Just got the March 2010 issue of Stereophile in the mail. The issue includes a review of the Dynaudio Excite X12.
Let me start by saying that the speaker's published measurements are superb (as per usual with Dynaudio) but they do reveal some significant changes in this Excite line compared to previous Dynaudios.
1st and formost, the new models do not appear to be impedance corrected (despite what is said in the article per the manufacturer). The Excite X12's graph of impedance vs. frequency shows no correction. This contrasts with all other Dynaudio models who's measurements have been published (compare the impedance plot of the X12 to other Dynaudio models in Stereophile's data base).
This change is important when it comes to matching a Dynaudio speaker with a tube with a typically high output imdedance. The Excite X12 won't sound as balanced with a tube amp as previous (impedance corrected) Dyaudio models.
Another crucial change in the Excite X12 is lower sensitiviy. Stereophile measure 84.8 dB/w/1meter (again despite the manufacturers claim of 86 dB/w/1meter). Contrast this with Stereophile's 86.1 dB/w/1meter measurement of the Dyaudio Focus 140.
http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/506dynaudio/index3.html
This reduction of sensitivity is important again when choosing an amplifier and suggests that a tube amp might not be the ideal match for speakers from the Excite line. A better choice would be a used Audience line speaker or one of the current Focus, Contour or Confidence ranges.
Let me start by saying that the speaker's published measurements are superb (as per usual with Dynaudio) but they do reveal some significant changes in this Excite line compared to previous Dynaudios.
1st and formost, the new models do not appear to be impedance corrected (despite what is said in the article per the manufacturer). The Excite X12's graph of impedance vs. frequency shows no correction. This contrasts with all other Dynaudio models who's measurements have been published (compare the impedance plot of the X12 to other Dynaudio models in Stereophile's data base).
This change is important when it comes to matching a Dynaudio speaker with a tube with a typically high output imdedance. The Excite X12 won't sound as balanced with a tube amp as previous (impedance corrected) Dyaudio models.
Another crucial change in the Excite X12 is lower sensitiviy. Stereophile measure 84.8 dB/w/1meter (again despite the manufacturers claim of 86 dB/w/1meter). Contrast this with Stereophile's 86.1 dB/w/1meter measurement of the Dyaudio Focus 140.
http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/506dynaudio/index3.html
This reduction of sensitivity is important again when choosing an amplifier and suggests that a tube amp might not be the ideal match for speakers from the Excite line. A better choice would be a used Audience line speaker or one of the current Focus, Contour or Confidence ranges.