Sapphire XL Webpage up

Mike Dzurko · « **on:** 15 Jan 2005, 08:26 pm »

You're seeing it all first here at AudioCircle

Sapphire XL intro webpages are up. Introductory pricing for those ordering soon.

http://www.audioc.com/speakers1/sapphirexl/sapphirexl.htm

Shipping should begin around March 15. Quantities of the various finishes are quite limited in this opening batch.

BeeBop · « **Reply #1 on:** 15 Jan 2005, 10:39 pm »

Looks exciting Mike. You had mentioned something about a special upgrade that would be available. Can you tell us anything about that yet? Also, notice that these are rear ported - a departure from your previous front ports. What made you change your approach?

thugh · « **Reply #2 on:** 15 Jan 2005, 11:18 pm »

Mike congrats on the new Saph!

Love the Piano Black finish as well, very cool looking while working well in dedicated theaters.

Hmmm... heard several Wilson Speakers over the holidays (X2s, WP7s and Sophias), Jag/LFMs in piano black... WP7 Killer maybe

Mike do me a favor... hold off on introducing a Panorama replacement in Piano Black for a little... I am currently very happy with my setup...

Mike Dzurko · « **Reply #3 on:** 16 Jan 2005, 04:38 pm »

Quote from: BeeBop

Looks exciting Mike. You had mentioned something about a special upgrade that would be available. Can you tell us anything about that yet? Also, notice that these are rear ported - a departure from your previous front ports. What made you change your approach?

BeeBop:

In time, there will be an XS version offered. The details are still be hammered out, but for sure it will feature a dual set of ultra-premium binding posts, super tight tolerances in the crossovers, and DH Labs pure silver internal wiring. The XS can also be ordered in ANY automotive finish the customer desires . . .three month lead time.

We've used both rear and front ports over the years. For example, the Emerald is rear ported. We wanted the new Sapphire to be as small as possible, (smaller panels radiate less out of phase energy), and we wanted as much of its size to be depth as possible. Having added depth allows us to better absorb the back wave from the bass mid before it reflects back through the cone.

Mike Dzurko · « **Reply #4 on:** 16 Jan 2005, 04:39 pm »

Quote from: thugh

Mike congrats on the new Saph!

Love the Piano Black finish as well, very cool looking while working well in dedicated theaters.

Hmmm... heard several Wilson Speakers over the holidays (X2s, WP7s and Sophias), Jag/LFMs in piano black... WP7 Killer maybe

Mike do me a favor... hold off on introducing a Panorama replacement in Piano Black for a little... I am currently very happy with my setup...

Tom:

Worry not, no Panorama replacement planned

nature boy · « **Reply #5 on:** 16 Jan 2005, 08:31 pm »

Boy Mike,

You sure make it hard on us audiophile's coming up with such great speakers.

Hmmmm, I may just have to sell one of my hand carved decoys to get a pair of the Sapphire XL's.

What is the cross-over point frequency between the woofer & tweeter?

NB

Harry P · « **Reply #6 on:** 16 Jan 2005, 10:11 pm »

Quote from: nature boy

Boy Mike,

You sure make it hard on us audiophile's coming up with such great speakers.

Hmmmm, I may just have to sell one of my hand carved decoys to get a pair of the Sapphire XL's.

What is the cross-over point frequency between the woofer & tweeter?

NB

How right you are. I had my priorities all in line: Emerald On Wall for surround, Maestro and R-des. Now Mike throws in this intro pricing on the new Sapphires and I'm sorely tempted to jump on that wagon. I need more money

Harry P · « **Reply #7 on:** 16 Jan 2005, 10:14 pm »

"They're kinda like really good heroin...you don't realize how much you needed them until you've used them for a while..."

Mike, that is quite a quote. Are you condoning the use of drugs?

nature boy · « **Reply #8 on:** 17 Jan 2005, 12:09 am »

Mike,

While your at it, could you tell us what drivers you use in the XL's. If these are special sourced, not a problem if you don't reveal any secrets. However...

Mid/Woofer looks like a Scan Speak Revelator mid-woofer, perhaps the 18W/8531G00? Low loss linear suspension, sliced paper cone, w/ SD-1 motor.

Tweeter? Looks like it might be a 9500, 9700 or 9900.

Regards,

NB

Mike Dzurko · « **Reply #9 on:** 17 Jan 2005, 12:51 pm »

NB:

You're right on, Scan Speak Revelator bass-mid and 9500 tweeter. What a singing combo

One of the team was playing with that woofer months ago and kept telling me what a killer it was. I kept saying "too expensive". Finally he convinced me to listen and I threw out the budget

drmike · « **Reply #10 on:** 17 Jan 2005, 02:46 pm »

hello mike,
when do you think the xls will be available?
thanks,
dr. mike

Mike Dzurko · « **Reply #11 on:** 17 Jan 2005, 04:28 pm »

Quote from: drmike

hello mike,
when do you think the xls will be available?
thanks,
dr. mike

dr. mike:

Sapphire XL intro webpages are up. Introductory pricing for those ordering before Feb 1.

http://www.audioc.com/speakers1/sapphirexl/sapphirexl.htm

As an AudioCircle member, we'll even pay the $40 S/H!

Should begin filling orders around March 15. Quantities of the various finishes are quite limited in this opening batch. For example, cherry is already sold out, more coming in May. We MAY have one or two b-stock XL pairs available after the show units are back in house. (should know about these later this week).
_________________

nature boy · « **Reply #12 on:** 17 Jan 2005, 11:51 pm »

Wow,

A top notch looking enclosure, ~$620 worth of high quality drivers & an ACI designed crossover for $1200 including shipping??? Two questions for Mike, what have you been smoking/drinking/taking and can you expand a little on the speaker enclosure design info from your website....

"This cabinet features varying wall thickness, heavy MDF and extensive bracing to provide the most stable platform possible for the drive units. The dual thickness rear sides aren't just for looks.'

Thanks.

NB

Mike Dzurko · « **Reply #13 on:** 18 Jan 2005, 04:06 pm »

Quote from: Harry P

"They're kinda like really good heroin...you don't realize how much you needed them until you've used them for a while..."

Mike, that is quite a quote. Are you condoning the use of drugs?

Harry:

I actually struggled with whether to print this one. As a High School teacher who works with many students with drug problems, I SURE do not encourage drug use. If you knew the person who sent me this, you'd know that he says it purely to demonstrate his point.

He had a lot more to say about just how perfect the XLs are for doing mixing work, but this quote really summed it up.

Mike Dzurko · « **Reply #14 on:** 18 Jan 2005, 04:17 pm »

Quote from: nature boy

Wow,

A top notch looking enclosure, ~$620 worth of high quality drivers & an ACI designed crossover for $1200 including shipping??? Two questions for Mike, what have you been smoking/drinking/taking and can you expand a little on the speaker enclosure design info from your website....

"This cabinet features varying wall thickness, heavy MDF and extensive bracing to provide the most stable platform possible for the drive units. The dual thickness rear sides aren't just for looks.'

Thanks.

NB

NB;

* You know from my last quote that I don't condone drugs

* Remember, that price is only good until Feb 1. . . .Some companies start off with a high price and then put the products on sale. IMHO this tends to devalue the product. We start out with the lowest possible margin and adjust upwards as needed. We almost always start out on the low side and raise praises during a product run. Don't be surprised if the base price of the Sapphire XL is $1500-$1600 within a year. Early adopters get an incredible value.
* Let's just say it is one VERY inert cabinet . . .you can knock on it all day long . . .solid as a brick

drmike · « **Reply #15 on:** 18 Jan 2005, 05:50 pm »

hello mike,
when will the xs be out? what about pricing?
thanks,
drmike

Mike Dzurko · « **Reply #16 on:** 18 Jan 2005, 07:06 pm »

Quote from: drmike

hello mike,
when will the xs be out? what about pricing?
thanks,
drmike

We're still working on this one . . .it could be two weeks or it could be two months. It's the details that take time and right now we have a LOT going on. Anticipated base price is around $1800 pr.

Mike Dzurko · « **Reply #17 on:** 31 Jan 2005, 02:23 pm »

Harry:

We've replaced the infamous "heroin" quote on the Sapphire XL intro page:

http://www.audioc.com/speakers1/sapphirexl/sapphirexldetail.htm

Also, please note, the intro pricing expires tomorrow . . . much of the first production batch is already spoken for . . . looks like deliveries begin in April . . . one pair is already out for review . . . another pair leaves for review this week . . . and another pair heading out to a February GT . . .

DanaA · « **Reply #18 on:** 1 Feb 2005, 12:18 am »

Hoping that you see this quickly, Mike. I've, of course, been making every other teacher at the school I work at buy speakers from ACI.

Today, one asked me about speakers in the $2000 range for his dedicated two channel system. My mind immediately sprung to the Panoramas, then, almost as quickly, remembered this deal. Keeping in mind that this is for a two channel arrangement, with Marantz preamp and MacIntosh amp, would you recommend this excellent deal on the new Sapphires plus a sub or the Panoramas alone.

My experience with my Sapphires on two channel stuff is that they do a pretty amazing job on the bass as it is. I imagine that the Panoramas would be even better in this regard.

The speakers he's replacing are old ADS.

As always, thanks.

Keith

Mike Dzurko · « **Reply #19 on:** 1 Feb 2005, 01:31 am »

Keith:

If it was for myself, I'd go with the Sapphire XLs and sub. It's a tough call to be sure as the Panoramas are wonderful speakers that do so much, so right. They can also fill a pretty large space with great sound very efficiently. And, their bass capability makes a sub a definite option, rather than requirement.

Well the Sapphire XLs can not quite match the output levels of the Panorama, but they can come pretty close. In a small to medium room, I can't "hear" why someone would want more. The bass doesn't have quite the slam as the Panoramas, but I just don't think there is a speaker of this size that gets the bass as "right". Here are the two kickers: the XL is just that little bit more open and airy in the highs without going over the top, and as real as the Panoramas sound, the XL sounds even more like "its in the room" to me. Fact is, the XL will end up selling for pretty close to the Panorama price, the intro price makes it a must do . . .I hope this helps with the thought process, please let me know of more questions.