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

@ozzy62 As I mentioned before, the 20 watts of a Decware Torii were not enough to drive X3s to a satisfying level.

Good to know.  A colleague of mine did not have much luck with his DW Tori II either. He resold it for other SET amps with half the power, and much more satisfied now. Not sure what's up with that amp or driving it with the right preamp. Definitely worth re-trying with other amps, with some hefty transformer iron behind it. Finding a good synergy with some amps and speakers can be a challenge. :)  

So weird that 20 wpc is not enough for a 97db speaker. I know there are other factors, but this seems like the question of whether a volkswagen beetle can tow a tricycle. Why wouldn't it be able to do that?

@jaymark An excellent, excellent choice. I heard a debut of the X series at Axpona a few years back and was blown away. I wish I had the proper amount of space for them but I can't go more than a foot from the wall, just no room. But those X5 (tho it might have been X3 playing I know both were on the floor that day) was very close to Best in Show for me, and probably would have won Best Value from me. 

Also, re power requirements: doesn't Spatial partner with LTA, and aren't those fairly low - power amps? 

Good reference point @wassaicwill 

Yes, LTA sells a package with the (13-watt) LTA Z10 amp and Spatial M3 speakers.

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SYSTEM: Z10 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER + SPATIAL AUDIO M3 SAPPHIRE SPEAKERS + LAMPIZATOR AMBER 3 DAC + FREE ANTICABLES SPEAKER WIRES