These things are forgetaboutit amazing! My 25th Anniversary Sapphires were very satisfying but the XLs take it to a whole new planet. The older version goes just a little lower in the bass, but that is the only area of contest. The bass quality of the XLs is completely amazing for any stand mount speaker, much less one this size. But the real beauty is> everything else. Mids, highs, openess, punch, 3D sound, it is all there. I have heard many many systems that are far more costly that don't come close to this level of music reproduction. And, the finish is amazing. Now I just need Force XLs to match
Summary: Buy them, you will not regret it!