Nov 22 2007, 10:10 PM, updated 18y ago
I am sure some of the forumers has gotten the chance to test it out, this is just a humble review of it.
First and foremost, some photo poisons first. There are currently two prototype for the X3i and XBi, the "red-blue ring" and "silver ring". The silver ring looks gorgeous but a lazy man like me prefer the red blue for the ease of usage. Just remember "R"ed for "R"ight and blue for left.
As you can see, the X3i and XBi is labeled on the cable.
The package includes all the thing you need now. The cable manager, airplane adapter, S, M, L size soft flex and the double flanges!
. The new packaging also looks nicer.
Before I begin, let's talk about the build quality. For this "i" version, it does not only focuses on improving the sound quality, they also put a lot effort on the some QC problem we had.
By the look of it, many would say the new shell is small and looks weird to fit in. In fact, it's more comfortable than the previous version (as least to me) as it's freaking light weight, you don't feel anything sticking into your ears. 
The new flex is softer and it will just slid in your ears, good seal is promised, we have a lot of choices too right? (double flange etc). And all hail to Iphone users, look at the plug used!!!
The mesh used in this new version isn't the metal mesh you always seen in the normal IEM right now. It looks more fragile but more elastic. I don't dare to touch a lot.
Just take a look. 
There's a small 'air hole' in the back of the shell, I guess that's the reason this version sounds very airy, and transparent.
Another humble small review on the SQ for these little creatures. I only manage to burn in 8 hours and I hope it suffice.
Songs tested:
Faye Wong - Tian Kong unplugged
The Eagles - Hotel California live
Jewel - Enter from the East
Norah Jones - Don't know why
Jay Chou - Qing Hua Chi
Johannes Linstead - Hour of the lamps
Utada Hikaru - First love
FF9 sound tracks
Some classical tracks
Some pop songs
Overall they could handle incredibly well nearly all genres I have picked. Classical, vocals, pops, rocks, instrumentals.
The first impression on X3i is: bright but soothing, detailed, tight bass, has good extension to treble, good stagging.
while XBi I have a feeling of: warmer sounding, bassy but doesn't lose a lot details, good 3D imaging, dynamic; again, like previous version, scales well with amplification.
I was having a shock on this IEM when I tested it at Uncle Wilson's store, I had a blind test last time and I thought X3i was XBi!!! Bass is strong ang tight; but OMG the details are still amplified. I couldn't believe my eyes that the label there was X3i. So now the X3i is the previous X3 + XB type of music. The bass isn't lacking at all this time. Micro details again, improved with the large leap in both ends.
The XBi, has lots of bass, at first it really muds the details in highs, but I brought it and let both of the unit had a burn in it kindda tames down. Details are better and amplified, most of them say the new XBi is previous XB+XB. But I give it a tag of XBi = XB + XB + X3 .
It has good details and it deserve that. The bass now has kick, punchy, energy and runs deep. Drums are articulate in pervious XB, so do this. In this "i" version, the staging and transparency between instruments are h3ll shocking. Airy feeling like the KSC75 I had. I can even feel the resonance of air between singer and instrument played. Or between the fingers and the guitar strings plucked. I think it would be the small air hole doing the trick? (Is it?
) The XBi seems to have better 3D imaging to me, gotta consult the experts and ask their opinions. Still doing more burn in...
Update on 20 hours mark of burn in
:Both creature already exhibiting the smooth flowness of the music.
The XBi reminds me a bit of the HD650 bass. Not totally similar though.
The XBi bass is quite strong, too strong for me and I feel a bit fatigue after long hours of listening. Too much PoM POM
While the X3i smoothen the brightness, and edgy ends, adding a bit more punch on the bass again.
I feel there's more potential later on
This post has been edited by walabies: Nov 23 2007, 12:19 PM
Quote
I hope he enjoys.
0.0300sec
0.80
7 queries
GZIP Disabled