"I want a smartphone" with great sound quality, powerful replaceable battery. The rest i wouldn't be concerned, even cheap phones come with adequate performance, display and os these days for my average use. And I'd not like to splode the bank. Times will bring us a few decend devices, i guess...

But isn't converting the new port to 3.5mm downgrade the otherwise lossless digital sign? Leeco / Letv looks promising except this unsure factor.

With HTC M8 and Koss KSC75 I was really satisfied but I had to say goodbye for the non replaceable battery. My current Xiaomi Redmi note 2 is not much fun. What is a phone that doesn't cost a fortune like V10, Meizu pro but have decent sound? Shame on consumer philosophy!! O___O

You were right if all recordings had been as well made as the artists wanted. Hi-fi gear made to translate every story romantically misrepresented according their own taste.

The 2.1 have the edge in plain SQ, have dedicated bass. They have reference like sound signature, bright, dry and still fun. The book matching easier with my ODAC. I like their moody sound which is warm with good energy, not dull nor laid back. The 2.1 were harsh with my ODAC which is considered...

some songs on Scott Walker's The Drift     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl8MQnkYUMw

The Focal XS Book somewhat sounds like a HD600 with my Odac. They present music similar. Both sound neutral, laid-back, with modest full-bodied midrange. The biggest differences are bass, less extended on the little-big desktop speakers ( In size they are the closeset to those micro-hifi...

I've used them only with my Odac. I did not notice quality loss on the 2.1 with jack input while it was conspicuous on the Book. Your points are reasonable but 1) The 2.1 built in DAC is good but maybe you don't need an expensive external DAC ( ex.: Behringer UCA202 ). 2) The Book is pretty...

Is an objective statement or your personal preference?   Got it, the XS Book RCA input is much better, jack input is dull even with proper source.

Focal XS 2.1 sounded lifeless and harsh on the first day. It has become to my reference for a fun desktop speaker after a year. The XS Book is more different to 2.1 then i expected.   XS 2.1   Pro: Grand sound-stage, good dynamics, detailed, very even. Emotional without being warm...

I'll compare them side by side tomorrow. i use it with an odac.

i need a smaller system. 2.1 is not transportable and too powerful for me. I like the change anyway.

Alright then, i will tell the difference soon, i am trading my 2.1 to Book on Saturday.

I'm also curious about sonic differences, maybe the Book (used with DAC) is better on low volume?

How do they differ in sound?

I can recommend the XS 2.1, currently my main stereo speaker.   I've heard good things about Aktimate media speakers (Epos), Monsoon planar media speakers and Quad 9La. I consider Focals price acceptable but B&W and Audioengine looks too expensive. Audioengine  nice looking and easy to...

2.1. This also have hiss. I never noticed it until now.

Focal XS has a very great, spacious, fast, lively sound for its size. Realistic until i compared it with my Sennheiser HD580. Coloration is very enjoyable, cool and full of life. The bass is not deep but solid. Sound is lifeless on low volume levels. Bowers MM-1 had a nice detailed sound in...

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My adapter have the same problem

The thin lines are showing 2dB difference. I'll get rid of smoothing as I get home. I'm not sure if I should order one more driver.. Maybe not if this is typical

HD580 imbalance   I got my headphones used, defected left channel. Those drivers had white layers in the capsule. I ordered one from sennheiser and the new driver had black layer. I'm not sure how all versions are identical.   Left Channel: old, driver, i'm not sure if it is old, new...

boom