Cable Asylum: REVIEW: XLO Pro 1200 Cable by LowPhreak

Model:	Pro 1200
Category:	Cable
Suggested Retail Price:	unknown
Description:	8AWG shotgunned/11AWG bi-wired, OFHC, Surlyn dielectric
Manufacturer URL:	XLO
Model Picture:	View

Review by LowPhreak on December 22, 2003 at 02:41:58
IP Address: 65.110.134.154

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for the Pro 1200

Excellent speaker cable for the price, and IMO does a better job than the comparably priced Kimber, Monster, AudioQuest, etc. Also sounds better than my old Audio Research LitzLine which was about 4 times more expensive.
I had a single run of XLO ER-11 on a new pair of Quad 21L's, (which is another great "cheap" speaker cable and less than half the price of Pro 1200), and since the 21L has bi-wire ability, I didn't want to let that option go unused.
So instead of buying a second pair of ER-11, I returned it and ordered the Pro 1200 on faith, not having heard it. Pro 1200 is 2 combined sets of Pro 600, each section being the same AWG as ER-11.
What me worry?! The soundstage was expanded in all planes, things felt more at ease, and instruments were projected "out of the box" with more realism. Naturally, bass was stronger, cleaner, and deeper than a single run of ER-11, as well as the mids/highs being noticably smoother. None of the zippiness of the Kimber 4-strand, nor the murky feel of some of the Monster's, etc. As luck would have it, Pro also has better dynamics than the 8 AWG ARC LitzLine. Not bad!!
I would also say that based on this performance, the Pro 1200 would be a great bass cable if used shotgunned.
Sure, you can do better in terms of focus, detail, resolution, etc. But if you can't afford to be in the range of XLO Reference or higher, Pro might be your huckleberry.
I've used Sig. 5.1 before, and deemed it my 2nd favorite speaker cable so far, just edged out by Nordost SPM Reference. However, I've not yet auditioned the newest Sig. 5.2, Unlimited, or Limited. I'm also not sure I could presently handle the pile of shekels that my reference's - the SPM and top XLO models - would require!
Overall, I'd say Pro 600 and 1200 is a very cost-effective choice for the level of performance rendered. Recommended.

Product Weakness: ~ Could have better defined image focus.
Product Strengths: ~ Outmanuevers its peers AND several more pricy cables.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Marantz 2250B, modified
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	~
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Rotel RCD-865BX, modified; Sony TC-K679ES cassette, Mitsubishi HS-U770 SVHS w. Class A audio outputs.
Speakers:	Quad 21L and 11L
Cables/Interconnects:	XLO Signature 1.1; AQ Anaconda & Quartz; NBS Mon.
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Almost all genres
Room Size (LxWxH):	17' x 15' x 8'
Room Comments/Treatments:	Average L. Room
Time Period/Length of Audition:	Several months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Adcom ACE-515
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	~ Could have better defined image focus.
Product Strengths:	~ Outmanuevers its peers AND several more pricy cables.