Oberheim OB-Xa

$5,849.00 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (8)

4 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Oberheim OB-Xa

2 community setups

34 wishlisted

50 saved

Page last updated Jun 23, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 21, 2026.

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Price

$5,849.00 12 available Used

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Average Price: $5,849

High-end/Boutique

$500

$1501+

Price Tier

In the Synthesizers category, Oberheim OB-Xa is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Welcome to the world of Oberheim OB-Xa, a game-changer in the realm of synthesizers. This instrument marks a significant shift from Oberheim's traditional designs, boasting Curtis style synthesizer chips instead of the classic SEM designs. Available in the versatile 4-voice, 6-voice, and 8-voice versions, this synthesizer provides a rich tonal range that caters to every musicians' needs. It's not just a synthesizer; it's a tool for shaping your unique musical expression.

Key Features:

Curtis style synthesizer chips
Available in 4-voice, 6-voice, and 8-voice versions
Rich tonal range
Versatile for various musical styles and expressions

Product specs

Brand	Oberheim
Model	OB-Xa 61-Key 4-Voice Synthesizer, OB-Xa 61-Key 6-Voice Synthesizer, OB-Xa 61-Key 8-Voice Synthesizer
Finish	Blue with Wood Sides
Year	1981
Categories	Analog Synths, Keyboard Synths
Analog / Digital	Analog
Key Size	Full Size
Keyboard Action	Synth Action
Number of Keys	61 Keys
Polyphony	4 Voices, 6 Voices, 8 Voices

FAQs

Is the Oberheim OB-Xa synthesizer polyphonic or monophonic?: The Oberheim OB-Xa is a polyphonic synthesizer available in 4, 6, or 8 voice configurations, allowing for complex chordal textures and layered sounds.
What are the standout features of the Oberheim OB-Xa's sound engine?: The OB-Xa features a classic analog sound engine known for its rich, warm tones and powerful filter section, which is ideal for creating lush pads and leads.
How does the Oberheim OB-Xa compare to other Oberheim models like the OB-8?: The OB-Xa offers a more raw and aggressive sound compared to the OB-8, with a slightly less refined modulation matrix, making it ideal for those seeking vintage, punchy analog tones.
What is the keyboard action like on the Oberheim OB-Xa?: The OB-Xa features a synth action keyboard with full-size keys, providing a smooth and responsive playing experience suitable for both performance and studio use.
Can the Oberheim OB-Xa be used for modern music production?: Yes, the OB-Xa's classic analog sound is highly sought after in modern music production, offering a timeless character that complements both vintage and contemporary styles.

Videos

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Matt Johnson Jamiroquai

Oberheim OB Xa 80's mega synth!

Matt Johnson Jamiroquai

Oberheim OB-Xa Analog Synthesizer (1981) "Oberfett Xa"

RetroSound

Why I Love My Oberheim OB-Xa

J3PO

Oberheim Showdown! OB-Xa vs OB-8

NonDigitalTom

gettin moody with my 1981 Oberheim OB-Xa

J3PO

Oberheim OB-Xa pure, dry and raw, 50 sounds

synthlegends

Oberheim OB-Xa - the 104 classic factory patches

SynthMania

History and Sounds: Oberheim OB-Xa (deutsch)

AMAZONA Music Mag

Reviews

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PROS

Famous 33x0 series Curtis chips deliver distinctive sound
Excels in sizzling, buzzy pads and dark, resonant strings
Signature 12dB filter for characteristic tone
Powerful basses in Unison mode
Upgradeable with MIDI for modern compatibility
Iconic sounds recognizable from classic tracks like VH's "Jump"

CONS

Prone to aging and reliability issues over time
Unique parts are difficult to replace, making repairs challenging
Limited in features compared to modern synthesizers

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Oberheim OB-Xa.

Comparisons

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Owners note the OB-X8's lack of built-in effects compared to the OB-6, impacting immediate sound versatility.
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Owners compare the OB-X8's presets to the original factory sounds, describing them as simple and less engaging.
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The UB-XA strictly offers the Curtis filter from the OB-XA, unlike the OB-X8, which combines features from the X, XA, and 8 models.
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The UB-XA captures early-mid 80s Curtis/CEM sound, while the OB-X8 includes the OB-X/SEM 2-pole SVF, providing a broader range of tonal characteristics.
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The OB-X8 offers three modes—OBX, OBXa, and OBX8—providing a broader range of tonal options compared to the UB-XA.
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User experience

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The OB-X8 is noted for its rich voice panning and spread, requiring more intentional setup in a dedicated space.
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Some perceive the UB-XA's sound as thinner compared to the OB-X8, suggesting potential subjectivity in sound quality evaluation.
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Some owners appreciate the UB-XA's design aesthetics over the OB-X8, indicating personal preference plays a role in choosing between the two.
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Features and functionality

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The OB8's Page 2 functions offer unique arpeggiator programming capabilities, unlike the simpler presets of the OB-X8.
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The UB-XA lacks crossmodulation, a feature present in the OB-X8, impacting sound complexity for intricate sound design.
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The UB-XA's focus on the OB-XA's Curtis filters excludes the darker, deeper modulation associated with the Matrix series.
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The UB-XA includes polyphonic aftertouch and offers 16 voices and bitimbrality, adding a layer of expressive control not found in the OB-X8.
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Setup and maintenance

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Vintage OB models can be maintained with resources like Synthchaser's kits for power supply and voice board component replacement.
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Use cases and applications

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Users report achieving Prince-style sounds with the UB-XA, particularly reminiscent of leads and stabs in "Delirious."
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Value and pricing

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The UB-XA is mentioned as a more budget-friendly alternative, costing significantly less than the OB-X8 while delivering similar presets.
Source

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 8 Ratings

5 star

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clusterchord

221

almost 8 years ago

My favorite of the early 80s CEM-based polyphonics. majestic tone with angry attitude.

Best of the early 80s, Curtis chip -based polyphonics i.e. utlizing the famous 33x0 serie chips.

love using it for sizzley buzzy cem pads/strings, voxy high resonance dark pads. it limited but sounds bigger than life. 12dB filter is its characteristic trademark tone. 24dB setting is not bad but i don't use it as often.

luke_smithwick

over 10 years ago

Great Vintage Board - Does not grow old well

My dream keyboard has become a boat anchor. Although this was a powerhouse from the 80s, it does not age well. There are numerous analog semis on the main board as well as the voice cards and they simply drift out of range over time. Since these are unique parts, replacements are sketchy and hard to find. My OB-Xa has reduced itself to a door stop.

clusterchord

221

8 years ago almost 8 years ago

that's a pity. you need to invest some time/money it can be as good as new. it's one of the easiest vintages to work on.

it needs new capacitors, in PSU as well as voiceboard/motherboard
it needs new multiturn trimmers on vco pitch as well as linearity and high range
finally, if needed, new bushings, so your keys are evened out, and play softly without clunkiness.

all of it can be done in an afternoon with a capable tech. not a hundred bucks in parts all of the above.

cheers Tom