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Hi AA,
That makes sense...Wilson specifically notes the integration with the midrange driver...thanks for that. very helpful. And yes, Wilson has always had supertweeters in the back for air/shimmer. Originally 2, now 1. |
Agree with Elberoth...DW has always sought very, very strict technical capabilities. While silk dome tweeters of old had a sound many of us liked (incl me)...perhaps they did not meet the rigid dispersion, performance he was looking for. imagine that has changed over the years...and the silk dome tweeter (like SF Guarneris and Strads) have a beautiful natural voicing. |
Hi FF,
Have heard the X1, X2 and X2.2 All incredible and my favorite speakers that i have heard myself. (have not heard many incl Arrakis, Evolution Acoustics MM3, etc).
I too am waiting for comments on this speaker...it is not suppose to replace the X2.2 but sit above it...and both will continue to be sold. Which means it must be dramatically better to justify both being sold.
The cabinet looks to be about 6-8 inches deeper nearly from top to bottom. If you consider that there are 2 speakers...would the extra volume come close to one Wilson Thor? Possibly?
Given that it is called XLF, will sit above the X2.2, and they sell the Thor...one would have thought/hoped the speakers would compete with the X2.2 plus Thor. That would be incredible!
Many X1/X2 owners i know (in fact 6 of the 7 owners i know) also run a sub (JL Gothams, Thor, and Velodyne).
Please post if you hear anything about how they sound! i will do same. |
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Hi JFrech,
Would love to see the brochure. I'll email.
Lloyd |
Hi FrenchFries,
When you say your experience other than X-1...did you mean you have compared Alexandria to X1 and found X1 lacking...or that you have not auditioned X-1? Thanks!
I own a second-hand pair of X1s which i enjoy...but am aware there is an upgrade to take the speaker up to Alexandria (entirely replaced tweeter and mids cabinets, crossover and wiring...plus damping for bass cabinet).
Thanks for any advice on X-1 if you have compared. |
Hi French Fries,
thanks for that...good to know. I have heard Alexandrias and so have a good idea of how they sound, but have not done direct A/B in same room, exact same system. I did not hear as much of a difference but then again, i have a natural/warm system: Zanden, CJ, Gryphon (SS Class A) and Transparent Audio.
In any event, the good news is i have checked with Wilson and the Series V upgrade is expected to be around "for some time"...so that is my clear upgrade path someday! Thanks again for your insights. Very helpful. |
I will be hearing the XLFs next week at their premier in Europe. Run with D'Agostino Momentums. Will be interesting to hear. |
Hi Johnny,
thanks for that...good to know. I am almost more interested in hearing the Momentums as opposed to the XLFs. I too have heard the X2s...both the original and the Series 2. I run my X1s with Gryphon Colosseum, so i am intrigued by the D'Agostinos. |
So i was (very kindly) invited to the introduction of the new XLF...superb room...D'Agostino Momentum monos...Kalista Ref CD player, ARC Ref 5SE preamp...Transp Opus MM2 Cabling throughout. On the face of it...a superb system and one to be reckoned with. Here's my view of the experience:
- Supreme 'density of signal'...greater by a 'meaningful margin' than Audio Exotics room in Hong Kong (Tidal Sunrays with 2 Tidal tower subs, 3 sets of Tidal Impact monos, Tidal Presencio, Stahl-Tek Vekian, Argento Master Ref cabling, Tripoint grounding/AC).
- This is where i think newer electronics have come a long way (and good speakers thought not necessarily 'the newest ones'...older SOTA is still amazing)...in being able to take the signal and through substantially lower noise floors, more exacting detail retreival...really are able to deliver a very strong, focused, concrete music signal. Older electronics...mainly digital...tend to deliver a 'weaker music signal'...almost like a flashlight where the batteries are getting low.
- On this system...it was like brand new lightbulb and batteries and flashlight. Very impressive.
- Better bass than i recall with X2 Series 2...but that's not a definitive statement because too many variables. What I CAN say for sure, is that this XLF will NOT replace any well setup X2 Series with a good sub. That is not close.
sound on tracks i know extremely well was 'a bit shouty'...which surprised me. I am going to give the system the benefit of the doubt and say there were probably more than a few new components...most likely the Ref 5 SE, as well as of course the speakers, and possibly the Momentums and speaker cables.
- By 'shouty' i mean that even on Amos Lee...on whom Norah Jones does background vocals so you get the idea...his voice felt a little like he was singing/shouting. And that was not the only track where i felt this touch of slightly raw overpowering force.
- Based on what i understand about the new tweeter, and what i already know about the X2, X2 Series 2 and likely the XLF mids, i might point at the Momentum monos which i have heard are 'slightly harder' than the stereo version. I am familiar with the Kalista, Ref 5 (non SE), Transp cables and the X-1, X2 series, so that is my guess.
i appreciate the opportunity to hear it, having heard the Audio Exotics Room last year with similar/same music. Feel free to ask/PM for any other observations. |
Hi Johnny,
I do want to go back and listen when the system has been operating for a little while longer...i wanted to share initial observations...very exciting...who knows? it could be the Momentums need more time.
INterestingly, i got a PM last nite from someone who made the same observation about 'shoutiness'...with the exact same electronics, but with another SOTA speaker.
In any event, i will go back undoubtedly to listen again with a few more tracks. |
Same...Transp Opus! I went back briefly...same conclusion. Except that i feel more confident the system should be physically rearranged, and the amps may need to be substituted. i went back to talk with the Owners/Managers and shared some observations.
Interestingly...there was an industry veteran who is a senior guy at one of the revered names in audio...he happened to pop in for a listen and had similar comments while we were talking.
the equipment is amazing he said and capable of far more...setup was not ideal. His company is getting a pair of XLFs.
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