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Open Baffle vs Box

Hi All,
Eyeing a Pair of Spatial M3 Sapphire and wondered if anyone transitioned from Box Speakers to OBs and what they thought?
I’m giving up my much loved Vandy 2ce’s and was hoping for input out there. Great 60 day in-home trial but was curious to hear what people think before I pull the trigger?
This has been a great forum to learn from!!
audiosaurusrex
helomech
1,761 posts
 
I've had both Vandy 2CE SigIIs and Spatial M4 Triode Masters in the same room and system. Other than low bass extension, it's really no contest, the Spatials are all-around superior, and by a wide margin. In fact, I owned the M4 TMs prior to the 2CEs and going to the latter was like my ears had suddenly accumulated a bunch of wax, everything sounded dull and veiled. 
james_edward
125 posts
 
Yeah, don't get the distortion thing at all. Great speakers, those Spatials... I sent you a rather lengthy PM; any other questions, feel free. I'm on Long Island if you want a listen.
audiokinesis
2,755 posts
 
Kenjit: " An open baffle would cause the back wave to distort the front wave."

The backwave would cancel the front wave at frequencies where the wavelengths are long relative to the baffle dimensions. This cancellation results in a rolloff of 6 dB per octave above the driver’s free-air resonant frequency, accelerating to about 18 dB per octave below the driver’s free-air resonant frequency. This rolloff can be corrected by EQ up to the displacement limits of the drivers, and then distortion would set in. But the backwave in and of itself does not distort the frontwave, any more than the sound radiated backwards from an upright bass distorts the sound radiated frontwards.

"That’s the whole point of a box to stop that."

The point of a box is to stop cancellation at long wavelengths, so I think we agree on what the box does to some extent.

"If you enjoy distortion then that’s your choice."

This statement is based on a false premise, which can be paraphrased as "the backwave of an open baffle speaker distorts the front wave." Therefore the implied conclusion, namely that someone who enjoys open baffle speakers is enjoying distortion, is also false.

And in my opinion the insult aimed at those who like open baffle speakers is an unnecessary display of aggression.

Duke
gochurchgo
925 posts
 
@helomech could you add some more of your experience in how bass behavior is different with the Spatials? I’m on the fence but since I listen to a lot of bass heavy music I’m trying to create a mental picture of how OB bass differs.

Thanks :-)
james_edward
125 posts
 
You didn't ask me specifically, but to me, OB bass surrounds you rather than punches you. This is not a quality judgement, they can both be great. In my case, where my room is less than ideal, the Spatial OB sound works better than box; though it feels like less bass, it sounds like better bass.
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