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Lockwood Loudspeakers unveiled the Universal (XP5), a new floorstanding model described as a “modern classic,” blending compact proportions with uncompromising, authenticity-focused sound design.
The XP5 features a sealed 19 mm birch plywood cabinet, handcrafted in Hamilton, Scotland, with striking aluminum side panels and an integrated stand.
At its core is a custom 5-inch coaxial driver with treated paper cone, Alnico magnet system, and near point-source dispersion characteristics.
What stands out technically is Lockwood’s insistence on a sealed alignment paired with a small-diameter coaxial unit, a combination that runs counter to current fashion but aligns closely with classic BBC-derived thinking. A closed box of this volume inevitably trades outright low-frequency extension for transient fidelity and predictable phase behavior, suggesting the XP5 is tuned for timing accuracy and tonal coherence rather than room-shaking bass. In audiophile terms, this points toward controlled group delay and a bass character that integrates naturally with real instruments, especially in smaller or acoustically honest rooms where ported designs can sound overcooked.
The coaxial architecture itself invites comparison with both vintage Tannoy implementations and modern studio monitors, yet Lockwood’s approach appears more purist. A treated paper diaphragm and Alnico motor typically emphasize microdynamic nuance and low-level resolution, while the near point-source radiation pattern should result in stable imaging and consistent tonal balance off-axis. Forum discussions around similar designs often highlight how such drivers reduce crossover-induced phase anomalies through the critical midband, placing greater responsibility on crossover topology and component quality. The stated sensitivity figure hints that the XP5 will not chase easy loudness, instead favoring linearity and amplifier transparency, particularly with high-quality low- to medium-power amplification.
From a broader perspective, Lockwood seems less interested in competing on spectacle and more focused on long-term listenability and engineering restraint. The choice of bespoke drivers from a specialist supplier and a finalized crossover at the prototype stage suggests a design frozen by ear and measurement rather than marketing deadlines. This positions the XP5 as a speaker likely to appeal to listeners who value tonal truth and spatial precision over hi-fi fireworks—a philosophy that quietly differentiates it in a market dominated by increasingly complex multi-driver floorstanders.
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