Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Snell Acoustics XA 60 Speakers by the analog kid

Model:	XA 60
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$2,800.00
Description:	Full-Range Floorstanding Loudspeaker
Manufacturer URL:	Snell Acoustics
Manufacturer URL:	Snell Acoustics

Review by the analog kid ( A ) on March 03, 2002 at 20:25:08
IP Address: 35.9.14.134

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for the XA 60

My feelings about the Snell XA 60s can be summed up rather simply. They are the finest loudspeaker under $4,000 that I have yet heard. To give you folks a baseline for comparison, over the last three years I have had the following speakers in and out of my system: Totem Arro, Silverline Sonatina, Silverline SR-17, Acoustat Spectra 11, B&W Nautilus 803, B&W DM302, Snell B Minor, and Snell E IV. The XA 60s are the best of the bunch. What is so great about them? There is no one single characteristic that makes them stand out. For example, it certainly is the case that the Silverlines have greater high-frequency energy and resolution. And the Totems (of which I am VERY fond) had a certain musicality to them that the Snells lack. But, that being said, the Snells have a coherence of sound to them. From top to bottom, everything is dead even and neutral, with nothing sounding any more prominent than anything else. They make all other speakers I've heard either sound lean (Silverline), bright (other Snells), or colored (Totem) by comparison. They are rock solid neutral. But let's talk "audiophile" characteristics. Their imaging is first-rate and precise. Their soundstage is huge, and they completely disappear within it. Their bass is full and strong, although not subterranean. Their high frequencies are clean and clear. They do lack the last bit of sparkle at the very top; and this is probably they're only noticeable "shortcoming" (slight high frequency roll-off). The build quality - fit and finish - is the usual Snell first-rate quality, whether it be the superb cabinetry, the heavy-duty binding posts, or the absolutely inert baffle (loud knuckle rapping is rewarded with sore knuckles, but no resonance). They are also easy to drive. I have had NO problem driving them to excruciating volumes with my Pass Aleph 30. The 60s basically sit there day in and day out, like giant impermeable pillars, and PLAY TUNES. On the exceptional Classic issues of Sarah McLachlan's "Fumbling" and "Surfacing," they are liquid, delicate, and punchy. On the Silver Eagle Pressing of Creedence Greatest Hits, they are brash, clean, and aggressive. And on the excellent Super Analogue reissue of Vaughn Williams "Lark Ascending," they are absolutely beautiful - providing incredible ambience and air, as well as superb low-level detail.
As may be obvious by my intro, I have had a near-constant rotation of speakers through my system over the last several years, as I simply haven't been able to find a speaker that satisfies me, across all of the different styles of music to which I listen. The Snell XA 60 is the first speaker that I find completely satisfying. What's more, it's a "sleeper," in the truest sense. I have read next to no audio press about it, and the one comment I found archived was by someone who said it was "good for home theater." I scored an as-new pair for $1,100!
In closing, I have intentionally eschewed the technical side of these speakers, as any one can go to the Snell site and read about them on her/his own. But any of you who are interested in discussing them further, don't hesitate to drop me a line.

Product Weakness: the ONLY weakness - if it is one - is their overall polite voicing in the upper frequencies. These are not the speakers for extreme high-frequency resolution freaks. Their utter neutrality may also dismay those who prefer more prominent midrange, or otherwise colored presentation.
Product Strengths: Incredible coherence top-to-bottom; dead-on neutral sound, with bass, midrange, and highs that match whatever tonal quality is inputted

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Volksamp Aleph 60 monoblocks
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Audible Illusions L1
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Basis 1400/Silver 250/Grado Statement
Speakers:	Snell XA 60
Cables/Interconnects:	Cardas Golden Cross
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	rock, female vocal
Room Size (LxWxH):	22 x 11 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	RPG Diffusors
Time Period/Length of Audition:	4 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Monster 5000
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	the ONLY weakness - if it is one - is their overall polite voicing in the upper frequencies. These are not the speakers for extreme high-frequency resolution freaks. Their utter neutrality may also dismay those who prefer more prominent midrange, or otherwise colored presentation.
Product Strengths:	Incredible coherence top-to-bottom; dead-on neutral sound, with bass, midrange, and highs that match whatever tonal quality is inputted