FBT X-LITE 108A Review
MRSP £319
Small Speaker, Big Potential!
I recently had the chance to put a pair of FBT X-LITE 108A processed active speakers through their paces, and these compact boxes certainly pack a punch.
First Impressions
Straight out of the box, the X-LITE 108As are very well packed and protected, giving you confidence before you have even switched them on. Each unit comes supplied with a generous five-metre IEC-to-13-amp power lead, which is a particularly useful touch for mobile and professional setups. It may sound like a small detail, but having that additional cable length can make positioning speakers much easier and reduce the immediate need for an extension lead.
The cabinets look smart and professional, with a discreet appearance that should suit weddings, corporate events and permanent installations just as comfortably as a mobile DJ setup. An integrated handle makes each speaker easy to lift, while the compact dimensions of 293 x 536 x 300mm mean that a pair should fit comfortably into most vehicles.
Around the back, everything is sensibly laid out and easy to access. The X-LITE 108A has an integrated three-channel mixer, incorporating Bluetooth 5.0, mic/line and stereo jack connectivity. The mic/line input has its own level control, while a balanced XLR output makes it straightforward to connect another speaker. A Link/Mix selector determines whether the output passes on the linked input signal or a mix of the sources connected to the speaker. This adds useful flexibility when setting up a simple system without an external mixer.
There is also a high-pass filter and a choice of four DSP presets, allowing the response to be adjusted for different applications. This makes the X-LITE 108A considerably more adaptable than a basic powered cabinet and means it can be configured quickly for speech, music, DJ playback or monitor duties.
What impressed me most about the X-LITE 108A is just how versatile it is. These are great little speakers for sound reinforcement alongside a larger PA system, but they are equally capable of working on their own. They would be ideal for: Vocal amplification Speeches and presentations Wedding ceremonies and drinks receptions Corporate and private events Additional sound reinforcement Smaller standalone PA systems
A standard 35mm pole socket is provided for conventional speaker-stand use, while four M10 mounting points offer additional options for fixed or suspended applications when used with the correct approved hardware.
At only 10kg per cabinet, the X-LITE 108A is very manageable for mobile work. This is a speaker that can be carried and positioned comfortably by one person, which will be appreciated by DJs working at venues with stairs, difficult access or long distances between the vehicle and performance area. The relatively small footprint also makes it easier to position the X-LITE 108A discreetly. At a wedding ceremony, for example, a pair could provide clear coverage without dominating the photographs or drawing attention away from the couple.
What?s Inside?
The X-LITE 108A is a two-way, bi-amplified active design. Low frequencies are handled by an 8-inch woofer with a two-inch voice coil, while the upper frequencies come from a one-inch compression driver with a one-inch voice coil. The high-frequency driver feeds a constant - directivity horn offering 90-degree horizontal by 60-degree vertical dispersion. It's wide enough to cover a useful audience area without being so broad that large amounts of energy are wasted against nearby walls.
The onboard Class D amplification delivers 600W to the low-frequency section and 200W to the high-frequency section. As always, amplifier wattage alone does not tell you how a speaker will perform, so the more useful figures are the specified sound-pressure levels of 120dB continuous and 124dB peak.
FBT quotes a frequency response of 58Hz to 20kHz at -6dB. For an active cabinet built around an 8-inch woofer, that is a useful operating range. It provides sufficient low-frequency extension for speech, acoustic performances, background music and smaller functions, but you're expecting substantial dancefloor bass you will want to add a suitable subwoofer.
The built-in high-pass filter is particularly useful in that situation. Engaging it removes the deepest frequencies, allowing the cabinet to concentrate on the mid and top end while the sub handles bass.
The polypropylene enclosure is protected by a steel front grille, resulting in a cabinet that feels substantial without being heavy.
How Do They Sound?
This is where the X-LITE 108A really impressed me. I found them extremely clear sounding, particularly through the top and mid frequencies. Vocals come across cleanly and with excellent definition, which is exactly what you want from a speaker being used for speech, ceremony music or reinforcement duties.
I recently used a pair at an all-day outdoor wedding, where they were required to deliver clear sound across an open environment. Even at a distance of around 20 metres, the sound remained crystal clear. Outdoor work can be difficult because there are no nearby walls or ceilings to reinforce the system. Sound can seem to disappear much more quickly than it does inside a function room, so achieving useful coverage without making the area nearest the speaker excessively loud is a real test.
For that event, the X-LITE 108As formed part of a larger reinforcement system alongside FBT VENTIS 112A cabinets and an FBT SUBline 115SA subwoofer. The result was a clear, powerful and well-balanced system, with the X-LITE 108As doing an excellent job of extending coverage and keeping everything sounding clean throughout the venue.
Bluetooth and Standalone Use
Bluetooth 5.0 gives the X-LITE 108A another useful option. I would still choose a wired connection for the main programme audio at a professional event, but Bluetooth can be extremely convenient during setup, for background music or in smaller standalone applications.
FBT have integrated a three-channel mixer meaning you can connect a microphone, a wired playback source and a Bluetooth device without necessarily requiring a separate mixing desk. The balanced XLR output also makes it straightforward to feed a second speaker.
The mic/line selector is another useful inclusion because it allows the input to accommodate very different signal levels. This means the speaker can be used with a microphone directly or receive the stronger line-level output from a mixing desk, DJ controller or other audio source.
DSP and System Flexibility
The four onboard DSP presets allow the X-LITE 108A to be adapted to different jobs without requiring an external processor. Although many DJs will still make additional adjustments at their mixer, the presets provide a quick and repeatable starting point.
Build and Value
The X-LITE 108A uses a practical gas-injected moulded polypropylene cabinet with a steel front grille. FBT says this method of construction is intended to reduce unwanted enclosure resonances while keeping the cabinet lightweight and durable.
I would personally place these in the midrange professional PA category: attractive, lightweight speakers that are easy to transport but capable of delivering far more than their compact size might suggest.
At £638 for a pair, the X-LITE 108A represents an interesting option for mobile DJs. That places it firmly in the mid-range professional category, attractively priced for a speaker offering onboard DSP, Bluetooth 5.0, flexible mixing facilities and a specified peak output of 124dB.
It is important to buy them for the right job. An 8-inch active cabinet is not intended to replace a full-range 12- or 15-inch system at a large, bass-heavy party. Its strength lies in clarity, portability and the number of different roles it can perform. Paired with a suitable sub however, the X-LITE 108A becomes part of a surprisingly capable compact system. On its own, it is a convenient solution for ceremonies, speeches, presentations, smaller events and background music.
Verdict
Small cabinet. Clear sound. Big potential. The FBT X-LITE 108A is an impressive little active speaker that can comfortably work as part of a larger PA system or take care of smaller jobs on its own. Its excellent vocal clarity, strong mid- and high-frequency performance, 10kg weight and flexible connectivity make it a genuinely useful speaker to have in your inventory.
After hearing what a pair could do outdoors at a busy wedding, I came away impressed.
These are great-sounding compact active speakers?and definitely worth considering if you are looking for clear, portable and versatile professional sound reinforcement.