs 2016

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

6.0
lachlanlikesathing
≈ estimated
02/03/2013
Hands-on review · sound, comfort and build
Verdict
Sony XBA-1 is a light, comfortable backup earphone with warm sound, but nothing special for its price.
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Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Sony XBA 1

  • Excellent noise isolation, especially with the included foam-filled tips
  • Extremely lightweight and small design (approx. 3g)
  • Clear, detailed midrange and treble performance for a single driver
  • Generous accessory bundle including 7 pairs of various ear tips
  • Tangle-resistant flat cable design (asymmetric 'J' style)
  • Punchy and accurate sound when paired with high-quality DACs or amps

What customers don't like about Sony XBA 1

  • Noticeable lack of deep bass when used with standard smartphones
  • Absence of inline remote or microphone for hands-free calling
  • Audio can become shrill or sibilant at higher volume levels
  • Steep roll-off in frequencies above 10kHz
  • Asymmetric cable design can be polarizing and may feel uneven to some users
  • Relatively high price at launch for an entry-level single-driver model

Verdict

The Sony XBA-1 is a compact in-ear headphone featuring a single micro-sized balanced armature driver designed to deliver a clear and balanced audio spectrum. Its technical profile includes a frequency response of 5Hz–25,000Hz, a sensitivity of 108dB/mW, and an impedance of 24 ohms at 1kHz, making it efficient for portable use with devices like smartphones. The main characteristics include a lightweight 3g build, a 1.2m oxygen-free copper (OFC) Litz neck-chain cord, and a double-layered housing that provides exceptional passive noise isolation. Key pros are its high-resolution midrange clarity, comfortable small-profile fit, and superior noise blocking without the need for active cancellation. However, notable cons include a perceived lack of deep bass impact due to the single-driver design and a soundstage that can feel narrow compared to multi-driver or open-back alternatives.

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