Magnepan, Ohm, Spatial or ??

I have owned Maggie 1.6s and 3.5s in the past. I now have Spatial Audio X3s. The Spatials are just as open and natural sounding as planars but with some things being so much better. Soundstage depth is one of them. Also midbass slam, bass depth and dynamics are also greatly improved. And you don't need a massive SS amplifier to drive them either.

The X3 might be out of your price range, but the M3 or M5 Sapphire would be a contender.

As the above poster mentions, room size will be a factor. Planars and OB speakers need to be away from room boundaries.

Oz

OB speakers will work in that room as long as you can get them at least 3 ft off the front wall.

Oz

Dutchydog,

I understand that these speakers of yours had a nice “base“ to sit upon, but how did they reproduce bass?

One more thing, punctuation can be your friend if you let it......

 I had 3.5rs and when I would play dynamic hard rock, I’d blow a fuse every time. I also blew two different tweeters with the fuses in place. After the second tweeter replacement it was time to move on. Very good sounding speakers, but not much midbass punch and severely lacking dynamics. I’m sure Maggies have gotten better since then.

Truth be told, I liked my 1.6s with modified xovers better than the bigger boys.

Oz

A friend of mine had the Wharfedale Jade 7 tower speaker a few years ago. The only way I could describe the sound is "odd". Music never seemed right coming out of that speaker, almost a phasey quality. He didn't keep them long.

Oz

I will add that my Spatial X3s are some of the best speakers I have heard in my home or anywhere else for that matter. I don't have any experience with any of the other spatial models, so I can't speak to that. But if either of the Sapphires are close to what I hear, you should really strongly consider them.

Oz

You are ignoring Spatial Audio at your own peril.........

Ohms are very special speakers, IF you can give them the breathing space they need. If not, I’d go with a good electrostatic or panel speaker

 You won't be any better off with a panel speaker. They need as much or more breathing room than most others.

Oz