XBA-A1 review: articulate and balanced sound sunder $200

* This review is written by myself and my own opinion, and is not intended for any type of commercial or sale purpose.

  Hello to anyone who got into my archive. I am LeYes, and this is my own review for Sony's one of the most recent XBA series, XBA-A1.

  Currently, Sony officially came up with two version of this earphones; XBA-A1 and XBA-A1AP (microphone attached version). 
The one I'm reviewing is an original Japan-imported XBA-A1, the non-microphone version.

1. Boxing & Contents

(First boxing, literally)

(came with a hand written letter and toothpicks, kinda cute)

(Front side of the box)

Simply designed front

Picture does not show, but it was originally covered with plastic wrap 

(you'll have the wrap covered if it's new)

(Back side of the box)

Unfortunately I don't speak Japanese at all :[ 

However, it seems like specifications and explanations for technologies applied to the earphone are specified

*You can look for the specifications on official Sony website

(Overall & After removing front cover)

(Contents)

* This photo was take after a long term of use, 

therefore it might contain some scratches that were not originally on the product

Containing:

1 * XBA-A1 Earbuds

1 *  Clip

4 * Pair of Silicon Tips (XS, S, M, L)

3 * Pair of Sponge Tips (S,M,L)

1 * Wire Winder

1 * Carrier Pouch

(Close look on ear tips & accessories)

Sponge tips makes the sound more balanced, 

and silicon tips makes the sound more bass-focused

The clip is detachable, however falls off quite easily when the cable is banded

Little frustrating

Pouch is simple and makes it easier to carry earphones

The quality is nice, made with artificial leather and semi waterproof material

Little frustrating that it doesn't have a separate space to put ear tips in

2. Design & Unit picks: Close looks

(Close look for the unit)

The units are made of plastic, yet pretty well designed I would say

It is fat, due to use of both dynamic and BA driver

I would say design is one of the most exclusive features of A1 

It is small (as one of recent Sony XBA series models) and simply just beautiful

(Comparison with Apple Earpods)

 The units are shorter to the height but longer to the side compared to Earpods

A1 has a silver colored band for the left unit, and a red colored band for the right unit

This is how it looks when I wear the XBA-A1

* This would vary depend on your auricles' shape

3. Sound

*Whether it is good or not depends on personal preferences
*This is fully made based on my own opinions, judges on you
*Pictures are not the measurements for the earphones

(Low frequency)

Ex) Drums & Beats & Low pitched instruments, vocals...

1. Little bit emphasized ( reduced when using sponge tips )
2. The dynamic drivers well forms strong and powerful bass
3. Very Good

(Mid frequency)

Ex) Vocal, Instruments

1. I felt minor articulation of sound around ~1kHz frequency range
2. I guess sound coming out of the BA drivers is kinda merged with that of the dynamic drivers
3. Vocal is neither "worst" nor "perfect" (Ambiguous)
4. Not perfect but okay

(High frequency)

Ex) Hi-hats, High pitched instruments, Electronica

1. The earbuds well generates clear and articulate high pitched sounds
2. It is okay up to around 10~11kHz range, but as the frequency goes up, it gets harder to hear the sound
3. "Sibilants" are moderate
4. Pretty good

4. Conclusion 

  Overall, XBA-A1 is an excellent solution for mid-entry Hi-Fi earbuds, for its nice design, performance, and the price range ($130 non-ap, $150 ap version)

  I would not hesitate to recommend XBA-A1 to people who are looking for earphones with less distorted and well balanced sound, under $200 budget

So what is your opinions on XBA-A1 overall?

Share any of your ideas or questions by comments, and I would be happy to reply

Thank you! 

* This review is written by myself and my own opinion, and is not intended for any type of commercial or sale purpose.

Etymotic Research MK5 earbuds basic user review

0. Intro: 소개

Etymotic Research recently unveiled new MK5 earphones,"The isolator" series

최근 에티모틱 리서치의 새로운 이어폰 "The Isolator" 시리즈 MK5가 출시되었습니다

The Isolator series is a new line up of Etymotic, designed for noise isolation and outdoor usage

"The isolator" 시리즈는 에티모틱의 새로운 라인업으로, 소음차단과 아웃도어를 위해 설계되었습니다

Two days ago, I purchased this earphones, and decided to write a short review for people who are planning to buy one

저는 이틀전에 이 이어폰을 구매하였고, 다른 구매 예정자분들을 위해 간략한 리뷰를 써보게 되었습니다

1. Package: 구성품

(Contents)

MK5 earphone, A pair of form tip, A pair of white flange tip, extra clip x 1, pouch  x 1

, instruction

MK5이어폰, 폼팁한쌍, 플랜지팁 한쌍, 클립*1, 파우치*1, 설명서

The package and the components are quite simple considering its price($59 amazon)

가격에 비해 상당히 단촐한 구성입니다

(Pouch)

you can put tips in one side, and earphone in the other side.

팁들을 한쪽에, 이어폰을 다른 한쪽에 넣을 수 있게 되어있습니다

2. Design: 디자인

(MK5 overall)

1. Very classic Etymotic design. 
2. It is similar to MC5 but, a bit smaller and lighter. (less than 1oz, 28g)
3. Body is made of glossy plastic, looks pretty cheap.

1. 일반적인 에티모틱 디자인
2. MC5와 닮았으나 좀더 작고 가볍습니다 (28g 이하)
3. 본체는 유광 플라스틱으로 만들어져 다소 저렴해 보입니다

3. Specification: 스펙

-Features:

• Best value
• 6-mm drivers with Accu Chamber Technology
• 98%(35-42 dB) noise isolation
• High gloss finish

-Frequency Response: 20Hz - 15KHz
-Transducers: High-output 6 mm neodymium moving coil drivers
-Noise Isolation: 35-42 dB
-Impedance(@1KHz): 32 Ohms
-Sensitivity(@1KHz): 95 dB
-Maximum Output: 120 dB
- Cable length: 4ft
-Warranty: 1 year

(from Official Etymotic website)

4. Sound: 소리

(MK5 connected to Objective 2 amp)

*Objective 2 amplifier was only used for noise filtering purpose

노이즈를 방지하기위해 Objective 2 AMP를 필터로 사용하였습니다

Unfortunately, I don't have any equipment for analysis, so I had to use my ears for the test.

측정기계가 없는 이유로 저의 귀로 테스트를 진행하였습니다

This is not an accurate way of test, so please just use this as an reminder.

이는 정확한 측정방법이 아니므로 참고만 하시길 바랍니다

(Very bad - Bad - Normal - Good - Good+ - Outstanding)

-Basic factors-

Sound type: Flat

Sound feeling: 

Very natural and sightly light sound, 

(Could feel a slight emphasize on 10KHz-20KHz Frequency range)

Noise isolation: Good

Feeling of wearing: Bad ~ Noraml

(ear-buds go deep inside ears, tight, depends on your ear hole shape)

Outdoor suitability: Very good

White noise: Good+ 

(Clear sounds)

(updated)Beats: Bad~Normal

Sound detail: Good

(overlapped in high volume)

Sound separation: Good+

Sound stage: Normal+

(not bad)

-Music Genres-

Classic: Very good

(Accurate sound)

Vocal: Very good 

(Good separation)

Rock: Good

Electronica: Good+

Hip hop: Good

Jazz: Good+

Pop: Good+

(updated)House & Dubstep: Bad~Normal (not enough bass)

5. Extra: 그외

"Form tips" - Changing tips actually gives different experience when listening. Personally, I felt form tips are giving me more bass & less emphasize of high-pitched sound.

폼팁 - 팁을 바꾸는것은 실제로 청음시 다른 느낌을 줍니다. 개인적으로 폼팁 이용시 좀더 많은 저음과 적은 고음을 느낄 수 있었습니다

(updated) The earphone easily breaks, therefore, constant care is required

내구성이 좋은 편이 아니라서 지속적인 관리가 필요합니다

6. Conclusion: 결론

Overall, MK5 is an excellent pair of earphones. 

전반적으로 MK5는 우수한 이어폰이었습니다

I don't have much words to say, other than it has amazingly accurate sound & performance with only mid-low price range($59). Well done, Etymotic!

초중반대 가격($59)에 매우 적확한 소리와 성능을  가졌다는것 외엔 딱히 할 이야기가 없어보입니다

I absolutely recommend this earphones if you're looking for accurate and less distorted sound & outdoor suitability at the same time

정확한 음감과 아웃도어 적합성에 맞는 이어폰을 찾으시는 분들께 강추드립니다.




Thank you for reading!
읽어주셔서 감사합니다!

JAVA self portrait project code (processing)

import processing.core.*; 

import java.util.Random;


public class SelfPort extends PApplet { //declare the class extending PApplet (imp)

Random randy= new Random(); //create a random object (imp)
PImage photoUL, photoUR, photoDL, photoDR; // PImage (imp)
int level1 = 4; // create an integer for smmoth() level (opt)
public void setup(){ // setup (imp)
size(1000,1000); // setup the size (mid)
photoUL = loadImage("321.jpg"); // load image - put the name of the image (imp)
photoUL.filter(GRAY); // filter the image (opt)
photoUR = loadImage("321.jpg"); //*
photoUR.filter(POSTERIZE, 4); //*
photoDL = loadImage("321.jpg"); //*
photoDL.filter(THRESHOLD); //*
photoDR = loadImage("321.jpg"); //*
photoDR.filter(ERODE); //*

background(255); // background color (mid)
noStroke(); // no stroke - check out the processing.org (opt)
noLoop(); // no loop - check out the processing.org (opt)
smooth(level1); // anti-aliasing, I put the level value that I set by my self (opt)
}
public void draw(){ // draw (imp)
int max = 255; // range value that I'm going to use later (opt)
int min = 100; // range value that I'm going to use later (opt)
for (int k = 0; k < 60000; k++) { //for loop, repeating 60000 times to make ellipses to pointillize the image (imp)
int random1 = randy.nextInt(8); // random(8) to randomize the ellipse size(opt)
int random2 = randy.nextInt(max); // random value  
int x = PApplet.parseInt(random(photoUL.width)); //random x coordinate(imp)
int y = PApplet.parseInt(random(photoUL.height)); //random y coordinate(imp)
int pixx = photoUL.get(x, y); // get the color value(imp)
fill(pixx,random2); //fill the ellipse with certain color(imp)
ellipse(x+500, y+500, random1, random1); //create an ellipse at (500,500)~(potowidth+500,photoheight+500) location(imp)
}
for (int k = 0; k < 150000; k++) { // for loop, repeating 150000 times to make rectangles to mosaic the image (imp)
int random = randy.nextInt(max-min+1)+min; // random value (opt)
int x = PApplet.parseInt(random(photoDR.width)); //random x coordinate (imp)
int y = PApplet.parseInt(random(photoDR.height)); //random y coordinate (imp)
int pixx = photoDR.get(x, y); //get the color value (imp)
fill(pixx,random); //fill the rectangle with certain color (imp)
rect(x,y+500,15,15); //create a rectangle at the (0,500)~(photowidth,photoheight+500) location (imp)
}
image(photoUR,500,0); // put the image at (500,0)(imp)
image(photoDL,0,0); // put the image at (0,0) (imp)
}
static public void main(String[] args) { //main (imp)
PApplet.main(new String[] { "Myface" }); //run the program, the name of the portrait is Myface (imp)
}
}




Notes

1. Copy and paste to your compiler

2. You might have to modify some file names and file sizes that are already assigned in the program ( I set the portrait size as 1000*1000, and put 500*500 image for 4 times)(you might want to convert your image size if it's irregular, such as 342*213...)

3. Check out processing.org for some methods

4. You need core API to run this program

5. (imp)-important, (mid) - mid important, (opt) - options

Blog opened

방문해주셔서 감사합니다. 저는 Le-Yes 입니다.
Hi, thanks for visiting.  it's Le-Yes.

본 블로그는 관심분야에 대해  많은 이들과 소통해보기 위해 개설되었습니다
This blog is made to communicate and discussion about the topics of my interest