Can they rock in a 20 sqm room?
I mean they are quite small
Micke
Thats only about 180 sqft... so yes, I think they are enough speaker for that size room, and larger. I have them in a L-shaped area of about 270 sqft (30 sq m). The XRS will also provide solid bass down to the low 40 Hz range in a room this size.
As far as the differences between the drivers, the 4" are very fast and analytical, while the 8" has a fuller, warmer sound while also being very quick and detailed. The 4" drivers have better hf extension, but the 8" extends down to the mid-30s. I heard the Maxhemps playing with the same amp I'm using, but the front end was different and it was in different rooms, so I can't be more precise.
To a casual listener not into audio, but wanting to hear music in the house, I think the differences in sound would be subtle between Omega and more conventional speakers. To a more experienced or picky listner the differences are much greater, and mostly positive. The sacrafices are that they are not full-range (but very few multi-driver speakers are either), they may not move enough air in a very large room depending on what is expected, they probably aren't the best choice for high volume orchestral works, and they require a more careful setup as far as component matching. The positive aspects need to be heard to be undestood, the ultra-fast response, phase-correct sound that is achieved without multiple drivers and crossovers sounds more correct and is less fatiguing than most multi-driver speakers. Tone, imaging and detail are excellent. You very quickly forget about the system and are drawn into the music, which is the quality I most appreciate I think. I like to experiment with my system, but %95 of the time I just listen without being too critical and am happy with it.
Dave
