Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Cyrus Icon X4 Speakers by theaudiohobby

Model:	Icon X4
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	Â£2700
Description:	NXT hybrids
Manufacturer URL:	Cyrus
Model Picture:	View

Review by theaudiohobby ( A ) on August 22, 2003 at 18:15:06
IP Address: 81.128.225.109

Add Your Review
for the Icon X4

This is a review of the Cyrus Icons X4 that I was fortunate enough to acquire at a bargain some months ago. The Cyrus Icon X4s are the latest iteration of Cyrus' NXT hybrid stereo floor standing speakers. These are a two-way affair with a single Distributed Model Panel for frequencies down to 400 Hz and a single 8' inch (203cm) conventional paper cone for bass frequencies down to 18Hz.
Looks
These are very good looking speakers with very good (P)WAF. They are finished in maple and silver; they have a very slim profile with a depth of only 30 cm. They fit the modernist decor in my room perfectly.
Placement
Cyrus recommends that the speakers be placed at least 60cm from the rear wall. In my listening room the ideal position is 1m from both the rear and sidewalls with about 10- 15 degrees toe in. The reason for this is that panel radiates energy to the rear and therefore requires some rear space to breath or else the soundstage is compromised. The rear port 'slit' can be closed with the supplied foam. However, if closed completely the speaker sounds boxy owing to trapped energy. For all my listening, I left the slit totally uncovered.
Soundstaging and Stereo Imaging
The soundstage of this speaker is not the widest nor deepest I have ever heard however it is very three- dimensional. Where this speaker stands out from the competition is stereo image and soundstage stability. In this respect it is miles ahead of traditional designs including electrostatics and planars. The stereo image as well as tonality is barely compromised even when you sitting 90 degrees off â€“axis. It is a weird feeling to look across to the speakers and 'see' the stereo image; it is that tangible, you can walk through or around the soundstage. The soundstage width is sensitive to speaker positioning and it is widest when there is no toe in, however image specificity suffers in this positional arrangement. That said, it does have sweet spot that is at the vertex of the traditional speaker/listener triangle.
Sound Quality
Have heard a couple of speakers recently namely JMLab Electra 946, SF Cremona Auditor, SF Concerto Home, SF Guernari, Kef Coda 90 and Kef 35.2, B&W Nautilus 805 and Usher RW-729. I will say that this is a very refined, transparent and detailed speaker however it is not sibilant. In my rig sibilance is simply not issue anymore. The treble quality is best described as smooth. Edgy treble has totally disappeared from my system. As mentioned earlier this is a two-way speaker that is crossed at ~400 Hz with a front ported traditional paper cone driver. The bass frequencies are very well integrated. In my small room, I have been able to position the speakers and not suffer any bass boom. The bass weight is more than adequate for my room. Ever since I acquired these speakers, I have stopped my search for subwoofers to buttress the low end of my system. This speaker renders the human voice and acoustic instruments very well and I am more than impressed with its ability in these key areas.
Power requirements
This is an 86dB speaker and therefore not the most efficient, however I am currently driving them in a vertical bi-amped position with two Rotel Michi RHB05s through a passive preamp with no problems. However a previous owner did indicate that his NADs were not up to the task, therefore caution is advised when thinking of amplification.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these are very good sounding speakers that apply new technology to dramatic effect. In respect of the stereo image and soundstage stability it is unmatched by any traditional cone (in whatever arrangement) speaker that I have heard. It does this without sacrificing tonality, pitch, timbre or transient response to the more traditional designs. There are no overemphasised regions and the treble is grain free. All in all, these speakers join my amps as permanent members of my stereo rig.

Product Weakness: Not the widest nor deepest soundstage I have ever heard
Product Strengths: super stable stereo Image, super stable soundstage, accurate tonality and flexible speaker positioning.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Rotel RHB05
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	RHA10
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Sony SCD1
Speakers:	as above
Cables/Interconnects:	Excellent German nonamers
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, Classical, Rock, hip-hop
Room Size (LxWxH):	13 x 13'6'' x 8
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	None
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Not the widest nor deepest soundstage I have ever heard
Product Strengths:	super stable stereo Image, super stable soundstage, accurate tonality and flexible speaker positioning.