XB series headphones by Sony deliver the lowest ever bass

* Unique design recreates club ambience with powerful, ultra-low bass response
* Exclusive driver unit reproduces low frequencies accurately
* King size ear cushion (MDR-XB700/500/300) and wide headband for maximum wear comfort

Hip-hop? Dubstep? Drum’n’bass? Whatever you’re into, there’s a new range of Sony headphones for music lovers with tastes that go a little deeper.

The dramatically styled new XB series creates a heavy club vibe with rich, powerful bass you can really feel. Standing for “eXtra Bass”, the new XB range accurately reproduces ultra-low frequencies without compromising crystal-clear midrange vocals and high frequency sounds.

The five-model XB range is headed by the closed-type MDR-XB700. These premium bass headphonesfeature innovative Sony technologies that take you straight to the heart of the dancefloor.

Inside, there’s a rugged, extra-large 50mm dome-type driver that effortlessly reproduces pristine ultra-low frequencies. Optimised bass performance is balanced by clear, uncoloured reproduction of high- and mid-frequencies for a rich, satisfying soundscape.

As you’d expect from Sony headphones, styling is as striking as the sonic performance. Sumptuously crafted from synthetic leather, the king-sized ear cushion (MDR-XB700/500/300) reduces sound leakage for fat, booming bass with excellent sound isolation. The unique urethane cushion spreads pressure evenly, providing comfortable wear over extended listening periods.

Complementing the king-sized ear cushion, a wide headband features a new ‘seamless’ design for cutting-edge looks plus extra wear comfort.

Also available, the in-ear MDR-XB40EX and MDR-XB20EX deliver seismic bass thanks to an innovative ‘direct vibe’ acoustic design that minimises sound spillage. The innovative vertical driver orientation (with MDR-XB40EX only) delivers clear, powerful audio with extended bass without compromising listening comfort.

Brushed aluminium accents (with MDR-XB40EX only) and a durable new flat-section cord add the final touches to this distinctive, highly desirable range of bass headphones.

The XB series of headphones with Extended Bass is available from March 2009.

Technical specifications:

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NOTES TO EDITORS

Environmental Info

Sony is engaged in a constant review of its manufacturing, operational and business practices to ensure that its products are developed in an environmentally responsible way. This approach can broadly be divided into three areas:

Environmental Information: 3Ps

• Product: Extended user documentation is provided electronically to reduce paper use.
• Process: The packaging ses recyclable paper to reduce the impact on the environment.
• Planet: Sony is determined to lead the way as a responsible manufacturer, and as a result we are focussing on three key areas of investment:

1.      Reducing CO2 gas emissions

2.      Increasing the percentage of renewable energy  used in manufacturing facilities

3.      Minimising the resources used by our factories in manufacturing

For more information, please contact:

Silke Schild, Corporate Communications, Sony Europe

silke.schild@eu.sony.com / +44 (0)1932 816 507

About Sony:

Sony manufactures audio, video, communications and information technology products for the global consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, game and online businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be one of the world’s leading digital entertainment brands. Sony recorded consolidated global annual sales of EUR 55.44 billion (yen 8,871 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, based on an average market exchange rate for the same period of yen 160.0 to the EUR. It employs approximately 180,500 people worldwide.

In Europe, the Sony Group recorded consolidated annual sales of EUR 12.73 billion (yen 2,328 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. Sony Europe, headquartered at the Sony Center am Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, is responsible for the company’s European electronics business and registered consolidated sales of EUR 9.55 billion for the same period.

For more information on Sony Europe, please visit http://www.sony-europe.com and http://www.sony-europe.com/presscenter