They certainly do look unusual. I also had the CLS1s and really enjoyed them. I still find the original CLS to have the best sound. The subsequent models had improvements not designed for better sound, but more for better domestic acceptance. Panel voltage was lowered, they were made easier to drive and have deeper base. All of these changes took away from the purity of what the CLS had done so well, the midrange and higher frequencies. They were never meant to be deep base reproducers. They were their best when kept to their element and augmented with separate sub woofers. Although finding a good match was not always easy.
So anyway, this new CLX apparently makes no pretense about what it is designed to do and what it isn't. I like that. But, is it worth the higher price for offering less? Or, to put it another way, is it that much better at what it does do? I guess that will be in the ear of the beholder as so much of this hobby is.
