Review Details

Elite High Definition 2-Way Bookshelf Surround Sound Speakers

Product Rating:

Product Review (submitted on November 20, 2015):

If you have been listening to your music collection on cheap (or even fairly expensive) compute grade speakers you haven't truly been hearing it. Once you break these babies in and give them a listen you will understand what I mean.I received my SX6s a few days. Since then I have been breaking them in by playing pink noise through them at a moderate volume for about ten hours. I think they are pretty much broken in now so I thought I'd share some of my thoughts on these bookshelf speakers.DESIGNMany have said that these speakers are huge. I agree with this to a certain point. If you are comparing them with a set of logitech or other computer speakers they would seem rather huge. My last set of speakers was a quite large set of 90's Aiwa, i guess you could call them, bookshelf speakers. The Fluance's are actually smaller than these old speakers so to me they don't seem that big at all. If you're going from an average computer grade speaker system to the SX6s they might seem large in comparison. I actually find there size to be about right for my setup, but I have a rather large computer desk with plenty of room.You can get a basic idea of their design from the pics so I won't bore you with the details. I will try to highlight a few elements you can't tell from the pics.1. The SX6's are made out of a very nice MDF material and have an understated woodgrain pattern. I have the black pair and I really like their appearance.2. Many have complained about their base pedestal. I really don't mind it. I guess you could remove it if you'd like and then they would be sitting on their grommets. I have mine on Adam Hall isolation pads and they look very nice.3. The speaker covers look a little cheap. They are made from a slightly thin fabric and may tear with some abuse. They are pretty typical for speakers in this class though.4. The main design element I don't like with these speakers is their sharp edges. I would have rather they routed the corners instead of leaving them untouched. They seem as though they will scratch and nick very easily.SOUNDThis is where the SX6s really excel. They present a very natural, open sound stage. When compared to most speakers I've heard in this class they are much clearer and more natural. I have a pair of the Dayton B652s (non air) and the SX6s kick the woofers out of those. Both sets have decent bass and highs but the Fluance's sound so much more accurate and open than the Daytons.When you first connect the SX6s to your amp and listen to them the music sounds a little flat. There is not much bass or midbass at the begging. Once you break these babies in for about ten hours (as per the manufacture's recommendation) they really come alive. Lower frequencies are filled in nicely and highs really come alive. I've been able to get them to hit down around 50hz so far. If you need lower bass consider adding a sub.When I play "The Walking Blues" by Royal Crown Revue I am able to hear a full and rich soundstage presented by the orchestra and lead vocals. The tenner sax sounds like it is coming from just off of right center and the vocals sound as though they are coming from the middle. I was never able to hear these nuances with my Aiwa or Dayton speakers, lat alone ANY set of Logitechs!The SX6s have one of the best tweeters I've ever heard. I'm sure there are better ones out there, but this is the best I've heard to date. Highs are clean and crisp while not sounding shrill. Symbals and tenner instruments sounds beautiful and really aid in the natural soundstage.One downside, if you want to call it that, to these speakers is that you can immediately hear the weaknesses in compressed music. Mp3s just don't present the same level clarity and soundstage as lossless audio formats. This truly and issue with compressed music and not these speakers. With lesser speakers it is harder to hear the difference between compressed and uncompressed audio.These speakers are, however, not perfect. One area they seem to struggle is with midbass. Frequences between 120 and 200hz seem a bit muted. I am hoping these come alive after more break in.SUMMERYSo to summerize I'd just like to say again how much I really like the Fluance SX6s. They certainly are not perfect and I'm sure you can find better speakers out there, but not at this price. I purchased a reconditioned pair from Fluance for $100 and they are well worth that price if not twice. -Verified purchase from Fluance trusted store.