AV123 x-series question

[davetroy]

I'm planning on buying a pair of speakers in the X-series line, and I'm deciding between the bookshelves (x-ls) and the towers (x-sls). I've seen many reviews of the x-ls but none of the x-sls. Are they basically the same speaker? I'd like to buy the bookshelves and place them on an enclosed bookshelf (enclosed on three sides other than the front, of course, but plenty of room for the speakers on those sides), but I'm hesitant because I'm worried that placing them there will affect the sound. Does anybody have any experience with the x-ls situated as such?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[zildjian]

Same speaker components, just the larger enclosure with the X-SLS is tuned lower, so will have more bass output. A few guys here have the X-LS speakers, but you will likely find many more users with 1st hand experience at AV123's forum. The X-SLS have been shipping for a few weeks now, so guys at the other forum should be able to give you some first hand info. One or two guys I know over there have both the X-LS and the X-SLS. Check under their X-series product forum threads.

http://av123forum.com/

 

[j_garcia]

Yes they are basically the same speaker internally, however the larger cabinet allows the tune to be lowered quite a bit from 55Hz to 45Hz.

The X-LSs are rear ported and they don't like to have a wall close behind. I had them about 4 inches from the wall and it did affect the sound for sure. Placing a bookshelf in a small cabinet will always have an effect on a speaker whether it is ported or not, but rear porting is probably the worst combination.

 

[billnchristy]

I have got mine in a tiny bookshelf and they sound great. I do listen to them crossed over at 80hz because they are part of a 4 X-LS 1 X-CS 1 X-sub 5.1 system but they sound pretty good.

Granted they will sound better out of the shelf but you gotta do what you gotta do sometimes!!

 

[j_garcia]

I didn't mean to make it sound like they will sound like crap, just that it is not an ideal situation.

 

[davetroy]

AV123 x-ls vs. HSU HB-1

Has anyone had the opportunity to listen to both of these speakers? Putting the reviews side by side, Audioholics preferred the AV123s, but they weren't reviewed by the same person. Music DVDs (mostly opera) are my first concern, movie DVDs the second.

 

[Seth=L]

I don't know about you guys, but these are some of the most beautiful speakers I have ever seen for under $500, maybe even $1000.

(it is a slideshow)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yimmy149/sets/72157600026379258/show/

 

[zildjian]

I don't know about you guys, but these are some of the most beautiful speakers I have ever seen for under $500, maybe even $1000.

(it is a slideshow)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yimmy149/sets/72157600026379258/show/

those in the pics were diamond palisander rosa (great looking, I agree!), the diamond finishes are not available anymore, satin now. Don't know what the satin's look like exactly, hope they are as good looking as the diamond finishes.
Brad

 

[davetroy]

Are the towers in the picture the x-sls?

 

[Pianoman84d]

Are the towers in the picture the x-sls?

Yup!!

People who have heard both on the av123forum say that they sound essentially the same (except for additional bass from the tower). The floorstander just means you don't have to buy stands so it's cheaper. Plus, you get more of that beautiful veneer!!

 

[j_garcia]

those in the pics were diamond palisander rosa (great looking, I agree!), the diamond finishes are not available anymore, satin now. Don't know what the satin's look like exactly, hope they are as good looking as the diamond finishes.
Brad

What do you mean diamond isn't available? They barely released it. Satin is exactly the same color, just not shiny.

davetroy, how big is your room?

 

[davetroy]

The room is about 14x16, open on one side (the side perpendicular to the wall that the TV is on).The couch is against the back wall opposite the TV, about 12' from the TV screen. If I buy bookshelves, they'd go in the entertainment center that surrounds the TV. If I buy the towers, they'll go next to the entertainment center.

 

[emorphien]

I don't know about you guys, but these are some of the most beautiful speakers I have ever seen for under $500, maybe even $1000.

(it is a slideshow)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yimmy149/sets/72157600026379258/show/

Too shiny for me but what are those monitors they had hooked up to the computer? hmm

 

[zildjian]

What do you mean diamond isn't available? They barely released it. Satin is exactly the same color, just not shiny.

I mean just that, go to the AV123 website, diamond finish isn't an option anymore; it's the "satin" finish now instead of the diamond, yes in the same color. The diamond was an option for just a bit, didn't say up long; too bad cause I think it's beautiful. Hopefully it will be on option again. Don't know if it was more expensive or maybe it was more difficult to iron on the enclosures. They d/c'd the mascarey finish too, but it is possible that some but very limited amount of mascarey laminates may still be available according to the latest posts from Mark Schifter (av123 pres & founder). The finishes seem to be available and then not lately, so if anybody likes a particular finish, order all the pieces you want in that finish in case it gets d/c'd!!! That's happened to a couple guys at the other forum already who want more speakers in the same finish and are having a difficult time now getting them.
Brad

 

[billnchristy]

Diamond is/will be available it just hasnt been finished yet.

The Piano finish from China is no longer available as all X are being made in Cali.

Diamond is a piano replacement but not as shiny and cheaper.

 

[davetroy]

Is 12-feet apart too much for speakers?

I actually think my decision on the x-ls vs. the x-sls might be made for me by the setup of the room. If I get the x-sls towers, they would go on either side of my entertainment center and would be 12-feet apart. From my experience with two-channel, that's too much for proper imaging, etc. Or does that become irrelevant when you're using a center speaker? With the x-ls, the speakers would be eight feet apart. Can anybody comment on this?

 

[emorphien]

Depends on how far back you are. At 12' away, it's not terrible (some subscribe to the equilateral triangle concept) and I think that's still the better choice than sticking the bookshelf speakers in your entertainment center. Generally speaking speakers need open space, not confined quarters in my experience.

 

[davetroy]

Actually, I would be sitting about 12 feet away, maybe a drop more. There are 22 inches of space between the side of the entertainment center and the left side wall, so that would be a little tight (I think the x-sls are about nine inches wide). No side wall on the other side (well, there is, but it's far away).

 

[emorphien]

how about posting a picture of the entire front wall and the entertainment center? Someone might be able to come up with something then.

 

[j_garcia]

That would be pushing it for close to the wall with the tower, so either way, you are going to have some minor placement issues. I'd probably go with the towers though.