[Ron]

  I have a pair of newly built, fully upgraded AV123 X-LS Encores for use as front mains. They sound really great, but I was wondering by chance if any Audio Circles members may have built the AV123 MTM X-CS Encores with all the performance upgrades ( Sonicap capacitors. Mills Resistors, No-Rez sound damping) for use as front mains. If so, what is your opinion of their performance compared to the fully upgraded X-LS Encores? I know the X-CS should have higher sensitivity, play louder, and have greater bass output than the X-LS Encores, but what about their imaging and sound field depth and overall clarity / detail ?  Bottom line, is the performance of a fully upgraded pair of X-CS Encores significantly better than the X-LS Encores as front mains?

[corndog71]

I used to have a pair of fully modded X-CS's and they were fantastic in stereo.  They're big and heavy too!  I reluctantly sold them due to moving to a smaller apartment.

I have a video on you tube showing them off.

http://youtu.be/M1yEQBGvjgA

[Ron]

  Thanks Corndog for your reply. I kind of figured that since the fully modified X-LS Encores sound so good that fully modified X-CS Encores had to sound even better which I think you have confirmed. MTM designs have always been my favorite. If I can find a buyer for my present pair of X-LS Encores then my next project will definitely be a pair of fully upgraded X-CS Encores.

Thanks for the YouTube link. They looked and sounded very nice.

[Jon L]

  Thanks Corndog for your reply. I kind of figured that since the fully modified X-LS Encores sound so good that fully modified X-CS Encores had to sound even better which I think you have confirmed. MTM designs have always been my favorite. If I can find a buyer for my present pair of X-LS Encores then my next project will definitely be a pair of fully upgraded X-CS Encores.

I think the real gem in that lineup was the X-sls encores, which I preferred over X-MTM.  I personally tend to prefer a simple 2-driver system over MTM for that smidge extra coherence, and X-sls enclosure was able to take sand or lead shot for extra solidity.  I owned X-Statiks at one point, which obviously could go lower, louder, with unique open-baffle presentation, but I still think the X-sls encores sounded purer, more coherent, and punchier in that non-open-baffle way..

[jvgillow]

I've still got five of the X-SLS encores (sand filled) and they have been great performers.  I never bought the X-CS Encore but did hear them a couple times at get-togethers.

[Ron]

I would think that the X-SLS Encore should sound really nice too. Basically it is a X-LX Encore in a larger floor standing cabinet which would provide  better low bass output.You are correct that a simpler 2 way design does have advantages over the MTM designs.