Couple overall notes. They came packaged very well. Things like a note on the box which way to open is a fyne touch. I really like the little plinth you get to attach to them. Grilles are magnetic and best part they only cover the driver and not the tweeter.
I'm not a fan of easing things in and expect a lot from first listen. After setting the volume to my usual, guess most would say loud, medium to me. I put on Jeff Buckley "Grace" title track. First impression was of something lacking. But I stayed in my seat. Half way through the track I realised I left the grilles on. They quickly came off. They won't be going back on.
Listening for the first time was as impressive as disappointing. There was a midrange clarity I enjoyed. No colouration and lovely detail but the extremes of spectrum weren't right. Treble was not exactly bright but felt a tad exaggerated. Bass was so incredibly soft that I felt I can't continue listening. Track from Gregory Porter followed and I gave up. Left them playing for the next 3 hours at the same volume before coming back. At that point I was dreading what I'm going to write.
3 hours later professional assessment was done using Tullamore Dew (Irish) and things were much better but it wasn't until I reached for Johnnie Walker Green (Scotch) that things started clicking into place. At that point I went to my local to listen to some live music.