Just wondering, is the XP gain in an 8-person group supposed to be terrible?

A group of lv1 and 2 characters killing lv2 and 3 mobs, I was getting 1-3xp per kill and that's with 20+ chain bonus. Running around with one partner and we're getting 25-30xp per kill(but not getting the chains required to get the crystals).

Is it meant to be a trade off? Low xp gain in return for crystals? No having your cake and eating it too?