Article: Dynaudio Xeo 3 Wireless Loudspeaker System Review

[The Computer Audiophile]

You can view the page at http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content.php?r=514-Dynaudio-Xeo-3-Wireless-Loudspeaker-System-Review

[mayhem13]

Nice Review Chris.

 

Now maybe you can get them to send you a pair of DBM50's. I was able to spend some time with these recently and i was beyond impressed for the pricepoint at what they are capable of. Although the Kef LS50's and X300 seem to be the flavor of the month around here, i've heard both and neither come close to what these Dynaudio's are capable of......

[mitch751]

I bought it last year, I must say it is really good speakers, its sound is very mellow and smooth, I would not feel tired after a long listening.

 

The only complaint is, the speaker stand 3x is not high standard one, now I am looking for something else to replace it.

[sdolezalek]

Given that you still need one cord (the plug), I can't see why the tradeoff of more limited bandwidth (16/48 vs 24/192) in exchange for not needing a speaker cord is really worth it unless you have a very specific setup that allows for close in power but not close in speaker wires. Would you make that tradeoff in your own home?

[Snowmonkey]

It would be interesting to see how these compare to Focal Birds, which cost about half as much. The Birds also have a wireless transmission system ("Kleer"), which can be operated from the USB port of a computer or from an iPhone or iPad. The Birds have three components vs two for the Dynaudios - an integrated amp/DAC/subwoofer and two satellites, so it has three cords - one power cord to the central unit plus a cable out to each satellite, vs two power cables for the Dynaudios.

I would love to hear a comparison of sound quality from someone who has had an opportunity to hear both systems.

[Audio_ELF]

While the Dynaudio speakers are undoubtedly interesting - for a similar cost you could buy Peachtree Decco 65 ($1000), a pair of D5 spekaers ($700 bought with a Peachtree amplifier) and add a AppleTV or Sonos if you are happy with CDRB quality, or a CAPS 3 Topanga for similar cost. Or based on UK costs a Naim UnitiQute 24/96 model is £995 vs £1300 for the Xeo 3 speakers...

 

My point being is how do these compare sound quality wise as the addition of the Naim UnitiQute to a pair of speakers is hardly unsightly (okay so IMO) when you still have power cables to worry about.

 

Eloise

[MikeJazz]

Elioise,

While you may have a point that the Naim unit opens HD possibilities...

The Dynaudio creates a very interesting case of a truly active speaker (amps driving directly each driver) and thus avoiding the lost of energy and information on traditional cross-overs. Usually this creates a very articulate and rhythmically capable performance...but the proof will be in the listening...

 

I hope to listen to them one day...

Then, a shootout against a passive design like your suggestion would be great, to see if the pros of the Dynaudio design would (or not) outcome it's cons...

[mayhem13]

There's also advantages to an active crossover over passive comments and one being phase coherence where it's much easier to accomplish in the active realm, requiring more components passively to accomplish the same goal. Impedance is often more stable as well and no use for Inductors, a neccessary evil in passive networks.

 

......this is NOT to say that passive crossovers are the devil incarnate, just more of an artform with more room for error. In a budget offering speaker of the $1-2k range, the active solution makes more sense financially if implemented properly.

[BattleScarze]

Hi Chris,

 

Thanks for the review...I have been curious as to the sound quality from the Xeo 3.

 

I have to ask though, do you think $3,000 spent on separates could get better or equal sound quality? -minus the convenience of course.

 

Admittedly I can think of a couple of places where the Xeo 3's would be a perfect fit in the home.

 

Regards,

-J

[mitch751]

Being an owner of these speakers, allow me to say something,

 

You would not find how good it is (i mean the SQ) until you listen to it.

 

I have more than 3 friends, they were also curious before, they came to my office room (less than 80 sq. foot), they were so surprised after listening to it, and finally end up to buy one for them.

[mitch751]

But I don't like the Floor stand version one XEO 5, sounds totally different

[The Computer Audiophile]

Given that you still need one cord (the plug), I can't see why the tradeoff of more limited bandwidth (16/48 vs 24/192) in exchange for not needing a speaker cord is really worth it unless you have a very specific setup that allows for close in power but not close in speaker wires. Would you make that tradeoff in your own home?

 

Hi sdolezalek - The Xeo system is much more than a set of speakers as you know. This system allows the user to remove the preamp, amp, DAC, and all the associated cabling. It's not for everybody, but I think it's for a lot of people looking for the combination of a certain aesthetic, ease of use, and sound quality. I would make the trade off in my home. The Xeo won't replace my reference system but I would love to add the system to my daughter's room and my Wife's office. If I had a separate office of my own, outside my listening room the Xeo would be a strong contender for everyday listening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Chris,

 

Thanks for the review...I have been curious as to the sound quality from the Xeo 3.

 

I have to ask though, do you think $3,000 spent on separates could get better or equal sound quality? -minus the convenience of course.

 

Admittedly I can think of a couple of places where the Xeo 3's would be a perfect fit in the home.

 

Regards,

-J

 

Hi BattleScarze - That's a tough question because it's undoubtedly comparing apples to oranges. A system of separates is vastly different form this complete wireless system. The terms better and equal are of course subjective. If one is going for sound quality only and has a large library of high resolution content the Xeo may be challenged by a separates system of equal cost.

[ejlif]

Hi Chris,

 

Thanks for the review...I have been curious as to the sound quality from the Xeo 3.

 

I have to ask though, do you think $3,000 spent on separates could get better or equal sound quality? -minus the convenience of course.

 

Admittedly I can think of a couple of places where the Xeo 3's would be a perfect fit in the home.

 

Regards,

-J

I replaced a big rack of gear in my bedroom with the xeo 3s. That system was probably 15k plus and I don't hardly miss it. I had Grover Huffman make me some power cords for my xeos and it made a nice improvement adding a little sparkle to the top end which is welcome as these speakers have a mellow sound. I think Chris is right that these speakers are not going to be the end all be all in detail and resolution but for a bedroom or a room where you don't want to really mess with a whole system but just want good convenient sound they can't be beat. I am constantly amazed at just how much comes from such a small box and simple system.

[Phil C]

Hi Chris,

 

Just a quick question regarding the associated equipment you list in your Xeo 3 review. What cable(s) do you prefer to connect your BADA USB to your BADA DAC Series 2? I'm asking because I have the former and hope to get the latter.

 

Thanks,

 

Phil C

[ajay556]

I was at the store that had these powered speakers and regular speakers on display. The separates are better option as far as sound. If you wish to go with separates synergy matching becomes critical. This requires time and research on your part. The XEOs are a simpler and quicker solution but you do comprise on sound quality. Moreover, you can always upgrade your components with separates. I was able to replace the stock tubes with better tubes and the sound quality was at a different level with the tweaks. FYI....this was for my second system.

[JonW]

Thanks for the great review. Could you comment on how well the speakers perform close to a wall? One of the reasons I'm interested in them is I'm trying to keep everything off my floor for space reasons but I'm worried that if I put the speakers on a shelf it'll compromise the sound quality. Any experience of that?

[Encore]

Chris, did you use the remote control to control the volume? I've read in a Scandinavian review that you really have to aim it precisely, and that, even then, the Xeo's respond very sluggishly ...

[mitch751]

did you use the remote control to control the volume? I've read in a Scandinavian review that you really have to aim it precisely, and that, even then, the Xeo's respond very sluggishly ... Yes, but quite acceptable ....

 

Could you comment on how well the speakers perform close to a wall? - the distance between the wall and the speaker back is just six inches, the sound quality is quite ok, no boom at all

[ejlif]

Chris, did you use the remote control to control the volume? I've read in a Scandinavian review that you really have to aim it precisely, and that, even then, the Xeo's respond very sluggishly ...

 

Yes it works but leaves something to be desired.

[zenpmd]

I would buy these in a heart beat if it was possible to connect them to my AV at the time, but I cannot, and thats a huge design flaw, as I'd like these and nothing else in front of my TV...

[The Computer Audiophile]

I would buy these in a heart beat if it was possible to connect them to my AV at the time, but I cannot, and thats a huge design flaw, as I'd like these and nothing else in front of my TV...

 

What connection do you need for your AV?

[zenpmd]

What connection do you need for your AV?

 

Well, what I'd like to do is have my transmitter upstairs, next to my computer, with all my music on it, and then transmit to the Xeo downstairs (which is possible, I understand), but at the same time I want to connect my TV and Blu Ray Player etc into the Xeo downstairs. My understanding is that there are no connections in the speakers to actually do this, as you always have to route through the transmitter?

[The Computer Audiophile]

Well, what I'd like to do is have my transmitter upstairs, next to my computer, with all my music on it, and then transmit to the Xeo downstairs (which is possible, I understand), but at the same time I want to connect my TV and Blu Ray Player etc into the Xeo downstairs. My understanding is that there are no connections in the speakers to actually do this, as you always have to route through the transmitter?

 

I just chatted with Dynaudio about this. Dyn said people accomplish what you want to do in a few ways.

 

One way to do this would be to simply move the transmitter downstairs when listening to the TV or BluRay.

 

Another way is to buy a second transmitter and have one upstairs on the computer set to one channel, then have a second set downstairs at the TV set to a separate channel.

 

 

Yet another way is to use something like an airport express from the computer to the downstairs location and then run optical from the AE to the Xeo Transmitter that would be downstairs.

[zenpmd]

I just chatted with Dynaudio about this. Dyn said people accomplish what you want to do in a few ways.

 

One way to do this would be to simply move the transmitter downstairs when listening to the TV or BluRay.

 

Another way is to buy a second transmitter and have one upstairs on the computer set to one channel, then have a second set downstairs at the TV set to a separate channel.

 

 

Yet another way is to use something like an airport express from the computer to the downstairs location and then run optical from the AE to the Xeo Transmitter that would be downstairs.

 

Thank you so much! I might put a formal email into them now to discuss the options in greater detail. I really appreciate the effort you have gone to. I like the idea of another transmitter, that makes a lot of sense, plus it can obviously be used for another set of speakers presumably one day?

 

This is probably a stupid question, but do I still need to go through an AV unit to get the TV and blu play sound? I dont care about surround and stuff, just want the 2 speakers. I assume AV is not necessary if I want a seperate sub?

[zenpmd]

The only other remark I have is that lets not forget that these are essentially just Focus Excite arent they? Thats not a top end speaker. Then they added a £500 all in DAC, Amp and Pre Amp.