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Since the associated thread is getting conjested. I thought it might be beneficial for those who wish to read the reveiw without sifting through the orgional thread to post the reveiw period.
For those few people that have sent me an email asking if I work for Krix, the answer is no. I am just a fan who supports who ever brings a product to the market. That meets my expectations and offers what I require to acheive my goal.
Enjoy the read.
Ben
LOUDSPEAKER REVIEW
BRAND/MANFACTURER: KRIX
MODEL: Epicentrix and Neuphonix
REVEIWERS: Ben Salvemini (Benthx) and Richard Hilleard (EBE AVS Forum)
What lies beneath seems an appropriate opening to the review upon removing the grill on the KRIX Epicentrix center channel loudspeaker. This review was primarily intenended for the Epicentrix. But upon receiving the Neuphonix (floor standers) it became quite apparent that both models were a match made in heaven and in harmonious unison.
I want to make it clear that a wide variety of DVD and audio cd were used to give an overall response without using only reference discs but real world material.
When making a reference to speaker A or speaker B. Its hard to distinguish what the reference should be. I can only comment on speakers that I have heard in my system as a comparison or other brands that I have heard on dissimilar equipment and interaction with the room acoustics. We are looking for accuracy of sounds that we are familiar with and also what they should sound like in reality, such as notes from a piano. Another example is gunfire, shells ejecting and falling on the ground (both Richard and myself are very familiar with these sounds in real life).
For those not familiar with my room and setup here is a brief descriptor of equipment etc. Room 8.0meters long 5.5 wide ceiling height 2.7 meters high. Commercial grade underlay and carpeted. Construction is double brick with one main entry at the side being two 820mm solid doors. Room has some acoustic treatments at critical points (90mm broadband absorption panels) Processor/preamp Citation 5.0 DTS, power amps Adcom gfa7500-THX, Rotel RB 1080-THX, Nad c272, Panasonic DVD s97. Assorted M series (M950i) interconnects and THX certified cables.
First row of seating 5.5 meters from screen with primary chair in the sweet spot elevated 200mm from floor on riser. Second row 6.5 meters from screen elevated 400mm on riser.
Test material (cds) were The Patriot soundtrack, Dave Grusin (Migration), Marc-Antoiene Charpentier (Mess de Minuit), Emma Shaplin (Favola breve), Dame Joan Sutherland (Lakme), Chris Issac (Wicked Game), Elton John (Yellow Brick Road Funeral for a friend), Armik (Gipsy Flame) various tracks, Itzhak Perlman (Cinema Serenade John Williams), Dianna Krall (The Look of Love), Desperado Soundtrack (Cancion del Mariachi).
DVDs were The Shadow, Saving Private Ryan (DTS), THX demo compilation disc, Dolby Digital (Trailers), Star War ROTS, U-571, Vertical Limit and Contact. Music DVD the Eagles (Hell Freezes Over DTS)
Listening modes were two channel analog pass through, Dolby digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, 3 channel mode (stereo with equal blending of L & R into center) and some music sound field processing. Speakers used Epicentrix, Neuphonix, Impax, KX 1840s (6 units) and Velodyne DD15
All equipment was pre warmed and calibrated prior to listening. First DVD was the Shadow. The French horns used in the score appeared to be rather well textured and pronounced without any brightness that I was normally accustomed too. Low level Foley sounds like footsteps on the road came through with precision, clarity and the texture that could be felt from the sound being projected. Breakage of windows in the car scene on the bridge was crisp and clear with a degree of sparkle. (We all should have experienced what glass breakage sounds like) Shells from the long slide 1911 .45 caliber handgun when falling on the ground were accurately reproduced by the Epicentrix from which a great deal of center channel information was present. When the voice from the Shadow was panning across the front soundstage from L C R it did so with great precision and clarity that the sounds being reproduced from the Epicentrix seemed to disappear that is the center speaker had the uncanny ability to disappear. The integration with the mains was near perfect. This is what a good speaker should be able to do. On a side note when we played back the Shadow DVD we didnt configure the audio for 5.1 so what we were actually hearing was two channels only which explained why the Epicentrix was appearing to produced those phantom imaging sounds and disappear. This error in hindsight was of great significance. As we knew what it sounded like and then when corrected. We heard the same and literally got out ones chair to see if the Epicentrix was actually functioning, it was! This showed us once again how accurately it blended with the mains tonally and being able to reproduce a wide a dynamic range of sounds.
Saving Private Ryan was an EXPERIENCE to behold. This is when the full capabilities of the Epicentrix really came to shine and kick arse!! With the opening title when the boy drops his line in the water. The sound reproduced from the center did so with great realism that we thought that it really was happening. The depth of sounds emanating from the center in many scenes and in particular, when the group made an assault on the communications /radar array at the top of the hill did so with great detail. The ability to reproduce the immediate on screen sounds and the distant sounds all from the center, gave the impression of a sound field within a sound field from the Epicentrix. When explosions occurred. Not only was there the concussive effect (from the sub) but the frequencies being produced in the upper scale (deep mid bass/midrange), did so with texture and the secondary sounds e.g. falling debris enhance the sense of realism. This is what the center was producing. Another scene that reconfirmed the centers attributes was the scene when the Panzer tanks came into the middle of town. The amount of air being forced out of the two bass reflex ports on the Epicentrix was almost enough to turn a small windmill. The excursion of the bass drivers was rather aggressive and appropriate to the scene at hand. They were able to reproduce the deep mid bass with ease and did not break up when play backed at reference or above reference levels. We isolated the sound from the rest of the speakers at times and listened to the center alone. It was able to reproduce a broad spectrum of sounds with a degree of realism in reference to being able to sound like a main speaker. This would be attributed to its excellent construction and high quality components/drivers used. However, it was not able to reproduce sounds to an exacting degree that a main speaker (Neuphonix) would do. This being due to its physical constraints, and not being of the same cabinet volume. But in essence it did a remarkable job of mimicking its larger sibling. I know I am being very critical here.
With the Eagles Hell Freezes over music dvd. Track titled Hotel California. This was the first time I had heard a live concert that for its duration I REALLYT felt I was there and I forgot I was in my room. The Krix brand with all Krix speakers running in my room helped create that feeling. Of which the trio was an essential part of the equation.
With some of the material listened to from various demo DVDs mentioned. One scene that I was very anxious to hear was the THX Cavalcade trailer. On my previous mains and center of which the center was identical in every nature to the mains KRIX Impax (approx. 13 years old) the bass driver began to break up and well crap itself. This was at the point of the thunderclap. But with the Epicentrix it executed the sound without any breakup. Is there some form or acoustic dampening/brake here at work?? The THX cavalcade trailer is known to be rather dynamic like all demo trailers from THX or Dolby Digital especially when played back at reference level and sometime they are a bit over the top.
Now some cds. The most resounding cd was the soundtrack from the Patriot. Being a John William composition, his musical arrangement and playback can be some what a little bright in times. Track 1 and 17 were a pieste de resistance. Tracks 11 and 13 were reproduced by the Neuphonix with a great sense of eeriness. The Neuphonix carried all the very subtle low level recorded sounds effortlessly with having to turn the volume up. When the musical arrangement peaked in its intensity all was carried forward without loosing anything in the mix. From a THX quote from the quietest whisper to the loudest sound I was some what apprehensive that my favorite musical cds that carried a great degree of detail and the subtle nuances that one would associate as being bright. But with the Epicentrix alone or running in unison with the Neuphonix. The so called brightness was somewhat tamed. I cant remember how many time I got out of my chair to see if I had the re-eq (THX) mode engaged. There was definite extra detail in all recordings but not being bright. I would categorize the sound as being a little sweeter and without the shrill that I have heard before. Cymbals, castanets, triangles came through with additional clarity. The breaths on the mouthpiece in between blows on French horns and flutes were all there. I made the remark that the piano actually sounds like a real one. From the Armik cd Gypsy Flame you could actually here the fingers sliding along the strings and the possible overdubbing from the Spanish guitar playing. When I listened to flutes I was able to distinguish whether it was a wooden or metallic flute rather than a flute. From the Fifth Element soundtrack track 14 and 15 the singer Inva Mulla Tchako was outstanding. I have heard her sing before but now I could hear the slightest quavering in sections that I normally didnt. She manages to breathe atmosphere into this piece (et al R H) I could go on but I must digress now. Dave Grusins Migration cd tracks 9, 11, 12, 13 and 14 were another classic examples of how well all instruments were reproduced by the Neuphonix with that little sparkle naturally in two channel mode. I found overall the bass or more correctly the midbass response not as aggressive as I was accustom to. But it still had enough kick to give you that punch effect. Lower levels of deep mid bass to bass (frequency) appeared to be not as pronounced. But the overall bass response in this range of frequencies appeared to be smoother, well rounded and played lower.
For those lovers of chocolate. Here is an analogy. The Epicentrix and the Neuphonix are like the finest dark chocolate. They have a full flavor which is smooth and well textured without any apparent graininess. They are a close facsimile to the finest fare from the masters in Switzerland and Belgium but without being overpriced. But like all things. One should only taste or experience it with a clean palette with nothing to mask or cloud ones senses. Oh by the way I am talking about Nestle new Club Noir Intense 70%.
The Epicentrix is certainly a well constructed loudspeaker in every sense. Set up in relation to the mains is crucial and those that have seen my pre and post pics will understand why. The Epicentrix blends in smoothly with the Neuphonix and was originally conceived to compliment them. Standing alone it is one serious kick ass speaker and by center channel standards it is extremely heavy which is a testament to its build quality and components used. Now for the dirty word how much? The Epicentrix retails at $1900.00 so its not one to be found at your big box seller. Do I think its worth the $$$? Now that is a hard one. I look at it in the light its essentially in principle a singular unit from the Neuphonix which retails at $3200.00. So at half the Neuphonix it should be about $1600.00. That aside, Krix would have naturally accessed their market and who may purchase this. So $1900.00 would not be much for that type of person to part with. Do I think its value for money? Standing alone and not making reference to the Neuphoinix, YES. Like most things in life quality costs and you do get what you pay for.
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Ben Salvemini
BENTHX
