Affordable$$$Audio, Best of 2007 Awards:
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www.affordableaudio.orgACI Sapphire XL compact monitors - Sean Fowler"Great value and all around performance in a compact monitor"
Although Audio Concepts, Inc has offered the Sapphire XL since early 2005 -we feel that it still warrants recognition for delivering exceptional value and performance in its range. The Sapphire XL is of a rare breed of loudspeaker that can appeal to both our hard-to-please audiophile side along with the music lover within. Their sound is consistently engaging - no matter the music - no matter the electronics.
ACI Force XL Subwoofer - Craig JohnsonACI updated the looks of their Force subwoofer last year and renamed it the Force XL to match their Sapphire XL monitors. All other features, specifications and performance attributes of the previous generation. In reviewing the older Force model I found that it provided a taut, well-defined foundation that increased the sense of dynamics, fullness and space while extending my system's response down into the bottom octave. It is also able to generate incredibly thunderous and deep bass that fills the room when called into action, which was quite surprising for such a diminutive subwoofer based on 10" driver in a sealed cabinet. Additionally, the Force's dual crossovers and variable phase allow it to blend seamlessly with your main speakers. The fact that the new XL model has a much nicer appearance for about the same price ($799) makes it that much more appealing.
Thank you Sean and Craig!