Open Baffle Experience

I'm really not sure that traditional measurements work well with open baffle designs.  I've never seen anyone claim a tiny OB performs great in the bass.

@mijostyn - I assume you haven't heard the H-frame open baffle sub system developed by Rythmik and GR-Research. I do use REW and a calibrated microphone to set up my subs. There are some minor room modes to contend with, but with a little parametric EQ to knock down the peaks, they play flat to within a couple db to about 22hz at the listening position. 

The amps, of course, adjust the output to compensate for the back wave cancellation, but the H-frame enclosures lowers the frequency where this has to start (compared to a simple flat baffle)  

I don't play my system at levels loud enough to damage my hearing, so generally keep peak SPLs below 90db, which sounds plenty loud to me. At these SPLs, I feel hardly any cabinet vibration. It's hard to feel the baffle directly since it's tucked inside the H-frame and is barely larger than the drivers. 

With six 12" drivers, these produce plenty of clean bass. I've heard Magicos at shows that sounded quite nice, but these were $85k speakers with $40k amps, which is more than I'm willing to spend, and I didn't think the bass was appreciably better than what I already have. The bass from my current subs is certainly far better than any box speaker I've ever owned, although I've never spent more than $20k for speakers. 

I'm sure there are excellent sounding box speakers and subs on the market. I'm not saying that my open baffle subs are better than anything else available, just that they easily hold their own for music reproduction, and blend seamlessly with my open baffle main speakers. 

I’ll pile on for GR Research.  I’ve had the NX Oticas and the dual 12” servo subs for about a year and couldn’t be happier.  Incredible soundstage width, depth and height.

Another advantage of OB is efficiency, which allows you to use low wattage tube amps.

But I do have mine about 5’ from the front wall.

 I used to have a full Gryphon system-still have all the cables-and I’d have to say it was mainly better in certain ways, not better overall.

I’ve heard the spatial speakers last Axpona, I think they were not matching the gear they used. They did not sound right. Too bright for my taste. One of the member here got rid of his Tekton Speakers and bought the spatial.I believe they are good speakers because (Sbank) Spencer have them and think they are better than his Tekton.

I often think that at the shows, what we think is "overly bright" is in fact "overly loud" for the room/treatments...and compared to how we will position and listen at home.