Gershman Acoustics X-1 Floorstanding Speakers Reviews

Price Paid:  $1300.00 from Local Hi-Fi Store

Summary:
My first impression is that, this speaker is very juicy. First of all, i want to tell you that i love Totem, and i were planning to buy Totem. However, after i audited the Gershman... Comparing with Totem's Model 1, the X-1 is alot sweeter. Totem might sound more edgy in comparison. I'm not saying the X-1 is not accurate as the Totem, but i don't like that Totem is too balanced and perhaps a bit dry. And comparing the bass, x-1 is awsome! The soundstage is good, very detail by not edgy. Full Bodied Sound! very musical and comfortable to listen it. You won't feel tire of listen to it for hours, because you will slowly went into the soundstage, it's very living compare other competitors. Totem is famous in making small speakers. Thus, i will buy the smallest one. I must buy Totem Arro, if it goes to my bedroom.

Strengths:
1. Looks! perhaps as good as 2-3 times price range speakers. 2. Build Quality (one inch thick doubled panel and something in between). 3. Sound - Very Demanding speakers, because no one will sell it as they can't find anything better for comparison. 4. Easier to feed than Competitors, i'm using Cary Tube Amp and it sound soooooo sweet, i can't imagine if i have a pair of AE1 or Model 1...

Weaknesses:
zip!

Similar Products Used:
ProAC, Rogers, Totems, Polks, Paradigms, Red Rose

Summary:
I was looking for a pair of book shelf size speakers for the rear channel in movies, as well as DVD audio. I had just about decided to go with the Sonus Faber Concerto's, when my dealer recommended taking a look at these. I already had a pair of Gershman Acoustics Avant Guarde's in front, which were fantastic. I hadn't given their smaller speaker a chance because, the only the thing I had to go by was the photo above, or on Gershman home page. Unfortunately, Gershman is such a small company that they don't do much marketing, and the quality of the pictures on their site etc. just don't do the product justice.

After seeing them in person I was quite impressed, first by their looks, but most importantly, the quality and accuracy of the music they reproduced. I don't have an audiophile ear or vocabulary so , I can't do a great job of describing the sound. What I can say is that they just seem clearer, smoother, and more tonally balanced than other similar sized speakers I listened to. They also felt as if they had more low end punch, which I felt would defintely help out with movies. I attribute this to their large rear port.

Mine are mounted on Sanus ultimate foundation stands (each filled with 20 pounds of #8 lead shot). Gershman custom did a set for me in gloss black laquer. Many visitors to my home have remarked at how cool they looked, or that they wouldn't mind having them as front channel speakers, based on how wonderfully musical they sounded.

If you are in the market for a smaller speaker, that is an excellent value, give these a try.

My speakers were purchased from Steve at Sound Video. For anyone interested in purchasing these, or others from a very knowledgeable person, with an honest straight forward approach, I suggest you send him an e-mail (herra001@tc.umn.edu)

Strengths:
High quality construction and finish. One of the most cosmetically appealing book shelf speakers I've seen.

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
Sonus Faber Concerto's, Aerial, Vienna Acoustics, Dyna Audio, Monitor audio etc.

Summary:
Very good speaker with most music. Never sounds bright or edgy. Never had any listening fatique after hours of listening. Better than average speaker when considering X-1 and SW-1. SW-1 does help with high quality bass extension (20hz).

Strengths:
Smooth midrange and extended bass.

Weaknesses:
Could use a little more magic in the midrange.

Similar Products Used:
Proac

Summary:
This is a truely outstanding speaker. It is extremely well built. Solid thud with the knuckle rap test. gold plated binding posts allowing for biwireing or biamping.
The sound of this speaker will have you firmly in the high end!! Holographic imaging not seen since the celestion 600si but without that speakers flaws(colored mid bass). Pure toneality through the entire bandwidth of the speakers measured performance(40 to 20k+). But even at 40hz though this speaker will perform better with a good sub. I have used a couple different ones and with each the speakers seemed to improve by about 3db in its senistivety except when paired with its own matching Subs(HIGHLY RECOMMENDED).
With its matching stereo subs these speaker are top of the line audiophile speakers(although it doubles its price) one minor flaw is that the speakers don't like distorted heavy metal. The woofers pop when too much of it(limp biskits intro cut on Starfish cd)is present. If loud distorted/synthized heavy metal bass is your cup of tea then this speaker may not be for you. I just turn it down a bit when playing this kind of music but everything else from classical/jazz/rock and 90%of metal its damned near perfect. BUY THEM. And if possible BUY THE MATCHING SUBS!

Strengths:
solid costruction,furniture grade quality,holographic imaging. upgradable to full range 20hz to 20Khz

Weaknesses:
does not handle distorted heavy metal very well

Similar Products Used:
celestion, PS5/30,

Summary:
Gershman Acoustics was something of a discovery to me. Wondering around the Internet, searching for information for my next potential pair of speakers that would upgrade my conception of what is the right or better sound than the ones I was previously exposed to. I have a Infinity Kappa 9, which sounded excellent when I bought it back in 1989, but at the same time, did not fully allow me to enjoy it due to its size and because of the toll it took in my living quarters.

When I was looking at buying the Gershmans, I considered several floorstanding and standmounted models. Used Merlin VSMs, I had heard a pair of Australian monitors called Osborn which cost $2400 a pair, the Aerial 3 which retails about $2000 as well as the JMLAB 805 monitors. The Aerials sounded fairly good, decent rhythm etc . . ., but only when connected to about $10,000 worth of equipment Rowland integrated and Wadia CD player. I thought it did better sound decent. Then, I listened to a pair of JMLAB 805s, French designs with an Appolito

Strengths:
Dollar vs Sound ratio is excellent. Almost full range sound.

Weaknesses:
Few dealers and distributor. Import duty mark-up between US and Canada

Similar Products Used:
Aerial Model 3, JMLAB 905?, Osborn Titans(Australian), B&W 805 Nautilus, EPOS ES11