[vegasdave]

Cool. I'm not too familiar with Focal, but I've heard they're good. A little bit pricey for me though.

[Skynyrd]

I use the  CLS-215's as fronts, a CLS15 as a center, and Martin Logan Quests or VMPS RM40's as rears.
The CV's have the best midrange of the three speakers.
The CV's rock, with no ML "can", no VMPS ear-bleed.
The CV's are a bit recessed at times in their dynamic presentation.  They don't sound anything like they look!

Skynyrd

[danman]

I will vouch for that!

[Napalm]

A big problem with speakers is DYNAMIC COMPRESSION --- horns have a real leg up on that aspect of music. 

I fully agree.



Nap. 

[vegasdave]

I use the  CLS-215's as fronts, a CLS15 as a center, and Martin Logan Quests or VMPS RM40's as rears.
The CV's have the best midrange of the three speakers.
The CV's rock, with no ML "can", no VMPS ear-bleed.
The CV's are a bit recessed at times in their dynamic presentation.  They don't sound anything like they look!

Skynyrd

Cool. What's the rest of your system?

[vegasdave]

I will vouch for that!

How much better do the XLS sound than the CLS?

Did you see this: http://www.avrev.com/home-theater-loudspeakers/speaker-systems/cerwin-vega-xls-215-floorstanding-loudspeaker-review.html

[Skynyrd]

I do have a Bryston .5b preamp.  Back when I was young and Bryston gear was the poor man's ticket to audio perfection.

I've gone mass-fi and am really impressed with the performance of the Pioneer Home Theater receivers I've owned--currently I'm using the Pioneer 1120 to run a Samson Servo 600 for the CLS215 fronts, and the 1120 drives the center CLS15. I use some old audiophlake amps for the rears--either a PSE Studio4 or an AVA'd Hafler 220.
Oppo 980 is the main source, I do have a Linn Axis/Audioquest Pt5/V15VxMR record player using an AVA phono stage from an Omega3 preamp.  I have occasional fits of vinyl cleaning(Nitty gritty 2.5 still vacuums) and spinning.
The NHT1259 drivers, each mounted in 6 cubic foot internal boxes, have been my bass reference for nearly 15 years.  Those 1259's pushed by the hafler make the VMPS RM40's and the Cerwin Vegas appear the bass-shy, gutless-in-the-bottom-octave speakers that they are.  Yes, the CV's and RM40's are gutless in the bottom end, say...40 hz and down.
Skynyrd

[Fido2]

these may be just what I need for a second system when I feel like having a "rock concert in the house" LOL

[1oldguy]

I do have a Bryston .5b preamp.  Back when I was young and Bryston gear was the poor man's ticket to audio perfection.

I've gone mass-fi and am really impressed with the performance of the Pioneer Home Theater receivers I've owned--currently I'm using the Pioneer 1120 to run a Samson Servo 600 for the CLS215 fronts, and the 1120 drives the center . I use some old audiophlake amps for the rears--either a PSE Studio4 or an AVA'd Hafler 220.
Oppo 980 is the main source, I do have a Linn Axis/Audioquest Pt5/V15VxMR record player using an AVA phono stage from an Omega3 preamp.  I have occasional fits of vinyl cleaning(Nitty gritty 2.5 still vacuums) and spinning.
The NHT1259 drivers, each mounted in 6 cubic foot internal boxes, have been my bass reference for nearly 15 years.  Those 1259's pushed by the hafler make the VMPS RM40's and the Cerwin Vegas appear the bass-shy, gutless-in-the-bottom-octave speakers that they are.  Yes, the CV's and RM40's are gutless in the bottom end, say...40 hz and down.
Skynyrd

If I did do mass fi,I would seriously consider the CLS15 and the pioneer receivers.