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Open baffle speakers

Open baffle speakers design is the simplest , to get bass response similar to other design , like ported, the baffle size must be huge to avoid low frequency degradations . Tipical size the baffle   width 10-20"  got weak  bass performance.   I am wondering how open baffle speakers design became so popular ?

128x128bache
dbt's avatar
dbt
94 posts
 

@ozzy62 I owned the Spatial Audio X5 speakers a few years ago and loved them, but I didn’t like the built-in active subwoofers and they sounded thin in the midrange and bass.  The X5’s were nice, but they were kind of bright until they made some adjustments and added a resistor to tame the AMT tweeter.  I was going to buy the Spatial Audio X4, but changed my mine and went back to a box speaker. I still love OB speakers.  I think we chatted briefly on AudiogoN or Audio Circle back when you had the X3’s.

How do your Qualio IQ speakers compare to the X3’s you owned?
 

 

bache's avatar
bache OP
527 posts
 

This is information to all OB speakers fans. If you dont believe in acoustic silence and only trust what you are hearing , stop reading my post and keep enjoy in bass performance open baffle design . But if you have open mind -Baffle size must be bigger than length assume low frequency wave , For usually size baffle 20-30 " OB speakers bass performance starting from approx. 100-120 Hz https://www.acousticfields.com/wavelengths-in-our-rooms/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,223 posts
 

@dbt 

The thing I didn’t like about the X3 was Clayton’s decision to use a 12” driver to reproduce the midrange. I never got the feeling that the midrange reproduction seemed “real”. There was no texture to voices and instruments. Dynamics were good and the bass depth and quality was excellent. I kept them about a year and moved them on.

It’s been a while, so hard to compare. The midrange performance of the IQs is definitely top notch. The powered 15” drivers on the X3 might get the nod, but not by much. 

dbt's avatar
dbt
94 posts
 

@ozzy62 I know exactly what you mean concerning the midrange sound of the Spatials.  I’d like to hear the Qualio IQ speakers one day.

Thanks!

larryi
4,101 posts
 

Bache,

Which commercial OB speaker did you hear that you found wanting in bass response?  What was it like otherwise?  I am surprised by how decent bass can be even with the dipole cancellation and the lack of reinforcement from bass reflex or sealed box loading.  This is not the case with all OB speakers I heard, but the good ones convince me that it is possible.

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