Geneva Model XS
A friend emailed me the address of an interesting youtube music video. I clicked it and watched the video. The video reminded me of an old tune from my youth. I clicked Spotify to check how it would sound after all these years. Next, I opened Radio Paradise, the net radio station, to understand better why the local McDonalds had chosen its airing as their background music (not the worst choise). Tired of all this digital music browsing, I finally switched on my FM tuner just in time to hear Tom Jones - not Sinatra! - singing "My Way" on one of my favourite local FM stations.
Now, to do all the above moves and hear all that music with a relatively high sound quality at home is not a big deal. But imagine that you're sitting at the airport waiting for your delayed flight or lying on a hotel bed after a series of strenuous meetings, and would like to carry all the same operations. Then what you'd need is a handy, light and good sounding, portable sound making machine that is easily and quickly connectable to your computer, and if necessary, plays FM stations. There are more and more devices for the purpose on the market but how many of them are genuinly portable? Geneva Model XS is. Plus it alarms you up next morning. And looks cool.
Portable? Definitely, very much so. More than Tivoli Audio's PAL in fact. Not only is the Model XS smaller (when flipped open 15.7 cm x 10.2 cm x 11.5 cm) and lighter (0,5kg) but after enclosing it, it slips into a bag or briefcase just like a beautybox does. No need of making a conscious decision of taking a radio or a computer loudspeaker with you. Moreover, Geneva promises more than 5 hours play-time with XS's rechargeable lithium battery (when not powered via the power cord).
Good looking? Absolutely. Simple and elegant. XS combines the 1950s looks and 21st century functionality. The manufacturer associates the looks of the rigid leather-like clamshell case (piano-lacquered HD composite) with that of classic travel clocks. To me it reminds the leather cases for razors and other gear from the 1950s. And it shares some cultural similarity with portable silver cigar boxes. The LED display (volume/mode/ frequency) and backlit, touch-sensitive controls add a modern appeal factor to it. The XS is available in white, black, and red color.
Connectivity? Model XS connects to the computer or any Bluetooth-enabled device, such as iPad, iPhone, smartphones and tablets via its Bluetooth 2.1 A2DP for high wireless audio streaming. And of course, any external audio sources (e.g. computer, MP3, TV, wireless music receiver, etc.) can be connected analogically via one stereo mini line-in (3.5 mm plug). A 3.5 mm line-in cable is included. Either via the cable or wirelessly I experienced no connectivity problems whatsoever.
Inside? Despite of its size and looks (the round relief on the front baffle), the Model XS, unlike eg. the Tivoli PAL, is not a mono device. To obtain a stereo sound it sports 2.1 speaker system with two 1" tweeters and one 2¼" woofer. Those are positioned in the Embracing The Sound configuration, and controlled with the ETS's DSP. Each speaker is individually chambered and powered, when in Bluetooth and Line-in mode, by a digital Class D power amplifier. The FM signal is amplified by a Class A analog amplifier for optimal radio reception. The FM tuner comes with an auto search function.
Sound
As to XS's tonal balance, the sound is super healthy with no obvious frequency response anomalies or weightings. Speech is reproduced with clarity and in a highly articulate manner. I really, really enjoyed listening to human voice through the XS's speaker system, not just in the form of vocal music, but to all spoken programme material (news, wheather reports, interviews) as well. What's best, the balance retains its character quite independently of the listening angle. One might argue that for the ultimate listening pleasure, straight in front and not too far from the unit, is advisable. But the difference is not essential.
The upper bass/lower midrange, to the extent they are relevant to devices of this size, is not electronically much boosted as is the case eg. with the Tivoli PAL. The result is that the sound of the XS does not possess the same clever fullbodiedness of the PAL, but is more correct in audiophilic terms. I understood that this was the way in which Geneva preferred it. The clever part of the XS sound is that the sound hovers around the midrange where the music is, without being midrangy! I don't know how they've accomplished it, but it is easy to hear that the end result is not an outcome of trial and error.
The lower notes of music (down to 80Hz, claims the manufacturer) are there but more on the back stage. Both the Geneva Model XS and the Tivoli PAL manage well with most music sauf music that operates with the lowest register. Sometimes, the PAL's soft balance adds pleasant roundness to music, on other times, the Model XS's open and clear performance contributes to legibility of the music in a most positive and aspired way. Placing the Model XS on a large table adds +3dB of bass/lower mids, as do any adjacent surface.
The image of the sound is interesting. As compared to Tivoli PAL, the Model XS lacks the extreme unity of the mono sound (all stereo units do), but its sound does not possess the vagueness of the stereo either. Like with the PAL, the sound of the Model XS is enchantingly easy for the mind to read but unlike with the PAL, the sound of the Model XS does not come from inside the speaker but rather as a separate 'holographic' layer on top of the loudspeaker units. And that's an agreeable, happy property of its sound.
All in all, Geneva Model XS audio system, a miniature as it may be, has much to offer in its category. Unlike many of its proliferating competitors, it's a serious product with several internal and external qualities. What truly impressed me was how, during the review period, it managed to make me feel - on some unconscious level - confident about it, - how quickly I learned to use it as a trustworthy companion in my every-day life.