I just got my x3i! My old x3 was broken, so i went to replace. Uncle Wilson then tempt me to upgrade to the new x3i, and i really really didn't regret upgrading it.
The new packaging makes the old blue box looks like a soap box, a bad ugly soap box. The soft case is black now. Inside are 3 transparent white tips (+ 1 attached to the earphones) with different sizes, a cable wrap and surprise surprise, a flight jack. There's a small user guide/warranty too. Nothing fancy though. The earphone itself have a new look.
- The design is now a small round ball, so its easier to slip into your ear. Which makes a new problem. Because when you want to pull it out of your ear, you have to carefully put your finger on the small ball. There are no thicker part between the ear piece and the cable which you usually grab to safely pull.
- The cable is more shielded, making it more stiff than before. When you tap the cable you can still hear it though.
- The plug is now thin and long, perfect for your ipod (even the box makes it clear for you. “Plug : 3.5mm. Fits iphone” D'oh...). The problem is the bridge between the cable and the plug is not all thick, there's a thin part closer to the cable. If you insert the plug to your DAP, your finger will be on this thin part, which somehow makes me scared about breaking that part, since.. well you know their build quality. Some would not have concern about this, but I'm just saying because not all the plughole are easy to push (like my speaker's earphone plughole).
-There's no marking to indicate which is right and which is left! Only blue and red stripe. I have to plug to my computer and play the speaker test to know (that was before i read the manual, but .. who read manual for an earphone anyway). Remember folks, Red = Right. As the manual reminded us that both Red and Right begin with the letter “R” (it really say so).
The Xbi looks exactly the same as X3i as far as i can tell. The only difference is in the cable clip, which label which is which.
So, how's the sound quality. Out of the box, it will make you cry on your knees. Everything gets amplified and it still maintain its clearness. I was surprised when i plug it to my PSP to hear Justin's Sexyback. The bass improved a lot. The sound separation/distinction is very very nice. Isolation still the same. Soundstage sounded better because of the overall amplified sound. Vocal sounded very clear, so clear that i can hear what Thom Yorke is singing! Well ok almost
Treble is as crisp as x3.
I took it for a run with some songs with different genre.
Timbaland - Fantasy (Feat. Money), BEP – Hey Mama
Since the bass improves on the new x3i, I kind off want the bass to reverb and make my eyes buzz in it socket. Well it failed in making my eyes vibrating in its socket, but still, big improvement on the bass volume. It is louder but solid. You can FEEL the sexiness in Money's voice. On the last minute of the track, you can hear the background chorus really clear.
Joss Stone - Sleep Like A Child
The song consist of Joss Stone voice with a bit of background music and deep bass reverberating in the background. Joss's vocal sounded very clear, every hush. The deep bass background a bit weak though but a lot of improvement from x3.
Eagles – Hotel California (Acoustic live version)
All i can say is, wow.
Other song tests : Mute Math, Foo Fighters, Slipknot (yes i listen to slipknot), Justin Timberlake remix, Velvet Revolver.
I think this earphone is just nice for rock/alternative. Even for trash/metal like slipknot, metallica.
My conclusion would be, that theres an improvement in sound quality everywhere. They keep the good part of x3 (the clarity) and improve on its lack of bass. For those of you who are in limbo between x3 and xb before where you think one lack bass and one is too much, can now safely pick x3i as i would say that the bass level is in the middle of both. I tried xbi too, far too much bass for me, didn't like it at all. Tested with 3 songs then i declare TKO. Well thats just my opinion.
Ok i would go along and say that if you want to buy x3, don't. Just buy x3i. If you have X3, my recommendation is to upgrade it, since the improvements are all over. And since i never tried an XB nor x1 before, well i can't say much about which i prefer. Design wise, its sturdier and the small ball design means more comfort and the earphone can go further in where no earphone has gone before. The rubber tip that they supplied is nicer. More .. rubbery and flexible, means it will fit more nicely to your ear.
Why are you still reading this ? Go to jaben and buy one!
Note : I'm not in anyway an audiophile, but i am a music lover. None of the word that i say above should be considered as professional review, its just me and my first, second and third can of beer opinion. Don't flame me bro!
P.S. I'm leaving my x3i on a playlist to let it 'burn'. And i'll update you how it goes.
