Hey there chopper
I just got in an xs yesterday and now I know what you are taking about.
My old fa * 43 1.9 had "something about it" where as the new xs has "something missing"
It seems sharp enough but after playing with the controls in photoshop I realized it lacks a lot of rich contrast.
I am thinking it might be a lack of hood and lack of a deeper recess of the front optics.
Have you ever tried to design a hood for it?
How many Honda cx's do you own now?
I keep wanting to go to PA with the Ottawa misfits but they are 5 hours away from me...then add the time to get to PA...well you can see what I mean
Hope your summer has been great
Cheers
Randy