XR200 Speakers.....Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down?

[JFR0317]

David, you are certainly entitled to your opinion about which speakers are good and which are ho hum. From your previous posts, it seems that you think the XR200's are in the latter category. As I recall, this is based on hearing them during one visit to a store. In my case, I have only heard Sonus Faber speakers once, during a visit to a store. For whatever reason, that one session didn't inspire me to bring a pair home.

However, based on the many favorable comments from SF owners here at AA, I would certainly make it a point to conduct a more in-depth audition of several models of SF speakers if I were in the market for new speakers. What I would not do is to question the hearing ability (or lack thereof) of someone who happens to prefer a different brand of speakers. I understand that on an absolute scale, some speakers sound "better" than others, but at the level of the speakers that have been discussed here, I feel it becomes more a matter of personal preference. Then again, since I have two systems with McIntosh speakers and like them a lot, I must be just an "average" listener who has diminished hearing.

Again, I'm glad to read everyone's opinions, and I am totally fine if someone says he likes his Brand X better than my Brand Y and explains why. That helps us all learn. Where I have a problem is when people start assigning negative qualities to someone who may like Brand Y better than Brand X.

[1KW]

John,

I am not saying this : "What I would not do is to question the hearing ability (or lack thereof) of someone who happens to prefer a different brand of speakers." . My point was that due to a myriad of reasons that I mentioned earlier, one can often determine if they like or dislike the sound of speakers with a audition in a store. Everyone has different taste. It was never my intent to leave an impression that I was bashing all Mcintosh speakers. I agree with you that it ultimately comes down to personal preference.

[JFR0317]

Originally Posted by 1KW

John,

I am not saying this : "What I would not do is to question the hearing ability (or lack thereof) of someone who happens to prefer a different brand of speakers." . My point was that due to a myriad of reasons that I mentioned earlier, one can often determine if they like or dislike the sound of speakers with a audition in a store. Everyone has different taste. It was never my intent to leave an impression that I was bashing all Mcintosh speakers.

Fair enough, David. I appreciate the clarification.

Maybe I'll buy Dan's new SF speakers when he trades up to the Strads.

[Masterlu]

Nah, you'll buy Strad's when you visit & hear mine...

[JFR0317]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Nah, you'll buy Strad's when you visit & hear mine...

You know, Ivan, you have pretty good taste for an "average" listener.

[Still-One]

Great points from Jerry, Howie, Dan etc. I think later this afternoon I may start a thread where we can discuss how we go about selecting a speaker and the validity of this process. As Kevin has indicated this thread is about the XR200's.

[1KW]

new review of another Mcintosh speaker system just came out.

SonicFlare -- Sports Cars For Your Living Room

[JFR0317]

Originally Posted by 1KW

new review of another Mcintosh speaker system just came out.

SonicFlare -- Sports Cars For Your Living Room

That's really pretty funny that they are just now getting reviewed. The XLS320's have been out for quite some time - I use a pair for my side surrounds in my upstairs system. I have had them for nearly two years, and they had been out for a while then.

[jdandy]

David.......I appreciate the enthusiasm, but this is the XR200 thread. Perhaps a new thread on those speakers might generate some interest.

[PHC1]

Re-reading some of the posts, I felt it would be a good idea for me to refrain from posting further without a significant "cooling off" period since I tend to really speak my mind....

Now,

I went to audition the XR200 to share my findings with those who may have been interested in such a thing, specifically Dan who asked the question.

I auditioned them without any bias, just like I would have any other speaker. I shared my findings. It seems some members appreciated the effort and some decided to instead criticize and even insult me for my efforts as well as trying to point out the flaws in my own speakers. Like I need any confirmation or criticism to justify or cry over my purchase. I am way beyond that stage in this hobby. I'll say it one more time and I will no longer post anything about McIntosh speakers any more since I am really not interested in this topic and I have heard enough of the McIntosh speakers to formulate my own opinion. I have no reason to bash or be biased against McIntosh. I posted about what I heard, plain and simple. If that is not good enough for some, tough sh*t.