Information about Pascal XT

The Pascal XT was developed jointly by Gerd Lommersum and Peter Strassacker as a top-class loudspeaker that compares favourably with speakers by ScanSpeak or Seas Excel.

It happened in August 2003: of all speakers available at Strassacker the Pascal XT was considered the one with the best price / performance ratio. Since everyone regards his / her speakers as the best The Pascal XT was given to Hobby Hifi for review.

If attention to detail, imaging as well as clean and tight bass are of priority the Pascal XT surely belongs to the group of beat available speakers in the medium price segment, outperforming some speakers of the upper price segment.

Pascal XT: Review Hobby HiFi 1/2004

"...Although the frequency response wasn't ideal (* please see note below), the clean and clear bass made a good impression and provided enough ample bass for all conditions. When the Pascal XT was moved closer to the rear wall, roughly to 50cm away, the panel noticed a considerable increase in low bass without losing precision. Drums and bass runs were reproduced impressively, with or without the support of the surrounding walls.

The Pascal XT impressed with warm, neutral midrange frequencies. All instruments were placed exactly where they should have been. Even the right to centre movement of a jazz quintet's clarinettist were displayed - quire impressive. One could really sense how fingers slipped from picked guitar strings, or a rosin covered violin bow touching the strings. Optimum imaging was achieved by tilting the speakers slightly towards the listener, just to make sure that there was no gap in the centre. Due to the central placement of the tweeter no further positioning adjustments were necessary..

The Vifa ring radiator surprised again by showing an unforced playing ability. The initial concern regarding the frequency response were totally unfounded - the XZ 300 proved to be a formidable performer with clear yet gentle sound characteristics. Even critical lip sounds by Cassandra Wilson are accomplished without any irritation. Triangles, cymbals and violins are "floating" freely through the room.

Verdict
We can assure the developers of this D'Appolito design that they succeeded in creating an impressive loudspeaker design. The slim, floorstanding speaker offers - at a reasonable price - an outstanding sound quality and an imaging beyond all doubt. The Pascal XT's famous name in honour of Blaise Pascal (a great 17th century's mathematician) lives up to all expectations."

Lab results commented by Hobby HiFi:

"Sound pressure level - frequency response, axial and below 30 degrees:
Impressive balance, from 10kHz gradual decline in frequency. Rather little low bass." *)

"Sound pressure level - frequency response, tweeter, woofer and axial sum:
Ideal transition between tweeter and woofer, identified by a sum curve which lies 6 dB above the crossing of the individual driver curves."

"Waterfall spectrum 0°
Fast outwards movement, barely visible woofer cone resonance at around 1500 Hz."

"Distortion factor - frequency response K2, K3 and K5 at sound pressure level of average 90 dB:
Very low distortion, gradually climbing only at lower cut-off frequency."

*) Note:
The ideal bass frequency response (under lab conditions) is obtained by cutting the bass reflex tube down to 8 cm. In this case the speaker should ideally be placed at least 1 metre away from the rear wall (like all other speakers). According to our own findings and after discussions with Hobby HiFi, this distance is not acceptable to most customers. Therefore, the bass frequency response was adjusted, so that the speakers can be placed closer to the rear wall.

If room conditions allow, these speakers (like all other speakers too) should be placed at least 1 metre from the side walls. Although these speakers were developed to minimise the effect of the side walls, it cannot be eliminated totally.

Description of Pascal XT
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