I just borrowed 8 from my local dealer for my Encore 9.5 or whatever they may be called (mid from 9.5, everything else Encore). There's a very noticeable sound difference. So many people say the bass gets better and tighter. I think I find it softened (less punch, not less tight) the bass too much on mine. I never had an issue with loose bass so I wonder if many of the people touting these things had slightly flabby bass and these tightened it up? Or are Salk cabinets built differently so these aren't as needed (Jim would probably have to answer that)? I will also speculate that people who listen at louder levels will like these better. Think loudness button that boosts bass and the Gaia's remove that. I'm not a loud listener so maybe I like a livelier sound that sounds good at low levels but not at high levels? I have no clue. Just speculating.