Spatial Audio Labs

The X5s make me happy.  

Over the past 40 years I have gone from electrostatics and ribbon speakers, including Beveridge 2SW2, Sanders, and Magnepan (1.6 and 3.6), to open baffle speakers designed by Clayton. Prior to the X5s I had the original Emerald Physics CS2.3s and then the Spatial M1 Turbo S model, which is the predecessor to the M3 Sapphire. With the X5s I feel like I have arrived. To the point of not even being curious about other speakers.

As a point of reference, I exclusively stream Tidal and Qobuz, alternating between a Lyngdorf TDAI-3400 for casual listening, and an MSB Analog DAC -> Whammerdyne DGA-1 (4.2 watt 2A3 SET) amp for real music listening sessions.

I agree with markmuse in that the X5s are an uncanny combination of revealing and relaxed. An open window to whatever is upstream, to my ears. And impressively robust yet tight bass, even only 2' out from the front wall. Perhaps I am sacrificing a bit of soundstage depth by not having them out farther, but they sound so friggin beautiful and uncolored I don't care.

This is why I mentioned their ultimate upgrade which I heard before and after.
stock it has a decent inductor , and clarity Csa capacitors which are better then average . These is only 2 capacitors and 1 inductor 
the VH audio Odam capacitors are the top upgrade caps , and matched to within .05% per pair , and awg 16  Jantzen 
Copper foil wax inductor , truly raises the  bar  in detail, image density and sound
staging for only about $600 in parts  and will still fit in the stock Xover space.

jaybarnett said: 
Over the past 40 years I have gone from electrostatics and ribbon speakers, including Beveridge 2SW2, Sanders, and Magnepan.

The Beveridge were one of the most amazing speakers that I have ever heard.  How do the X5s compare for lifelike sound that the electrostatics are so good at?  Thanks.

The 12 inch driver isthe midbass , not midrange, how can one statement above 
say they owned the. X3 and not know the very good Beyma AMT driver is big 
and handles 1khz - past 30 khz which handles the whole midrange,
and high frequencies and the Xover is point is just under 1 khz very clean and nothing in the Xover  to the critical midrange , and at 90 hz Cover to the 
powered Bass.

@jan_mc:

I owned the Beveridges from the early '80s until 1994 (when the Northridge earthquake caused them to jump out of their bases and crash onto the floor). So I am going by distant memory, but I recall them sounding on the sweet and slightly rolled off side of lifelike. At the time I absolutely loved that, and they imaged like magic. But I think the X5s are more neutral, and they also image/disappear amazingly, which makes them to me more lifelike. I would not go back, given the opportunity.