adam.ribbands

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
1.62 of 5, 13.00 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
£400

I am reviewing the new XQ1s !!!

The XQ1 is the same driver and tweeter as the IQ1, but with a smarter real wood, laquerd cabinet. That I feel does not look as good as the IQ1, (in my opinion).

these speakers are ok, vocals are not as clear as B&Ws kevlar and they have poor power handling. Also the kef 19mm tweeter is supposed to be really good(said kef) But in comparison to B&Ws natulus tweeter, well, there is just no comparison.

Strengths:
size, looks(If you like that sort if thing)

Weaknesses:
pricy, power handling, vocals, tweeter

Similar Products Used:
B&W dm600, mission, gale e.c.t

eugenio mirisola

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.60 of 5, 10.00 votes

Price Paid:  $2300.00 from Roberto Molnar - Bra

Summary:
I used to have big Planar speakers whose membranes ripped off. As repair was too costly I decided to survey the market for a replacement. The XQ-1 came out as a complete surprise. Excellent voice reproduction with a very natural sound stage, mainly if you place them 1m. away from the side walls. Combined with a good subwoofer, and on solid stands these speakers will give you goose bumps. In a symphony orchestra you have the impression you can discern each individual performer, instead of only hearing a mass of instruments. And their sound comes from the right direction allowing for "identifying" the sources both in depth and width. In comparison with the speakers below, the XQ-1 sound does not give you the feeling of hearing a miniature orchestra as with the B&Ws; sound stage is not larger than life as with my ex-planars, and sound is lively but with no emphasis to a given frequency as it happens with so many speakers (i.e. Klipsch or Paradigm Treble). These are strong performers. They are neutral but lively. They easily fill my 27 m2 dedicated room fed by 100W per channel amplification. And they disappear leaving only you with the music. You do not have to be in a limited sweet spot to hear the whole event spread in front of you. But if you are right in the middler of both speakers things do get way more realistic. Placement is not critical. In my room, I found out the XQ-1s do better when not pointing straight at me. They are just a little slanted (some 15 degrees)to the center. This way, I have the impression I have a center speaker so firm is the center source sound and the perceived sound stage's depth and width surpasses the boundaries of the walls. A great product indeed.

Strengths:
Natural sound. Voice reproduction and sound stage. You feel like you could touch the musicians

Weaknesses:
Price in my Country due to ludicrous importation taxes.

Similar Products Used:
B&W DM series towers and 705 bookshelf; Paradigm Performance and Studio Series; Mirage; Klipsch Reference and Planar speakers.

Price Paid:  $1400.00 from a local AV shop

Summary:
I have been using Rogers LS3A5 and its bass tower for 10 years. Those were driven by Mark Levinson ML27 with its pre-amp ML-26 connected via balanced cables. I always thought the Rogers were one of the greatest small speakers around. That might be true 10 years ago. NOw that I have switched to the new KEF XQ1, my opinion has changed. Even in its mint brand new condition, the XQ1 sounds pleasing and resonably sweet. The soundstage is WIDE but the instruments tend to stand forward. Voices are natural and not too warm or thick. I particularly like the tones of violin and the detail the KEF reveals. But mind you, at present I am only using a real cheap DVD as my sound source since my Pioneer is under repair. I am sure when the AX-10 comes back, the details and tone color and depth of sound field will much improve. I forget to mention I am using a Rel subwoover too, and that adds a lot of low frequency in a good non-boomy manner.

Strengths:
well control-- especially the bass and low bass part. Wide sound stage. Neutral human voice. Not harsh to the ears even in its newest state.

Weaknesses:
Instrument a bit forward. Price a bit steep!!

Similar Products Used:
Rogers BBC reference small speakers.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I just finished listening to dozens of speakers at a store down the street from my place. I heard Infinities, Definitive Technologies, Bose, Klipsches, Yamahas, DEFs, and Acoustic Reasearches. The KEF XQ1, with its dome tweater was simply the best bookshelf, 2nd best was another KEF model, but it wasn't close to the XQ1- that dome tweater adds a dimension to the music that you wont hear on any speaker without a seperatly enclosed tweater or ribbon. I spent 5 hours in the store to find the best stereo set of speakers for under $2000. My conclusion is XQ1's coupled with a good subwoofer.

Strengths:
Strength lies in the XQ1's ultra high frequency reproduction. Bass, mid, and high range seemed acuasticlly perfect to my ear. Everything was TIGHT, with no distortion at any volume.

Weaknesses:
The XQ1 rivals any floor standing model without a dome tweater, except when it comes to bass. The bass it has is awsome. But a subwoofer is a nessesity for full-range reproduction.

Similar Products Used:
A roomate owns a bose acusimass sytem. (that thing rocks!!!!, so small and it ALMOST beats the XQ1/sub setup. simply the best value for a surround sytem!) Check above for a list of brands I have liste