just saw the xba line up today. frankly speaking, i'm relieved to see their small sizes, especially the xba-4. very interesting design and pricing. too be honest, i think the price is comparable to most ba phones out there. the xba-1 is similarly priced as pl50 while the xba-2 (rm499) is cheaper than the brainwavz b2 (rm540). so, sony has made the pricing very competitive for the market (considering too, the sony hybrid tips that come with the 'phones). a good move for them.

regarding sony 'phones sound quality, well they have always make products for the masses. still, they do produce good quality headphones from time to time. they are no technics, mind but i used to own a v5 and love my time with it. very costly too at that time. silly money, true, but then again, how many have heard of audio technica back in 2001? senn and shure are pro equipment maker, same goes for beyer while the china made oems, well, let's not talk about them. so we have sony, aiwa, panasonic and a few other choices. all from the mass market manufacturers.

exposures (internet especially) made us realised there are tons of options out there, better ones too. but i have to agree with nordingh, without sony (and aiwa), i would not have fell in love with music as much as i am now. heck, those countless walkmans and discmans that i have used and destroyed. all served me well to the end of they life. =)