topspeed
03-22-2009, 09:42 PM
Well, I've finally spent some time with the new toys (again, big "Thanks!" to JimmyC) and had an opportunity to not only get a handle on their sound, but also compare them to some of the locals.
You only get one chance to make a first impression, and the X-LS' sure know how to make an entrance. Once unveiled from their cloth socks, my wife probably said it best when she exclaimed, "You can't put those in the garage!" These are great looking little monitors! Beautiful wood veneer, fine craftsmanship, and solid cabinet construction that passed the ubiquitious "knuckle rap" test with flying colors. The grills are solid (although the speakers sound better without them) but the binding posts are a bit odd. Placed at a 45 degree angle very close to the the recessed panel, getting spades hooked up was more challenging than it needed to be.
OK, on to the sound. First, let me state that these are uniquivocally the best $100 speakers I've ever heard, no contest. They have tremendous bass and a very smooth midrange, albeit with an obvious midband hump. The treble is non-fatiguing and will likely work wonders with poor recordings. That said, it's clear that AV123 saved money with this very tweeter. I immediately noticed a rather hooded sound, as if someone had compressed the treble and was shouting through cupped hands. The combined effect was that instruments were smeared together and in some cases, not resolved at all. On one track of John Mayer's Heavier Things SACD, there is a tamborine played in unison with the high hat. On the X-LS, you simply could not hear the two instruments. You were left with either a high-hat with too much sizzle or a dull tamborine. You had to use your imagination to figure it out because the speaker sure wasn't going to tell you. The mediocre tweeter also dramatically affected the sense of attack. Snare drums were completely devoid of that satisfying "thwack!" Throw in the full, booming bass and things got messy in a hurry.
Now, if you think I'm being unfair, it's because I am. ;) You see, for giggles I thought I'd compare them to the Von Schweikert VR1's (hey, they were just sitting on the floor next to the stands anyway!). On their own merit, the XL-S' represent one of the best bargains on the market, even at full retail. I've heard a lot worse for the money. The problem is when you play speakers that cost 5 times more right after and suddenly realize, "Oh...that's what you get for all that extra coin!" It isn't subtle: far better resolution, faster bass, extended highs, you name it. The sum result is a far more natural and involving experience, as well it should be for the price.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for finding that killer bottle of $2 buck chuck that can go toe to toe with a Turley Zin. This simply isn't one of those cases. The Onix is a really good speaker, excellent when price is factored in. You won't, however, confuse it with a bottle of Opus One.
You only get one chance to make a first impression, and the X-LS' sure know how to make an entrance. Once unveiled from their cloth socks, my wife probably said it best when she exclaimed, "You can't put those in the garage!" These are great looking little monitors! Beautiful wood veneer, fine craftsmanship, and solid cabinet construction that passed the ubiquitious "knuckle rap" test with flying colors. The grills are solid (although the speakers sound better without them) but the binding posts are a bit odd. Placed at a 45 degree angle very close to the the recessed panel, getting spades hooked up was more challenging than it needed to be.
OK, on to the sound. First, let me state that these are uniquivocally the best $100 speakers I've ever heard, no contest. They have tremendous bass and a very smooth midrange, albeit with an obvious midband hump. The treble is non-fatiguing and will likely work wonders with poor recordings. That said, it's clear that AV123 saved money with this very tweeter. I immediately noticed a rather hooded sound, as if someone had compressed the treble and was shouting through cupped hands. The combined effect was that instruments were smeared together and in some cases, not resolved at all. On one track of John Mayer's Heavier Things SACD, there is a tamborine played in unison with the high hat. On the X-LS, you simply could not hear the two instruments. You were left with either a high-hat with too much sizzle or a dull tamborine. You had to use your imagination to figure it out because the speaker sure wasn't going to tell you. The mediocre tweeter also dramatically affected the sense of attack. Snare drums were completely devoid of that satisfying "thwack!" Throw in the full, booming bass and things got messy in a hurry.
Now, if you think I'm being unfair, it's because I am. ;) You see, for giggles I thought I'd compare them to the Von Schweikert VR1's (hey, they were just sitting on the floor next to the stands anyway!). On their own merit, the XL-S' represent one of the best bargains on the market, even at full retail. I've heard a lot worse for the money. The problem is when you play speakers that cost 5 times more right after and suddenly realize, "Oh...that's what you get for all that extra coin!" It isn't subtle: far better resolution, faster bass, extended highs, you name it. The sum result is a far more natural and involving experience, as well it should be for the price.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for finding that killer bottle of $2 buck chuck that can go toe to toe with a Turley Zin. This simply isn't one of those cases. The Onix is a really good speaker, excellent when price is factored in. You won't, however, confuse it with a bottle of Opus One.