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Sony XBA 4 Review | 93 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£310
  • Avg. price in US: ~$350
  • Form factor: in-ear
  • Connectivity: wired
  • Battery life: N/A hours
  • Active noise cancellation (ANC): no

Sony XBA 4 review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among headphones and if it is worth buying.

4.6

Overall score

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 components:

80.0%

4.6

Technical Score

20.0%

?

User score

Poor
4.6

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the headphones' technical performance, covering key areas such as sound quality, noise cancelling, microphone performance, battery life, comfort, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

52.0%

5.0

Sound

20.0%

2.7

Features

10.0%

8.3

Design

8.0%

6.2

Connectivity

6.0%

1.0

Battery

4.0%

3.1

Calls & Controls

Poor
?

User score

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 components:

70.0%

?

User reviews

30.0%

?

Popularity

  • 2.1
    Gaming

    Score components:

    35.0%

    0.0

    Audio latency

    25.0%

    0.0

    Low-latency game mode

    20.0%

    10

    Can be used as a headset

    12.0%

    1.0

    Noise-canceling microphone

    8.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

  • 2.1
    Travel

    Score components:

    28.0%

    1.0

    Active noise cancellation (ANC)

    24.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

    18.0%

    10

    Weight

    16.0%

    0.0

    Multipoint support

    14.0%

    0.0

    Ambient sound mode

  • 2.7
    Calls

    Score components:

    28.0%

    1.0

    Noise-canceling microphone

    24.0%

    10

    Can be used as a headset

    18.0%

    0.0

    Multipoint support

    16.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

    14.0%

    0.0

    Companion app

  • 5.0
    Workout

    Score components:

    28.0%

    10

    Weight

    24.0%

    1.0

    Water resistance

    20.0%

    4.0

    IP rating

    16.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

    12.0%

    10

    Can be used as a headset

  • No image
No image

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

?

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Sony XBA-4 is a flagship in-ear headphone featuring a unique Quad Balanced Armature driver system, including a full-range driver, tweeter, woofer, and super-woofer for extended sub-bass performance. Technically, it offers a broad frequency response of 3Hz–28,000Hz, 108dB/mW sensitivity, and an extremely low impedance of 8 ohms, all housed in a magnesium alloy and ABS vibration-suppressing body. Main pros include its highly refined, analytical sound quality with deep bass and airy treble, excellent passive noise isolation, and a lightweight 8g design that remains comfortable during long sessions. However, cons include a relatively bulky earpiece size, a clinical sound profile that may feel too dry for casual listeners, and a premium price tag.

Technical Specifications of Sony XBA 4

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the headphones' technical performance, covering key areas such as sound quality, noise cancelling, microphone performance, battery life, comfort, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

52.0%

?

Sound

20.0%

?

Features

10.0%

?

Design

8.0%

?

Connectivity

6.0%

?

Battery

4.0%

?

Calls & Controls

4.6
Sony XBA 4 has a technical score of 4.64 points, which is lower than that of 64.3% of products in this category.
User score

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 components:

70.0%

0.0

User reviews

30.0%

1.0

Popularity

?
Popularity
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.
1.0
Sony XBA 4 has a popularity of 1 points, which is lower than 72.7% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

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 components:

60.0%

4.6

Overall score

40.0%

8.9

Price

5.9
Sony XBA 4 has a quality-to-price ratio of 5.9 points, which is lower than 85.5% of products in this category.
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
What it is: Reduces background noise using active technology
When it matters: When blocking office, travel, or aircraft noise is a priority.

Importance: HIGH

no
Sony XBA 4 does not support active noise cancellation. 27.4% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
What it is: Type of speaker driver technology used
When it matters: When the underlying sound character and driver technology matter to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

balanced armature
Driver size
What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit
When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
Number of drivers
What it is: Total number of speaker drivers per earcup
When it matters: When multi-driver designs are part of your buying criteria.

Importance: LOW

4
Sony XBA 4 uses 4 drivers, more drivers than 99.2% of headphones and equal to 0.5% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=10 Hz

3 Hz
Sony XBA 4 reaches a lowest frequency of 3 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 99.4% of headphones and equal to 0.5% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls
When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Sony XBA 4 does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 45.6% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
What it is: Shows whether the headphones can handle voice chat and calls in addition to normal audio playback.
When it matters: When one pair needs to cover music, calls, meetings, and gaming chat.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Sony XBA 4 is headset-ready, 84.7% is not. 15.3% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
What it is: Total number of built-in microphones
When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2

0
Sony XBA 4 has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 74.1% of headphones and equal to 25.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity
When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.

Importance: LOW

yes
Sony XBA 4 includes a boom microphone. 84.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
What it is: Signal-to-noise ratio of the microphone
When it matters: When call clarity matters and you want your voice picked up more cleanly instead of buried in background hiss.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >80 dB

N/A
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Connectivity
What it is: Available connection methods (wired, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.)
When it matters: When the headphones need to match how you listen across wired and wireless devices.

Importance: HIGH

wired
Sony XBA 4 supports wired connectivity, equal to 52.6% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
What it is: Version of Bluetooth technology supported
When it matters: When wireless stability, efficiency, and feature support matter more than treating Bluetooth as a box-check spec.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5.0

N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
What it is: Maximum wireless operating distance from source device
When it matters: When you move around rooms and want fewer dropouts from your source device.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=10 m

N/A
Audio latency
What it is: Delay between audio and video in wireless mode
When it matters: When you watch video or play games and need sound to stay in sync.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <60 ms

N/A
Multipoint support
What it is: Supports simultaneous connections to multiple devices
When it matters: When you switch often between a phone and a laptop during the day.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
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Ambient sound mode
What it is: Allows external sounds to pass through for awareness
When it matters: When you need to stay aware of traffic, voices, or announcements.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
EQ support
What it is: Allows customization of sound profile via equalizer
When it matters: When the stock tuning is not enough and you want to shape bass, mids, or treble to match your taste.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Sony XBA 4 does not support EQ customization. 23.3% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
What it is: Dedicated mobile app for customization and updates
When it matters: When software customization, updates, and extra controls matter.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
Adjustable ANC levels
What it is: Allows adjustment of noise cancellation intensity levels
When it matters: When you move between quiet rooms, offices, streets, and public transport and do not want one ANC setting for every situation.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=4

N/A
Voice assistant support
What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant
When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.

Importance: LOW

no
Sony XBA 4 does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
What it is: Playback time on a single charge
When it matters: When you commute, travel, or work long shifts and do not want charging breaks to interrupt listening.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >45 hours

N/A
Battery life with ANC
What it is: Playback time with active noise cancellation enabled
When it matters: When you plan to keep noise cancellation on for most of the day.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >40 hours

N/A
Charging time
What it is: Time required for a full battery charge
When it matters: When you often need the headphones ready again after short breaks.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=2 hours

N/A
Quick charge
What it is: Provides quick playback time with short charging period
When it matters: When a short top-up needs to deliver useful playback before you leave.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
Battery capacity
What it is: Total energy storage of the internal battery
When it matters: When you are estimating how much battery headroom the design may have before relying only on the official runtime claim.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=720 mAh

N/A
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Brand name
What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.
When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Sony
Form factor
What it is: Overall design type of the headphones (over-ear, on-ear, in-ear, etc.)
When it matters: When comfort, portability, and isolation depend on the overall headphone style.

Importance: HIGH

in-ear
Weight
What it is: Total weight of the headphones
When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <150 g

8 g
Sony XBA 4 weighs 8 g, lighter than 97.2% of headphones and equal to 0.7% of headphones.
Acoustic design
What it is: Type of acoustic design (open-back, closed-back, semi-open)
When it matters: When you need the right balance of isolation, leakage, and soundstage.

Importance: HIGH

closed-back
Clamp force
What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head
When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
Show more

Sony XBA 4 vs the average headphone

  • 96.3% lower weight
    Sony XBA 4 is lighter than the average headphone (8 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    What it is: Total weight of the headphones
    When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <150 g

    Sony XBA 4 is lighter than the average headphone (8 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.8 g vs 218 g
  • 15 Hz lower bass extension
    Sony XBA 4 has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (3 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
    When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <=10 Hz

    Sony XBA 4 has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (3 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.3 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    Sony XBA 4 includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
    What it is: Shows whether the headphones end in a built-in 3.5 mm male plug instead of relying on a separate detachable cable.
    When it matters: When direct wired compatibility with older devices or adapters matters.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Sony XBA 4 includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • 6 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    Sony XBA 4 has a higher sensitivity than the average headphone (108 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    What it is: Sound pressure output level per unit of input power
    When it matters: When you plan to use weaker sources like phones, handhelds, or entry-level dongles and still want enough volume.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=106 dB/mW

    Sony XBA 4 has a higher sensitivity than the average headphone (108 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.108 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 8,000 Hz higher treble extension
    Sony XBA 4 has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (28,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    What it is: Highest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
    When it matters: When treble extension and overall frequency reach matter to you.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=24000 Hz

    Sony XBA 4 has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (28,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.28000 Hz vs 20000 Hz
  • Boom microphone included
    Sony XBA 4 includes a boom microphone, the average headphone does not. 15.6% of headphones have a boom microphone.
    What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity
    When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.

    Importance: LOW

    Sony XBA 4 includes a boom microphone, the average headphone does not. 15.6% of headphones have a boom microphone.
  • 18 dB higher max SPL
    Sony XBA 4 has a higher max SPL than the average headphone (128 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    What it is: Maximum safe sound pressure level
    When it matters: When high-volume headroom is part of your use case.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >=116 dB

    Sony XBA 4 has a higher max SPL than the average headphone (128 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.128 dB vs 110 dB
  • 96.3% lower weight
    Sony XBA 4 is lighter than the average headphone (8 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
  • 15 Hz lower bass extension
    Sony XBA 4 has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (3 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
  • 6 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    Sony XBA 4 has a higher sensitivity than the average headphone (108 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
  • 8,000 Hz higher treble extension
    Sony XBA 4 has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (28,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
  • 18 dB higher max SPL
    Sony XBA 4 has a higher max SPL than the average headphone (128 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    Sony XBA 4 includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • Boom microphone included
    Sony XBA 4 includes a boom microphone, the average headphone does not. 15.6% of headphones have a boom microphone.

Total
Design
Sound
Connectivity
Calls & Controls
  • Fixed cable
    Sony XBA 4 has a fixed cable, while the average headphone has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 3 fewer drivers
    Sony XBA 4 has fewer drivers than the average headphone (4 vs 1). The average headphones use 1 drivers.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    Sony XBA 4 has fewer microphones than the average headphone (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
  • No voice assistant support
    Sony XBA 4 does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 5 years older release date
    Sony XBA 4 was released earlier than the average headphone (2,012 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
    May 2012
  • No voice assistant support
    Sony XBA 4 does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
    What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant
    When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.

    Importance: LOW

    Sony XBA 4 does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • Fixed cable
    Sony XBA 4 has a fixed cable, while the average headphone has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
    What it is: Cable can be removed or replaced
    When it matters: When you care about easier cable replacement, simpler storage, or the option to swap to shorter, longer, or upgraded leads.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Sony XBA 4 has a fixed cable, while the average headphone has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    Sony XBA 4 has fewer microphones than the average headphone (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    What it is: Total number of built-in microphones
    When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >=2

    Sony XBA 4 has fewer microphones than the average headphone (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.0 vs 1
  • 3.44x more expensive
    Sony XBA 4 is more expensive than the average headphone (£310 vs £90).
    Sony XBA 4 is more expensive than the average headphone (£310 vs £90).£310 vs £90
  • 4.65x less popular
    Sony XBA 4 is less popular than the average headphone (1.00 vs 4.646).
    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.
    Sony XBA 4 is less popular than the average headphone (1.00 vs 4.646).1 vs 4.65
  • 14% worse value for money
    Sony XBA 4 has worse value for money than the average headphone (5.91 vs 6.736).
    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.
    Sony XBA 4 has worse value for money than the average headphone (5.91 vs 6.736).5.91 vs 6.74
  • 5 years older release date
    Sony XBA 4 was released earlier than the average headphone (2,012 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
    May 2012
    What it is: Official release or launch date of the model
    When it matters: When you want a newer model for fresher features, longer support life, or simply to avoid buying into an older generation.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >=2020

    Sony XBA 4 was released earlier than the average headphone (2,012 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.2012 vs 2017
  • 3 fewer drivers
    Sony XBA 4 has fewer drivers than the average headphone (4 vs 1). The average headphones use 1 drivers.
    What it is: Total number of speaker drivers per earcup
    When it matters: When multi-driver designs are part of your buying criteria.

    Importance: LOW

    Sony XBA 4 has fewer drivers than the average headphone (4 vs 1). The average headphones use 1 drivers.4 vs 1
Total
Overall
Design
Sound
Calls & Controls
Features

Graphic comparison of Sony XBA 4 and

Attribute category
Attribute
No results found

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Sony XBA 4?

  • Quad balanced armature drivers provide impressive instrument separation and a spacious soundstage
  • Potent and full-bodied bass response, especially deep for an armature-based set
  • Excellent passive noise isolation, particularly when used with the included foam-hybrid tips
  • Low microphonics cable design reduces noise from rubbing against clothing
  • Secure and comfortable fit for many users despite the relatively large earpiece size

What customers dislike about Sony XBA 4?

  • Highly source-sensitive due to very low 8-ohm impedance; sound quality varies significantly with different amplifiers
  • Treble can sound unnatural, harsh, or metallic, leading to listening fatigue for some
  • Bulkier earpiece design can be heavy and may not fit smaller ears securely
  • High initial price point made them a poor value proposition compared to more balanced competitors
  • Occasional issues with sound coherency across the four drivers compared to single-driver models

Expert reviews

H
head-fi.org
03/05/2012
Sony XBA-4 Review VS the MDR-EX1000 - Head-Fi

The Head-Fi thread comparing Sony’s XBA-4 and MDR-EX1000 showcases the distinct differences between quad-balanced armature and dynamic driver designs, with the XBA-4 praised for its fun, musical, and isolating sound, but criticized for a metallic treble peak and low impedance issues. Alternatively, the MDR-EX1000 offers superior, natural audio quality with robust build, though it...Read more

H
hardwarezone.com.sg
09/02/2012
Hands-on: Balanced Armature Experience with Sony's New XBA Headphones - HardwareZone

The HardwareZone Singapore review provides a comprehensive hands-on evaluation of Sony's XBA headphones, highlighting the transition from traditional dynamic drivers to a dedicated balanced armature (BA) architecture. The core lineup consists of four standard in-ear models—the XBA-1, XBA-2, XBA-3, and XBA-4—where the number explicitly indicates how many BA driver units are packed...Read more

C
cybershack.com.au
01/05/2012
Review: Sony XBA-4 Ear Buds - CyberShack

Review Summary: Sony XBA-4 Ear Buds The Sony XBA-4 earbud headphones feature an innovative quad balanced armature system combining a full-range driver, woofer, tweeter, and a dedicated superwoofer in each earpiece. Designed primarily for mobile music listeners, these 8-gram earbuds utilize a double-layered housing engineered specifically for ambient noise isolation. Testing with an...Read more

W
witchdoctor.co.nz
07/05/2012
Sony XBA-4 Earphones REVIEW - Witchdoctor

The 2012 Witchdoctor review highlights the Sony XBA-4 earphones for using four balanced armature drivers within compact, dual-layer housings to produce a cohesive sound with exceptional air, spaciousness, and detail. Proponents will appreciate the comfortable, secure fit for long sessions and the generous inclusion of seven different ear tips, including noise-canceling foam options....Read more

H
head-fi.org
16/10/2012
[REVIEW] Sony XBA-1 and XBA-4 - Head-Fi

The Sony XBA-1 review highlights a budget-friendly, single balanced armature earphone with a mellow, mid-centric sound featuring good vocal clarity and an expansive soundstage, suitable as a sub-$100 monitor. However, it suffers from noticeable roll-offs in both the sub-bass and high-treble regions, resulting in a lack of punch and spectacular performance. Head-Fi.orgConversely, the...Read more

T
t3.com
09/07/2012
Sony XBA-4 review - T3

The Sony XBA-4 earphones are high-end, in-ear headphones that feature a special four-driver system in each ear. This design includes a full-range driver, a woofer, a tweeter, and a super-woofer to deliver flat, studio-quality sound. The earphones offer great noise isolation and a solid build quality made with premium copper cable and a gold-plated jack. They also come with four...Read more

T
theheadphonelist.com
05/06/2013
Sony XBA-4SL / XBA-4iP Review - The Headphone List

The Sony XBA-4SL / XBA-4iP is a quad balanced-armature flagship in-ear monitor (IEM) that targets consumers with a warm, consumer-oriented tuning rather than an analytical professional sound. Priced around $350 to $370, the earphone includes premium accessories like a magnetic clasp carrying case, a 3-foot extension cable, and multiple hybrid silicone-and-foam tips. Its plastic...Read more

W
whathifi.com
11/09/2012
Sony XBA-4iP review - What Hi-Fi?

The Sony XBA-4iP in-ear headphones stand out as a highly unique premium model, uniquely packing four balanced armature drivers—a tweeter, a full-range driver, and two woofers—into a single, albeit chunky, enclosure. Despite their bulky size, they deliver a surprisingly comfortable and secure fit while providing a highly detailed, direct, and private listening experience. The sonic...Read more

C
cnet.com
03/04/2012
Sony XBA-4 review - CNET

Review Summary The Sony XBA-4 in-ear headphones deliver premium, audiophile-grade audio powered by four unique microsized balanced armature drivers—a full range, tweeter, woofer, and superwoofer—in each earpiece. This design yields an exceptionally balanced sound profile characterized by highly refined, potent bass, a natural midrange, and airy treble that avoids listener fatigue...Read more

H
head-fi.org
03/05/2012
Sony XBA Series Review and Comparison (XBA-1, 2, 3, 4) - Head-Fi 🔍 Key Takeaways from the Reviews Drivers: Uses four Balanced Armature units (Full-ra...

The Head-Fi community thread reviewing Sony’s first-generation XBA balanced armature series highlights solid build quality, comfortable Hybrid eartips, and tangle-resistant cables, though it criticizes the lack of detachable cables and a frustrating over-the-ear fit. While praising the 4-driver XBA-4 for its expansive soundstage and deep bass, and the 3-driver XBA-3 for high-tier...Read more

H
head-fi.org
25/02/2012
Sony XBA-4SL | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi

The Head-Fi review of the Sony XBA-4SL highlights a quad-balanced armature in-ear monitor known for exceptional comfort, light weight, and a highly holographic, 3D soundstage. It is specifically praised for delivering deep sub-bass extension without excessive mid-bass, making it ideal for electronic music. Conversely, the XBA-4SL suffers from an extremely thick, dark sound...Read more

A
areadvd.de
16/05/2012
Sony XBA-4 Review - Four Wins", "Sony XBA-4 Review - It's All About the Count

The Sony XBA-4 is a luxury in-ear headphone priced at €299 that features innovative "Quad Balanced Armature" technology, packagng four specialised drivers (tweeter, woofer, full-range, and super-woofer) into a lightweight, 8-gram dual-layer housing. The review praises its superb, reference-level fine dynamics, exceptional spatial presentation, and highly precise audio reproduction...Read more

(Translated)Show original
A
audiocasque.fr
19/02/2014
Sony XBA-4: Full Review | The Best Pair of In-Ear Headphones

The Sony XBA-4 in-ear headphones are highly praised by AudioCasque.fr for their exceptional high-end audio performance, earning an overall score of 8/10. Designed specifically for audiophiles, these premium earphones innovate by packing four balanced armature drivers—including a tweeter, woofer, full-range, and superwoofer—into each magnesium and plastic earpiece. The reviewer notes...Read more

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01net.com
09/05/2012
Sony XBA-4 review: high-end earphones that are too expensive

The 01net review outlines the Sony XBA-4 as a premium pair of quad-driver in-ear monitors that deliver highly competent audio but suffer from an unjustified €300 price tag. On the positive side, the reviewers praise the inclusion of four proprietary balanced armature drivers (full-range, tweeter, woofer, and super-woofer) which generate a precise, powerful, and homogeneous sound...Read more

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lesnumeriques.com
23/08/2012
Sony XBA-4 Review - Les Numériques

Review Summary The Sony XBA-4 in-ear headphones mark a successful high-end return for the brand, utilizing advanced balanced armature technology originally designed for hearing aids,. Delivering a highly precise and energetic sound signature, they feature a well-controlled, moderate V-shaped frequency response with boosted bass (up to an 8 dB increase) and rich, full-bodied vocals...Read more

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auriculares-hifi.com
04/12/2013
Sony XBA-4 Hi-Fi Headphones Review

The Sony XBA-4 is an in-ear monitor (IEM) featuring a quad balanced armature driver design, an ultra-low 8-ohm impedance, and a unique 3.5mm L-shaped jack. The reviewer strongly disagrees with other analyses calling it a V-shaped or warm headphone, instead defining the sound profile as bright, highly detailed, and mid-forward with a massive, 3D soundstage. While the earphones...Read more

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