SteveH
Member
Finally, finally managed to get to see and hear the CLX. I know that much has been written here already on this speaker - and it was great to read Tonepub's latest review just published. So in a way I have to confess I can't add a lot to what has been said...
I reviewed an anniversary pair whilst on vacation in London last week. The dem set up itself was not ideal - the speakers were set up in the dealer's main front shop (the only room large and wide enough for them) so I had to put up with walk in customers, mobile phones, mail deliveries etc.... but I shouldn't complain too much: at least I saw and heard the CLX for myself.
I spent about 2 hours listening - all to my CD's. The set up (selected by the dealer) was an Audio Research CD7, Krell FBI and Transparent cabling. I won't say much about that choice, but it seemed to work very well.
Let me be brief: the highlight of the audition was listening to Diana Krall 'Live in Paris', which I've practically worn out over the last few years...so I know it very well. I was frankly astonished: I really did sit up in the chair and did a double take. I thought I knew this CD....In fact the CLX pretty well beat my Prodigy's in every respect (I think I should be upset about that!): what really struck me was the imaging, depth & sound staging - and the sheer transparency & natural, tonal accuracy of what I heard. Oh and the texture - in fact almost everything you can think of was done so well.
I've never heard anything reproduced like that outside of a live performance. Just for comparison, and immediately after this audition I spent a few minutes in the next room listening to a pair of $45,000 Wilson Max II's: they sounded great to me, but at twice the cost there was really no competition.
I'll admit that I went into the audition with a healthy degree of scepticism: I did not believe that I would hear something which would make me fundamentally reappraise my system. I'm listening to my Prodigys now as I type this - with a Krell Evolution 2 Pre Amp, Transparent ref MM cabling etc. and I know, now, as I listen that something is fundamentally missing....
One last point on the visual design of the speaker: this is subjective I know, but I was not entirely won over. That said I personally would not choose the white anniversary version - I think these speakers look far better in a rich cherry finish. And with the lights turned down and the music playing...
I have no idea what 2009 will bring, but the CLX is now high on my list....Finally I've found a very worthy replacement for the Prodigy, one day - funds and a good trade in deal permitting
I reviewed an anniversary pair whilst on vacation in London last week. The dem set up itself was not ideal - the speakers were set up in the dealer's main front shop (the only room large and wide enough for them) so I had to put up with walk in customers, mobile phones, mail deliveries etc.... but I shouldn't complain too much: at least I saw and heard the CLX for myself.
I spent about 2 hours listening - all to my CD's. The set up (selected by the dealer) was an Audio Research CD7, Krell FBI and Transparent cabling. I won't say much about that choice, but it seemed to work very well.
Let me be brief: the highlight of the audition was listening to Diana Krall 'Live in Paris', which I've practically worn out over the last few years...so I know it very well. I was frankly astonished: I really did sit up in the chair and did a double take. I thought I knew this CD....In fact the CLX pretty well beat my Prodigy's in every respect (I think I should be upset about that!): what really struck me was the imaging, depth & sound staging - and the sheer transparency & natural, tonal accuracy of what I heard. Oh and the texture - in fact almost everything you can think of was done so well.
I've never heard anything reproduced like that outside of a live performance. Just for comparison, and immediately after this audition I spent a few minutes in the next room listening to a pair of $45,000 Wilson Max II's: they sounded great to me, but at twice the cost there was really no competition.
I'll admit that I went into the audition with a healthy degree of scepticism: I did not believe that I would hear something which would make me fundamentally reappraise my system. I'm listening to my Prodigys now as I type this - with a Krell Evolution 2 Pre Amp, Transparent ref MM cabling etc. and I know, now, as I listen that something is fundamentally missing....
One last point on the visual design of the speaker: this is subjective I know, but I was not entirely won over. That said I personally would not choose the white anniversary version - I think these speakers look far better in a rich cherry finish. And with the lights turned down and the music playing...
I have no idea what 2009 will bring, but the CLX is now high on my list....Finally I've found a very worthy replacement for the Prodigy, one day - funds and a good trade in deal permitting