In a word, they're fabulous. I've had them playing non-stop since they arrived last Wednesday (a day early!) to break them in.
The first thing that I notice, especially playing all the time, is that there is no fatigue. They are the easiest-listening speakers I've ever had.
Not a hint of buyer's remorse.
I'm slightly at a disadvantage because I'm running them off my PS Audio Sprout, which drove my prior M2 Turbos just fine, but doesn't have quite enough power to drive the X2s to an optimal listening level. Oh well. My Krell KAV-300i is at Krell being reconditioned, and I'll have it soon enough.
They're about 9' apart, and about 7' from my listening chair. My house is such that there are no side walls within 18 feet, and they're about 2' from the back wall, which is the best that I can do in the space I have.
So, the imaging is pinpoint, with a wide and deep soundstage. I'm still playing with toe-in. Clayton Shaw says half-way between parallel to the wall and facing the listening seat is about right, and that's proving to be true.
Bass is deep and clearly articulated. No more need for the subwoofer I had with the M2s. Stanley Clarke's bass on the Rite of Strings CD with Al Di Meola and Jean-Luc Ponty is, well, amazing.
Highs beat the M2s. Here's where it helps to have good source material. Some of my old Bill Evans CDs aren't of the highest quality, and for now, I really want to hear what the speakers can do, so I'm using my better, newer recordings.
In-between, the instrument is in the room. Piano, guitar, voice, reeds all have a presence that makes you think they're in the room. As they break in, this feeling only seems to grow. It's like the speakers are relaxing, taking deep breaths, and opening up a little at a time.
I don't know how to write these things. All I can tell you is that they're a big improvement over the much-beloved M2s. I can't compare them to anything else because this is what I've got. I bought the M2s blind, became an instant convert to open-baffle speakers, and bought these blind. Now that I have them, there's no need to look around anymore.
Happy birthday and Merry Christmas to me. Oh, and by the way, the design is stunning, and they look great in white.
