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)
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 Ω |
| 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 Ω |
| 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 Ω |
| 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 Ω |
| 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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