Installed the XS65's last night. After a short tuning session "running active" I am very impressed I still have some tuning to do but my initial impressions as as follows...
- UBER efficient which helps even the most low level sounds come through with clarity. I had to actually cut output 5db total over my previous set they were so efficient.
- Very revealing. The mid is detailed and mellow with good off & on axis responce
- Do not confuse this mid with a pounding midbass. The lowest I found that I could cut the mid off at was 63hz / 12db/oct. not much output below 63hz. The good side of this is that the midrange is wicked detailed and transparent.
- Cutting the mids off at 63hz blended flawless with the IDQV3's. The stage has remained focused up front and even kick drums sound like they are up front.
- On the tweet, Still working on the tuning but I had to cut out a full 4db out of it initially to be a good match for the mids. The tweet is located down low in the kick next to the mid. Cannot comment or praise the tweet yet as I have the mid, still a lot of work to do tuning wise. It does seem a little hot on axis but 30 degres off axis it really cleaned up it's act. I also want to see how they sound with the metal grills off. Lots of testing to do! I can say I am very happy with it so far.
At the moment, I have crossed the set over at 2.5K 12db/oct. Eric at ID has told me a more shallow top end roll off or no roll off for the mid works very well as it has a natural roll off. Will be playing with them more tommorow.
Will take pics in the morning but so far I have to say out of all the components I have heard in the $500 range, I would purchase the xs65's again in a heartbeat. Now I cannot comment on how they sound with the passive crossover so keep that in mind. My results may be very different.
