John, I read your post and did some testing on my MXT. I tested the 9.5 stock and the 5 inch Excelerator. Keep in mind that I have the White's coil cover on my 5 inch Excelerator and that keeps the bottom of the coil an additional half-inch away from the target. (thinking about taking the dremel tool to the edge of it and cutting off some of the sides) Since machines vary, it is a good idea to check more than one coil when you are comparing readings to someone elses MXT. I airtested at a gain of +3 with both coils and left my discriminate at 3.5. Sensitivity at audible level and center position with finger switch. A 1967 Kennedy half hits the 9.5 concentric coil in the c/j mode at 11.25 inches on my machine. Enough sound to catch my ear, but display readings do not show up until 10.5 inches. On the 5 inch Excelerator, can hear the half at 7 inches, but does not read out on the display until 6.25 inches. Keep in mind again that I have the coil cover on mine. I tried a clad quarter and it surprisingly was within a quarter inch of the half in all tests. Relic mode caught my ear with a change in threshold at the same distances as coin and jewelry with both coils and both coins, but gave a high tone and VDI at a greater depth than in the C/J mode. I suggest you try the 9.5 and see how it compares to mine, for example. That will help you determine if the machine or the coil is not as hot as it might be. Better yet, if you know someone who has a MXT, swap around coils and machines and test with every possible combination. Good luck and thanks for the posts.