This review dives into the Surin Vega LA 165 speakers, evaluating their performance against their $270 price tag. Marketing boasts high sensitivity, punch, and brightness, but our in-depth analysis reveals a more nuanced reality. We subjected these speakers to rigorous testing, encompassing subjective listening experiences and objective measurements, to determine whether they live up to the hype. Our evaluation covers sound signature, build quality, frequency response, distortion levels, and a direct comparison with a competing model.We explore the key aspects that impact the listening experience, including the mid-range clarity, bass extension, treble response, and overall tonality. We also analyze the crossover design, internal damping, and cabinet construction to assess build quality. Finally, a direct comparison with the Pulk XT20 speakers provides valuable context and helps determine the Surin Vega LA 165's overall value proposition. The results will help you decide if these speakers are a worthwhile investment for your audio setup.
Pros And Cons
- Nice solid thump (mid-bass punch)
- Detailed or high-resolution upper high frequencies
- Pretty nice build quality (internal damping material)
- Cabinet, tweeter, and port seem fine
- Not neutral sound
- Lacks extended bass (requires subwoofer)
- Hollow mid-range
- Two-to-three dB cut in mid-range affecting vocals
- Lacks attack clarity/dynamicism in upper mid-range (dip around 2-4kHz)
- Sibilant or edgy treble
- Significant modal ringing due to midwoofer crossover issues
- Lower sensitivity than advertised (86.2dB measured vs 90dB advertised)
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Sound Quality and Performance
The Surin Vega LA 165 speakers, while marketed as high-sensitivity with extra punch and brightness, fall short in several areas. The sound signature is far from neutral, exhibiting a significant dip in the mid-range affecting vocal clarity. This results in a hollow mid-range lacking warmth and detail. The bass response is limited, mostly confined to the mid-bass region (100-120Hz), requiring a subwoofer for any substantial low-frequency extension.
The upper treble presents a noticeable peak, leading to sibilance and edginess in the sound. While this is less pronounced than in some other speakers, it still overwhelms the overall listening experience for many listeners. The lack of attack clarity and dynamicism in the upper mid-range further diminishes the speaker's performance, making instruments like snares and saxophones sound less lively and impactful.
Build Quality and Specifications
Despite its sonic shortcomings, the Surin Vega LA 165 boasts decent build quality for its price point. The internal damping material effectively minimizes internal reflections, and the overall cabinet construction seems solid. The mid-woofer utilizes a stamped steel basket, a common cost-saving measure in budget-friendly speakers.
However, the crossover design is not optimal, resulting in noticeable modal ringing — vibrations of the cone out of phase. This contributes to dips and peaks in higher frequencies, worsening the speaker's overall tonality. The specified 33Hz frequency response is unrealistic. More realistic measurements show a low-end response closer to 60Hz, underscoring the need for a subwoofer.
Measurements and Data Analysis
The reviewer's measurements reveal an average sensitivity of 86.2dB, significantly lower than the manufacturer's claimed 90dB. The bass extension also falls short, with an F3 of 67Hz and F10 of 47Hz – much higher than the advertised 33Hz. The frequency response graph shows the problematic mid-range dip and treble peak, confirming the subjective listening experience.
Directivity analysis reveals a relatively narrow soundstage, potentially limiting the speaker's suitability for larger rooms. Distortion measurements show a concerning rise in distortion around 1-2kHz, particularly at higher volumes. This is evident in both multi-tone and real-world music listening tests, contributing to harshness and graininess in the sound.
Comparison with Pulk XT20 Speakers
A comparison with the Pulk XT20 speakers ($250) reveals a clear superiority in the latter. The Pulk XT20 demonstrates better linearity and lower distortion across the frequency spectrum. While both speakers exhibit some treble boost, the Pulk XT20's is less harsh and easier to manage with EQ.
The Pulk XT20 also offers slightly better bass extension. Although not perfect, the Pulk XT20's overall sound quality and value proposition are demonstrably superior to the Surin Vega LA 165. This makes the Pulk XT20 a more compelling choice for most listeners.
Conclusion
The Surin Vega LA 165 speakers offer a decent build quality but fall short in terms of sound quality and value for money. The non-neutral sound signature, marked by a hollow mid-range, limited bass response, and prominent treble peak, makes them less desirable for listeners seeking accurate, balanced sound. The excessive distortion at higher volumes further diminishes their appeal.
While some might appreciate the punchy mid-bass, this is not enough to compensate for the other significant flaws. The Pulk XT20 offers a better overall listening experience, better value, and smoother frequency response at a similar price. Unless one prioritizes a specific characteristic at the expense of overall balance, the Surin Vega LA 165 is not recommended.