Sony XBA-A3 Review: Bass(ed) God (& Soundstage too)

Music I used in the video
Towerz x hi jude - ripples
• Towerz x hi jude - rip...
My Patreon
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My website
duongluong991.wixsite.com/lum...
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
01:03 Unboxing
06:58 Cable
09:59 XBA-A3 Appearance & Wearing guide
11:18 Source matching & Tip rolling
12:42 Sound
15:56 Soundstage & Technicalities
17:23 Sony XBA-A2 vs XBA-A3
19:02 Conclusion

[@boboiboy9350]

Great review bro! keep it up !

[@adlidiahs4784]

I just ordered second hand xba a3! Can’t wait to have it!

[@IamWhoIam2023]

I've just bought the SONY XBA-A3 Coming in mail soon Can't wait to use them with my Xperia 📱

[@antonzaitsev8411]

how was it?

[@mrfrosty3]

The unboxing experience with my N3 was very pleasant, it is an inexpensive IEM but the attention to detail makes it feel special and that you spent well. The overall quality is so much higher than that of similarly priced offerings from other manufacturers. I really need to get a bunch of the triple comfort tips, those things are almost luxurious. I am considering getting the A3 or A2 but can't make my mind up.

[@lumeri0n]

I don't own the N3, but have heard that it is better-tuned then the A3, for all it's worth. But if you are deliberating between the A3 and A2, then I can say just skip the A2 to the A3, that 16mm dynamic driver bass hits different...

[@Vamp898]

You own the successor to these. So if you want to upgrade, go to the XBA-Z5, IER-M7, IER-M9, or the IER-Z1R

[@mrfrosty3]

I just bought an A3, I was very pleasantly surprised at how good it sounds, I enjoy the A2 for bassy electronic music but, the A3 is a more well rounded and refined sounding earphone, the depth in the bass is cavernous. I'm glad I watched your video, I probably wouldn't have bought it otherwise so, thank you.

[@lumeri0n]

I'm glad you enjoy it, the thing really is from a great era of Sony that probably won't be visited again any time soon.

[@mrfrosty3]

I just received an A2, I am very pleased with it. I could be wrong but I don't think that there is anything available right now with bass like these older Sony models, certainly not under $500. I foresee an A3 or H3 in my future.

[@raibishwa8930]

Sir !! Can we bend and make this cable straight ? Because i don't like to wear it behind ears .

[@sharmatechtalk]

Around 4 months before i bought my XBA a3, it took me lots of time to research but finally i picked up the right iem, I'm really enjoying the sound of xba-a3, it's detailed and very spacious sound. Paired with nw-a55, did you try xba a3 with an balance connection. What do you think a balanced connection would make any difference in sound.

[@lumeri0n]

Sadly, I do not have any compatible cables with the XBA-A3 that is using a balanced connection, thus I am not at liberty to say how it would sound on a balanced output. If it is more power you are seeking, then a portable DAC/AMP's 3.5mm output will still be more then sufficient for the XBA-A3 to perform at full potential.

[@paulosilva8200]

Advice . Don't remove the cables too much,mine got.broken from inside the iem and they could not fix it.

[@sorcerer1439]

Is the audience retention rate low ?

[@killdahoe7729]

Would the sony a2 and a3 still be good for today’s standards? They were around $200-$300 back in the day and if they were still at that price today, would it be worth it to get them in 2022? Im planning on getting the A2

[@lumeri0n]

I'd say skip the A2 and go straight to A3. Any price below half the MSRP is pretty good, and ofc depends on the condition. A3 bass is still great, not a lot of IEMs rumble like it does. A2 you could probably skip nowadays.

[@paulosilva8200]

I got that the old version you showed. The a2.. Amazing 10 years old iem that sounds like a boss. The bass is not 100 % great. But the mids. Uauuu. From inside the sponge filter come out rotten from years of sweat. Lol

[@sorcerer1439]

man !! The content is great !! but really you need to shorten the time of your videos and *have* use some B-roll shorts .. I would really help people maybe try that :)

[@lumeri0n]

Noted. I will try to slim down future videos, though I find that to give you the details I want to present, a runtime of 20 sth minutes is optimal. For now, you can use the chapters feature (I know it didn't work for awhile, but it works now) to skip to parts which interest you. As for B-roll, it has been on my mind since the first review, but as I do not have the desk space, and gear to do anything like that, you will have to bear with my face for now. If in the future I am in a more fortuitous environment, or when I think of something, I will definitely give that a shot

[@kbeceamibala]

what it is a good "price" for an a3 used nowdays? and where i cand find one

[@lumeri0n]

No idea tbh. It's a rare-ish item nowadays but I would probably not pay more then 150-200 bucks for a new set

[@kbeceamibala]

There is Something similar to the a3 ?, beacuse they are selling them at 180 us dollars used, and 400 for a new one :'c

[@lumeri0n]

@@kbeceamibala If you're willing to go even further up the price chain to make it worth the money, the XBA Z5 might be an interesting pick, an upgrade to the A3, though tuning wise from what I remember, the mids and highs were more refined, yet also a bit reduced in quantity, if that's what you prefer. I would also take a look at the A3's little brother the A2, or the XBA N3, however I won't reccomend them as an A3 equivalent, because that A3 and Z5's 16mm dynamic driver bass is really something else...

[@raibishwa8930]

Can we bend cable and make it straight sir

[@lumeri0n]

Not really, the memory wire doesn't really stay in shape much, but it's soft and comfortable.

[@monttek]

sony xba a3 vs truthear hexa who gonna win ? your opinion

[@lumeri0n]

Unfortunately I have not tried Hexa yet. If I had to guess from graphs and other reviews, I think the two sets have different strengths which may be complimentary. The XBA A3 with its bass and the Hexa with its midrange