An addendum to my above post. You can drive the Spatial x5s with low powered amps but, in my system, the amp experimentation that I have done suggests to me that the X5s like high power. High sensitivity be damned, they sound better driven by a high powered smp.
Spatial X5 speakers
Just got mine, with upgraded crossovers, a couple of weeks ago. I now have about 250 hours on them - mostly driven by the Voyager Gan 350 wpc class D amp and most recently by Don Sachs 65 wpc tube amp. Speaker Cables are Griver Huffman Pharoah's and the preamp is Don Sachs tube preamp. They are easy to set up as they come fully assembled. Right out of the box they sound promising but the bass is cardboard like and the tweeter can sound harsh. Nevertheless, after about 175 hours, these babies developed a pleasing midrange liquidity and nice open baffle bass. They throw an expansive soundscape that extends beyond the width of the toed in speakers that is also deep front to back. I mean, these speakers truly disappear as in my listening spot nothing localizes to the speaker itself. Both amps drive these speakers nicely. The Sachs amp defitely sounds better using the 8 not 4 ohm speaker posts. I am now getting air with very nice detail and tonal colors.
These speakers are just awesome. They are worth every penny I paid for them. Clayton warned me about the prolonged break in time and he was dead on the money. I just love the OB box less sound. These speakers are awesome.
I hope this thread does not degenerate into a toxic pussing contest like my Voyager Gan amplifier thread.
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@jaymark Thank you for the update and I am not surprised at all. |
HI Jaymark, I have a request...please ??? you started listening to the x5's with a Don Sachs tube preamp and a few minutes ago you made a comment over on the amp/preamp forum that you really liked the SPL preamp. I would enjoy hearing your take on both the Sachs and the SPL preamps......a comparison would be really appreciated. Thanks for your help..... I am torn between a new tube preamp and the SPL. Best wishes always Charlie |
@char1 I had the SPL Elector preamp in my exercise room system. I listened to it in stock form. I did not unbox it for several months after it came in. Initially, I was going to sell it but changed my mind after it did not sell. I then hooked it ip and holy smokes, I fell in love with it. Big soundstage, very clear/clean musical palette, plus a tubelike overall presentation. I won't now consider letting it go. The Sachs preamp is in a different system. The Sachs preamp has some tube sparkle but is not tubey. It has a very clear, spacious presentation. The two preamps give u a different presentation but they are both excellent performers. The state of high end audio is in great shape. Not the cost is no object stuff cause I don't hang out there. However, preamps in the 2000 dollar plus ranges the Sachs tube, SPL Elector and the Black Ice hybrid are great examples. I have all three. And while all different in presentation, they are all strong performers. |
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