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Sony to release 4 new XBA headphones (Update)

When Sony announced the new A-Series, some of the images on the Sony website featured new XBA headphones, but of course neither Sony Europe or Sony Poland would tell me which model they were.  But it appears Sony Singapore has jumped the boat and posted the new headphones on their site.

The headphones in question were probably the XBA-A2, but I cannot certify which model is in the photos, since the pictures are too small to see the numbering clearly.  The full lineup is, XBA-Z5, XBA-A3, XBA-A2 and XBA-A1.

The XBA-Z5 headphones will be Sony's flagship XBAs for 2014, just like the MDR-Z7s are the flagship for the larger headphones.  Pricing on Amazon.com is a staggering $700 USD, but that should hopefully drop once they are released.   There is no pricing for the other 3 models but it should be in line with the previous versions they replace, XBA-H3, XBA-H2 and XBA-H1.  Availability is a mystery for now but should be sometime this year, possibly October/November time frame when the XBA-100s (October 24) are to be released in Japan.  I feel this would be the same time the new A-Series would hit Japan as well, October/November.  Hopefully Sony will announce these soon with pricing and availability.

UPDATE - AV Watch

MDR-Z5 - 65,000 yen (470 Euros O_O) - available October 18th

All 3 will be available October 24th.
  • XBA-A3 - 36,000 yen (260 Euros)
  • XBA-A2 - 26,000 yen (187 Euros)
  • XBA-A1 - 15,000 yen (110 Euros)
Hands on with the new Headphones from AV Watch

I really hope Sony announces these for Europe soon.

Full specifications, more photos and a video from Sony after the break.

XBA-Z5
  • High-Resolution Audio HD Hybrid 3-way driver system deliver spacious, wideband audio from 3 - 40,000Hz
  • Linear drive Balanced Armature driver
  • Magnesium HD super tweeter
  • 16mm Aluminum-coated Liquid Crystal Polymer diaphragm dynamic driver
  • Supplied cable for balanced connection with optional headphone amplifier (PHA-3)
  • Made in Japan
Type Closed
Driver Unit Hybrid 3-way System: 16mm Dynamic + 2 X Balanced Armature
Diaphragm Aluminum-coated Liquid Crystal Polymer
Frequency Response 3 - 40,000Hz
Sensitivity 107dB/mW
Impedance (at 1 kHz) 32 ฮฉ
Cable 1.2m detachable Silver-coated OFC Litz Wire Y-Type cable; 2m detachable Silver-coated OFC Litz Wire Balance Connection cable
Plug Gold-plated L-shaped Stereo Mini; Gold-plated 3-pole Mini
Approx. Weight(excl. cable) 11g
Supplied Accessories Carrying Case, Foamed Silicone Earbuds (S / M / L each 2), Hybrid Silicone Rubber Earbuds (SS/S/M/L each 2), Clip, Cable Adjuster

Here is a video from Sony about the new XBA-Z5 headphones, with english subtitles



XBA-A3

  • High-Resolution Audio HD Hybrid 3-way driver system
  • Linear drive Balanced Armature driver
  • HD super tweeter
  • 16mm Liquid Crystal Polymer diaphragm dynamic driver
  • Enjoy radiant highs and deep bass
Type Closed
Driver Unit Hybrid 3-way System: 12mm Dynamic + 2 X Balanced Armature
Diaphragm Liquid Crystal Polymer
Frequency Response 3 - 40,000Hz
Sensitivity 105 dB/mW
Impedance (at 1 kHz) 32 ฮฉ
Cable 1.2m detachable Silver-coated OFC Litz Wire Y-Type cable; 1.2m detachable Silver-coated OFC Litz cable with in-line remote and mic
Plug Gold-plated L-shaped Stereo Mini; Four-Conductor Gold-plated L-shaped Stereo Mini
Approx. Weight(excl. cable) 10g
Supplied Accessories Carrying Case, Foamed Silicone Earbuds (S / M / L each 2), Hybrid Silicone Rubber Earbuds (SS/S/M/L each 2), Clip Cable Adjuster
Unit/Type Electret condenser
Directivity Omni directional
Open circuit voltage level -40dB(0db=1V/Pa)
Effective Frequency of Microphone 20Hz-20,000Hz

XBA-A2
  • High-Resolution Audio HD Hybrid 3-way driver system
  • Linear drive Balanced Armature driver
  • HD super tweeter
  • 12mm Liquid Crystal Polymer diaphragm dynamic driver
  • Enjoy radiant highs and deep bass
Type Closed
Driver Unit Hybrid 3-way System: 12mm Dynamic + 2 X Balanced Armature
Diaphragm Liquid Crystal Polymer
Frequency Response 4 - 40,000Hz
Sensitivity 108 dB/mW
Impedance (at 1 kHz) 32 ฮฉ
Cable 1.2m detachable Silver-coated OFC Litz Wire Y-Type cable; 1.2m detachable Silver-coated OFC Litz cable with in-line remote and mic
Plug Gold-plated L-shaped Stereo Mini; Four-Conductor Gold-plated L-shaped Stereo Mini
Approx. Weight(excl. cable) 9g
Supplied Accessories Carrying Case, Foamed Silicone Earbuds (S / M / L each 2), Hybrid Silicone Rubber Earbuds (SS/S/M/L each 2), Clip Cable Adjuster
Unit/Type Electret condenser
Directivity Omni directional
Open circuit voltage level -40dB(0db=1V/Pa)
Effective Frequency of Microphone 20Hz-20,000Hz

XBA-A1AP
  • Hybrid 2-way driver system
  • Linear drive Balanced Armature driver
  • 9mm dynamic driver
  • Hands-free calls with in-line remote and microphone
  • Enjoy clear, smooth vocals and dynamic bass


Type Closed
Driver Unit Hybrid 2-way System: (9mm dynamic + Balanced Armature)
Diaphragm Liquid Crystal Polymer
Frequency Response 5 - 25,000Hz
Sensitivity 107 dB/mW
Impedance (at 1 kHz) 24 ฮฉ
Cable 1.2m Silver-coated OFC Litz Wire Y-Type cable with In-line Remote and Mic
Plug Four-Conductor Gold-plated L-shaped Stereo Mini
Approx. Weight(excl. cable) 7g
Supplied Accessories Carrying Pouch, Foamed Silicone Earbuds (S / M / L each 2), Hybrid Silicone Rubber Earbuds (SS/S/M/L each 2), Clip, Cable Adjuster
Unit/Type Electret condenser
Directivity Omni directional
Open circuit voltage level -40dB(0db=1V/Pa)
Effective Frequency of Microphone 20Hz-20,000Hz

Source: Sony Singapore, Sony China, Sopp

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