I apologize, but I don't have time to type out a full review with all of the superlatives I have to report. Here's a quick nutshell. Sierra 1 to Sierra LX. Apple Lossless->Denon x3700h->Outlaw 5000x (in 2ch putting out north of 200 watts each.


They're all upgraded and I ran my usual gauntlet against them.

1. Bass FR: 28hz all day every day at volume in my main listening position. Letting them play below that makes the port audible. I'll give them credit, though... I caught them trying to play 15hz. 30hz at volume vibrates my drywall in a 3000ft3 room. They have that much bass.

2. Detail level: I used to say that the Sierras were the quietest speakers I'd ever owned because of how they play only what they're asked to and vanish when not. These are even more so. All events are "smaller" in that there's just no overhang, no distortion. Diction of words and edges of instrument attacks are improved everywhere. Super dense mixes on some of my test tracks were just amazing.

3. Stage width: They're wider than the S1's but honestly... not by much. My room is really width-friendly though.

4. Stage depth: This was one of the more obvious things and the best way to describe it is that there's now more resolution of where things can exist on stage depth. Like on the S1's I had say 8 locations between my ears and the speakers for depth and say about 3 behind the speakers. Now it's like 20 locations between my head on the speakers and 10 behind. The total depth of the stage didn't get bigger, but things are living in more specific spots.

5. Instrument/Object position: Each voice takes up less lateral space and is more precise in its placement. Also immediately noticeable.

I would say that unless you absolutely had to have reference volume below 25 hz, these things could play full range on music all day at 85 db or more. And the best and most succinct compliment I could pay: It made everything, every last track, sound less like a recording. Cliché to say, but I absolutely mean it: worth every penny.