If we made the XS8 not look like the XS65, XS69 & XS57, then we would have a lone product with no thought or reason. It would be an anomol, almost like an afterthought with no family to go to.
The XS8 overall sounds incredible however, there were some things that Eric didn't not like about certain frequency ranges that effected the sound. So he is working on fixing the things HE doesn't like. Plain and simple if Eric is not happy with something about a product he designs, it WILL NOT get to market, period!
This whole thread has started to become a bash on Daath by others. I ask that you stop. He is frustrated and I can understand his frustration. I also understand that he is venting. He wants to build a system a specific way using a specific product. Unfortunately, the product, when tested, didn't meet our high standard of sound quality. If it had, the XS8 would have been released already. Things happen. When it is perfected, we will release it.