Discussion
BK don’t really like offering their products for comparative reviews!
They do get requests, but never provide product.
Even though they are now 20 year old tech, it was very good tech.
For the money they cost though, they’ll be just fine.
If possible though, I’d stick to their more conventional designs.
They do get requests, but never provide product.
Even though they are now 20 year old tech, it was very good tech.
For the money they cost though, they’ll be just fine.
If possible though, I’d stick to their more conventional designs.
FWIW, I've just upgraded from a normal Gemini to an XLS200 and it was a significant step up - far more than I was expecting.
Always thought the Gemini wasn't doing a huge amount and sounded weird if cranked up. All now been totally solved with the XLS200.
I'd imagine the Double Gem sits somewhere between the two - but clearly I'm guessing so this isn't much help.
Always thought the Gemini wasn't doing a huge amount and sounded weird if cranked up. All now been totally solved with the XLS200.
I'd imagine the Double Gem sits somewhere between the two - but clearly I'm guessing so this isn't much help.
How do you find the XLS200 and what size room do you have. Only looked at the double as it could act as a table for the lamp next to the sofa. However if the positioning isn’t correct il be up the pooper. I can just get an XLS200 next to the TV. Will be a 2.1 set up. Want to add more weight to my Arcam Solo mini/Monitor Audio Silver RX1 setup.
Not massive, 4m x 3m. If the room had been bigger would have got a bigger sub!
I made a mock up box to show the size of the XLS400 as that's what I really wanted, but the Chairwoman vetoed it.
TBF though, I think it's just the right amount of punch for the space - I don't have it cranked up all that far and it does a great job tying in as part of a 5.1 Monitor Audio setup.
It's a shame that they only build to order, as I was apprehensive before ordering about whether there'd be any difference, so was definitely relieved when there was.
I made a mock up box to show the size of the XLS400 as that's what I really wanted, but the Chairwoman vetoed it.
TBF though, I think it's just the right amount of punch for the space - I don't have it cranked up all that far and it does a great job tying in as part of a 5.1 Monitor Audio setup.
It's a shame that they only build to order, as I was apprehensive before ordering about whether there'd be any difference, so was definitely relieved when there was.
Have had an XLS200 for about three years on a 5.1 setup, it replaced a cheap Yamaha sub that went faulty
Again my room is not huge, roughly 18ft by 10ft however it is turned right down so there is plenty more if needed.
Very pleased with it and find it is pretty subtle when its meant to be and punchy when it is needed.
The instructions explain in detail how to fine tune it.
Again my room is not huge, roughly 18ft by 10ft however it is turned right down so there is plenty more if needed.
Very pleased with it and find it is pretty subtle when its meant to be and punchy when it is needed.
The instructions explain in detail how to fine tune it.
So I was sat in a bar with my wife last Saturday. G&T in one hand, phone in the other. eBay were offering 10% off. Bought a brand new Audiolab 6000a for £470 and one of the seconds XLS200 for £270.
The audiolab with the digital inputs just sounds superb. Sub will be unboxed this weekend.
The audiolab with the digital inputs just sounds superb. Sub will be unboxed this weekend.
XLS200 is a cracking little sub: I've still got mine about 9 years old now, in use in a second room. To be fair it was a little lost in my main room (replaced it with a Monolith, then got greedy and went a bit OTT with subs 
ended up with 4 in my main room, but the XLS200 still does a great job in my conservatory). It's small enough not to upset the management, but big enough to give some rumble when needed. 
ended up with 4 in my main room, but the XLS200 still does a great job in my conservatory). It's small enough not to upset the management, but big enough to give some rumble when needed. Unboxed it. As most people report there’s nothing wrong with them. I can’t see a single mark for a ‘second’. I didn’t order the correct lead so they sent out another FOC.
The wife is away this weekend so il get a good few days setting it up. I’m going to use the RCA from the Audiolab pre amp output. Do people really see a difference between the high and low level inputs? It’s going to output the full signal then the sub crossover will filter out the high frequencies.
The wife is away this weekend so il get a good few days setting it up. I’m going to use the RCA from the Audiolab pre amp output. Do people really see a difference between the high and low level inputs? It’s going to output the full signal then the sub crossover will filter out the high frequencies.
Edited by paultownsend on Thursday 10th October 18:23
I’m using the high level speaker inputs as the pre-out output from my amp was too low.
Out the box I was unimpressed with the XLS200. I let it run overnight, and now when dialled in it’s incredible. Just watched Terminator Genisys and the sub level sound you miss even from a good pair of stand mount speakers is night and day.
In 2.1 for music, again, it’s night and day. Currently listening to Depeche Mode Live in Berlin, and the bass integrates in nicely. RIP Groove’s Double 99 is simply outrageous but sounds like all the bass is from the stand mounts. For the money, which was £80 of RRP, this little box is simply incredible value.
Out the box I was unimpressed with the XLS200. I let it run overnight, and now when dialled in it’s incredible. Just watched Terminator Genisys and the sub level sound you miss even from a good pair of stand mount speakers is night and day.
In 2.1 for music, again, it’s night and day. Currently listening to Depeche Mode Live in Berlin, and the bass integrates in nicely. RIP Groove’s Double 99 is simply outrageous but sounds like all the bass is from the stand mounts. For the money, which was £80 of RRP, this little box is simply incredible value.
Edited by paultownsend on Saturday 12th October 10:50
darreni said:
What settings are you guys using on the xls200? I also have one but cant seem to get it sounding as i think it should, especially with music.
Have you adjusted the settings according to the user guide ?Might also have to experiment and change the location of where it is placed.
TX1 said:
darreni said:
What settings are you guys using on the xls200? I also have one but cant seem to get it sounding as i think it should, especially with music.
Have you adjusted the settings according to the user guide ?Might also have to experiment and change the location of where it is placed.
While I don't have my sub yet, one think I do know is that they need to be set up properly and that takes a while.
I don't really know the difference (apart from size) between a BK and my old KEF, but that one you just switched it on, increased the gain a bit and it would rumble away but from the reading I've done, the BK's require proper setting up.
Something that doesn't often get mentioned is adjusting the AVR's sub delay (NOTE: This isn't the phase control on the sub itself, leave that at 0 in most cases): I've owned AVRs with Audyssey and now Dirac and they have always benefit from doing this 'sub delay tweak' after running Audyssey/Dirac: Now you can get really anal and use something like REW to measure and adjust more scientifically, but no harm in adjusting in small steps and just listening.
The reason is that most room eq doesn't measure the sub and speakers together...they are all measured individually. Sometimes you get slight cancellation effects at certain frequencies around the crossover frequency. On my current AVR adding an extra 3mS delay removes a big dip at around 90Hz and you can really hear the difference flicking between the 'as set' and '+3mS' setting while playing music. Without the tweak my system bass sounds a bit lacking, which is ridiculous seeing as I have 4 subs, so it really can make a difference.
I read this week that even the Lyngdorf systems (that supposedly measure subs and speakers combined) still benefit from tweaking the sub delay, so it's not restricted to systems owned by us mere mortals...
The reason is that most room eq doesn't measure the sub and speakers together...they are all measured individually. Sometimes you get slight cancellation effects at certain frequencies around the crossover frequency. On my current AVR adding an extra 3mS delay removes a big dip at around 90Hz and you can really hear the difference flicking between the 'as set' and '+3mS' setting while playing music. Without the tweak my system bass sounds a bit lacking, which is ridiculous seeing as I have 4 subs, so it really can make a difference.
I read this week that even the Lyngdorf systems (that supposedly measure subs and speakers combined) still benefit from tweaking the sub delay, so it's not restricted to systems owned by us mere mortals...
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