The past year has seen the introduction of numerous exercise-focused earphones, like Monster’s iSport Immersion In-Ear Headphones ($179.95, 3.5 stars) and Polk Audio’s UltraFit3000 ($99.95, 3.5 stars). Joining the ranks in early 2012 is the Sony XBA-S65, part of Sony’s recently unveiled, extensive line of balanced armature earphones—a line that includes the Sony XBA-NC85D ($499.99, 3 stars). At $89.99 direct, the XBA-S65 is far more affordable than its noise-canceling sibling, but also less expensive than some of its direct competition, like the Monster iSport. Price isn’t the only thing the XBA-S65 has going for it, however: It features a unique, adjustable rubber loop on each earpiece that provides a very secure fit. Throw in the sweat-proof, water-resistant, washable design and the high-quality, distortion-free audio performance, and the XBA-S65 is a steal, earning it our Editors’ Choice award for gym-friendly headphones.

Design
With its white cable and oddly-shaped, black earpieces, the XBA-S65 has a unique look that immediately differentiates itself from its exercise earphone competition. The Sony logo is emblazoned prominently on each earpiece, but it’s the earpiece itself that catches the eye. Where some new models utilize small stems that extend from the earpiece and rest against the outer ear for support, like the iSport and the non-exercise-focused, but very secure-fitting Bowers & Wilkins C5 In-Ear Headphones ($179.95, 4.5 stars), the XBA-S65 utilizes a flexible rubber loop that fits around the back of the outer ear. Once you’ve selected the right eartip size (it ships with four differently-sized pairs), you place the loop around the ear and slowly slide the adjuster near the earlobe to tighten the loop. This results in a very secure fit that can definitely hold up to rigorous exercise.

As mentioned earlier, the earphones are sweat-proof and water-resistant, which means they can also be rinsed off. This excellent new feature was first seen in our previous Editors’ Choice Sennheiser CX 680 Sports ($119.95, 4 stars) and is now available in the iSport, the XBA-S65, and some other new models.

One feature missing on the XBA-S65 is in-line controls for the iPhone or other smartphones. True, the inclusion of these controls would result in a price increase of roughly $30, but it would be nice to see it offered as an option. The white cable doesn’t seem nearly as durable as the Polk Audio UltraFit3000’s cable that features a Kevlar core. Along with the four eartip pairs, the XBA-S65 ships with a black plastic, slack-gathering cable length adjuster, a shirt clip, and a mesh carrying pouch.

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Performance
Sony’s new XBA line of balanced armature earphones—a first for the company which used to employ only dynamic drivers—provides a sound signature that puts a strong emphasis on the mids and highs where vocals, strings, and percussion are the dominant sounds. As a result, the XBA-S65 sounds excellent, with a response that is far more similar to the flat response of the Etymotic ER-4PT ($299, 4.5 stars) earphones than it is to the direct competition, like the iSport, which definitely focuses on the bass frequency realm. Both earphone pairs sound good in their own ways, but fans of crisp, articulate mids and highs will definitely prefer the XBA-S65. Consider it an audiophile-worthy, yet inexpensive, exercise earphone pair. That said, when you’re exercising, you aren’t necessarily doing critical listening, and even an audiophile might want some extra bass push to help motivate during strenuous workouts. The XBA-S65 isn’t lacking in bass response, but it is not a pair that exaggerates the low-end like the iSport.  Additionally, the right size eartips will not only ensure a secure fit, but will make sure you’re receiving optimal bass performance in each ear. However, if it’s deep booming bass you’re after, you won’t find it here.

At high volumes, the XBA-S65 had no problem handling deep bass frequencies in songs like The Knife’s “Silent Shout” without distorting. For those who read our Sony XBA-NC85D review, this may come as a surprise, as that is a $500 pair in the XBA lineup with significant distortion issues at high volumes. The difference, as evidenced in another noise-canceling option from Sony, the MDR-NC200D Digital Noise Canceling Headphones ($199, 3 stars) appears to be in the active noise cancellation circuitry itself, which seems to cause the distortion. The XBA-S65 has no active noise cancellation—although the eartips do passively block out some ambient noise—so this is not an issue. And yes, this $90 pair definitely outshines a $500 pair from the same line-up based on audio performance alone. Go figure.

On classical pieces, like John Adams’ “The Chairman Dances,” the strings and high percussion are bright and exceedingly clear. The lower register instruments are imbued with a subtle resonance that is pleasant and closer to accurate than most earphones in this range tend to aim for. On rock tracks, the kick drums tend to sound more punchy than thunderous, but again—this is a positive thing for those seeking flatter response earphones. Overall, the focus on mids and highs never approaches harsh, over-brightness that can cause ear fatigue over time, and the bass frequencies are never ignored, they just sit comfortably in the mix. This is probably the most accurate sound you will find in a sub-$100 exercise earphones.

Bass fiends who have a slightly higher budget will gravitate towards the Monster iSport’s low-frequency-oriented sound. If you’re not necessarily looking for an exercise pair, just one that fits well and provides excellent audio performance, the aforementioned Bowers & Wilkins C5 is an excellent option—though it is far more expensive. In the below-$100 range, only the AKG K 350 ($79.95, 4 stars) can really compete sonically with the Sony XBA-S65—it offers more low-end and a enjoyable overall response—and has the iPhone controls that would be a nice addition to the XBA-S65, but it’s not an exercise-focused pair. For the price, it’s hard to find a better-sounding pair of gym-friendly earphones than the Sony XBA-S65, and it earns our Editors’ Choice for its strong value.

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