Spatial Audio open baffle speakers, who has them? Worthwhile change from Maggies?

I owned a pair of the Spatial M3 Turbo S for about a year. It was a fantastic speaker and really opened my ears to both open baffle and concentric drivers. They provided a level of imaging in my room I had not previously experienced. Its one of those speakers that offers way more the sum of it’s parts. There’s nothing exotic about the drivers, but man what a sound. I was driving them very easily with a Pass XA30.5 and a Bob Latino ST-70 and KT66 tubes.

Since you’d be coming from Maggies, I imagine you have the room for placement. They do prefer at least 3’ to the back and side walls.

My only nit to pick with the M3 was my room’s volume. Lots of cubic feet and not quite enough low end for me. I was all set to sell the M3s, and move up to the X5 with their built in powered subs, when I lucked into a great deal on a pair of Tannoy Legacy Ardens. I’m in sonic bliss with the Tannoys, but would still love to hear the new X series.

If you haven’t been over to audiocircle, there’s a dedicated Spatial forum with lots of feedback.

You are correct about space, the Maggie's are 4 ft clear front and side of walls.
Already have a pair of subs as Maggie's not renowned for deep meaningful bass either.


The m3 turbos ( sounds like a BMW!) were the ones I had my eyes on.

Thank you for the feedback!

Although it’s been a few years, I have owned Maggie’s in the past. A pair of 1.6s with modded xovers and the 3.5s. I now have the Spatial Audio X3. To say I absolutely love these speakers would be an understatement. They are every bit as transparent as any planar I have heard, but with dynamics and excellent bass response. OB speakers will load the room similarly to a planar but play louder and lower, and with a lot less power demands.

So yes, I love my speakers. And Clayton Shaw is a true gem of a find in this industry. Very customer oriented and always willing to help.

Oz

Thanks Ozzy
Just the sort of real world user information I was looking for.
Yes Clayton Shaw does seem like a true Gentleman so far as well.

I have owned Accoustat 2+2s, which I loved but the servo amps were too problematic (now there are people who know how to stabilize them), but I love how open baffle throws a sound stage and the speed. After several box speakers I bought a pair of Maggie 3.5Rs which I could never get it to sound close to the 2+2s. I tried exotic fuses, biamping, pure silver jumpers, replacing the passive XOs with active XO,


For a couple years now I have enjoyed Emerald Physics KCIIs, which kicked the 3.5Rs arse and is super easy to drive. with ample solid bass in a normal size room.

I am confident you will love the Spatials, but the EPs can be had for quite a bit less money, if that's an issue for you

hth