The Spatial Audio X5's sounds like nothing at all !
http://www.dsachsconsulting.com/reviews%20of%20gear%20i%20own.html
http://www.dsachsconsulting.com/reviews%20of%20gear%20i%20own.html
Spatial Audio open baffle speakers, who has them? Worthwhile change from Maggies?
Of late have been eying the Spatial Audio line of open baffle speakers and like what I have seen and read so far.
Now I am extremely happy with my baby Maggies which have easily bested any and all box speakers in my room ( that I can afford anyways!).
So looking for opinions and views from actual owners of said open baffle speakers, what did you change from and what are the real strengths of the Spatials?
Not short of horsepower to feed them even though they do not need much juice by all accounts but you know the old saying, " too much is never enough!"
Thanks in advance.
Now I am extremely happy with my baby Maggies which have easily bested any and all box speakers in my room ( that I can afford anyways!).
So looking for opinions and views from actual owners of said open baffle speakers, what did you change from and what are the real strengths of the Spatials?
Not short of horsepower to feed them even though they do not need much juice by all accounts but you know the old saying, " too much is never enough!"
Thanks in advance.
173 responses Add your response
I agree on the townshend supertweeters. I have them coupled to my Martin Logan montis. However, I found they are best when I have them next to the Montis on their own speaker stand and pointed backward toward the wall behind the Montis. Incredible increase in airiness and widened, deeper soundstage. |
If you want to add sparkle to any speaker you need these: http://www.townshendaudio.com/supertweeters/ I got them for my Harbeths, and several other speakers... and... they do the job very well. Though, they are a bit pricey... but... worth it. |
How have the Spatials worked out for you? I currently have a pair of the original Spatial M3's, and a pair of 1.7i Maggies. In my room, the Maggies are easily the winner, but it may be a different story with some of the newer M3's, such as the Turbo S, etc. Just curious as to what you've decided. One of these days I'm going to connect with Clayton and listen to the Sapphires (I live in Utah). |
Not sure on that, likely to still sound very good but maybe not deliver their best without free air around them. Mine are now approx 4ft from back wall and 4.5ft from side walls, a recent change that is a couple inch more than previous which gave even more solid bass and mids. Best visit AudioCircle where there are numerous Spatial speaker threads with a lot of knowledge especially on setup. Good luck and enjoy if you enter the world of Spatial. Mine are going nowhere unless I win the lottery...famous last words I know! |
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One consideration I have not seen discussed here is whether there is a removable grill. While some designs are more polished and appear more living room-esque, they are imo hindered if they have a fixed grill. The impact of the grill is substantial; when I compare with/without grill on speakers I much prefer sans grill. I am not sure I would accept a speaker with fixed grill as a reference. It is one reason I moved away from lower end Vandy and Magnepan speakers. The loss in performance is not insignificant. Imo, the buyer is best served if they determine which primary driver in an OB speaker their ear likes best, concentric, horn, full range, array etc. as they all are distinct sounding. |
Yakbob, You made a very interesting point that I have thought about carefully, concerning can I resale the Pure Audio Project (PAP) speakers given the way their purchase model is setup. I actually thought about whether or not I could sell any OBD speaker due to the fact the masses buy traditional box speakers? From what I’ve seen on The Music Room’s used audio equipment website, the (2) Spatial Audio speakers recently listed moved pretty fast! I was definitely concerned about the build yourself speaker model that PAP offers, especially after spending $5k-$7k. After constant research and talking to Ze’ev of PAP, I was willing to give them a shot, but I have since changed my mind and shooting for the Spatial Audio X5. I’m not into measuring speakers and all the technical stuff that some folks like to do. I simply research and try to create system synergy with the appropriate components and cables. So, I am concerned that the first time the entire PAP speaker setup is heard and tested will be in my house. I prefer the speaker manufacturer conduct the quality control testing before selling the speakers to me. Thanks for your input! DBT |
Oz, Wow, “no contest with the X3” is impressive! It’s good to get a view point from a former Wilson Audio Sofia owner. I’m sure some may think otherwise because many have never heard OBD speakers and the big boys like Wilson, B&W, Magico, etc. are so well respected that many would not be willing to take OBD’s serious. But, I bet if Wilson and some of the other respected speaker manufacturers started building OBD’s, there would be a newfound respect for them. I’m trying to sell my Paradigm S6 speakers, so it may be several months before I’m able to update the AudiogoN community about my X5 venture! Thanks for your input! DBT |
dbt, between Spatial and PAP I would lean towards Spatial. When I owned the Spatial M3 I had considered the PAP Trio 15 as well. The main drawback (as I saw it) with PAP, was the build it yourself format (except for the Classic...which are gorgeous BTW). I'm a big fan of DIY, but when you're left with a dozen empty boxes, you're pretty much committed to keeping the speakers, and your resale audience just got a lot smaller if you do want to unload them. Ask the guy in Bend who listed his Quintets. Really nice speaker pair, but good luck selling them. Spatial being made in the USA helps if support is needed, and the warranty is generous. Clayton is great with answering any questions you may have. I'd be all over that X5 if I had the right room for them. Please let us know what you decide. |
dbt, I thought the Sophias did a lot of things right, but there was something about the midrange I didn't like. It was smoothed over, no texture or realness to it. At the time I was comparing them to two other very good speakers, the Piega P10 and the Green Mountain Audio C3. I ended up keeping the C3s and selling the other two. It's been quite a few years since the Wilsons were here, but yes, I really believe there would be no contest with the X3. It is far more dynamic and easier to drive, it just swings more than most speakers (excluding horns) that I have owned. And the X3 are a stones throw away from matching the dynamics of horns. I haven't heard the PAP offerings but they look very good. I would love to hear them if the opportunity arises. But it would be hard to give up the powered sub of the X3 and how well it is mated to the rest of the speaker, just seamless. Oz |
Oz, I noticed in your list of speakers that you’ve owned a pair of Wilson Audio Sofia’s. I heard them years ago and always wanted a pair and was waiting for a used pair of the version 3’s to reach my budget. My brother and cousin own a pair of Wilson Audio Watt Puppy V.5 & V7, with Conrad Johnson preamps and mono blocks, so I know the Wilson sound well and looked forward to joining the W/A family. BUT, I continued to research a myriad of traditional “box” speakers and everything I’ve ever heard just seemed like something was missing. I listen to 90% traditional jazz and its hard for a speaker to reproduce the true sound of a piano. I stumbled upon the world of OBD speakers, although I have never heard them, and was shocked at all the positive reviews. As a result of my research, I had narrowed it down to Pure Audio Project or Spatial Audio X5. I’ve spoken to Ze’ev of PAP and Clayton of Spatial Audio and I’m leaning heavy on the Spatial Audio X5 once I have sold my Paradigm Signature 6 speakers. So, have you concluded that your Spatial Audio X3’s smoke the Wilson Audio Sofia’s? How would you compare the differences between the two? Lastly, have you ever heard any Pure Audio Project speakers, if so, how do they compare to your X3’s? Thanks in advance! |
“wifely constraints“ LOL But she’s okay with you buying all of the different speakers! Sounds like you need a man cave away of the rest of the house. Seriously continued good luck with the new speakers. Aside from your room not functioning for certain speakers my hats off to you for trying what appears to be some of the best. Most of which I only have heard at the RMAF. Actually I have ran the gamut (on a smaller scale) with “box” speakers and I am now enjoying Magnepan LRS.’s. I have heard the Spatial’s (I forget the model #s) and they are indeed like Magnepan’s on steroids. Cheers. |
Doug One set of speakers I forgot about that NEARLY made the grade as far as boxes go were the DeVore Gibbons. See this thread from a while back. https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/joseph-audio-rm-33le-vs-devore-gibbon-8-my-experience?highlig... |
@uberwaltz Focal - B&W 803 - Usher - Wilson - Kef - Monitor Audio - Joseph Audio - Maggies. That is an impressive list of speakers so, you must really be enjoying your Spatial’s if they best (for you) everything on that list. Kudos to you for your appetite for Music (as we all know) plus your tenacity in pursuing the ultimate in sound. |
Hard to recall/remember all of the speakers I have owned but many just failed to cut it for me and were always , well these are ok but..... Focal B&W 803 Usher Wilson Kef Monitor Audio Joseph Audio RM33SE Maggies. Memory does not even recall most model number numbers that's how special they were not... lol. However in my room the box speakers were always just that, boxes, never lit my fire in any way. Then the Maggies came along and they were a huge step in the right direction for myself. But the Spatials are the Maggies on steroids and then some. Same type of open non box space but more of everything. Stage is wider and deeper, bass is so tight and deep and extended and very easy to discern notes not just oh well that's bass. But the mids where vocals and acoustic guitar live is to die for. So yes you could say I am pretty happy so far. |
I haven't owned that many but have owned the below: Green Mountain audio callisto Green Mountain audio continuum 1.5 Green Mountain audio eos/Hx with 2 rel subs - most current setup Merlin VSM Condor Acoustics SC 7 (Older high quality standmount) I belong to an audio club in CT so have listened extensively to many excellent speakers such as Revel Studio, Verity Audio Parsifal, Spendor, Thiel CS 2.7. A friend of mine in the audio club recently purchased the larger Open Baffle Bastani Mondali and that got me hooked on the open baffle sound. I have always been a big fan of the Green Mountain Audio speakers (they were not well known) and like others have mentioned the Spatials do most similarly sound like them but definitely at a higher level especially in regards to bass/midrange coherence, detail, ability to play well at lower volumes and just plainly put out an overall much larger fulfilling soundstage. All of the above are very good speakers but I could not emotionally connect with them to a great extent other than the Green Mountain Audios and I've finally found a speaker that in my opinion surpasses them rather easily. This of course is just my opinion. |
Well I own the X3s and here is a short list of what I've owned in the past few years Klipschorns GR Research Super V Forte IIIs Wilson Sophias Reference 3a Grand Veena Piega P10 Von Schweikert VR4 Gen III HSE Green Mountain Audio C3 Magnepan 1.6 and 3.5 I would say the Spatials are as good as anything I've owned at most things, and quite a bit better at some. They have the most articulate and pitch correct bass response of any speaker I have owned. They are open and boxless sounding like maggies, but with far superior soundstage depth and dynamics. They most closely resemble the GMA Continuums in tonal balance and transparency. Their dynamics most closely resemble that of the mighty K horns. About 90% of what they do. Hope that helps. Oz |
I just received my X5 speakers this past Friday and have put about ten hours on them so far so I know they will sound even better with breakin. But I have to agree with others that these speakers are really special. They have a very large soundstage which is deep and they are very dynamic, effortless and coherent. They really nail female vocals and the tweeters are very smooth yet detailed. I have them about 8 feet apart toed in so they point about a half foot outside my seating position which is ten feet from the speakers. I'll experiment with a little more toe in to see what sounds best. I've had several green mountain audio speakers in the past fifteen years which were also very transparent and delivered a huge soundstage but these are definitely a level higher and more dynamic and involving even at lower volumes. The Green mountains were one of my favorites up until these surpassed them. I have two rel storm subs which I'm not even using at the moment as I feel I do not need them with the X5s. But after they've broken in a bit I'll turn on the rels and decide. I have the sub level on the X5's at about the 9/10 position and the bass is excellent so not sure what the rels will add but will try them a little later. I'm driving them with a pathos twin towers 30 watts/channel hybrid class A integrated and at a little over half volume on the indicator it is more than loud and dynamic enough. The combo of this amp with these speakers and RCA blackplate input tubes is very addictive. I'm also using audience au 24sx interconnects, ven haus chela speaker cables and a metrum onyx DAC and use a modified wyred for sound sonos connect and play cds as well. Next update is maybe the Innuous mini streamer. |
My Spatials have really opened up over last couple days. But yesterday I made a small change in my room that has reaped huge rewards. I bought a new listening chair. It's a reclining glider and it's so comfortable I could sleep in it. However the point is that it has raised me approx 3 inch and what a difference! Soundstage is enormous and deep. Details are everywhere and talk about bass. It felt like cannon shots last night on one particular album I was streaming. Pretty much in heaven right now. |
Speaking of open baffle speakers, not only are the Spatials wonderful - heard them @ RMAF 2(?) yrs ago - but I also became interested in Eric Alexander’s Tekton Design Sigma OB (open baffle "hybrid" design). Almost on a whim I ordered a pair of the Sigmas when he offered them at an irresistible price. I had spent the previous 15 yrs with Apogee Duetta Signatures (driven by a dBX BX1 monster amp because those Duettas demanded real power). I loved them dearly but after having the bass panels re-tensioned 3 times in their lives it became too much of a hassle to keep them "tuned". Apogee folded with the death of its founder and I felt it was time to move on. I had come to love dipoles though & I was intrigued by the Sigma’s design. Well, they’re still in my system with Hsu Research subs & I am quite pleased! I think the Spatials might well better them though and they may be next on my list! |
That "older" Spatial X2 design is no where near as good as the latest cheaper ones. That speaker has a passive 15 and a wave guided AMT. The new X3 has a powered 15, a passive custom 12 inch mid and the same AMT tweet as the older one.....and it is more sensitive, way easier to drive and $2500 cheaper. He is still selling the X2 overseas so he has to keep listing it. The latest Spatial speakers are soooo good, along with the open baffle GR Research, the big Tektons and the 98db Lii full range speakers from China (dirt cheap). The Tri-Arts look good but are way weird looking.....of course, the big Tektons (even better when modded)...are just big ape coffins....he he. |
This may be of interest, to some:
http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/spatial-audio-lab-x2-loudspeaker/?mc_cid=c84e1696c7&mc_eid=cf518eebf4
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For those interested in something different, my extensive review of the Tri-Art Audio 5 Open Speakers, as well as several other pieces of Tri-Art system components, is now published at Dagogo.com While it looks peculiar, this is a SERIOUS open baffle speaker system! Enjoy the read! I vouch for the high performance to value ratio of this speaker. |
I happen to be fortunate to own the Kyron Gaia system that lalitk had a link to. No Swiss gold was transferred, however the Gaia produce the most exquisite musical reproduction I have experienced. That withstanding, it is all dependent on the analog or digital equipment used. I am putting together some photos of my main system to paste in the virtual rooms. There are some wonderful systems on show there. Wow. Adrian |
Just a quick update. Have got maybe 40 hours on them now and things are opening up nicely. i had thought they lacked a bit of sparkle compared to the Maggie’s but that area has certainly improved. Bass is very solid and dynamic with separate bass notes being easily delineated. But what has impressed the most over the last day or so is how they now have mostly disappeared. Extremely difficult to detect music coming from any single speaker, it’s just “ there”. Very happy with my choice at this stage. |
@uberwaltz DON'T shut down the idea on subs just yet! I would wait for break-in to determine if you need a sub or not. Personally, I find the addition of dual subs well integrated with the Triode Masters to be a huge increase in music satisfaction. I listen to a lot of artists like RUSH, YES, KING CRIMSON, THE POLICE, AC/DC etc. |
