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

My Spatial X5s are stock though with an upgraded crossover.  I just got Townshend supertweeters as well.  I also use Loudspeaker purifiers that are sold on Audiogon though I had them upgraded and they are presently being shipped back to me.  

I owned the SPL Director, Performer and Phonos and absolutely loved the sound. I would have kept all three especially the Phonos which is a stunning phono preamp. The construction is rock solid and loved the small form factor, plenty of power as well.  I just had too much gear and really wanted to get into tubes. Wound up with the Octave V70 Class A and the Modwright PH9.0X and I think I'm happily done. 

Thank you Jaymark for taking the time to answer my query. I appreciate your take on the two preamps.

Best wishes always

Charlie 

Just noticed the X5s are discontinued in favor of the X4.  The X4 are passive vs. the X5 powered woofers with DSP control.  

I wonder why they discontinued the powered woofer model?