SSI 2010

The Little Leema Xero

Stephen Mejias  |  Mar 30, 2010

Leema Acoustics’ Mark Perfect dwarfs the little Leema Xero ($1400/pair), driven by Leema’s own Tucana II 150Wpc integrated amplifier ($8000) and Antila Multi-DAC CD player ($6000), all producing a surprisingly BIG sound with tightly focused images placed within a fairly wide and deep soundstage. Perfect explained that Leema takes its name from design partners Lee Taylor and Mallory Nicholls, recording studio engineers who met during their tenure at the BBC. Designed and manufactured in Wales, the Leema Zero uses custom-made Audax drive units, and has a rated sensitivity of 85dB.

Lee and Mallory originally intended to manufacture solely for the pro audio market, Perfect told me. But when customers started buying additional pairs of Leema studio monitors, Lee and Mallory wondered what was going on. They found that their customers were moving their speakers from the recording studio into the listening room, and quickly saw the opportunity to bring a new product to the hi-fi sector.

COMMENTS
Nick's picture
Submitted by Nick (not verified) on March 30, 2010 - 9:19pm

I couldn't believe how good these little boxes sounded.

steve brown's picture
Submitted by steve brown (not verified) on April 1, 2010 - 7:57am

It might not be widely available in US, but the Antila is awesome. Imaging and level of detail is fantastic. I'm hoping to tie it up with the Leema Pulse amp, their entry level (£1400 for new model) if I win something on the horses soon. Punchy forward sound, excellent definition, brilliant midrange.

batvas's picture
Submitted by batvas on June 22, 2018 - 1:36am

Just to say that these little Leema Xero are great. They need more power, but feeding them properly will do miracles. For the past 10 years, I have listened for a long time in my room, 12 different small speakers in a price range of 700 to 2000 dollars. So far, this is the most impressive little speaker I've ever heard. I'm not sure why, if just the combination with much more expensive electronics or room acoustics suits, but these speakers are incredible. I bought them for my second system, but they are currently in my main system (in place of Usher Dancer Mini DMD florstenders) connected to Bel Canto Pre3 + Plinius SA 102 (class A amp) and I can assure you that the sound in room 30 square meters is incredible. (I do not even need to add my REL subwoofer) I know that my electronics are more expensive than the Leema Xero speakers, but what if the music comes out of them in such an incredible way (no matter what genre and style I play). It may sound cliché, but it seems like these speakers do not comply with physical laws (so great they sound)

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