Even although Steve used a Pass Labs amplifier ... Børresen X3 actually use a Moor Amps Angel 6 and it is even more expensive. But you know NAT Single-Ended tube amplifiers are even more expensive again and you know ... don't use the X3, but it would be nice to see some of these in a System Of The Day.
Thanks, Mike (it was great meeting you at the CAF) for getting these to Steve! His reviews are always fun and engaging. Steve's mix of being authentic and informative is what this passion of ours benefits from.
I remember going to AXPONA a couple of years ago, and walked into a small room where the "Borresen 01 Silver Supreme Editions" were on demo....and I was more impressed with those tiny stand-mount speakers than anything else at the show. They have just ONE 4.5" woofer and that amazing tweeter, and I was blown away. The soundstage was as big as Lake Michigan. I think those little guys are around $20K to $40K. Totally worth the price. The entire demo system was from Audio Group Denmark, and was probably made up of $900K of components. And it really sounded as good as the price would indicate. To give you an idea how much I like them, my next favorite system were the Avantgarde Acoustic Trio G3's with dual subwoofers. I have no idea how much that system cost, but it was AMAZING. Horn speakers with no baffles, as God intended. The funny thing is that I have a "house rule" where my own speakers must have a 5.25" woofer or SMALLER, with the exception of sub woofers, of course. The reason why is simple: speed of attack and clarity of sound. But my favorite in-house speakers are the Klipsch RP-400M's, which are no longer made, and the DALI Spektor 2's, both of which just have a single 4.5" woofer. The DALI has incredible detail for its price/size, and the Klipsch has amazing midrange and surprisingly good bass punch. But my current "desktop" speakers are the original ELAC Uni-fi's, which blow me away every-time I listen to them. They are considered more "musical" rather than "detailed", but that's perfectly fine with me, because they sound incredible with whatever genre I feed them; but analog recordings from the 50's to 70's are just stunning from those little guys. Smallest three-way speaker I've ever owned, and it's an absolute winner. Did I mention the woofer is only 5.25"??? Love the little woofers. Thanks again for the great reviews. And for those who want Danish goodness at bargain prices, DALI is worth your consideration, especially their bookshelf speakers.
The Borresen 05s represent one of the biggest "wow" listening experiences I've ever had. They left such an impression on me that they're the only speaker I consistently think about from an afternoon that also involved Magico and Wilson. The thought that Borresen has a "budget" line now makes me want to glue the old piggy bank back together and put my head down for a few years, assuming they hold a candle to the higher up models.
The Scandinavians also design some of the most modern, “futuristic” designs do not only do they sound great but they have a “look” that is visually pleasing and unique as compared to most contemporary plain Jane black boxes found in most Domestic offerings.
I really had to give you the thumbs up as you know how these speakers are designed and works. Most reviewers on youtube don't know or not mention it. For instance the ports on the back has a dipole function. I learned that from you.
Great review Steve!!!! First review I have seen where someone used their own front end. Great to see that and still have the X3 showing the magic I know it has... We are excited to have the new Borresen X2 en route for review and audtion!! I fell in love with the X3 at Axpona this year. Insane performance for that $11,000 hands down.. Great job Steve! Lovely review as usual.
I am considering going there to listen to these speakers as well. Did not know they sold Pelisten speakers. What are your opinions of those in comparisons?
I recently compared these to Perlisten’s R series floorstanders in the same room/system. It was no contest. Other than lowest octave bass extension, the X3s were better on every level. They sounded as though they belonged in a completely different price bracket.
I think part of the ribbon tweeters abilities comes from the fact that it's not flat up against the baffle and it's sort of like a combination ribbon/horn which may be the reason for the upper mid range and highs imaging abilities.
I heard the X6 on another RUclipsrs channel just today, and even though I was listening to them in a very limited way through a relatively cheap pair of Apple headphones, the speakers blew me away… Wow, they sounded so good! I can only imagine that the X3’s sound spectacular as well
@@keywestjimmy I’m really not sure how me saying that, from what I could tell, the X6s sounded great, even though it is in a limited listening way because I’m experiencing them not in person, but through a relatively cheap pair of headphones?! How is that not an intelligent thing to say? Clearly, it’s a best guess, at best, compared to a thorough listening session in person, where I’d much better be able to fully evaluate them in a much more meaningful way
yeah, I love thin-film tweeters (amt, planar, ribbon) tweeters. I have the GoldenEar BRX (amt ribbon tweeters) and if I ever upgrade it would be to the Borreson X1. Apple Music lossless
I heard the 01 standmounts earlier this year. Never heard music come from a standmount in the way they performed. The company reps played some hard driving euro techno pop at ear shattering levels (for me). My body felt like I was standing in front of a stack of speakers in a club. At 100 grand a pair, they were not going home with me needless to say. Good to see Borresen now has a speaker just about one tenth the price of those standmounts. The company is passionate in the technology they employ in making speakers.
Well ... our bodies always feel like we're standing in front of a stack of speakers in a club when we're, you know, not able to afford something we're browsing - window shopping, always feels bad. Steve told a funny story about some young teenagers that came to his place of business and wanted to hear the best he had at the time. Well they got short shrift if he was busy and if he wasn't, well he might play them something in the hope of winning another soul to his cause but ... best try something you can afford.
@@keplermission As the title of the video stated “You gotta hear these speakers”. Steve didn’t say “you’ve got to buy these speakers”. As a previous patron of the audio dealer highlighting the Borrensen speaker event, I was graciously sent an invitation. I’m confident the dealer made no assumptions when including me to the invitation only unveiling. They knew my “budget” from my past purchases. Knowing I was not going to buy a pair of Borrensen speakers didn’t stop them from inviting me, since they know I appreciate what top tier technology and fabrication brings to the audio marketplace. They were being...what’s the phrase? Oh yeah, “Kind and gracious to a previous customer”. They didn’t exclude me or inform me to stay in my lane regarding the size of my pocketbook or make assumptions of any underlying reasons of what I may have felt after listening to the speakers that evening. It so happens I enjoy Steve’s videos, the Cheap Audio Man’s videos and John Darko’s videos along with others - regardless of the price point of the products they feature. What I don’t enjoy is being told by a complete stranger “why” I may be feeling a certain way regarding my recount of my listening experience. When it comes to your actual feelings, by all means share them to this forum, but stay in YOUR lane and don’t arm chair analyze others here, unless perhaps you’re a trained clinician with advanced degrees in counseling and if you are, posting what you did proves you’re not a very good one.
@@eddents Well you know MY EXPERIENCE with religious people is to be advised that we can hear an invitation and choose not to listen, unless we can afford to buy its services. Just look at your watch I was told and walk away with dignity. We hear services everyday, new windows, new this, new that and in Israel people talk about observing 'the Seven Laws Of Noah' or as we say the seven Halacha. But we're not in Israel and the dealer that cried out to you like a merchant selling hot cakes wasn't being "Kind and gracious to a previous customer," I think not, we'd say from the Halacha that the dealer was "stealing your mind", it's forbidden by the Torah. "Thou shalt not steal" applies to this trader. Steve says you must smell these hot cakes and sure you must if you're in the market place but we don't have to buy any, you're right there and you're not always wrong. Be happy.
I thought the same until I heard the speaker in AV show early this month. Hv heard Borresen flagship too, the 05 silver supreme last year and had my jaw dropped for almost a year. Now that they hv 10k speaker, sure I’d be more glad to think about it than the 05 astronomical price per pair.
How many speakers and stereo producers are there in Denmark? Everyone must basically be an Audiophile. Dali, Audiovector, B&O. Dynaudio, Clint, Jamo, Buchardt, Børresen and I'm probably missing a number of others..
An audiophile country, NO DOUBT. the scandanavian countries also Hegel, Genelac, Seas, Scanspeak make some of the best drivers. Aavik was all over Capital audio fest with their insane gear too.
You are absolutely right! Denmark probably has more speaker producers per capita than any other country, I know. I’m guessing Canada might be a no. 2 on speaker producers per capita, but Denmark has only about 6 million inhabitants.
Apparently the Scandinavians are likely among the most dedicated, passionate and exuberant listeners and audiophiles on the planet. I have a Danish Friend and he takes his music listening seriously and is very passionate about his music. I don’t know what gear he is currently listening to but I’m sure it’s some pretty good stuff. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Heard the X3 at PAC this year and they were the number one standout from the entire show. Like wow. Just wish the 88db sensitivity was a little better. I'm still tempted to try them with my Apollo 50w 810 SET monos or my NAT 70w PSET monos.
100% agree. We are in this crazy hobby to listen to MUSIC. Not measure equipment, not to make sounds or effects or noises (HT not withstanding). And if, like me, you listen to acoustic and amplified and electronic music, you will also want a speaker system that has accurate tonality and timber so that different music can sound good on one’s system.
Wow, Steve you always impress me with such curious gear you present.....it's also very satisfying to let your videos play and I work while listening and have the phone in front of the computer monitor so I can also look down when you show the pictures. Really enjoy your channel, been listening for 5-6 years I think now. Take care
Depth and Height are essential for True High-End Audio because they create a huge difference in how the music is presented. Listen to the Monitor Audio PL-200 III and you will hear how much bigger the stage is, including diversity in the height of voices and instruments. I learned what sound and music are because it is needed to understand audio. I have worked for longer than 25 years full-time in the world of sound&vision and I can read the DNA of each individual part of any audio system.
Hi Steve, first of all, let me applaud you and all others who have taken the plunge into you too. Even if I don't admire everybody's work, I admire their effort and commitment. That being said, I don't always agree with almost anything you say. I know these videos must appeal to the masses but I sometimes feel less than warm and fuzzy with some of your reviews. Kind of like you're trying to polish a turd. But experience has taught me to put things in perspective. And I have learned to remember that while listening to reviews. The words of wisdom you share through your years of experience are very enlightening. Thank you. Then when you gave us a tour of your reference rig. I realized that deep down inside you are more than just an audiophile, You're an audiophile with a taste for the finer things that this hobby has to offer. Fast forward to today and I see your video on this speaker. Congratulations Steve. This was a great review. I knew you had it in you! I heard you talk about the things that interest me in speakers. Based on your descriptions, I feel I have a very strong sense of what these speakers sound like. And also what they're capable of. This truly was tied for the best review I've ever heard.
Would love to see you review the X2 Borresen and the PS Audio Aspen FR10 at the same time. They are very close in price and would be interesting to hear the differences and which you like best.
Great review, thank you Steve🙏 It would have been very interesting to hear your review with the X3’s powered by the Axxess Forte amps. I understand they mate perfectly. I’m considering the X2’s powered with a Forte 1 with Ansuz cabling, should be quite the step from my current B&W Matrix 1’s! Thanks again
The acid test is to simply turn the volume up, and if you want to turn the volume further up, the equipment is ok, if you want to turn the volume down, its a fail
Your experience with the X3 reminds me very much of what I experienced when I set up my Merlin VSM floor standers for the first time. That was in 2007. I have replaced everything else in my system since then, but I never think about replacing the Merlins, which go lower in the bass than the X3. Unfortunately they are no longer available.
How does thies compair to the X1 and X2 if I may ask :). I have around 330square feet ( 30m2 ) place, and dont know if I should go with the X1.X2 or even thies X3.
Speakers don't move "air" they transduce acoustic energy. What one feels if standing close to a loud speaker is that energy in its medium, the air. Of course you know this, but as this is internets I had to comment. Thank you for everything you do!
Acoustic energy IS the air moving or experiencing changes in pressure created by a transducer in 'air'. Without air there is no acoustic energy. Speakers in a vacuum, ie 'no air' have no way of converting the electromechanical energy to acoustic energy. There is nothing to pressurize or move around. In low frequencies, the transducer acts as a high volume air pump. Stand next to a 21" tapped horn and your clothes are being torn off. Air is being moved.
@@peterw2714 Yes the air moves, but immediately moves right back where it started. That generates waves that propagate outward, the air doesn't ... it stays local.
I heard these at Hi-Fi Loft also (Hi Mike, if you read this!). I had my heart set on a Wilson for many years, and since this was a new company, as far as I knew, I was concerned about parts and servicing in the long run (Wilson has a great reputuation in that regard, plus the fact that it's made in the USA), which is why I ultimately went with the Sabrina, but in terms of just sound, these speakers rivaled the Sabrina X speakers. Definitely a rare bargain in hifi.
Wow about that Viewer System Of The Day? Rotel ... Rotel ... Rotel and finally (you guessed it, no fair peaking at the answer) ROTEL. But you know Sreve seems to have forgotten to add just what woofers Trung put in in place of the 18 inch ones. Well some Rotel do work with LOUD speakers but Disco ones generally need Disco amplifiers on account of Back EMF and just the tonal balance.
The Sabrina X looks so ugly like any other Wilson speaker, very poor WAF. Some of us like to look at pretty when we hear pretty sound. You may be prefer the ugly.
Believe it or not, these dont sound anything like Raidhos despite being from the same creator. These have a way fuller midrange, something I always felt missing in Raidhos. Imaging is way better too.
It’s funny because the X3s really are amazing at the price, meanwhile their flagship at somewhere around $220,000 just doesn’t make any sense at all, but then again almost everything that astronomical really doesn’t.
When Steve can listen to these speakers for hours and into the late noir hours, they must have something special about them. I always liked the Heil AMT ribbon tweeter from the 1970s (still in production) for their accuracy, detail and realism on female and guy voices. For me, ribbon tweeters are very musical.
Let's take a moment to appreciate how effective and great the ability of simple basic two channel stereo is in creating the illusion of space. Sure it stands to reason, we have two ears, but still. Also still, it's an illusion and I am good with that. With all due respect to Steve's 'like being there' quest it's the sense of space alone which appeal to me. Which space? Hell I don't know and nothing will sound "like being there" anyway. I'm good with good illusions. It's my space now I care about.
Transparency and clarity equates in a way means you be able to retrieve more music information that makes you interpretate the musicians more accurately, or in a emotional way, you be able understand why the music arrangement, the tone changes, the singing techniques, which makes the piece of music more interesting , more convincing and emotionally involving! These speakers can separates a great musician from a good or average musician!
I like Steve's description of speaker characteristics the best of all reviewers. This is all a guessing game and the usual 'audiophile' descriptions of 'intangibles' real and imagined are meaningless. Steve talks about audible certainties such as 'locking in the centre image' and 'separation of instruments' followed up by translation into actual musical examples.
Cool , but very few people are in the market for a $11k speakers, ..would love to see some Cerwin Vega reviews of the New LA series and the New powered studio monitors ,and even some of the current models XLS15, XLS28,XLS6, SL12 ....the will have another new series also coming soon.
Look very similar to the 30,000.00 PS Audio offerings for this year. Interesting...from the review, I would say it compares favorably with them...at one third the price! Nice for us, I would say...
@@60zeller no...of course, PS audio has no dealer network. You have to spend 30 grand for a set, then you have 30 days to decide if you want to keep them. I, just like you, have to rely upon reviewers that we trust to steer us on the right direction.. Steve is a reviewer I tend to trust, but again, PS audio does NOT send out speakers for review either. May sound like I have a negative opinion on the PS audio brand. I do not. They are WAY out of my price range. These speakers reviewed here today, are much more attainable for the serious buyer in today's market. When someone like Steve calls these a bargain, I tend to take notice..with people that spend this kind of money on 2 channel gear, it's refreshing to hear about something that punches significantly above it's weightl, I would sit up and take notice. The pure insanity that has become the norm in this hobby, to hear about something that has value beyond the price point, I think there may be hope for the serious listener that is not wealthy beyond insane is nice.
I believe the Equipment powering these speakers has a major part in the Soundstage and separation. Would be far more interested in a review on them with a System that is a little less money involved. Have you ever posted a video with this Equipment reviewed, and Cost all in, less Speakers and then try some other Speakers close in price. Maybe comparable to Spendors, JBL or Klipsch, I think you have a perfect idea of what I'm talking about. The Small size of the Drivers has me a little concerned because of the Bass Performance, now the Tweeters may be hard to match???
Steve, I’m wondering if you were able to try the X3’s with a subwoofer in your room to see if it would add any more weight to the musicality of the speakers.
I'd be interested in hearing those Nola Champ S3s. But IME, every Børresen loudspeaker that I've heard has excelled in regards to imaging and sound stage far beyond 99% of all other loudspeakers I've listenend to, which includes some of the finest studio monitors which are specifically designed for this, but mostly in nearfield and midfield. The Børresen's excel in the midfield to farfield range.
I have a question for the owner of the Viewer System of the Day: where do hoi get your stylii for your V15? I have been struggling to find them for years.
Steve uses different recordings for just about every piece of equipment that he reviews. he has a massive vinyl and CDs collections and a broad range of listening interests.
So many interesting choices..... torn between borresen x3, revel f228be, dali epicon 6/8 and perlisten s7t..... too much reading (no option to listen to any of those in my country), and my brain is boiling... oh, forgot to add one more participant - kef r11 meta....
It’s important for you not to play coy with the price of the speakers, although it’s easy to look it up, since already knowing the price and reviewing it isn’t the same as not knowing when watching this video. It’s annoying and not necessary. Sorry for the criticism but unless your on the receiving end you’ll never realize this.
Doesn’t it seem that if the rear-venting for the mid-woofer and tweeter were to be dipole style rather than bass reflex, they should have dispensed with the tubes entirely? Tubular interior reflections really sound off at mid/treble ranges…
They were not vented to create a dipole effect, but rather to minimize the back pressure that would otherwise limit the diaphragms impedance match to the air. This is a great example of why reviewers should really make more effort to ensure they understand the entire design concept prior to publishing a review, especially when unconventional designs are in question. The X3s happen to have some of the cleanest treble and midrange you will ever hear from a speaker, regardless of price. They suffer zero tubular resonances in the mids and highs.
As long as they speak of soundstage, tonality , accuracy , dynamics and all other audiophile language .............there's NO MUSIC !............only Sound ( sometimes called perfect SOUND )
@@frankgeeraerts6243 Sorry, yes! Just had to, temtation was too much. Anyway, I bought Klipsch RF 7 MK3, and I'm selling those before the Virgos. Cheers from Norway.
He clearly said the X3 treble was way better than the T66 - I have GE Triton Reference: broader sweet spot, better sensitivity deeper bass down to 22hz more punch and body and warmer sound.
Heard them and found that they are very easy to listen to with a nice soundstage that has a lot of air. The bass is good but not super punchy. However, it’s slightly lean sounding and reproduction is not that accurate, the timbre of acoustic instruments can be much better. When you want that great soundstage and air, you usually sacrifice the mids. But for the price … they are great value.
Not sure where you heard the Børresen X3, but the room acoustics, the loudspeakers' placement in the room, and your listening position in the room all combine to have a Very Large Influence on how ANY loudspeaker set can or will sound, especially in regards to accurately recreating the soundstage, as well as the quality & characteristics of the midbass and bass frequencies below the Schroeder Frequency, which are completely dominated and determined by the room. These speakers have excellent directivity, and as such, take extremely well to EQ, which would remedy your impression of the "slightly lean" sound, as well as correct timbre of acoustic instruments to be more natural, which is at least as much about the actual recording quality as the system that is trying to accurately reproduce it. If you are an audiophile purist, you may scoff at the use of "corrective EQ", but in fact, an EQ is the very first tool that any recording/mixing/mastering engineer reaches for in their toolkit in order to actually produce the music that you listen to. Every famous and legendary studio recording & mixing console has at least a dedicated 3-band EQ in every channel strip/input. IOW, even a smaller 24-channel mixing console has 72 bands of EQ available for lows, mids, and highs...and they DO get used...a lot. Or, because most music these days is produced "in the box" with just a computer/laptop and no physical mixing console, just do a Google search for "EQ Plugin" to see just how many popular EQs show up in the results. Beyond just minor EQ adjustments, mixing engineers use EQ to "create an open space" in the soundstage to place an individual instrument and/or vocal. And we use EQ combined with minute amplitude/level adjustments to place instruments and vocals in the soundstage in terms of their DEPTH & Layering. So, the vast majority of recordings that you to listen daily have MANY instances of EQ being applied during the production process, yet audiophiles place some mystical taboo on and are adverse about using EQ in their playback system. 🤷♂️ IME, your statement that, "When you want that great soundstage and air, you usually sacrifice the mids" is inherently false. Natural, lifelike midrange (which requires neutral frequency response that is precisely matched by both the Left & Right speakers AT your listening position) goes hand-in-hand with the recreation of an excellent soundstage. Okay, TBF, I have not heard the X3 myself. However, my cousin uses the Børresen 03 floorstanders in his main system, which are quite similar, and they are one of the finest, most lifelike, neutral/natural, and dynamic loudspeakers I've heard to date (quite a few over 25+ years). I'm a saxophonist/drummer/percussionist/recording engineer with my own home recording studio, and when I played some of my own saxophone and drum recordings (using Samar Audio Designs VL-37A ribbon mics with Millennia HD-3D-8 and AEA RPQ2 mic preamps) on my cousins Børresen 03's, it might as well have been me playing my actual instruments in his listening room. Goosebumps. Having said that, he also has the advantage of a dedicated and nearly ideal listening room in all regards: size, shape, the loudspeaker placement & relative listening position, and room acoustics...which we spent several weeks to measure and then acoustically treat problem areas. Then, re-measure, wash/rinse/repeat until it couldn't get any better without affecting day-to-day functionality of the room. He also has two subwoofers, which I built DIY using the incredibly capable 18" BMS 18N862 drivers. With careful time- and phase-alignment using Smaart, the subwoofer frequencies are perfectly balanced with the mains and locked completely to the front soundstage that the floorstanders recreate. /END OF RANT
@@bbfoto7248 … I can’t disagree with you on the issue of placement and room. Yes, I heard them. The distributor set them up and I assume they know what they are doing. What I stated is my experience in that specific instance. I believe EQ is fine. It’s done at all major concerts by the A-list artistes. EQ will get things as right as possible. Each room is different. I heard the O3s too … I preferred the X3 but again, may have been the set up. Perhaps your cuz done a great job for the room and placement.
These speakers are anything but lean. Regarding tonality, they are one of the very best I’ve encountered. They play every genre of music equally well, which I cannot say for 99% of speakers I’ve auditioned or owned.
Probably not a good jazz speaker with those four inch drivers. I’m still thinking Cornwall IVs are better suited. Electronica / ambient for these speakers, perhaps.
I’ll go for BOENICKE and/or Franco Serblin’s Ktêma. I’ve listened to this loudspeakers and they sound too bright and clinical and mechanical to my ears. They also tend not to disappear.
@hamidrezahabibi8111 Not sure where you heard the Børresen X3, but the Room Acoustics, the Loudspeakers' Placement in the Room, and your Listening Position in the Room ALL combine to have a Very Large Influence on how ANY loudspeaker set can or will sound. This is especially true in regards to TONALITY or Spectral Balance, and accurately recreating the soundstage, which allows the speakers to "Disappear", as well as the quality & characteristics of the midbass & bass frequencies below the Schroeder Frequency, which are completely dominated and determined by the room. These speakers have excellent directivity, and as such, take extremely well to EQ, which would remedy your impression of them being "Too Bright" or "Clinical & Mechanical"...IOW Timbre or Spectral Balance, which is at least as much about the actual recording as it is the system that is trying to accurately reproduce it. If you are an audiophile purist, you may scoff at the use of "corrective EQ", but in fact, an EQ (and often several of types of them) are the very first tools that any recording/mixing/mastering engineer reaches for in their toolkit in order to actually produce the music that you listen to. Every famous and legendary studio recording & mixing console has at least a dedicated 3-band EQ in EVERY channel strip/input. IOW, even a smaller 24-channel mixing console has 72 bands of EQ available for lows, mids, and highs...and they DO get used...a lot. And then there are a MULTITUDE of both analog & digital outboard rackmount EQ units available that are patched into all of the individual instrument and vocal channels or tracks. Or, because most music these days is produced "in the box" with just a computer/laptop and no physical mixing console or standalone hardware, just do a Google search for "EQ Plugin" to see just how many types of EQs show up in the results. ;) Beyond just minor EQ adjustments to create a more natural/lifelike sound (or the opposite in some cases), mixing engineers use EQ to "create an open space in the soundstage" in order to precisely place an individual instrument and/or vocal. In addition, we use subtle EQ adjustments combined with minute amplitude/level adjustments to place instruments and vocals precisely in the soundstage in terms of their DEPTH & Layering. So, the vast majority of recordings that you listen to daily have MANY instances of EQ being applied during the production process. Yet audiophiles place some mystical tabboo on EQ, and are adverse to using EQ in their playback system. 🤷♂️ IME, your statement that, "They also tend to not disappear" is LARGELY dependent on the loudspeakers' setup/placement in the room, your relative listening position in that room, AND the Room Acoustics that will affect the FREQUENCY RESPONSE of both the Direct AND Reflected sound that reaches your ears. Natural, lifelike sound that is not "clinical" or "mechanical" requires a neutral frequency response (NOT FLAT, but Smooth & Neutral) that is precisely matched by both the Left & Right speakers AT your Listening Position, and this goes hand-in-hand with the recreation of an excellent soundstage that also allows the speakers to "disappear." Unfortunately, MOST of our listening rooms are asymetrical, which creates a Different Frequency Response and Different Reflections from the Left Speaker as compared to the Right Speaker. THAT is what causes loudspeakers to NOT Dissappear and to not sound natural. For instance, your Left speaker may be within a few feet of a corner/wall intersection, while your Right speaker has no adjacent walls and is open to a hallway or other living area. In this case the FR of the Left & Right speakers will be Significantly Different at some specific frequencies. That's NO BUEÑO! TBF, I have not heard the Børresen X3 myself. However, my cousin has the Børresen 03 floorstanders in his main system, which are quite similar, and they are one of the finest, most lifelike, neutral/natural, and dynamic loudspeakers I've heard to date (quite a few over 25+ years), and they truly disappear and create an incredible 3D soundstage. I'm a saxophonist/drummer/percussionist/recording engineer with my own home recording studio, and when I played some of my own saxophone and drum recordings (using Samar Audio Designs VL-37A ribbon mics with Millennia HD-3D-8 and AEA RPQ2 mic preamps) on my cousins Børresen 03's, it might as well have been me playing my actual instruments in his listening room. Goosebumps... I use a phase-coherent Blumlein stereo microphone recording technique that allows you to hear the precise movement of the source in 3D space in the recording. Having said that, my cousin also has the advantage of a dedicated and nearly ideal listening room in all regards: size, shape, the loudspeaker placement & relative listening position, and room acoustics...which we spent several weeks to measure and then acoustically treat problem areas. Then, re-measure, wash/rinse/repeat until it couldn't get any better without affecting day-to-day functionality of the room. He also has two subwoofers, which I built DIY using the incredibly capable 18" BMS 18N862 drivers. With careful time- and phase-alignment using Smaart, the subwoofer frequencies are perfectly balanced with the mains and locked completely to the front soundstage that the floorstanders recreate. Ultimately, I'm just sayin' that what You Hear from ANY given set of loudspeakers is PRIMARILY Dominated by the listening Room that they were experienced in. So, if your Demo of all of these Different Speakers were in Different Rooms and using different playback electronics, there is NO WAY you can compare them as apples-to-apples.
@@bbfoto7248thanks for sharing that info 👍😄... room acoustic is very important... most of the sound you hear comes from reflextions in the room.... round 30% comes directly from the speaker
don't need to hear something that i will not pay 11k for. just bought a pair of ATC's for 2k and they are made in the UK! and they will rock your boat. oh and btw Steve Rega has released a new speaker made out of a cement material called the Aya. i will expect a review from you soon. price 2k.
To the "Viewer system of the day" person with those beautiful back and front-loaded horns . Do yourself a favour and swop out the Rotel poweramp for some other amps . I seriously think that the Rotel 10 series poweramps sound absolutely awful. No disrespect meant .
I will share with you my frustration that so many speakers are only available in high gloss finishes (usually just white or black). My argument is that while some modern decors can have lots of "gloss" surfaces (floors, wall and wood trim, along with chrome, glass and steel furniture), I think most home furnishings that surround us are not high gloss finishes and are normally "satin" in sheen. I don't mind a paint finish, I would just like a satin sheen versus a high gloss. High gloss is a maintenance nightmare in how it shows fingerprints and dust and is easily scratch, even from just using the "wrong" wiping cloth. I know high gloss "screams" high quality, like a Steinway Piano finish, but it would be nice to have other options. Dynaudio has a "Nordic Silver" finish for their Contour I speakers. It's a low sheen top coat on top of a stained Gray poplar wood. A handsome finish that I think blends more nicely with furnishings in most people's homes in general, when compared to a Steinway piano high gloss finish.
@@eddents I like wood. The speakers I owned for many years had a walnut veneer and as do the speakers I own now. I demoed high gloss Bowers and Wilkins 702 s2s at my place and found they overwhelmed my decor. Stood out like a high gloss sore thumb. On the other hand, I also demoed some matte black tribe towers and I didn't mind their appearance. But they're tiny as well as not shiny. Some companies make a high gloss walnut which is also atrocious.
@@eddents just checked it out. It looks very nice. There are a lot of companies that do wood veneer or solid wood speakers very well. It's unfortunate that some companies go all high gloss all the time. But we have choices.
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac I actually can, I can afford to buy more expensive speakers than that. I bought Bitcoin in 2013 so I'm not short of money, I just can't justify spending that sort of money on sound that's all.
@@crazyprayingmantis5596 - Obviously, 11K for a "box of sounds" isn't going to be justified by any reasonable person. But two elegantly designed and extremely high performing transducers that reproduce music as good or better than most or all competitors IS reasonably justified by many people who enjoy, prioritize and can afford high quality audio reproduction. That you can't justify it is 100% OK but is interesting to no one, and suggesting others shouldn't justify it either is ridiculous.
@@bradlee2594 All speakers are boxes that make sounds even the best speakers on the planet are still just sound making machines. I just find it odd how much people are willing to pay for sounds, and I'm a music nerd myself, at what point does it become an addiction, a drug? Because it's literally a brain stimulant that people are obviously hooked on and can't get enough of so they seek out a better "hit" which usually is more expensive and after a while their "tolerance levels" increase so they need to go back to their "dealer" so they can get a buzz again. That's what I can't justify, that's the path I'm not willing to go down just to please my junkie brain and its sound addiction
IMO, it is a simple affair to adjust this on your own using quite basic off-the-shelf products available at your hardware store. However, in any "good" speaker design such as these, the vertical dispersion characteristics are known, and the designer has specifically adjusted the angle of the speakers for the ideal response at the listening position for its recommended listening distance. Altering these properties can create vertical lobing effects and uneven/unnatural frequency response along with detrimental effects on the imaging and soundstage. These detrimental lobing effects will increase as the center-to-center spacing between the midrange and tweeter increases, which is already quite large with a design such as this that uses a tall vertical ribbon combined with an extended waveguide. IOW, if the speaker designer has "set the vertical angle or pitch" of the loudspeakers without any means of adjustment, they are intended to be used as such in order to perform as intended.
@@bbfoto7248 I see where you are coming from. However the adjustable footers for most people are not about altering the angle of the speaker. It’s more related to uneven flooring and carpeting.
@@epi2045 I got you. But, I'm guessing that the speaker designer expects you to have relatively level/even floors if you're purchasing $11k speakers. 🙃 ...and has designed the feet so that they are tall enough to accommodate most types of common interior carpet, as well as hard-surface flooring. And perhaps there are options for the feet when ordering, or even "in the box", that Steve didn't cover.
I had the good fortune of hearing these speakers and I was floored by the sound. I also thought they were at least 20k given they are made in Denmark.
Even although Steve used a Pass Labs amplifier ... Børresen X3 actually use a Moor Amps Angel 6 and it is even more expensive. But you know NAT Single-Ended tube amplifiers are even more expensive again and you know ... don't use the X3, but it would be nice to see some of these in a System Of The Day.
Cabinets are from China
Thanks, Mike (it was great meeting you at the CAF) for getting these to Steve! His reviews are always fun and engaging. Steve's mix of being authentic and informative is what this passion of ours benefits from.
Thank you so much!
I remember going to AXPONA a couple of years ago, and walked into a small room where the "Borresen 01 Silver Supreme Editions" were on demo....and I was more impressed with those tiny stand-mount speakers than anything else at the show. They have just ONE 4.5" woofer and that amazing tweeter, and I was blown away. The soundstage was as big as Lake Michigan. I think those little guys are around $20K to $40K. Totally worth the price.
The entire demo system was from Audio Group Denmark, and was probably made up of $900K of components. And it really sounded as good as the price would indicate.
To give you an idea how much I like them, my next favorite system were the Avantgarde Acoustic Trio G3's with dual subwoofers. I have no idea how much that system cost, but it was AMAZING. Horn speakers with no baffles, as God intended.
The funny thing is that I have a "house rule" where my own speakers must have a 5.25" woofer or SMALLER, with the exception of sub woofers, of course. The reason why is simple: speed of attack and clarity of sound. But my favorite in-house speakers are the Klipsch RP-400M's, which are no longer made, and the DALI Spektor 2's, both of which just have a single 4.5" woofer. The DALI has incredible detail for its price/size, and the Klipsch has amazing midrange and surprisingly good bass punch.
But my current "desktop" speakers are the original ELAC Uni-fi's, which blow me away every-time I listen to them. They are considered more "musical" rather than "detailed", but that's perfectly fine with me, because they sound incredible with whatever genre I feed them; but analog recordings from the 50's to 70's are just stunning from those little guys. Smallest three-way speaker I've ever owned, and it's an absolute winner. Did I mention the woofer is only 5.25"??? Love the little woofers.
Thanks again for the great reviews. And for those who want Danish goodness at bargain prices, DALI is worth your consideration, especially their bookshelf speakers.
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The Borresen 05s represent one of the biggest "wow" listening experiences I've ever had. They left such an impression on me that they're the only speaker I consistently think about from an afternoon that also involved Magico and Wilson. The thought that Borresen has a "budget" line now makes me want to glue the old piggy bank back together and put my head down for a few years, assuming they hold a candle to the higher up models.
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Great review Steve. We at Hifi-Loft love these speakers. When we demo them our clients can not believe the price.
The Scandinavians also design some of the most modern, “futuristic” designs do not only do they sound great but they have a “look” that is visually pleasing and unique as compared to most contemporary plain Jane black boxes found in most Domestic offerings.
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I really had to give you the thumbs up as you know how these speakers are designed and works. Most reviewers on youtube don't know or not mention it. For instance the ports on the back has a dipole function. I learned that from you.
Ya do love your job and still , dare I say after all these years , that come across !
Your Still ..the best reviewer out there ..Thanks 👍🥂
Thanks Allan! Nice to hear from you!
Excellent job with this review Steve
The X6 has jumped to the top of my “need to audition” list.
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Steve, you should have been at the CAF 2023 where Borresen debuted their new X6 speakers. I think they are $22k. Pretty impressive.
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cool!if i had a collection of Van shoes these would really tie the room together!
Great review Steve!!!! First review I have seen where someone used their own front end. Great to see that and still have the X3 showing the magic I know it has... We are excited to have the new Borresen X2 en route for review and audtion!! I fell in love with the X3 at Axpona this year. Insane performance for that $11,000 hands down.. Great job Steve! Lovely review as usual.
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Fabulous speakers, heard them at Blink High End in Massachusetts with FinkTeam KIM (terrific!) and Perlisten speakers.
I am considering going there to listen to these speakers as well. Did not know they sold Pelisten speakers. What are your opinions of those in comparisons?
I recently compared these to Perlisten’s R series floorstanders in the same room/system. It was no contest. Other than lowest octave bass extension, the X3s were better on every level. They sounded as though they belonged in a completely different price bracket.
I think part of the ribbon tweeters abilities comes from the fact that it's not flat up against the baffle and it's sort of like a combination ribbon/horn which may be the reason for the upper mid range and highs imaging abilities.
I heard the X6 on another RUclipsrs channel just today, and even though I was listening to them in a very limited way through a relatively cheap pair of Apple headphones, the speakers blew me away… Wow, they sounded so good!
I can only imagine that the X3’s sound spectacular as well
A bridge too far...let's try not to use the phrase, "listened to the them" through your own speakers. This makes no sense.
@@keywestjimmy I’m really not sure how me saying that, from what I could tell, the X6s sounded great, even though it is in a limited listening way because I’m experiencing them not in person, but through a relatively cheap pair of headphones?! How is that not an intelligent thing to say? Clearly, it’s a best guess, at best, compared to a thorough listening session in person, where I’d much better be able to fully evaluate them in a much more meaningful way
@@brianesbaugh6897 Because you are literally hearing zero defining, scientific characteristics of the recorded speaker. Zero.
yeah, I love thin-film tweeters (amt, planar, ribbon) tweeters.
I have the GoldenEar BRX (amt ribbon tweeters) and if I ever upgrade it would be to the Borreson X1.
Apple Music lossless
I heard the 01 standmounts earlier this year. Never heard music come from a standmount in the way they performed. The company reps played some hard driving euro techno pop at ear shattering levels (for me). My body felt like I was standing in front of a stack of speakers in a club. At 100 grand a pair, they were not going home with me needless to say. Good to see Borresen now has a speaker just about one tenth the price of those standmounts. The company is passionate in the technology they employ in making speakers.
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Well ... our bodies always feel like we're standing in front of a stack of speakers in a club when we're, you know, not able to afford something we're browsing - window shopping, always feels bad. Steve told a funny story about some young teenagers that came to his place of business and wanted to hear the best he had at the time. Well they got short shrift if he was busy and if he wasn't, well he might play them something in the hope of winning another soul to his cause but ... best try something you can afford.
@@keplermission As the title of the video stated “You gotta hear these speakers”. Steve didn’t say “you’ve got to buy these speakers”. As a previous patron of the audio dealer highlighting the Borrensen speaker event, I was graciously sent an invitation. I’m confident the dealer made no assumptions when including me to the invitation only unveiling. They knew my “budget” from my past purchases. Knowing I was not going to buy a pair of Borrensen speakers didn’t stop them from inviting me, since they know I appreciate what top tier technology and fabrication brings to the audio marketplace. They were being...what’s the phrase? Oh yeah, “Kind and gracious to a previous customer”. They didn’t exclude me or inform me to stay in my lane regarding the size of my pocketbook or make assumptions of any underlying reasons of what I may have felt after listening to the speakers that evening. It so happens I enjoy Steve’s videos, the Cheap Audio Man’s videos and John Darko’s videos along with others - regardless of the price point of the products they feature. What I don’t enjoy is being told by a complete stranger “why” I may be feeling a certain way regarding my recount of my listening experience. When it comes to your actual feelings, by all means share them to this forum, but stay in YOUR lane and don’t arm chair analyze others here, unless perhaps you’re a trained clinician with advanced degrees in counseling and if you are, posting what you did proves you’re not a very good one.
@@eddents Well you know MY EXPERIENCE with religious people is to be advised that we can hear an invitation and choose not to listen, unless we can afford to buy its services. Just look at your watch I was told and walk away with dignity. We hear services everyday, new windows, new this, new that and in Israel people talk about observing 'the Seven Laws Of Noah' or as we say the seven Halacha. But we're not in Israel and the dealer that cried out to you like a merchant selling hot cakes wasn't being "Kind and gracious to a previous customer," I think not, we'd say from the Halacha that the dealer was "stealing your mind", it's forbidden by the Torah. "Thou shalt not steal" applies to this trader. Steve says you must smell these hot cakes and sure you must if you're in the market place but we don't have to buy any, you're right there and you're not always wrong. Be happy.
Great review Steve. Another great Danish speaker brand is Audiovector.
What about Dynaudio?
Sounds like a great deal, I will take a listen. Thanks
Its wierd hearing someone say $10k speakers are a steal
I know. That's how much I paid for my last car
Depends what you're in the market for. I crossed shopped these against entry-level Wilson Audio floorstanders. In that range, definitely a bargain.
I thought the same until I heard the speaker in AV show early this month. Hv heard Borresen flagship too, the 05 silver supreme last year and had my jaw dropped for almost a year. Now that they hv 10k speaker, sure I’d be more glad to think about it than the 05 astronomical price per pair.
Lol it's all relative but yeah, money is a funny thing, especially when it comes to non-essential items 😅
How many speakers and stereo producers are there in Denmark? Everyone must basically be an Audiophile.
Dali, Audiovector, B&O. Dynaudio, Clint, Jamo, Buchardt, Børresen and I'm probably missing a number of others..
An audiophile country, NO DOUBT. the scandanavian countries also Hegel, Genelac, Seas, Scanspeak make some of the best drivers. Aavik was all over Capital audio fest with their insane gear too.
You are absolutely right! Denmark probably has more speaker producers per capita than any other country, I know. I’m guessing Canada might be a no. 2 on speaker producers per capita, but Denmark has only about 6 million inhabitants.
Just got to say that System Audio, Raidho, Vestlyd, Gato and Gryphon (yes, they also produces speakers!) are worth to check out.
@@uccelino And most that comes from Denmark are good quality.
Apparently the Scandinavians are likely among the most dedicated, passionate and exuberant listeners and audiophiles on the planet.
I have a Danish Friend and he takes his music listening seriously and is very passionate about his music. I don’t know what gear he is currently listening to but I’m sure it’s some pretty good stuff. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Heard the X3 at PAC this year and they were the number one standout from the entire show. Like wow. Just wish the 88db sensitivity was a little better. I'm still tempted to try them with my Apollo 50w 810 SET monos or my NAT 70w PSET monos.
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Musicality is the most important imo, then tone and soundstage. Exaggerated bass and treble is a speaker killer, good midrange is vital.
100% agree. We are in this crazy hobby to listen to MUSIC. Not measure equipment, not to make sounds or effects or noises (HT not withstanding). And if, like me, you listen to acoustic and amplified and electronic music, you will also want a speaker system that has accurate tonality and timber so that different music can sound good on one’s system.
Wow, Steve you always impress me with such curious gear you present.....it's also very satisfying to let your videos play and I work while listening and have the phone in front of the computer monitor so I can also look down when you show the pictures.
Really enjoy your channel, been listening for 5-6 years I think now.
Take care
Thanks!!
Depth and Height are essential for True High-End Audio because they create a huge difference in how the music is presented. Listen to the Monitor Audio PL-200 III and you will hear how much bigger the stage is, including diversity in the height of voices and instruments. I learned what sound and music are because it is needed to understand audio. I have worked for longer than 25 years full-time in the world of sound&vision and I can read the DNA of each individual part of any audio system.
Hi Steve, first of all, let me applaud you and all others who have taken the plunge into you too. Even if I don't admire everybody's work, I admire their effort and commitment. That being said, I don't always agree with almost anything you say. I know these videos must appeal to the masses but I sometimes feel less than warm and fuzzy with some of your reviews. Kind of like you're trying to polish a turd. But experience has taught me to put things in perspective. And I have learned to remember that while listening to reviews. The words of wisdom you share through your years of experience are very enlightening. Thank you. Then when you gave us a tour of your reference rig. I realized that deep down inside you are more than just an audiophile, You're an audiophile with a taste for the finer things that this hobby has to offer. Fast forward to today and I see your video on this speaker. Congratulations Steve. This was a great review. I knew you had it in you! I heard you talk about the things that interest me in speakers. Based on your descriptions, I feel I have a very strong sense of what these speakers sound like. And also what they're capable of. This truly was tied for the best review I've ever heard.
You should try the Boenicke's. Masters of soundstage, tone and manageable size.
These speakers will beat the W11. Seriously …
Would love to see you review the X2 Borresen and the PS Audio Aspen FR10 at the same time. They are very close in price and would be interesting to hear the differences and which you like best.
Great sounding speaker.. Guy in St. Louis Area on Audiogon and Audiomart has a white used pair for sale. Great speaker, and well built.
"va-va-vom" we finally have a word to define OB sound! :)
Love this content - thank you
Great review, thank you Steve🙏
It would have been very interesting to hear your review with the X3’s powered by the Axxess Forte amps. I understand they mate perfectly.
I’m considering the X2’s powered with a Forte 1 with Ansuz cabling, should be quite the step from my current B&W Matrix 1’s!
Thanks again
You got a deja vu with the Kef Reference meta 3. I got a deja vu on how you talked about the speaker with the Dynaudio Heritage Special video.
The acid test is to simply turn the volume up, and if you want to turn the volume
further up, the equipment is ok, if you want to turn the volume down, its a fail
Well designed speakers will also be pleasing at a low volume. All speakers don’t do this.
Your experience with the X3 reminds me very much of what I experienced when I set up my Merlin VSM floor standers for the first time. That was in 2007. I have replaced everything else in my system since then, but I never think about replacing the Merlins, which go lower in the bass than the X3. Unfortunately they are no longer available.
How does thies compair to the X1 and X2 if I may ask :).
I have around 330square feet ( 30m2 ) place, and dont know if I should go with the X1.X2 or even thies X3.
There are any chances to test Axxess L1? Probably the cheapest stand-mount speakers developed by Borresen.
Speakers don't move "air" they transduce acoustic energy. What one feels if standing close to a loud speaker is that energy in its medium, the air.
Of course you know this, but as this is internets I had to comment. Thank you for everything you do!
Acoustic energy IS the air moving or experiencing changes in pressure created by a transducer in 'air'. Without air there is no acoustic energy. Speakers in a vacuum, ie 'no air' have no way of converting the electromechanical energy to acoustic energy. There is nothing to pressurize or move around. In low frequencies, the transducer acts as a high volume air pump. Stand next to a 21" tapped horn and your clothes are being torn off. Air is being moved.
Are you trying to say that woofers don’t move air? Come on man.😮 ports in speakers are for air movement.
They propagate energy.
Same can be said about fart except that fart has the lingering smells after the “air”
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Yes the air moves, but immediately moves right back where it started.
That generates waves that propagate outward, the air doesn't ... it stays local.
I heard these at Hi-Fi Loft also (Hi Mike, if you read this!). I had my heart set on a Wilson for many years, and since this was a new company, as far as I knew, I was concerned about parts and servicing in the long run (Wilson has a great reputuation in that regard, plus the fact that it's made in the USA), which is why I ultimately went with the Sabrina, but in terms of just sound, these speakers rivaled the Sabrina X speakers. Definitely a rare bargain in hifi.
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Wow about that Viewer System Of The Day? Rotel ... Rotel ... Rotel and finally (you guessed it, no fair peaking at the answer) ROTEL. But you know Sreve seems to have forgotten to add just what woofers Trung put in in place of the 18 inch ones. Well some Rotel do work with LOUD speakers but Disco ones generally need Disco amplifiers on account of Back EMF and just the tonal balance.
say what!!!!!!!!!🤔🤔@@keplermission
The Sabrina X looks so ugly like any other Wilson speaker, very poor WAF. Some of us like to look at pretty when we hear pretty sound. You may be prefer the ugly.
@@claudioe1 It is interesting that you are thinking before you talk about the response we are trying to receive. Wow. You are very cunning.
As I have Raidho’s it doesn’t surprise me at all
Believe it or not, these dont sound anything like Raidhos despite being from the same creator. These have a way fuller midrange, something I always felt missing in Raidhos. Imaging is way better too.
I really like your review and the descriptions you use. How would these compare to the TAD that you recently reviewed ?
they remined me of audio physic with there wide sound field
It’s funny because the X3s really are amazing at the price, meanwhile their flagship at somewhere around $220,000 just doesn’t make any sense at all, but then again almost everything that astronomical really doesn’t.
Thanks Steve!
When Steve can listen to these speakers for hours and into the late noir hours, they must have something special about them. I always liked the Heil AMT ribbon tweeter from the 1970s (still in production) for their accuracy, detail and realism on female and guy voices. For me, ribbon tweeters are very musical.
Let's take a moment to appreciate how effective and great the ability of simple basic two channel stereo is in creating the illusion of space. Sure it stands to reason, we have two ears, but still. Also still, it's an illusion and I am good with that. With all due respect to Steve's 'like being there' quest it's the sense of space alone which appeal to me. Which space? Hell I don't know and nothing will sound "like being there" anyway.
I'm good with good illusions. It's my space now I care about.
Transparency and clarity equates in a way means you be able to retrieve more music information that makes you interpretate the musicians more accurately, or in a emotional way, you be able understand why the music arrangement, the tone changes, the singing techniques, which makes the piece of music more interesting , more convincing and emotionally involving! These speakers can separates a great musician from a good or average musician!
Interesting review. Maybe you could try their 01 stand mount...
Steve, have you ever heard Audiovector QR series speakers, they are also from Denmark?
You should also do a review of their axxess amps
The surprise price is on the video thumbnail. 😅
Funny - I have the Eraserhead boxed DVD in my music room as well 🤣
I like Steve's description of speaker characteristics the best of all reviewers. This is all a guessing game and the usual 'audiophile' descriptions of 'intangibles' real and imagined are meaningless. Steve talks about audible certainties such as 'locking in the centre image' and 'separation of instruments' followed up by translation into actual musical examples.
Sweet VSOTD!! Can I come listen, im in SoCal!
Cool , but very few people are in the market for a $11k speakers, ..would love to see some Cerwin Vega reviews of the New LA series and the New powered studio monitors ,and even some of the current models XLS15, XLS28,XLS6, SL12 ....the will have another new series also coming soon.
Look very similar to the 30,000.00 PS Audio offerings for this year. Interesting...from the review, I would say it compares favorably with them...at one third the price! Nice for us, I would say...
You don’t say, have you listened to either?
@@60zeller no...of course, PS audio has no dealer network. You have to spend 30 grand for a set, then you have 30 days to decide if you want to keep them. I, just like you, have to rely upon reviewers that we trust to steer us on the right direction.. Steve is a reviewer I tend to trust, but again, PS audio does NOT send out speakers for review either. May sound like I have a negative opinion on the PS audio brand. I do not. They are WAY out of my price range. These speakers reviewed here today, are much more attainable for the serious buyer in today's market. When someone like Steve calls these a bargain, I tend to take notice..with people that spend this kind of money on 2 channel gear, it's refreshing to hear about something that punches significantly above it's weightl, I would sit up and take notice. The pure insanity that has become the norm in this hobby, to hear about something that has value beyond the price point, I think there may be hope for the serious listener that is not wealthy beyond insane is nice.
I believe the Equipment powering these speakers has a major part in the Soundstage and separation.
Would be far more interested in a review on them with a System that is a little less money involved. Have you ever posted a video with this Equipment reviewed, and Cost all in, less Speakers and then try some other Speakers close in price. Maybe comparable to Spendors, JBL or Klipsch, I think you have a perfect idea of what I'm talking about. The Small size of the Drivers has me a little concerned because of the Bass Performance, now the Tweeters may be hard to match???
Steve, I’m wondering if you were able to try the X3’s with a subwoofer in your room to see if it would add any more weight to the musicality of the speakers.
No I did not.
Are these reasonable for mid sized listening spaces? What would minimum floor area be?
Hey Steve, how did these image and soundstage in your room compared to the KEF meta speakers. I have R3 metas.
Want to hear some sound stage, try some Nola Champ S3s. They make them right in long Island New York...
I'd be interested in hearing those Nola Champ S3s.
But IME, every Børresen loudspeaker that I've heard has excelled in regards to imaging and sound stage far beyond 99% of all other loudspeakers I've listenend to, which includes some of the finest studio monitors which are specifically designed for this, but mostly in nearfield and midfield.
The Børresen's excel in the midfield to farfield range.
@@bbfoto7248 I enjoyed listening to the Børresen's too. They are an awesome speaker! There are lots of great speakers out there.
I have a question for the owner of the Viewer System of the Day: where do hoi get your stylii for your V15? I have been struggling to find them for years.
yes, but can you find 22,000 dollar speakers that sound like 44,000 dollar speakers?
Tow refers to the way the strands are bundled in carbon fibre, in this cae they are spread.
Sounds like a speaker that should be auditioned.
I love your video's but would like to see a list of records you use to audition each "victim".
Steve uses different recordings for just about every piece of equipment that he reviews. he has a massive vinyl and CDs collections and a broad range of listening interests.
Can you compare these X3’s to the Triangle Signature Alpha, AudioVector R3 Arrete, and Franco Serblin Essence?
So many interesting choices..... torn between borresen x3, revel f228be, dali epicon 6/8 and perlisten s7t..... too much reading (no option to listen to any of those in my country), and my brain is boiling... oh, forgot to add one more participant - kef r11 meta....
The Børresens are a clear step above any of those you mentioned, even the Perlistens.
Borresen are doing things right. Lots of business coming their way… 🤔
I"m concerned about the 4.5" drivers...how do they deliver bass/impact?
Out of my price range!
Thanks for letting us know.
It’s important for you not to play coy with the price of the speakers, although it’s easy to look it up, since already knowing the price and reviewing it isn’t the same as not knowing when watching this video.
It’s annoying and not necessary. Sorry for the criticism but unless your on the receiving end you’ll never realize this.
Doesn’t it seem that if the rear-venting for the mid-woofer and tweeter were to be dipole style rather than bass reflex, they should have dispensed with the tubes entirely? Tubular interior reflections really sound off at mid/treble ranges…
They were not vented to create a dipole effect, but rather to minimize the back pressure that would otherwise limit the diaphragms impedance match to the air. This is a great example of why reviewers should really make more effort to ensure they understand the entire design concept prior to publishing a review, especially when unconventional designs are in question.
The X3s happen to have some of the cleanest treble and midrange you will ever hear from a speaker, regardless of price. They suffer zero tubular resonances in the mids and highs.
As long as they speak of soundstage, tonality , accuracy , dynamics and all other audiophile language .............there's NO MUSIC !............only Sound ( sometimes called perfect SOUND )
They image even better than Audio Physic Virgo II?
Yes 3 cm wider and 7 cm deeper.....
I have those exact Virgo II speakers! not bad, but I am looking to sell them
@@frankgeeraerts6243 we're not talking about your mum Frank 🤣
No , we're talking about a Virgo .....nice to have some fun ..@@Alvedrotten
@@frankgeeraerts6243 Sorry, yes! Just had to, temtation was too much. Anyway, I bought Klipsch RF 7 MK3, and I'm selling those before the Virgos. Cheers from Norway.
You talked forever about how they sounded and never let us hear them!
How do they compare with the Magico A3 or Focal Kanta No.3, Canton reference 3, or Dynaudio Contour 60i?
And Wilson still refuses to use ribbons or AMTs. they would look too funny on these monster big cabinets
🤔Borrensen X3 Crossover RUclips photo intro video have?
Are they good for (prog)rock?
Steve - How do these compare to the Goldenear t66?
He clearly said the X3 treble was way better than the T66 - I have GE Triton Reference: broader sweet spot, better sensitivity deeper bass down to 22hz more punch and body and warmer sound.
Thanks Steve/ping2dk for giving me your input
Weird specs. 4.5 woofers, and 88dB but recommended power is only 50W? Look nice though.
Heard them and found that they are very easy to listen to with a nice soundstage that has a lot of air. The bass is good but not super punchy.
However, it’s slightly lean sounding and reproduction is not that accurate, the timbre of acoustic instruments can be much better.
When you want that great soundstage and air, you usually sacrifice the mids.
But for the price … they are great value.
Not sure where you heard the Børresen X3, but the room acoustics, the loudspeakers' placement in the room, and your listening position in the room all combine to have a Very Large Influence on how ANY loudspeaker set can or will sound, especially in regards to accurately recreating the soundstage, as well as the quality & characteristics of the midbass and bass frequencies below the Schroeder Frequency, which are completely dominated and determined by the room.
These speakers have excellent directivity, and as such, take extremely well to EQ, which would remedy your impression of the "slightly lean" sound, as well as correct timbre of acoustic instruments to be more natural, which is at least as much about the actual recording quality as the system that is trying to accurately reproduce it.
If you are an audiophile purist, you may scoff at the use of "corrective EQ", but in fact, an EQ is the very first tool that any recording/mixing/mastering engineer reaches for in their toolkit in order to actually produce the music that you listen to.
Every famous and legendary studio recording & mixing console has at least a dedicated 3-band EQ in every channel strip/input. IOW, even a smaller 24-channel mixing console has 72 bands of EQ available for lows, mids, and highs...and they DO get used...a lot.
Or, because most music these days is produced "in the box" with just a computer/laptop and no physical mixing console, just do a Google search for "EQ Plugin" to see just how many popular EQs show up in the results.
Beyond just minor EQ adjustments, mixing engineers use EQ to "create an open space" in the soundstage to place an individual instrument and/or vocal. And we use EQ combined with minute amplitude/level adjustments to place instruments and vocals in the soundstage in terms of their DEPTH & Layering.
So, the vast majority of recordings that you to listen daily have MANY instances of EQ being applied during the production process, yet audiophiles place some mystical taboo on and are adverse about using EQ in their playback system. 🤷♂️
IME, your statement that, "When you want that great soundstage and air, you usually sacrifice the mids" is inherently false.
Natural, lifelike midrange (which requires neutral frequency response that is precisely matched by both the Left & Right speakers AT your listening position) goes hand-in-hand with the recreation of an excellent soundstage.
Okay, TBF, I have not heard the X3 myself. However, my cousin uses the Børresen 03 floorstanders in his main system, which are quite similar, and they are one of the finest, most lifelike, neutral/natural, and dynamic loudspeakers I've heard to date (quite a few over 25+ years).
I'm a saxophonist/drummer/percussionist/recording engineer with my own home recording studio, and when I played some of my own saxophone and drum recordings (using Samar Audio Designs VL-37A ribbon mics with Millennia HD-3D-8 and AEA RPQ2 mic preamps) on my cousins Børresen 03's, it might as well have been me playing my actual instruments in his listening room. Goosebumps.
Having said that, he also has the advantage of a dedicated and nearly ideal listening room in all regards: size, shape, the loudspeaker placement & relative listening position, and room acoustics...which we spent several weeks to measure and then acoustically treat problem areas. Then, re-measure, wash/rinse/repeat until it couldn't get any better without affecting day-to-day functionality of the room.
He also has two subwoofers, which I built DIY using the incredibly capable 18" BMS 18N862 drivers. With careful time- and phase-alignment using Smaart, the subwoofer frequencies are perfectly balanced with the mains and locked completely to the front soundstage that the floorstanders recreate.
/END OF RANT
@@bbfoto7248 … I can’t disagree with you on the issue of placement and room. Yes, I heard them. The distributor set them up and I assume they know what they are doing. What I stated is my experience in that specific instance.
I believe EQ is fine. It’s done at all major concerts by the A-list artistes. EQ will get things as right as possible. Each room is different.
I heard the O3s too … I preferred the X3 but again, may have been the set up. Perhaps your cuz done a great job for the room and placement.
Borresen that I heard never lacking any midrange quality and quantity. Its actually their strongest trait
These speakers are anything but lean. Regarding tonality, they are one of the very best I’ve encountered. They play every genre of music equally well, which I cannot say for 99% of speakers
I’ve auditioned or owned.
How does the X3 compair to the X1 and X2?
are borresen tweeters better than RAAL for $1k a piece?
Maybe you would like the band "Bohren und der Club of Gore"
A pair with 7” bass drivers would probably be better (play louder etc).
The Borresen woofers would be referred to as 6” woofers by any other manufacturer.
Steve…please explain a fast vs. slow speaker. I am just not getting it. Thx.
Fast speakers have better transient response, clearer treble, more detailed mids and bass.
Got it but what’s transient response? Sorry.
Do the Borresen's image as good as the Spica TC-50's in your opinion ?
Yes
Yes
It is always very frustrating to watch your blog. Please show the product more. Not just a flash showing!
Probably not a good jazz speaker with those four inch drivers. I’m still thinking Cornwall IVs are better suited. Electronica / ambient for these speakers, perhaps.
I’ll go for BOENICKE and/or Franco Serblin’s Ktêma. I’ve listened to this loudspeakers and they sound too bright and clinical and mechanical to my ears. They also tend not to disappear.
It's not the speaker....Most likely your electronics!
I would go for Audiovector over Boenicke every day. Audiovector much better sounding
I will keep my GoldenEar Triton Reference then §;-)
@hamidrezahabibi8111
Not sure where you heard the Børresen X3, but the Room Acoustics, the Loudspeakers' Placement in the Room, and your Listening Position in the Room ALL combine to have a Very Large Influence on how ANY loudspeaker set can or will sound.
This is especially true in regards to TONALITY or Spectral Balance, and accurately recreating the soundstage, which allows the speakers to "Disappear", as well as the quality & characteristics of the midbass & bass frequencies below the Schroeder Frequency, which are completely dominated and determined by the room.
These speakers have excellent directivity, and as such, take extremely well to EQ, which would remedy your impression of them being "Too Bright" or "Clinical & Mechanical"...IOW Timbre or Spectral Balance, which is at least as much about the actual recording as it is the system that is trying to accurately reproduce it.
If you are an audiophile purist, you may scoff at the use of "corrective EQ", but in fact, an EQ (and often several of types of them) are the very first tools that any recording/mixing/mastering engineer reaches for in their toolkit in order to actually produce the music that you listen to.
Every famous and legendary studio recording & mixing console has at least a dedicated 3-band EQ in EVERY channel strip/input. IOW, even a smaller 24-channel mixing console has 72 bands of EQ available for lows, mids, and highs...and they DO get used...a lot.
And then there are a MULTITUDE of both analog & digital outboard rackmount EQ units available that are patched into all of the individual instrument and vocal channels or tracks.
Or, because most music these days is produced "in the box" with just a computer/laptop and no physical mixing console or standalone hardware, just do a Google search for "EQ Plugin" to see just how many types of EQs show up in the results. ;)
Beyond just minor EQ adjustments to create a more natural/lifelike sound (or the opposite in some cases), mixing engineers use EQ to "create an open space in the soundstage" in order to precisely place an individual instrument and/or vocal.
In addition, we use subtle EQ adjustments combined with minute amplitude/level adjustments to place instruments and vocals precisely in the soundstage in terms of their DEPTH & Layering.
So, the vast majority of recordings that you listen to daily have MANY instances of EQ being applied during the production process. Yet audiophiles place some mystical tabboo on EQ, and are adverse to using EQ in their playback system. 🤷♂️
IME, your statement that, "They also tend to not disappear" is LARGELY dependent on the loudspeakers' setup/placement in the room, your relative listening position in that room, AND the Room Acoustics that will affect the FREQUENCY RESPONSE of both the Direct AND Reflected sound that reaches your ears.
Natural, lifelike sound that is not "clinical" or "mechanical" requires a neutral frequency response (NOT FLAT, but Smooth & Neutral) that is precisely matched by both the Left & Right speakers AT your Listening Position, and this goes hand-in-hand with the recreation of an excellent soundstage that also allows the speakers to "disappear."
Unfortunately, MOST of our listening rooms are asymetrical, which creates a Different Frequency Response and Different Reflections from the Left Speaker as compared to the Right Speaker. THAT is what causes loudspeakers to NOT Dissappear and to not sound natural.
For instance, your Left speaker may be within a few feet of a corner/wall intersection, while your Right speaker has no adjacent walls and is open to a hallway or other living area. In this case the FR of the Left & Right speakers will be Significantly Different at some specific frequencies. That's NO BUEÑO!
TBF, I have not heard the Børresen X3 myself. However, my cousin has the Børresen 03 floorstanders in his main system, which are quite similar, and they are one of the finest, most lifelike, neutral/natural, and dynamic loudspeakers I've heard to date (quite a few over 25+ years), and they truly disappear and create an incredible 3D soundstage.
I'm a saxophonist/drummer/percussionist/recording engineer with my own home recording studio, and when I played some of my own saxophone and drum recordings (using Samar Audio Designs VL-37A ribbon mics with Millennia HD-3D-8 and AEA RPQ2 mic preamps) on my cousins Børresen 03's, it might as well have been me playing my actual instruments in his listening room. Goosebumps...
I use a phase-coherent Blumlein stereo microphone recording technique that allows you to hear the precise movement of the source in 3D space in the recording.
Having said that, my cousin also has the advantage of a dedicated and nearly ideal listening room in all regards: size, shape, the loudspeaker placement & relative listening position, and room acoustics...which we spent several weeks to measure and then acoustically treat problem areas. Then, re-measure, wash/rinse/repeat until it couldn't get any better without affecting day-to-day functionality of the room.
He also has two subwoofers, which I built DIY using the incredibly capable 18" BMS 18N862 drivers. With careful time- and phase-alignment using Smaart, the subwoofer frequencies are perfectly balanced with the mains and locked completely to the front soundstage that the floorstanders recreate.
Ultimately, I'm just sayin' that what You Hear from ANY given set of loudspeakers is PRIMARILY Dominated by the listening Room that they were experienced in.
So, if your Demo of all of these Different Speakers were in Different Rooms and using different playback electronics, there is NO WAY you can compare them as apples-to-apples.
@@bbfoto7248thanks for sharing that info 👍😄... room acoustic is very important... most of the sound you hear comes from reflextions in the room.... round 30% comes directly from the speaker
don't need to hear something that i will not pay 11k for. just bought a pair of ATC's for 2k and they are made in the UK! and they will rock your boat. oh and btw Steve Rega has released a new speaker made out of a cement material called the Aya. i will expect a review from you soon. price 2k.
Danish made hifi are world class
@@henriksrensen3220 agreed. i find something like the Evoke series by Dyanaudio very affordable
The Borresens eat the $2K ATC’s lunch all day. They’re not remotely in the same ballpark.
To the "Viewer system of the day" person with those beautiful back and front-loaded horns . Do yourself a favour and swop out the Rotel poweramp for some other amps . I seriously think that the Rotel 10 series poweramps sound absolutely awful. No disrespect meant .
Probably sound amazing but you lost me at high gloss.
I will share with you my frustration that so many speakers are only available in high gloss finishes (usually just white or black). My argument is that while some modern decors can have lots of "gloss" surfaces (floors, wall and wood trim, along with chrome, glass and steel furniture), I think most home furnishings that surround us are not high gloss finishes and are normally "satin" in sheen. I don't mind a paint finish, I would just like a satin sheen versus a high gloss. High gloss is a maintenance nightmare in how it shows fingerprints and dust and is easily scratch, even from just using the "wrong" wiping cloth. I know high gloss "screams" high quality, like a Steinway Piano finish, but it would be nice to have other options. Dynaudio has a "Nordic Silver" finish for their Contour I speakers. It's a low sheen top coat on top of a stained Gray poplar wood. A handsome finish that I think blends more nicely with furnishings in most people's homes in general, when compared to a Steinway piano high gloss finish.
@@eddents I like wood. The speakers I owned for many years had a walnut veneer and as do the speakers I own now. I demoed high gloss Bowers and Wilkins 702 s2s at my place and found they overwhelmed my decor. Stood out like a high gloss sore thumb. On the other hand, I also demoed some matte black tribe towers and I didn't mind their appearance. But they're tiny as well as not shiny. Some companies make a high gloss walnut which is also atrocious.
@@lsaideOK The new REL subwoofer Classic 98 is a walnut beauty with a very low luster topcoat. A very handsome look that was common in the "old days".
@@eddents just checked it out. It looks very nice. There are a lot of companies that do wood veneer or solid wood speakers very well. It's unfortunate that some companies go all high gloss all the time. But we have choices.
Guessing be4 reveal. $10K
Better late than never. People may enjoying hearing about his patented no iron driver design.
A decent second hand car or a pair of boxes that make sounds?
Hmmmm decisions decisions 🤔
You do understand there are people in the world that have enough money to buy this speaker and a very nice car. I'm sorry you can't.
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac
I actually can, I can afford to buy more expensive speakers than that. I bought Bitcoin in 2013 so I'm not short of money, I just can't justify spending that sort of money on sound that's all.
@@crazyprayingmantis5596 - Obviously, 11K for a "box of sounds" isn't going to be justified by any reasonable person. But two elegantly designed and extremely high performing transducers that reproduce music as good or better than most or all competitors IS reasonably justified by many people who enjoy, prioritize and can afford high quality audio reproduction. That you can't justify it is 100% OK but is interesting to no one, and suggesting others shouldn't justify it either is ridiculous.
@@bradlee2594
All speakers are boxes that make sounds even the best speakers on the planet are still just sound making machines.
I just find it odd how much people are willing to pay for sounds, and I'm a music nerd myself, at what point does it become an addiction, a drug?
Because it's literally a brain stimulant that people are obviously hooked on and can't get enough of so they seek out a better "hit" which usually is more expensive and after a while their "tolerance levels" increase so they need to go back to their "dealer" so they can get a buzz again.
That's what I can't justify, that's the path I'm not willing to go down just to please my junkie brain and its sound addiction
Or just buy second hand speaker at a great bargain price. Plus, car depreciates in value way faster than speaker too
Non adjustable footers? That’s odd. It’s so critical.
I thought that was a little odd too.
IMO, it is a simple affair to adjust this on your own using quite basic off-the-shelf products available at your hardware store.
However, in any "good" speaker design such as these, the vertical dispersion characteristics are known, and the designer has specifically adjusted the angle of the speakers for the ideal response at the listening position for its recommended listening distance.
Altering these properties can create vertical lobing effects and uneven/unnatural frequency response along with detrimental effects on the imaging and soundstage.
These detrimental lobing effects will increase as the center-to-center spacing between the midrange and tweeter increases, which is already quite large with a design such as this that uses a tall vertical ribbon combined with an extended waveguide.
IOW, if the speaker designer has "set the vertical angle or pitch" of the loudspeakers without any means of adjustment, they are intended to be used as such in order to perform as intended.
@@bbfoto7248that’s great but all I want adjustable feet for is to keep my speakers the way the designer intended on my uneven rough stone floor.
@@bbfoto7248 I see where you are coming from. However the adjustable footers for most people are not about altering the angle of the speaker. It’s more related to uneven flooring and carpeting.
@@epi2045
I got you. But, I'm guessing that the speaker designer expects you to have relatively level/even floors if you're purchasing $11k speakers. 🙃
...and has designed the feet so that they are tall enough to accommodate most types of common interior carpet, as well as hard-surface flooring. And perhaps there are options for the feet when ordering, or even "in the box", that Steve didn't cover.
$11k? Did you change the title?