[TONEPUB]

My good freind and staff writer Steve Hoffman was here this week
on a speaking engagement.  As we had a lot of time to sit and just
listen to music at my place, I took the reference speakers out of
my main system and had Steve listen to the Sapphire XL's.

We spun a lot of records and CD's and here's what Steve had
to say:

"I was very impressed with their tonal abilities, as well as their
dynamic range.  These are very musical speakers and to me
that's always the most important part!

Definitely serious speakers and a terrific value."

And let me tell you, I've known Steve for a long time and
have seen him give the thumbs down on some pretty expensive
stuff over the years.

He really enjoyed listening to these and was very surprised
when I told him the price, he guessed about double....

[Zero]

Jeff,

I've yet to encounter a set of ears that did not enjoy their time with a pair of Sapphire XL's. They can be as satisfying as ice-cream on a warm summers day. Yet with all that said, I've encountered many great products in this range that can leave a similar refreshing feeling. What makes the XL stand-out from the crowd is their versatility.

Able to play ball with either sand or valve and cover any genre of music thrown their way with non-distressing aplomb in various sized rooms and configurations make them an ideal solution for many listeners. Translated; You have to actually put forth effort to make the XL’s sound bad. I find this to be a very pleasant departure from most hi-fi in this range.

Mike has honed in on the right blend of elements that bring together traditional high fidelity as we’ve come to expect it, into a non-offensive package that give you a tendency to enjoy the music, vice evaluate what’s playing it.

All in all, as time goes on – I am finding myself to be more anti hi-fi. I owe many thanks to brands like ACI, Totem Acoustic, Meadowlark (RIP) and Spendor. 

[TONEPUB]

Me too!

We gave the sapphires our exceptional value award last year and I use
them in my second system every day.

Granted you can't have everything for 1600 bucks, but what they
give you is quite excellent indeed, especially if you go for the sub too!

[boead]

I’ve heard excellent things about The Sapphire XL’s as well as ACI’s subwoofers. However, I’m surprised Steve had anything to say since he is a GIANT and LONG TIME low powered SET amp fan as well as low powered vintage McIntosh fan. His taste in speakers are usually with Tannoy and classic, highly efficient British speakers. The Sapphire XL’s are 85.5db 1w/1m rated, this is maybe the most inefficient speakers I’ve seen in a long time.





Did you know that Steve Hoffmans moderators on his forum sensor YOUR posts?

They actually edit your posted text without warning or notification.

I got into a huff with someone who was constantly harassing me, even emailing me privately. I’m not the tattletale type so I dealt with it myself in my own way. I eventually made some lude but funny comment to them and was sent a private reprimand from a moderator because the gutless harasser was obviously spineless and a tattletale themselves. That’s not what was the problem and all was being forgotten except that the moderator edited one of my posts again (I’ve noticed it on several other occasions) and quite frankly this time it distorted my message. I asked (to the moderator) that this not be done and that it was censorship.
Long story short, I was told to shut the F up and my account was suspended.
LOL!!!

I’m not alone, Some time ago I posted some comment about the censorship and besides my comments being quickly deleted, I received several emails from other forum members stating they had noticed the same thing being doing to them and were pissed off.

I’m sure the Hoffman moderators will deny this but its VERY true and on going.

[griller]

Jeff, pretty good stuff! Do you think Steve will be talking about these on his forum? I know he has a strong following and is very well respected. Not surprising he likes the XLs, seems like everyone who hears them does! I will soon have a pair in my greedy little hands and will be posting my own Pro (not) review.

Boed, you lost me. Jeff mentions that he had his friend Steve listen to these speakers, Steve loved them, and you go on a rant about Steves forum 

[Mike Dzurko]

Jeff:

I knew Steve would love them once he heard them. Thank for facilitating this! Did he listen with and without the Titan XL sub? 

[Eric]

Congratulations, Mike on another great review