Bookshelf comparisons.

[rexracer]

I agree on dropping the R15s. I auditioned them along side the Aperion 422c and the Aperions blow them away (especially when you factor-in service and fit/finish). The Polks sound bigger, than they are, but that's because they are tuned to emphasize midbass, which makes them sound muddy to my ears. You can get the 422cs as "A Stock/open box" for $80/each, shipped both ways, with a 30 day audition. These sound very detailed and the build quality is AMAZING. With my Yamaha receiver, they were bright, but with my Onkyo, they sound GREAT.

On top of the Morduant Short Bookshelves, have you considered the Monitor Audio Bronze Bookshelves? They have great prices for them at Saturday Audio. I have a pair of the Bronze Floorstanders and LOVE them! According to many, the Bronze B2 Bookshelves sound better than the floorstanders, but with less low-end.

You had to throw a wrench in the works! I looked at the MA bronze, but thought they might be a bit pricey, but at $199 pr, they look good. They wont sell the center without buying 4, though. I almost cried when I saw the PSB b-1's at $159 a pair, but they are sold out!
This thread has been great, BTW. I'm glad to hear you were impressed with the X-LS's j_garcia. They are probably at the top of my short list for the front 3 at this point. I may end up getting the Polks for surrounds depending on what I get up front and what i end up paying. I BOUGHT MY RECEIVER TODAY! Yamaha RX-V659, so I won't be able to hold off much longer on the speakers.

 

[corysmith01]

I need more time with the X-LSs before I can form a good opinion of them. So far, they are softer and a little different in nature than the 902s. They require a little more power to get them going due to the lower sensitivity. They remind me a lot of the A/V-1s I used to own - they sound better when pushed harder, though I haven't explored their limits yet. The tweeters are not quite as smooth as the ones GR Research uses.

I had them in the living room, uncalibrated, in place of my A/V-2s for that session (being fed 125 watts @ 8 Ohms by my monoblocks), and they are now in my bedroom where I will ultimately be placing whichever speakers I go with.

j, i'd be very interested in hearing your impressions after you've spent some time with them. Do post. If I remember correctly, they've been a consideration for you for some time. And now that you have them, just curious your thoughts, especially since you have the G/R's in house. I was well impressed by the x-ls, both for sound quality and fit-n-finish. If you remember, I had a pair, though I recently traded ( + cash) for some Ref 1's.

 

[rexracer]

Has anyone heard the X-LS's close enough to the PSB B-1's to give me some kind of comparison? Maybe + & - for both? I'm thinking of going to the local dealer and seeing if I can strong arm him with the clearance prices at Saturday Audio. Another local matched the best internet price on the RX-V 659, so I figure, why not try.

 

[3db]

i have the older Image 1Bs

Has anyone heard the X-LS's close enough to the PSB B-1's to give me some kind of comparison? Maybe + & - for both? I'm thinking of going to the local dealer and seeing if I can strong arm him with the clearance prices at Saturday Audio. Another local matched the best internet price on the RX-V 659, so I figure, why not try.

I used them as my mains for awhile and loved them while saving for the T45s which I now have. I moved the 1Bs o surround duty. I never heard the X-LS. I know that PSBs are voiced towards the warmer side of neutral much like B&W and other english made speakers. I found thme very revealing myself and I found myself being drawn into the music rather than having it shoved in my face like some of the brighter speakers tend to do. Its a matter of preference really and what you like. I do love the PSB sound