First of all I would like to thank Hifinage (http://www.hifinage.com/) for arranging a review tour and sending this to me. They are really stepping up their game and slowly increasing the product offering, which for us Indians is very good. I am not an expert reviewer and the opinions mentioned are purely subjective on the basis of audio gear that I have available with me at this point of time.
 
Source: AV RX-375, Fiio X1, Huawei Honor 6.
 
 
File Format: 320 Kbps, Flac
 
 
Packaging: The packaging, is pretty straightforward and functional. There is a carrying case included with four set of tips. I would wish, there were a few additional tip choices (maybe a pair of comply)
 
 
 

 

 
Build Quality/Features: It is solid and overall it looks that a lot of effort has gone into the design of these earphones. Cables are rubbery, yet seem fairly strong and tangle proof. No chin slider, however, a shirt clip is included. These can be worn, only over the ear so  micro phonics is very minimal. The cable is not very long, and the perfect length for portable use. An in line mic is present which works pretty well out of my Android phone(it only consists of a mute button). Strain relief also look very solid. 
 
 
Fit: I think Fidue, have put some effort in making a low profile iem, which fits over the ear. However, it is not very easy to get the perfect fit. I had to use the biggest tip to ensure, they were sitting snugly within my ear. I think this would be one of the cons for these iem. The sound is fit dependent and you might not be able to enjoy them 100 percent unless you get the right fit. Also, I don't think they can be worn, straight down.

 

 

 

 
Sound: This is the first time, that I am trying a hybrid iem and it did lead to a few surprises. Instrument separation is awesome(which led me to hear a few sounds, which I had not heard before. For eg: the song Vampires - Antsy pants has an egg shaker in the background which seems prominent), Bass goes deep(but not too deep), Mids are forward so vocals really shine. Also, I could slight separation on how the sounds were produced. I am not saying, there is something off with the tuning, but since I have experience with only dynamic earphones, maybe I found them a bit different. 
To be frank, they were not really great out of my Honor 6 or X1, which makes me think they need an AMP to make them shine and so I plugged them to my AVR and the sound was surprisingly more cohesive. I wish, I had my Fiio now because that would have certainly helped. Overall, they seem to work for Electronica, Pop, Instrumental, Jazz but not really for extreme metal. Since, most of my listening consists of Death, Tech Death, Black Metal I am not sure these earphones are for me. One thing to note would be, that if you like slow instrumental music, for eg the song: Isis - Shakti, you can really hear how each instruments are slowly coming to life as the song goes on, the song starts with an acoustic guitar piece, and then the tabla starts and then the violin joins in. The 3-D like effect you get is really good. I hope I am explaining things correctly. Now, the problem I got with my Honor6 and X1 is that the treble sound a bit plasticy and piercing which makes it a little fatiguing. However, the same issue was not there when I plugged them to the AVR.
 
 
Final Words:
The iems are pleasantly surprising and do a lot of things with aplomb. The detail retrieval and instrument separation is top notch, however they are not an all rounder which would work for all types of music. However, if you like pop, electronica, instrumental, jazz, and even rock you should definitely give them a shot. They also, seem to be a bit picky on the source component so I am not sure, if they will work well out of your phone directly. Maybe, I need more time with them, because after listening to a lot of dynamic iems over the last few years, my ears need time to adjust to them, but sadly these are review pieces and have to go to  the next reviewer.

First and foremost, I would like to thank Hifinage(www.hifinage.com) who have initiated this review tour in India. Hopefully, we will have more tours like this in future.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Packaging:
 
The packaging, is very simple. A cardboard box with the DAP in a plastic chassis along with the USB cable.
 


 
Build Quality:
 
This is a solid little device. Brushed aluminum, with round metallic buttons on the top. Nicely fits in the hand or pocket and all the buttons are easily accessible. The way the buttons are lined up, once someone gets used to it, they can control it without even looking. I had a Sansa Clip+ three four years back and this definitely looks like an improved version of Clip+. My Clip+ died, once the headphone jack became loose. However, in X2, the jacks looks pretty solid and immovable.
 
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File Format Supported:
 
MP3, WMA, APE, FLAC, WAV and other music formats as per the box. I played MP3 (320 Kbps, APE and FLAC) and all played without any issues.
 
User Interface and Operation:
 
I just took out the SD card from my Cowon C2 and put into the X2 and turned it on. Immediately, I could select the song and play it. This made me very happy. No need to worry about additional software or spending hours trying to sync music from your computer on to the device. Once, I turned it on, I could start playing songs within a matter of few seconds, the short initialization time of this DAP is impressive.The interface is very basic and simple. There is a battery indicator, Artist Name, Song Name, Type of File(MP3 or Flac), Equalizer Mode Name. 
There is a button for Menu, Volume Up, Volume Down, Select, Rewind and Fast Forward. Using these buttons on the menu, you can skip between songs or even go to the menu to play songs based on Folder.
 
Menu Options are pretty straightforward too:
- Repeat
- Equalizer Modes (Natural, Rock, Pop, Classic, Soft, Jazz, DBB?)
- Dir Navigation
- Backlight
- Offtime
 
If there is one thing, that could be improved in this device it would be the user interface. When you compare it with a Rockboxed Clip+ you can see that there are so many small things that could be done. However, I feel these can be incorporated with a Firmware update. Hopefully, we will have something soon.
 
One more issue that I found is there is no Lock Button. I feel when the device is in a person's pocket a lock option is extremely important so that accidentally, songs don't get skipped or volume doesn't get increased etc.
 
Sound
 
I did a side by side comparison between my C2 and the X2 and couldn't really tell much of a difference. There is a popping sound when the device is turned off, apart from that I couldn't hear any disturbance when its is in paused state. Essentially, for $50 I do not think we have anything better in the market at present. I might be mistaken and please correct me if I am wrong. My C2 is almost 4 years old and I paid around $120 for it back then. The volume goes up to a maximum of 40 and I just had to go till 22 and I could play it with my HD 25 1-II, MDR Z1000, AH-D340 without any issues. I usually use all my cans directly out of my C2 and wouldn't be able to tell how these would perform with power hungry cans. 
 
Pictures:
 



 
PROS: Build Quality, Sound, Price, Size
CONS: No Lock Button, Firmware needs an update
 
Conclusion: This device is meant for anyone, who is buying their first DAP and don't want spend a whole lot of money or someone who likes a small device with simple UI which efficiently plays music. Once my C2 dies, this is the DAP I am going to buy

I am going to keep this short.
 
SOURCE: Cowon C2
320 Kbps Mp3 and Flac files.
 
 
GOOD:
 
- Fits my ear properly. I am sure, whatever i do, they won't fall off. 
- Isolation, is good.
 
BAD:
 
- I feel that based on the shape of ear canals this could turn out to be a nightmare for a few people to wear.
- Just a flimsy pouch and three tips
- Looks and feels cheap when you hold it in hand. Doesn't feel like a $70 product.
- Cables are thin and tangle prone. Actually, it would be very easy to break the cables.
- What the hell? No, chin slider !!!
 
 
UGLY:
 
- Bought them here in India for approximately $70. It doesn't make any sense to buy it at that price. I have read good things about Me electronics M6, should have bought them instead of this.
- Comparing them to HD 25 - 1 II and PX 100 ii, this sounds very weird. Vocals are pushed back. There is no real bass definition. I can't point what is wrong exactly but what I can say is, it doesn't do anything properly.
- Microphonics: if you use it without the shirt clip, get ready for extreme microphonics
 
EDIT: Increasing the Bass on the equalizer, improves it. On my Cowon C2 , I just tried using the X-BASS preset and it really improved the sound.

From the various headphones I have owned my favorite till now has been MDR-V6. I have the HD-25-1 II as well and from the perspective of sound they are very good but I am not a fan of on ear headphone. I like them to cover my ears completely and somehow, the HD-25 I II make me a tad uncomfortable on a longer listening session.
 
I was researching regarding MDR-V6 upgrade and read a few recommendations regarding MDR-7509 HD. I posted a WTB classified but didn't get any responses. Furthermore, in India its impossible to find any good headphones.
 
I was casually browsing through ebay India website and saw the listing for 7509 HD, the seller supposedly had 10 pieces and was offering them for a price of $71. I didn't wait and ordered them immediately. I received the headphone today and the packaging looks authentic(the plastic box had the satin cloth on which the headphone was resting). 
 
Also, immediately after I ordered the seller bumped the price to $107. This was last Thursday(23rd August). I checked now and he has bumped it up to $133.
 
I have been testing it for a few hours now and I am impressed and happy. It has all the positive qualities of V6 like good sound stage (for a closed can) and clean sound.
 
However, the deficiencies of V6 have been addressed.
 
I had the V6 and ZX - 700 and both of them had some issues with screeching mids. For certain songs it would become quite unbearable and tiring. This however doesn't have the problem.
 
The instrument separation is awesome. The mids and highs are good. The sound stage is pretty much same as MDR V6 and the bass is good too. I am not saying these have brain shattering bass but if you have heard V6 you would know what I mean. It has the thump to satisfy an average music lover.
 
I like metal music and don't have any complaints so far. The ear pads are crap but I have modded the DT250 velour earpads and installed them which now make this a good headphone for my taste.
 
I have been testing it through my Cowon C2 till now.
 
Once I spend a few weeks with them I will update this thread with more insights.
 
 
P.S. I have written to Sony asking them to verify its authenticity because I couldn't believe the price and my good fortune. However, even if its a fake it is a seriously well made and good fake.
 
 
 
 
 

This is my first review and moreover and I am not an audiophile by any means. I would try to list out what I feel are the pros and cons. I am comparing these with RE-262 which I bought for approximately same price.
 
1. Price - In India they retail for around $140-150 which by any means for a triple driver IEM is good.
 
2. Received them approximately 8 hours ago and still trying to wrap my fingers around their sound.
 
3. Cable looks very fragile, could have been much thicker than this. By the look of it I still prefer the cables of RE-262 and Brainwavz M2. But only time can tell. One thing I don't like about this one is the right cable is way to long. I somehow prefer cables with equal length.
 
4.  The vocal delivery in RE-262 is very in your face. However in these its more about the instrumental presentation and separation. You can hear and deduce more hidden sounds.
 
5. My source has been only Sansa Clip + with FLAC/MP3 files.
 
6. The best thing about these IEMs that I have been able to deduce so far are:
 

1. Soundstage is good.
2. Instrument separation is good
3. Bass is good
4. Isolation is good

 
7. The stock tips are good and they fit my ears perfectly. I don't think this can be worn over the ear though. The design is not made for that.
 
8. Construction wise, they look solid. I have never had any problems with Sony on that front. I have had several lower tier IEMs which have gone through a lot of abuse. This comes with a pouch which is neat and can fit my Clip + as well.
 
6. As per my opinion these work wonderfully with Classical/Progressive Rock/Instrumental music. Having heard  Avial, Isis and Shakti on these so far I have no complaints. That said I am not sure if I like listening to more extreme metal ( Cattle Decapitation, Allegaeon) with them. But that could be  because I have been using my RE-262 fairly regularly and there is some change in presentation and could take some time getting used to.
 
CONCLUSION: If someone is exploring the world of IEMs and want to check out a triple driver universal, they should go for it. That said, I won't be willing to pay more than what I did because for me a full sized headphone definitely makes more sense. Finally, when I first shifted from my Brainwavz M2 to RE-262 I was dumbstruck. I can't say the same thing now. Maybe that is because I am not a true audiophile. I am impressed by them but the differences are much finer.
 
I don't think I am going to explore the world of universal IEMs anymore, I will definitely try GR07 and the next stop would be a custom otherwise I would stick to cans
 
NOTE:
 
Retail Prices of a few Popular headphones in India:
 
HD-25 1-11 - $296
 
ATH-M50 - $157
 
Pro 750- $398
 
Pro 900- $555
 
HD-650 - $444.
 
Headphone prices are sky high in India, but I still don't understand why the retail prices of XBA-3 are significantly lower. This once again brings us to the the question which should interest everyone.
 
See Sony India Website (http://www.sony.co.in/product/xba-3)
 
I am not sure how these things work, but if Sony India is retailing them for $140 then that definitely includes a sizable profit. This would imply that the production cost for these shouldn't run over $100. If so then the prizes in US and world over would come down. 
 
Would the US prices drop lower than $140? Only time can tell..
 
This brings us to a greater dilemma. All the people who have reviewed these IEMs so far have compared them to much more expensive IEMs in the price bracket, which would there by make them the best choice available hands down. Then again, I am not sure about reviewers and their opinion anymore. Are you?