|
"Great value and all around performance in a
compact monitor"
Although Audio Concepts, Inc has offered the Sapphire XL since
early 2005 -we feel that it still warrants recognition for
delivering exceptional value and performance in its range. The
Sapphire XL is of a rare breed of loudspeaker that can appeal
to both our hard-to-please audiophile side along with the
music lover within. Their sound is consistently engaging - no
matter the music - no matter the electronics.
http://www.affordableaudio.org
Sean Fowler writes a detailed review and tells us why he
ends up buying the Sapphire XLs to use as his ongoing
reference.
Download
the complete review
"The compact size of the Sapphire XLs end with
their looks. They play with an ease and fullness that belies
their sensible dimensions. The bottom end is rock solid with
the kind of extension that just doesn't happen with monitors,
until now. More musically relevant than its low LF reach is
the sense of speed and pitch precision that the XLs achieve
.
. . All this lets the music float free, regardless of the style of
music you enjoy. The sound stage is expansive without being
diffuse while images are sharply focused without being etched
. . .
Now, I've heard the first great speaker from a fine and solid
company that has proven its dedication to its craft and art
through the Sapphire XL. Though the folks at ACI are too
modest to use the appelation, the Sapphire XL is a true
reference speaker, and that is not a term I use lightly.
Highly recommended for immediate audition."
Paul Cervantes . . . Ultralinear Audio Journal Read
the complete review
"The (Sapphire) XLs are very good at just
disappearing into the room, with their precise imaging
delivering a very big and open sound field."
Regarding the Titan XL "You are
thinking "but I have a pair of Magnepans (or Martin Logans)
and there’s no way that sub can keep up". Well, I gave the
titan a try with my Apogee Calipers and the 2nd
Rethm lowther-based speakers and it did well, especially
considering it has a 12 inch driver.
I think the panel enthusiasts would be
very happy with this woofer. ACI offers a 30 day money back
guarantee, so I would put this one at the top of the list if
you have been considering a reasonably priced subwoofer to
give you speakers a bit more extension. . . . I also had
excellent results mating the Titan XL with the $9000 pair
Penultimate Serenades, adding some extra weight to their
performance as well. "
TONE's Exceptional Value award for 2006
Jeff Dorgay TONE Audio
Download
the PDF for Issue 5 here
"Fast, articulate, clean, and capable of startling
slam for their size.
Using the ACI XL monitors and subs in my AV system was a
revelation. I will confess to being a bass head, ‘cause of
all my years in live music. I do turn the sub volumes up a bit
for movies and down a bit for music. I love the rumbling decay
that pressurizes the house and makes movies like The Core, or
The Abyss such an e-ride, visually and sonically.
The XL Subs, like the XL monitors they were designed to
complement, are extremely high quality/value products that
will appeal enormously to the music lover"
Rick Gardner writing in Positive Feedback. The
complete review
" The Sapphire XLs are a truly meritorious product
and worthy of consideration for discerning audiophiles."
Read
the complete review
Doug Schneider, Soundstage Publisher, reviews the Sapphire
XL
"A high-performance small speaker that can compete
with the best two-way mini-monitors currently available. That
the Sapphire XL costs less than the competition certainly adds
to its allure."
Read
the complete review
"Within the context of its size, I had to work pretty
hard to find anything to be critical of but within its price
class, it defies serious criticism. As a matter off
fact, when judged against pricier competition, the Sapphire XL
offers a strong argument for saving the money and putting it
toward one of their excellent subwoofers. Did I forget to
mention that ACI makes some terrific subwoofers?"
John Potis for 6moons.com
Read
the complete review
|
