Thanks to EK for sending me the sample!
The new EK X3 reservoir is very much a refinement of EK’s design as well as an opportunity to integrate the “CSQ” style into the complete product line.
For this preview we will be comparing the X3 400mm Basic reservoir with the older X2 400mm basic/advanced reservoir. Here we see the X3 in the new style white CSQ packaging while the X2 has the older style grey/orange packaging. Both packaging is up to EK’s usual high standards:
Therefore the reservoirs are as you’d expect very similar. The changes are minor. In the X3 you now get two more ports as standard (6 total) and an anti-cyclone attachment. However you give up the plastic return tube and the total size of the reservoir has grown.
The X2 advanced however did come with an anti-cyclone. It was black unlike the newer more fetching acrylic version:
However it had to be awkwardly screwed down with an allen key. The newer design pushes into place which is both good and bad. No 500 tiny turns with an allen key, but the anti-cyclone is also not secure. It was rattling around inside the reservoir when it arrived.
Here you can see it fitted in place:
A clearer shot without the tube:
With the anti-cyclone removed showing the slow that holds it in place with friction:
The X3 Basic also has more ports than the older X2 Basic (5+1 vs 3+1 on the X2)
You can also see how the ports are now recessed into the body of the base unlike the X2:
This gives you a bit more space to work with if you’re trying to fit a hidden 90 degree fitting behind the reservoir. Notice that the ports are also recessed into the base. Once the plugs are fitted they are perfectly flush with the base which feels very nice. However if you want to use the ports you may run into issues with larger fittings and so EK supplies two 10mm extensions as well as enough plugs to fill all but two of the ports:
The other major difference is in the thread tapping of the cylinder tube. The old X2 (right) reservoirs tapped the inside of the tube while the newer X3 (left) taps the outside of the reservoir:
This also means that the top and base are not flush with the cylinder like they are on the X2. This initially sounds bad, but actually makes it easier to hold the reservoir up. Previously if the mounts were loose (and even if not) the cylinder could be slid up and down. This at the least was annoying and at worst would scratch up the cylinder and cause other issues. Now if a mount is placed immediately next to the top then the reservoir can no longer slide around while mounted.
The photo also shows the difference in height. The same model reservoir has grown by about ~20mm. All the parts of the reservoir are to blame for this. It would have been nice if EK had kept the total height the same so that they could be directly compatible with any specific cases.
The clamps on the other hand have not changed:
They are tightened by attached a bolt and nut to pull the clamp together. Some users prefer a complete loop holding the reservoir in. However this design does make it easier to remove the reservoir from the mount.
The X3 also now comes with a filter sponge. The filter is fairly coarse, so I doubt it will be filtering much more than a kill coil anyway:
Video Preview
Conclusion
Overall I’m pleased with the new X3 series of reservoirs. Initially I had thought EK would just take the existing design and stamp circles all over it. I’m glad that some good ideas and thought went into the redesign but also that the circles are not absolutely everywhere! My only real complaint is that the ant-cyclone piece was left to fly about inside the reservoir. It should have been packaged separately and the machining tolerances should have been tighter in order to grip it a little firmer inside the base. The price has gone up from the X2 model ($65 vs $50 for the 400mm) however the additional functionality I feel is worth it.
Overall 9/10
Where to buy: PPCS
