There’s something irresistible about audio equipment that has that “look.” What look, you may ask? We’re talking classic lines, a subtle edginess, a sense of substantiality, and hints of something fresh and new. These are just the qualities confidently carried by
XTZ Sound’s newly minted speaker series, the subject of today’s product preview.
The Swedish brand XTZ Sound has been in the speaker business for the better part of a decade, founded by a conglomerate of industry engineers, technicians, manufacturers, and producers who joined forces “to offer the best relation between price, performance, and quality on the market.” Relying on high quality components (drivers sourced from SEAS and Peerless, for example), cost reduction techniques such as direct sales, and an aggressive three week “Buy & Try” in-home trial period, XTZ has certainly been turning heads with an excellent array of products ranging from full size speakers to headphones and power amplifiers to subwoofers.
XTZ's gorgeous Cinema Series lineup (SUB 1X12 not pictured).
XTZ’s most recent entry into its catalog is a collection of speakers and subs called the
Cinema Series. The company says the series takes direct aim at four categories of speaker qualities (size, sound, SPL, and spreading optimizations) and if their looks are any indication, the Cinema Series are primed to deliver.
The boldly appealing M6 bookshelf speaker carries front channel duties in the Cinema Series. It features a dual woofer system in a MTM configuration, with the tweeter component being an eye-catching grouping of 4 soft dome tweeters. This “Quad Tweeter Array” allows for higher SPLs and lower distortion, while controlling dispersion and avoiding early reflections from side walls. The speaker also features an angled front to enforce directional spreading even when the speaker is flush against a wall. XTZ touts the speaker’s high quality crossover components, twisted internal cabling (99.9% copper), and other quality materials.
The M6 is a substantially sized bookshelf (17.3” H X 9.1”W X 8.7” D, 19.8 lbs.) that can be wall or stand mounted. It’s available now for $1,000 USD (per unit).
Complementing the M6 is the equally appealing S5 hybrid 3-Way surround channel speaker, which features Dipole and Dipole X3 options. This model carries dual tweeters and two opposing wideband drivers. XTZ’s unique Dipole X3 option accommodates multi-seat applications by providing users with a three-direction dipole function. In an attempt to make placement as easy as possible, the company designed the M6 surrounds to remain on the small side (11.1” X 8” X 8.8”, 16.5 lbs.).
The S5 is also available now, priced at $1,400 per pair.
Finally, we arrive at the low end. XTZ has two Cinema Series subs: the SUB 1X12 and the SUB 3X12. The more compact of the two (SUB 1X12) is a 53.9lb 12-inch driver bass reflex/sealed hybrid design in a 17.7” X 20” X 18.7” 18mm MDF cabinet. To keep resonance at a minimum, internal construction features 40mm thick bracing and a 30mm thick baffle. The sub’s hybrid status reflects a selectable slot bass reflex port that maximizes floor coupling, reduces port resonance, and maintains cabinet stability. On the power side, the SUB 1X12 musters 500 Watts RMS with a 900 Watt peak output. XTZ reports anechoic measurements of 19-160 Hz (ported) and 24-160Hz (closed).
The SUB 1X12’s big brother is a larger (44.5” X 21.1” X 21.9”, 170 lb.) subsonic hammer. Similar to the 1X12, the 3X12 is ported hybrid sub…but the comparisons really stop there. This model features three 12-inch drivers capable of SPL measurements exceeding 120 decibels. It’s powered by a beefy amplification section capable of 1500 Watts RMS (2700 Watts peak) and can dig incredibly low (XTZ reports 16-160 Hz ported and 22-160 Hz closed).
The 1X12 and 3X12 will be available in late September 2014, priced at $1,100 and $2,500 each.
As part of XTZ’s quality control, the company opens and inspects a percentage of incoming products. They currently have a limited inventory of Cinema Series M6 LCR channels and S5 Dipole surround speakers (inspected) being offered at a 15-percent discount with free shipping. In addition, through the end of September 2014, the company is offering both subwoofer models at a 15-percent discount with free shipping. For more information, contact Jason Lee (Director of Business Development, XTZ Sound USA) at
[email protected].
Visit
XTZSound.com for more information on the Cinema Series and their other products.
Image Credit: XTZ Sound
