redcoates7

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $500.00 from Online Auction Site

Summary:
After reading the last review on these speakers, I had to weigh in, as I think they're being unfairly maligned! This is an extremely well built speaker, that features all of the characteristics you'd expect in a THX-certified speaker...controlled dispersion, high output capability, and low distortion. To my ear they sound great for movies, with exellent dialogue intelligibility, and a big, punchy sound that I find very likable. Music listened in two-channel bypass was also enjoyable, with a slight lift through the upper midrange that added some sparkle...whether it was needed or not. Be careful trying to pair this speaker with a bright, or forward-sounding electonics (Like Kenwood's KM-X1 or Z1) as that extra midrange lift might just turn into a nasty bite. Like all THX speakers with vertically stacked tweeters, these sound lousy if you try and lay them horizontally, so don't do it. Also be careful about subwoofer matching. Like all THX monitors, these are designed to roll off below 80 Hz, to allow a capable subwoofer to handle the really low bass. Don't expect some el-cheapo $400 subwoofer to do the trick!

Strengths:
High output, Controlled Dispersion, excellent construction.

Weaknesses:
Limited listing area, and restircted low frequency performance (Like ALL THX monitors)

Similar Products Used:
NHT M5/U2 Snell LCR 500

Price Paid:  $1200.00 from ACE International

Summary:
These speakers are awesome for the home theater enthusiast. They have a very neutral sound that adds no coloration to soundtracks or music. Use these speakers with a good subwoofer, as they have a highpass crossover at 80Hz. If your main interest is movies, these speakers are hard to beat in this price class. Yes, they even do a fine job on music. I have six units LS-X1F and they use with this sistem: -Receiver Sony STR-DA5ES(main channels) New version 6.1 channels with dts ES 6.1 Dolby Digital EX, and Pro Logic II -Receiver Sony STR-DA555ES(SL/SB/SR), to amplify surround channels. -DVD player Yamaha DVD-S795 -Subwoofer Yamaha YST-SW800

Strengths:
Neutral sound, no coloration, capable of high output levels, design and construction

Weaknesses:
Overall - none

Similar Products Used:
Jamo THX One and THX Two

Price Paid:  $700.00

Summary:
very good ,

Summary:
Great sound very full range after a GOOD LONG break in period I was fairly happy with these hooked to the Kenwood X-1,However, having just hooked them to the Yamaha RX-V1 as rear full spectrum speakers they came alive & showed their true colours!
Perhaps these little gems were produced before their time & amps back then weren't able to fufill their potential.

Strengths:
construction - sound- Home Cinema

Weaknesses:
overall - none

Similar Products Used:
sd's, psb's, Dynaco's

Summary:
I puchased three of these speakers as a package with matching surrounds, reciever, bass amp and bass bins. O.K. Hi-fi they ain't, but within the whole Kenwood package they work very well for home cinema and heavy rock. Don't consider them for anything else. Outside the complete package, look elsewhere, but within it they are better than my other speakers. It's all a matter of context and matching. Having auditioned other Home Cinema THX systems from Boston and Jamo, I rate Kenwood as value for money, if you can find them.

Strengths:
Home Cinema

Weaknesses:
Stereo Classical Music

Similar Products Used:
Kef R104
Spendor BC1