Hi I am living in Europe and are very interested in the M3’s
as I can’t return them and also have to pay 33% in import taxes I have to be pretty sure that this speaker is for me. First I have the Tekton Double Impacts and what I like about them is the big soundstage. Nearly all others speakers sounds small compared to them. Big soundstage is very important for me. Also they are very sensitive around 96db in 4 ohm. I need a sensitive speakers because I have a 24w SET amp. I am searching for a speaker that doesn’t have the insane amount of bass my DIs have. Also there are some strange coloration somewhere in the midband. I can’t but my finger on it but it has staid there with different components. I have a well treated room and the speakers are 1,5m out in the room. So are you happy wit the m3 and what inn your opinion are there strength and weaknesses?
I puchased my M3 Sapphires used with around 250 hours on them. I have since put on another 50-75 hours and I can tell they are still improving. At first they were a tad bit bright, which I am very sensitive to. Now I am playing them louder and with less fatigue. Perhaps it's my brain that has burned in. Either way, they sound better all the time.
I don’t think it’s the “tweeters” in the X or the M series that are the long break in culprets ( probably less than 100 hours for them). Its getting those pro audio woofers loosened up. But when it happens and everything is singing together it’s pretty special.
If the Spatial Sapphires are anything like the X5s then they take forever to break in. I have just gone through this process and my X5s improved thru 500 hours. I am wearing out the tubes in my Sachs preamp breaking them in.
If you go over to Audio Circle you will quickly learn that these speakers take 500 hours before you really know what they will sound like… so any review right out of the box is meaningless.
I spent 6 hours over 2 days listening to them through a Lyngdorf set up both digital and analog. The speakers had 500 hours on them. Under 85 db they were the most alive speaker I’ve ever heard in someone’s home. Above 85db the were a little bright on some recordings… and it might have been the room. 15’x18’x10’ vaulted ceilings. No treatments… speakers 42” out 7’ apart and 7’ from listening position.
if you want to rock out to Metal loud… maybe not… otherwise, these are very impressive. Most speakers sound like great high fi… these actual do sound like real music.
I went from Tektons to the M3s. So much improvement it's hard to fathom. They are used so no break in period for me. Wow. How anyone could call this speaker boring is beyond me. I'm in love, and all I ever wanted was a speaker that no subwoofer was needed. Found it.
Spatial Audio Europe
and
Spatial Audio US are not the same anymore.In fact to differnt companys with differnt product lines. The have the right to produce some of the old models but have their one line now.
Thanking people who agree with you kind of shows where you're headed. Brushing off those who advise you to listen before you buy also says where you're headed. If you wanted affirmation to go and buy something you've never heard, you may end up with the same results you have with your Tektons. Did you buy those the same way you're shopping the Spatials?
For all of you who don't know and as an answer to the initial question: There exists "Spatial Audio Europe" in Ingolstadt, Germany - not just only a distribution of the US Spatial Loudspeakers, but licenced "rebuilds", using the same drivers (bought from the US). You can (to my knowledge) acquire them all over Europe (just look at their homepage - search for "Mach One Classics" or "Spatial Audio Europe"). The MC1 model from spatial audio europe is to my knowledge very similar to the US M3 model. I own it and am absolutely happy.
Spatial Audio M3's Sapphires are not bloated, boring, and so on. They are one of the finest affordable speakers I've heard in 35 years and those who have actually heard them in their system say the same.
Hey,Martin-greetings from NYC! I,too,have been checking out those beauties from Spatial and wondering "Could I?" and more importantly "Should I?". For me the answer may be "heck no!",as the consensus seems to be that more space is required than what I can allow them. I promised myself never to become one of "those guys" who sits 4 feet in front of a speaker and calls it "near-field listening",instead of what it really is:TOO DAMN CLOSE! By the way, since you live in Denmark,I would think something from Avantgarde might be more accessible,cost wise? "If I lived in Europe"-which suggests a thread of its own- I'd be saving my euros for something from Marten Design,but that's just me. As the saying goes,your opinion may vary. Regardless, good luck in your search!
@chorus I love to change your mind on the Tekton's. I have the DI and the sound really good. It take a long time to break them in and set them up. But there are good.You are welcome to drop by. I wish there was more speakers with high sensitivity, maybe I have to abandon my SET amp so I can use a "normal" speaker
I've heard the Spatial do a really nice soundstage at shows. Apparently its also a fairly easy load to drive as well, since most of our customers using the Spatials are using our S-30 amplifier.
HiI do not own the Sapphires but the M3 Triode Masters which I switched into my system yesterday. I typically use lower powered SET or PP tube amplifiers and am running them with the Luxman Sq 150n...10 watts.
My other speakers are custom Altec 601c and Altec model 14, horn speakers. All I can say is WOW....the Spatial have an amazing sound stage and I did not encounter any issues with mid-range or highs....it is truly a remarkable sound.Placement is key and having enough space for them...they do need 36"-50" from the wall, and are maybe not for near field listening, too son to really say . I bought them without hearing them....was a good choice for my system.
@martin-andersen I purchased the M3' Sapphires and initially had some reservations about them as they are so very different from anything I had ever experienced. I had to do some acoustic treatments to my room and recently purchased the Octave V70 Class A amplifier. OMG this is an amazing speaker and really does do everything right. I do believe that it needs a well treated room and good source and amplifier components. It will be my final system in my 60 years but IMO it really cannot get any better. I'm on AC Forum as well and many say including myself that you need to be patient with the break-in period. If I can help in any way let me know. Happy Listening!
jjss49's eloquent post made me rethink the tone of mine. I know that I'm in the minority with this brand. There are a lot of folks that enjoy them as evidenced by the enthusiastic support it has on Audio Circle. Just not for me.
the negative post below is one data point on spatials... i suggest op go to audio circle where there is a dedicated spatial section, many many users overjoyed with their purchases of m3 sapphires and lively discussion on how to get the best out of them
it is a speaker with extraordinary strengths and a few weaknesses... no speaker is perfect... but spatials are excellent overall and present the music beautifully and with impact and realism, and at a very approachable entry price
Just their name alone....S..P..A..T..I..A..L... You’re thinking they must have a sound stage as wide as the grand canyon.
I made the mistake with both of the brands you mentioned. I purchased the M5 Sapphire. The second I plugged them in I thought, what have I done?
They were NOT for me. Boring highs, sucked out mids, bloaty bass. Not very well integrated. Sounded exactly what they look like. A couple drivers nailed to a huge plank of wood.
Me personally, I will never spend a significant amout of money on a speaker that I havent auditioned.
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