Gold Note XS-85 Floorstanding Speakers, Gold Leaf (Pair)

The Gold Note XS-85 is the brand's floorstanding flagship: a 3-way design with a curved, modular twin-cabinet, hand-built in Italy.

This version wears real gold leaf on the curved side panels, applied by hand. Gold leaf isn't a paint finish — it's ultra-thin metal, laid on by hand, so every panel turns out subtly different, and that's exactly the appeal. A speaker becomes a piece of furniture the whole room orients itself around.

Why the XS-85?

Because behind the looks sits a thoroughly engineered design. The curved panels follow the catenary curve — the design principle Gold Note uses everywhere from turntables to speakers. It avoids parallel surfaces, increases rigidity, and reduces standing waves inside the cabinet. The modular twin-cabinet splits the workload: the woofers sit in a vented volume with rear bass reflex, while the mid and tweeter live in their own sealed chamber. The drivers are developed together with SEAS from Nextel-treated paper.

What you'll hear

A full-grown, realistic sound with deep, controlled bass, an open midrange, and refined highs — from a string quartet to a full orchestra. The XS-85 spans 30 Hz to 30,000 Hz and stays composed even when things get loud and complex. Two 9-inch woofers per side build a foundation you feel in your chest before you even analyze it.

Who's the gold leaf XS-85 for – and who isn't it for?

For listeners who want a speaker that can stand on its own as an object — and who have the space and electronics to match. Let's be direct: gold leaf is a statement, not a colour choice. In an understated room it can dominate; in a curated room it's the focal point. If you want the engineering without the presence, go for gloss walnut or gloss black — acoustically identical. And if you only have 20 square metres to work with, the A6 EVO II is the more honest choice.

Our verdict

Gold leaf on a catenary curve is the rare case where standing out doesn't come at the cost of substance: underneath it's the same uncompromising speaker as the plain finishes. The XS-85 won the 2023 Editors' Choice Award from Mono & Stereo. Choose the gold version and you're not getting less engineering — you're getting more reason to look.

Specifications

• Type: 3-way floorstanding speaker, modular twin-cabinet with rear bass reflex
• Finish: black cabinet, side panels in real gold leaf, applied by hand
• Frequency response: 30–30,000 Hz
• Sensitivity: 89 dB SPL (2.83 V / 1 m)
• Nominal impedance: 4 Ω, semi-resistive
• Crossover frequencies: 200 Hz and 2,200 Hz (12 dB/octave)
• Recommended amplifier power: from 30 W
• Maximum power handling: 300 W RMS
• Tweeter: 1-inch silk dome
• Midrange: 2 × 6 inch, Nextel-treated paper (SEAS)
• Woofer: 2 × 9 inch, Nextel-treated paper (SEAS)
• Connections: Gold Note rhodium binding posts, bi-wiring capable; bridges for single-wiring fitted at the factory
• Base: integrated steel base with concealed, adjustable spikes
• Dimensions (W×H×D): 35.7 × 128 × 66.5 cm
• Weight: 180 kg per pair (net), 200 kg packed
• Included: pair, speaker grilles, spikes, bridges

Frequently asked questions

Is this real gold leaf?

Yes — Gold Note applies genuine gold leaf by hand to the curved side panels. Because it's handwork, every panel turns out slightly different. So don't expect machine-made uniformity; expect the subtle variation that makes a hand-applied finish what it is.

Does the gold leaf version sound different from black or walnut?

No. The finish only affects the side panels. Cabinet construction, drivers, crossover, steel base, and every measurement are identical across all three versions. The choice is purely aesthetic and affects neither sound nor power handling.

How delicate is the surface?

Gold leaf is considerably more delicate than lacquer and won't tolerate rubbing or cleaning products. Dust it dry only, with minimal contact — ideally with a soft feather duster rather than a cloth. When positioning the speakers, never use the panels as a handle — lift them by the black cabinet.

Can the XS-85 be bi-wired?

Yes. The Gold Note manual shows both standard wiring and bi-wiring. The bridges come fitted at the factory, so you can run it straight away with a single pair of cables. For bi-wiring, remove the bridges and run two pairs of cables per side.

How does a 90-kilo speaker get into my home?

With planning. Each cabinet weighs around 90 kilograms, and the packed pair comes in at 200 kilograms. Stairwell, lift dimensions, and the route to the final spot should be discussed beforehand. We're happy to arrange delivery and setup for you, start to finish.

Why buy the gold leaf XS-85 from HD Zürisee?

Because a special edition like this isn't off-the-shelf stock — it needs coordination on lead time, transport, setup, and matching electronics. HD Zürisee in Wädenswil carries Gold Note as an authorised specialist dealer and guides you from your first question to a fully run-in system.

Goes well with

A speaker in this class deserves electronics with headroom: a power amplifier paired with a matching preamplifier, or a substantial integrated amplifier. As a source in the same spirit, a turntable is a natural fit.