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Conclusion
. Whenever I’m faced with Skanderborg speakers, I think of VW’s Golf as the poster child for the top student whom everyone likes because he allows himself no social weaknesses. With this car you can drive up anywhere and not feel over- or underdressed. It’s part of or in fact the secret of its success. Which counters the routine complaint that the compact car from Wolfsburg is no emotionally extravagant exhibitionist. That’s true also for the Xeo 5. Fit ‘n’ finish are flawless. Cosmetics suit all environs. Handling is simple. Technology is functional and reliable. The price ain't cheap but fair. Sonically the Xeo 5 plays no favorites. All sources are handled equally. If hard-drive data are too compromised and compressed this equates to little fun. Now everything sounds as emaciated and bloodless as it is. The Xeo doesn’t colorize just to please.


Properly produced titles that exploit all the bandwidth and resolution of tonal hues and micro detail arrive as themselves too. I always felt that the Dane viewed herself as courier, not translator. She extricated herself from the process other than delivering the message. This was so apparent as to elude criticism. That said, I’d personally rather drive a 24-year old Daimler Benz whose various small flaws I’d forgive on principle to feel like a pig in shit regardless (or because). The Xeo 5 retains its composure also under higher SPL but a grand house party will be out of sorts. At such levels particularly bass and soundstage give up their steadfastness to betray effort. But why punish this plain beauty with such abuses?


During my audition the pretty tower proved utterly uncomplicated about setup. Sufficient space on all sides and off she went. A room shouldn’t be too small to allow the bass to unfold. Toe-in is possible but not required. Off-axis response seems very broad to make that angle a simple matter of taste. Adding up, Dynaudio’s proposition makes sense. Proven speaker know-how in fully active guise + flawless wireless reception of all sources = real alternative to conventional hifi systems. Once you’ve digested this change, the good ol’ tower of power of traditional components seems suddenly quite old school.


Psych profile:
  • Courier, not interpret. Garbage in, garbage out – no more, no less.
  • Precise and believable mapping of soundstage depth and width.
  • Harmonious coherent coverage of the entire frequency band which inspires the impression of inner calm, ease and long-term pleasure.
  • Bass is potent and dry to require some space to develop but is neither opulent nor particularly quick. While there are snappier speakers in this class, timing is spot-on. Nothing drags.
  • The midrange is less present than a Magnat Quantum 905 or Wharfedale Jade 5 both of which are fresher. At first voices and acoustic guitars feel more ascetic over the Xeo 5. Longer listening then relates to it as pleasantly lean.
  • The treble too is properly weighted and offers fine resolution and transparency. The uppermost band lacks no information to show off each airy detail. But inner harmony remains the core credo to avoid all hardness andglassiness. The tweeter simply needs time to break in.
  • Complex fare remains finely sorted and teased out without losing sight of the whole.
  • Voices can appear like cut-outs superimposed against a three-dimensional space.
  • No party animal, raves aren’t the thing. Prime the pump too much and things betray effort. But this enters territory where the neighbors should already have called the police.
  • Technically the most uncomplicated problem-free wireless speaker system I’ve met. Completely immune to interferences of any kind.

Facts:

  • Concept: Active 2-way bass reflex tower with integral wireless receiver
  • Weight and dimensions: 170 x 922 x 260mm (WxHxD), 16.7kg/ea.
  • Trim: High-gloss or matte black and white
  • Power consumption in standby: 0.6 watts
  • Warranty: 5 years
redaktion @ fairaudio.de

Dynaudio website