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.

128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xjaymark

Congrats on the Spatials X5. It's been years since I heard them and they were maybe the M3 models. Checking out the X5 online brings out some good old envy on my part. 😀 Enjoy them as they break in.

All the best,
Nonoise

I heard open baffles from Spatial, GR Research and Linkwitz.

My favorite is the GR Research $4k system by Danny Richie.

The Linkwitz at $12k throw a soundstage I would not have thought possible.

The downside of the Open Baffle is the room size requirement. I have a

medium sized room and it not big enough to do them justice.

 

I heard one of the M3 versions at a show several years ago and loved them.  I've since been interested in trying them again but they are not sold here so I guess it will have to wait until I move.

Thanks for the report. How would you characterize the difference between how they present with the tube amp vs. the other one? You have quite a range of power and topology difference, there!

Also, since these can be driven with even lower powered tube amps, does that tempt you?

I had a really wonderful listening experience at a friend's house with 101db speakers and a 3 watt tube amp. Very wide baffle on the speakers, AMT tweeters, outboard crossover -- DIY. There was an amazing lightness to the sound; not lacking body but floating in space.

@jaymark 

Congratulations and enjoy! I have the M3 Sapphires and they are so stunning! Best speaker I have ever owned!  Yes they love tubes 😀