Michael Fremer has reviewd and purchased an XVX. His review is found in the current issue of Stereophile. "The low frequencies were powerful and extended, though without any boom. The clarity and smoothness of the treble were impressive, with a tremendous ease to the sound. The presentation of the soundstage on my own recordings was the best I have experienced."--John Atkinsion.
Perhaps the most telling measurement was the flatness of the room averaged response in Mike's room, essentially flat from 1k to 10K and about a minus 2 dB at 18K with zero peak. The midrange from 80 to 1K was exceptionally smooth. I find this to be true in my room.
The dynamic capability and ease of the XVX is supreme. In my room I can turn the volume to 75 with peaks of nearly 120 watts without a sense of strain or even loudness.
I don't think MF has a good room for the XVX but he said, "When I played this (Little Feat's Waiting for Columbus) at the appropriate volume--concert loud--it came as close to live as I've ever heard here, overwhelming and enveloping."
"I was expecting her (wife) to say--or yell over the music--Turn it down! Instead she just sat there, mouth agape. When the demo was over, she turned to me bug eyed and said, You have to buy these speakers!"
He bought the XVX. I have enjoyed the XVX far more than any gear I have ever owned. It's a joy.
Best
Charles
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Charles Updated System: Wilson McIntosh Audioquest
Most recent updates: AQ Diamond USB replaces AQ Coffee; Wilson Audio Specialties Alexx replaced by Wilson Audio Specialties XVX Chronosonic; new subwoofer crossover; new Galaxy Grey Thors Hammer; Wilson Pedestals
Amps: McIntosh 1.25KW’s (3) set on floor on custom made cultured marble slabs
Preamp and DAC: McIntosh D1100
Sources: McIntosh MCD1100 SACD player, MVP881 BR player, MVP851 DVD player, MR87 tuner, Marantz 510LV Laser Disc player, ASUS laptop USB (JRiver Media Center 23)
Speakers: Wilson Audio Specialties XVX Chronosonic
Sub-woofer: Wilson Audio Specialties Thor’s Hammer (1) horizontal lie and Wilson Watch Controller (abbr: WC)
Cables main system: Audioquest Wel Signature speaker cables and balanced IC (preamp to amps); Wel Signature AES/EBU balanced digital IC for CD playback; Audioquest Diamond optical (1) for tuner, (1) for BR player, and (1) for LD player for total of (3); Diamond USB cable; McIntosh MCT cable for SACD playback; Dragon power cords (5 HC cords and 3 source cords for total of 8); Thunder HC power cord for tuner; cables for DVD player not listed
Cables subwoofer system: Audioquest Redwood speaker cable (1); Wolf balanced subwoofer IC from WC to amp; Wind balanced IC from preamp to WC; Hurricane HC (2) and Dragon HC (1) power cords
Power conditioners: Audioquest Niagara 7000 (1) and Niagara 5000 (3); (4) dedicated 20-amp lines with no. 10 wire straight out of fuse box
Isolation: Wilson Pedestals
Cabinet: Double Custom Woodwork & Design (CWD) solid walnut cabinet on large casters; holds all sources and preamp; also, Niagara 7000; 11 feet minimum distance from speakers
Acoustic Treatments: Room and Echo Tunes
AC: Dedicated to this room only, an ultra-high efficiency and quiet recently installed Ruud split system 3-ton heat pump.
Room (mancave): 40’L x 15.5’W A-frame; max ceiling height 8’ min 5’; wall within wall construction built of 2 x 6’s; built over garage with custom hardwood floor with gym seal with over 40 Lowes stiffened wooden I-beams supporting floor; complete isolation from rest of house.