Sony XBA-4

Pros: Producing an excellent range of sound, the XBA-4 revolutionary design has exceeded as a replacement for my Aiwa HP-D9 bought in the early 1990s.

Cons: The price-tag is always an issue in our economically challenged time.

Summary: Let me first state that I'm not an audiophile. I'm your average consumer, spoiled with my Aiwa HP-D9, a 60-mm U-bass flute headset design, Amorphous Diamond Coated Diaphragm, and 15mm diameter Neodymium magnets driver units. However, time took its toll, and the protective coating cracked, exposing its linear crystal oxygen-free copper cord. Its end was in sight. But what about the sound? I tried the XBA-4 at a SonyStyle store, and initally the base was noticeably missing. The store manager kindly explained that noise from TVs and others may have drowned much of the base sound. Perhaps, I didn't wear the ear-buds properly. The XBA-4 is my first ear-bud phone! At home, I discovered the missing base sounds, and rediscovered my entire 200+ cd collection with clear treble, smooth vocals, and solid base sound, all transfered @320kps to my iPod touch. The XBA-4 has surpassed my Aiwa HP-D9. I love my XBA-4 now. If you're considering purchasing Sony's XBA series and price isn't an issue, then focus on the XBA-4. Its sound will blow you away, and once you hear it, many others will pale in comparison.