AV123 x-statik Tower Loudspeaker

[3db]

I posted 30 real () photos on the site. If you guys have any questions and don't mind me answering here, fire away.

Thanks,

Sean
AV123 Project Manager

Hi Sean

Just curious about the imaging and soundstage an open baffle design like that would throw. I'm guessing becuase of teh open baffle, the soundstage would be bigger than a convential box speaker but less than omnipolar design. I'm thinking too that imaging would fall between that of an omi directional design and a convential design. Am I incorrect with my assumptions?

 

[Sean Parque]

3dB,

The soundstage is indeed huge. This is one of those speakers when you look at it, you would swear there is no sound coming from it. The sound comes from the air. This is a lot of fun to screw with non-enthusiast friends

They sound effortless, detaild but not bright, very smooth and lots of mid bass kick. I would run them with a sub if you really want to have fun with the. For music, the upcoming $399 x-plosive is an excellent match. For HT, the MFW-15 is even better.

I would agree that they don't quite have the sound stage of an omni polar but it is a great in between spot. They can still focus well but disappear too.

We are shipping some this week so you will all get to read some customer reviews in the coming weeks.

Thanks,

Sean
AV123 Project Manager

Hi Sean

Just curious about the imaging and soundstage an open baffle design like that would throw. I'm guessing becuase of teh open baffle, the soundstage would be bigger than a convential box speaker but less than omnipolar design. I'm thinking too that imaging would fall between that of an omi directional design and a convential design. Am I incorrect with my assumptions?

 

[Joe Schmoe]

They look interesting and I'm curious to see what they sound like. I don't care that they are sealed, I would expect them to be able to play lower than 65Hz. When listening to two channel music, I want my towers to be as near full range as possible.

I'm guessing that the sweet spot is much larger for the open baffle design as opposed to a conventianal design but I wonder if its a trade-off for imaging details.

If I am going to pay $700 for a pair of floorstanders, I expect them to go a lot lower than that, especially as I will never use a sub. My tiny minimonitors go a full 10Hz lower for $220!

 

[Sean Parque]

Joe, no problem at all there. There are compromises of course While you will get more bass, you lose the utterly transparent nature of these speakers.

If bass is your drug, the x-mtm encore at $549 is -3 @ 40Hz. We also have the $299 x-ls encore that is also -3 @ 10Hz lower than x-statik.

As a minor aside... we also have the larger x-optima in development that takes all the greatness of the x-statik's and adds loads more bass.

When designing speakers, we look at all the possible scenarios and uses and what people would want in their homes. We know that we will sell a lot of these speakers to those that WANT to pair then with a sub (they are killer for HT). We also know there are lots that want these but with more bass as they DON'T want to use a sub (those like you). Hence, the x-optima (as well as the x-otica ) That is why all the different models exist... to fill all requirements

Thanks,

Sean
AV123

If I am going to pay $700 for a pair of floorstanders, I expect them to go a lot lower than that, especially as I will never use a sub. My tiny minimonitors go a full 10Hz lower for $220!

 

[darien87]

Joe, no problem at all there. There are compromises of course While you will get more bass, you lose the utterly transparent nature of these speakers.

If bass is your drug, the x-mtm encore at $549 is -3 @ 40Hz. We also have the $299 x-ls encore that is also -3 @ 10Hz lower than x-statik.

As a minor aside... we also have the larger x-optima in development that takes all the greatness of the x-statik's and adds loads more bass.

When designing speakers, we look at all the possible scenarios and uses and what people would want in their homes. We know that we will sell a lot of these speakers to those that WANT to pair then with a sub (they are killer for HT). We also know there are lots that want these but with more bass as they DON'T want to use a sub (those like you). Hence, the x-optima (as well as the x-otica ) That is why all the different models exist... to fill all requirements

Thanks,

Sean
AV123

Sounds like you guys are doing things right; submitting different offering for different people. You've gotta have one of the best jobs in the world.

 

[Sean Parque]

Some days it is a real bummer (can't please everyone all the time) but most days, it rocks (get to listen to tunes on great gear all day)

Sean
AV123

Sounds like you guys are doing things right; submitting different offering for different people. You've gotta have one of the best jobs in the world.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

We also have the larger x-optima in development that takes all the greatness of the x-statik's and adds loads more bass.

I would like to know more about the x-optima. These new speakers do look amazing! And those pics are beautiful.

Do you guys also sell just one speaker if someone wants to use them as a center speaker (like 5 identical speakers)?

 

[3db]

If I am going to pay $700 for a pair of floorstanders, I expect them to go a lot lower than that, especially as I will never use a sub. My tiny minimonitors go a full 10Hz lower for $220!

I guess they were designed with a sub in mind. No harm there. Like you, my preference would be for my speaker to deliver a near full range as possible without a sub while listening to music. Like Sean says, it depends on the intended purpose of the design .

 

[j_garcia]

If it were a music only system for me, I would prefer deeper extension, but I don't have a problem at all with the extension on those guys, especially when coupled with a good sub.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

If I were to get AV123 speakers, they would probably be the Reference minimonitors. I am so pleased with my CA S30 minimonitors that I find the concept of something almost as small but over 5X the price (from a company that offers good value) is very intriguing.

 

[gus6464]

Are they meant to be toed-in for best imaging or do they follow the ribbon tweeter philosophy of straight ahead placement?

 

[j_garcia]

They have dome tweeters, so I don't see why they would be directional like a ribbon, however my A/V-2s ARE sensitive to placement for optimum performance.

 

[Sean Parque]

I'm not at liberty to say much of anything on the x-optima. Sorry It is in development so it is hush for the time being.

Yes, we sell single speakers - no problem.

Sean

I would like to know more about the x-optima. These new speakers do look amazing! And those pics are beautiful.

Do you guys also sell just one speaker if someone wants to use them as a center speaker (like 5 identical speakers)?

 

[Sean Parque]

I toe mine (well, the test pair I listen to here) in a little. Not pointing at me but a little off axis.

Sean

Are they meant to be toed-in for best imaging or do they follow the ribbon tweeter philosophy of straight ahead placement?

 

[bandphan]

If I am going to pay $700 for a pair of floorstanders, I expect them to go a lot lower than that, especially as I will never use a sub. My tiny minimonitors go a full 10Hz lower for $220!

joe, why would you not consider a sub? just curious. The speakers probably have amazing detail, and with the sub to fill out the low end why would that be a problem. 700 for a pair of mains isnt that pricey, and if 5-7hundred added for a sub, for an overall cost of around 1500 a bet that would be a nice setup.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

joe, why would you not consider a sub? just curious. The speakers probably have amazing detail, and with the sub to fill out the low end why would that be a problem. 700 for a pair of mains isnt that pricey, and if 5-7hundred added for a sub, for an overall cost of around 1500 a bet that would be a nice setup.

I guess I am just one of those rare people who considers the bottom 1.5 octaves irrelevant for music. Also, not having the very deepest bass prevents room issues. I definitely prefer less bass but tighter over more bass but boomier. (Indeed, I A/Bed my Cambridge S30s and Mirage Omni 350s again this weekend just to be sure. I preferred the tiny S30s, and less but better bass was one reason.)
Also, $1500 would buy one heck of a pair of minimonitors. Given how fantastic my minimonitors sound for only $220, I am incapable of imagining how insane a $1500 pair the same size would sound!

 

[Davidt1]

I guess I am just one of those rare people who considers the bottom 1.5 octaves irrelevant for music. Also, not having the very deepest bass prevents room issues. I definitely prefer less bass but tighter over more bass but boomier. (Indeed, I A/Bed my Cambridge S30s and Mirage Omni 350s again this weekend just to be sure. I preferred the tiny S30s, and less but better bass was one reason.)
Also, $1500 would buy one heck of a pair of minimonitors. Given how fantastic my minimonitors sound for only $220, I am incapable of imagining how insane a $1500 pair the same size would sound!

You must like them S30 a lot. I have been thinking about getting new speakers -- particularly the Mordaunt Short MS 912. I have an idea. Now hear me out. Why don't you buy a pair of MS912 and a/b them with the S30? Then keep the better pair and send me the ones you don't want for the same price you paid. You have nothing to lose really. If the MS912 are better than the S30, then you will have an even greater pair of speakers to keep. If you send me the S30, I will be happy because if they are good enough for you they are good enough me. If you send me the MS912, I will be happy too. You might ask, "Why don't you just buy the speakers yourself?" Good question, but this isn't about me. It's about the interest of the audioholics community. I could buy a pair of the MS 912, but we will never know how good they really are next good speakers like the S30. What do you say?

Sorry folks for hijacking this.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

They no longer make the 912. The closest current equivalent is the 902. Wild West Electronics carries those and the S30s, which would allow you to try both and keep the ones you prefer.
The fact that my S30s are made to go with my Cambridge electronics gives me a definite bias, and makes it unlikely that I could prefer anything in the same price range. (Indeed, B&W CM1s are 4X the price, and I heard no difference. This was an in-store audition rather than a direct A/B, though.)

 

[ichigo]

No difference? So you found two speakers from 2 different brands with the identical sonic signature? They must be using the same parts!

 

[Soundman]

Joe, no problem at all there. There are compromises of course While you will get more bass, you lose the utterly transparent nature of these speakers.

If bass is your drug, the x-mtm encore at $549 is -3 @ 40Hz. We also have the $299 x-ls encore that is also -3 @ 10Hz lower than x-statik.

As a minor aside... we also have the larger x-optima in development that takes all the greatness of the x-statik's and adds loads more bass.

When designing speakers, we look at all the possible scenarios and uses and what people would want in their homes. We know that we will sell a lot of these speakers to those that WANT to pair then with a sub (they are killer for HT). We also know there are lots that want these but with more bass as they DON'T want to use a sub (those like you). Hence, the x-optima (as well as the x-otica ) That is why all the different models exist... to fill all requirements

Thanks,

Sean
AV123

Lots of good info, Sean!