I received my X-4s about a month ago. I was inspired to get them as a result of Ron’s sound clip video that included several speakers like the Sapphire M-3s and the X-5s. I own a few other more expensive traditional box speaker systems, but none of then are as capable as the X-4s when it comes to sound staging, imaging, and making instruments sound like they are truly in the room. Clayton was also willing to build a matching pair of open baffle subs for me. I had them install two GR Research 12” - 16 ohm open baffle servo sub drivers in each of these two baffles. Fortunately, Clayton also had a slightly used pair of XLR Rythmik servo plate amps (these are hard to find right now). These open baffle subs take the low end down a little farther than the X-4s can do on their own, but the X-4s really don’t need them. I am still working to get the subs and the X-4s to integrate as well as I would like. I may seek advice from either Clayton Shaw or Danny Richie. In summary, I have been thrilled with these speakers so far, and I look forward to Ron’s complete review.
Having heard these recently, I'm really impressed with Spatial audio as a whole. The X-4s offer a great sense of spaciousness, and detail without ever sounding bright, or grating. Looking forward to the full review when that time comes! 👍
I've owned my X3s for more than a year (actually 3 of them up front, L, C, R). Never once did I regret my purchase. I listen to multichannel surround classical music (DSD or DXD). The speakers do get better over time (burn-in is indeed a thing). My listening area is very large (part of our home's great room). I keep them 5 feet from my front wall and 10 feet to the MLP. Soundstage width and depth are spectacular. Piano, violin, double bass, full orchestra and especially vocals are superbly reproduced.
Spatial’s X-Series are currently my #1 bucket-list speakers. Hope to own a pair someday. In the meantime, in my current small listening room, hoping to try the M6 Sapphires.
I stopped by spatial audio labs and listened to the M4 and M3 sapphires. Their room is not great (e.g. no shaped well and not many fancy treatments). I was blown away at the texture and bass quality (not quantity). I think in a smaller room the spl levels would have been better impact as their demo area opens up into their production area. Due to the supply chain issues their entire M lineup is currently not available.
“Warm milk and knitting with grandma” “Well, Suzy sissy pants” 🤣 Seriously though, fantastic review, Ron. Now, I feel I’ve gotta hear a pair of these somehow, even though I’m pretty satisfied with my current speakers. Like you, soundstage and imaging is very important to me. Looking forward to hearing more, especially the sound clips with commentary. It’s great to hear your impressions during them. Many thanks to you, Ron.
Interested in your thoughts about the X5 vs X4, particularly regarding audible differences in bass extension with the M3 going down to 35 Hz, X5 to 25 Hz, and X4 to 32 Hz.
I think its safe to say that the best speaker is no speaker. And the best amp is no amp. And the best pre amp is no pre-amp. Recorded music is And always will be just a Copy of something real. The copy will never be 100% fidelis(if that's a word..lol)...that being said we still need equipment, and sometimes I think we love the equipment more than the music itself. Which is fine. However it's important acknowledged that there are two schools of the thought. Those who want speakers and equipment that is transparent as to get as close to 100% fidelity as possible. Then there are those who pursue great clean sound but not necessarily a 100% copy. One group is not more right than the other. Those seeking 100% transparency will never achieve it, and those who don't care for it will still enjoy whatever they hear.
Looks very much like the Beyma TPL-150H tweeter.... with the rear chamber removed?..... Yes, this tweet is stunning. Use them with my 15" drivers that I got from Pure Audio Project a few years ago..... OB is definitely the way to go
Thank you so much for this initial review. It seems like these could be outstanding speakers. I look forward to your next review of the X4. Thanks again.
Finally Benchmark! I have the benchmark AHB2 and the LA4 pre. I am a musician. I never ever thought a preamp would make such a difference but it does. All the freq are in perfect timing. That is what blew me away. I never expected it. I know some recordings really well and when I put in the LA4 I was like finally ! Something got the speed right. I tried the benchmark DAC3 but there I prefer my Marantz HDDAC1. yeah weird but true. Has better timbre. To me at least. You really need to try the AHB2. Paired with the benchmark pre is heavenly. It’s the furthest thing from cold. On the contrary it’s warm and just spot on. Enjoy man
This is a very strong endorsement. So when you raved about the holographic presentation, my question was immediately "Tube amp"? Sorry that I am unfamiliar with your amp. My primary interest is in the crossover and how it is built and of what components? I am captivated by these speakers, to say the least.
I own the M3 Sapphires but wholeheartedly admit that if the X4s existed, I would have bought them instead. The AMT tweeter is well-loved by anyone who owns the X-series Spatials. The reason I went with the M3s is that I wanted a passive speaker. The X4s, being passive but with the AMT tweeter, will be a real winner. The only thing I wonder is if you lose a bit of bass going from 15" to 12" woofers. But I won't be swapping the M3s for the X4s. The M3s are also fantastic. Congratulations Clayton and Spatial. It's a tough path taken when your fundamental design choice (open baffle) challenges the thinking of audiophiles who believe box speakers are best.
Open baffle has been around for decades. It's plain false to say audiophiles think box speakers are best. Implementation is everything and if you build it they will come. For audiophiles looking for small bookshelf type speakers, there is nothing on offer and a box speaker will work best.
@@carlosoliveira-rc2xt Yes they have, but other than Maggies, they remain vanishingly rare outside the DIY community. I don’t know what audiophile preferences are but their buying habits are probably a pretty good proxy. I agree, for bookshelf speakers you need boxes, but comparing floorstanders to floorstanders, I bet box speakers outnumber all other speaker by at least 100:1. But if open baffles are approached with an “open” mind, and you can pull them way out from the wall, be prepared for a revelation. Then go back to boxes and…you’ll hear the box.
@@Unpreeeedictable In the upper echelon of speakers, you do not hear the box. What most people hear in comparing box vs open baffle is the back wave of the drivers creating the bipole/dipole effect. I can't stand maggies or electrostatics for most music because I value imaging which isn't the strong suit of panel speakers. As I stated, If you build it they will come. The reason open baffle is rare can't be blamed on the audiophile as was suggested but rather on the manufacturers. You can't buy what doesn't exist. Open baffle speakers were until recently butt ugly or at best plain Jane including those by Spatial Audio. I suggest Spatial Audio needs a cost no object flagship model with killer looks to attract the well heeled audiophile and with trickle down models you I'll find their popularity will increase. Jamo brought out a couple of open baffle speaker models but they were ugly and guess what? People buy speakers as much for looks as for performance. It's the same with cars and even shoes. Young woman buy the best looking shoes, not the most comfortable. I own expensive box speakers and there isn't an open baffle speaker, including Spatial Audios, that I have heard that makes me want to sell them. I will say I haven't heard NX Extremes but I would want better looking drivers there as well. Perhaps a custom GR Research line source MIGHT fill the bill.
@@carlosoliveira-rc2xt Happy to agree to disagree on this one. As for Maggies, there are weaknesses (that’s why I now own Spatials) but I can assure you, imaging isn’t one of them.
I'd love to demo/compare this most recent X4 model speaker to my M4 Sapphires! I also like that this one is offered as a purely passive speaker option compared to the plate amplified X5 and X3. I've noticed a few comments about the high price point but the X line is not Spatial's entry level speaker offering as the X4 is ~40% more costly than the M4 Sapphire. Hopefully current market supply constraints will ease and the Sapphire line will become available again.
So for those of us in the DIY space, it seems like we should take the sides and back off our speakers, use 2x the woofers, put in a 1st order crossover, and get a 5lb. weight for the bottom. Then we can avoid the $10k price of Spatial Audio's X4. But thanks for the idea!
I love my M3 Turbo S speakers , especially after adding Spatial Audio silver oval 2 speaker cables , but I would love to hear these newer X4's .. I wish they came in a matte dark blue .
Even Danny liked them, as a speaker builder the 750 hz x over makes sense to avoid beaming and driver breakup with a 12 “ driver. Oh, can I send you a razor 🤣🤣🤣
Ultralam is made in Russia, not Germany (ruclips.net/video/9Jz1TjCphXE/видео.html ): “The production of Ultralam™ LVL began in 2009 at “Taleon Terra” Plant located in the town of Torzhok, Tver Region, Russia. It’s an innovative and unique project aimed to modernize Russia’s wood working industry. “Taleon Terra” Plant is the largest LVL manufacturing facility in Europe”. Timberhof in Germany is a distributor.
I have to say Ron that the audio clips of the X5s you made a while back really spoiled my ears in terms of transient attack speed and the authority of they bass these speakers can produce. Also played the clips for my wife and she just wanted to know if she can listen to "your music" on Spotify 😄 Looking forward to hearing how the X4s stack up in your full review!
Hey Ron!! My name is Joost and I'm from the Netherlands. I currently own magnepan 3.7i's but am really curious about the spatial open baffles. Have you ever heard 3.7i's? And if yes could you tell me something about the way they both perform voices? I especially love the way my maggies do voices and was wondering if this AMT tweeter from spatial would perform on the same level as the maggie ribbon? Also how about differences in imaging, threedimensionallity and bass. I would be very gratefull for your input. Thanks in advance if you would find the time to answer my questions. Greetings from the Netherlands
I haven’t heard super high end Maggies, but I do have 1.7is and a set of Spatial Audio X3s. I love them both. Mid bass on the Maggie’s is not going to kick you in the face (and you need a sub!), but everything else about the Maggie’s is as incredible as people say. The X3s, which are in a much bigger room, on the whole, are a better speaker, especially for music you want to play loud. If you are into classical, or jazz, Maggie’s bigger than the 1.7i could absolutely be your jam, as long as you have the amp to drive them. The X3s are crazy sensitive, 100 watts will break your ears. 100 watts on the Maggie’s is … loud, but nothing in comparison. I dig the passive nature of the X4 and they will probably be amazing. Hope that helps!
@@jclaybaugh2 That does help. I have a pair of 1.7i's and a pair of Schiit Tyr's driving them, and they sound amazing to me, but I think the fuse/steel/etc in the signal path may limit them. I am most interested in an X4 + Ultralinear+ amp.
Have you ever heard the Pure Audio Project Trio Classic? I am really curious on how these compare, I have been fence sitting on one of these two for a while.
I haven’t heard that specific model have had a couple of models in house to review that didn’t make it to the finals. While I truly appreciate and like Ze’ev, I can say he’s not as much about now the speakers measure which is something I do take a look at. In the case of the models I looked at, they were pretty far off the target from an objective/measurement point of view.
Thanks Ron. Is there any chance you could also try them in a small room to see how they go? The website says they are for medium rooms and recommends the M6 but that is not available. Do you need a larger room to allow open baffles to sing? Making my room bigger would break my budget so maybe I should stick with small box speakers? I currently have Elac DB6.2s.
Ron, love your impressions of the X4. Still get the feeling you are trying to skirt around your feeling about the X5s. Personally I am loving my X5s, driven by a don Sachs preamp and triode lab 45 monoblocks @4.5 wpc. Not sure how the X4 would do with this amp. I did hear the X4s at The CAF in November and really liked them (preferred them to the M4s) and I understand they may have been improved ?since then. I’m also aware that audio shows may not be the place to see speakers at their peak. I really love and value your thoughts and impressions. Looking forward to a more in depth review.
Hey Glen, I think I prefer the tonal balance of the X4 over the X5 and promise I’ll cover them in detail soon. Both are excellent but in my mind, serve different needs based on amp choice. Thanks man!
Have you had an opportunity to audition the Martin Logan 13A Expression ESL? There is no crossover like no crossover; the entire spectrum covered by the panel; bass from 250 down is internally powered & for the first time the crossover to conventional dual powered woofers is seamless; undetectable; room correction built in too.
FWIW, I slightly preferred the Revels and Concept 500s to the Spatials in that Neumann Binaural mic vid. I also prefer a pair of Revels to the older Spatial models in my own home. The bass texture of the OBs is certainly special but in my place they were somewhat a one-trick pony. Guess we all hear things a bit differently at the end of the day.
Yup and the X5s still serve those who really want to use lower powered Amos which is great! As for the X4, I’ve been really impressed with how they sound using these burson amps!
The naming concept is confusing. You are testing the X4, which isn‘t listed on the website, it only mentions X4 Ultra and M4 and if you are German, like me, it‘s impossible to find these. There is a German company that works with Spatial but their website is terrible and the products have completely different names and looks. Not your fault of course but I think thats suboptimal marketing.
Hi Ron. I'm new to your channel and these speakers look very nice indeed. They actually drew me to your channel and I have a question for you. Would they be suitable in a room which measures 16 foot long by 11 foot wide with 8 foot ceilings? I can only position their front around 25" to 30" from the wall and around 3 foot from each side wall. My listening chair is 3 meters from the speaker face. What's your thoughts? 🤔
it's a shame speaker manufacturers don't give room size recommendations like Focal do. I'm wondering if the x5's might work better for my room size? 🤔 Love the channel btw 👍
@@steverees1936 I’ll never own these for cost and room considerations, but Spatial does in fact give these recommendations on their website. Take a look.
With your smaller room dimensions you might be better suited to a pair of M6 Sapphires. Spatial speakers sound best when you can get them well out into your listening room. You should check out Ron's (NRD) L.O.T.S. video for speaker placement. My room size is: 25' L x 18' W x 8' H and my M4's are ~6-1/2' away from the front (facing) wall and ~4-1/2' from the side walls. The speakers are positioned about ~8' feet apart (tweeter to tweeter) and are about ~10' away from my listening position where the back seat of my chair/couch is ~8' from the back/rear wall.
M series is sold out until? Now both you and Danny Richie have discussed the X4s which will probably put more demand on them. In the question category, what is your Roon core in, electronics wise?
Would love to try dipoles but my listening room is such that about 3' (1m) is about as far from the back wall as I can get them. At least that wall is acoustically treated so it isn't that reflective. Doable?
You know, I see comments like this all the time and I wish it was that easy. We would think as prices go up, value and performance always follows. The truth is, it doesn’t. There are many speakers that cost much more than the X4s that are better served as boat anchors or large paper weights. I wish the community would adopt a refreshed perspective about price. Sometimes cheap stuff is garbage and sometimes it’s amazing. Sometimes expensive stuff is garbage and sometimes it’s amazing. It really is that simple based on my experience over the last decade of doing this.
Nice but I doubt they sound 100 times better than my Marantz SP1515 (3-way 15" woofer) though 100 times more expensive (literally although used). Give me a pair and I will compare.
Dude, you are a very gifted orator. You got me quite hyped up about these. I wonder, are open baffle speakers less fussy about placement than box speakers? Can they be placed closer to the wall to hide its back side? WAF sort of a factor. :D
@@Newrecordday2013 have you tried the Holo May with HQPlayer? I had it first connected to my Sony xa5400es then I build a music server running HQ Player connected to the DAC with a USB cable The sound improvement with HQ Player was jaw dropping and so much better
@@JC.LC. well even if there was, you would really need the same distance for open baffle bass to work as intended. 2.5 feet would be the absolute bare minimum, imo.
@@hoobsgroove I'm not exactly sure what you mean, but I'll take a guess and try. So these are passive speakers, meaning that there are no built-in amplifiers or servo feedback controls. The power to dirve teh speakers comes from an external amplifier, as is usually the case. The drive from the amplifier is applied to the crossover network. It's job it to allow only higher frequencies to pass to the tweeter and to allow only lower lower frequencies to pass to the woofers. WHen people speak of the external amplifier "controlling" the drivers, but most often in the context of the woofers, it means that the amplifer is actuall kind of working to not only start the woofer moving, but to also stop it. Once a woofer is moving, it's inertia wants it to keep going, even after teh driving current//voltage has been removed. At that point an interesting thing happens. the inital of the speaker and voice coil keep moving through the magnet field of the speaker's voice coil magnet. That turns it into a voltage/current generator. The produced power has nowhere to go other than backwards, back to the amplifier. The path is provided by the speaker leads and the output driver of the amplifier. To the power being produced by the inertia of the still-moving speaker (generator), the ampliier looks like a load into which power can be dumped, because it is. To this power, the amplifier appears as almost a short-circuit. The degree to which an amplifier appears as a total short, is meansured and quantiied by its so-called damping factor. Lower damper factors, suggest the power left in teh speaker can be disipated more quickly, resulting in the woofer(s) stoping soon. Hense, more "controlled". All done without any servo loops or amplifiers in the speakers themselves. Such is the case with the passive Spacial M4.
Martin Logan - the curved ESL that Roger Sanders invented, and subsequently discarded as being inferior in phase, dynamics and controlled directivity. Also MLs aren’t time-aligned.
To be the best, you first have to beat the best. I would like to see how these X4's stack up against the ATC SCM 40 with their legendary mid-range, dual suspension tweeter and paper cone bass: ruclips.net/video/Rh1FdSApvVo/видео.html
I received my X-4s about a month ago. I was inspired to get them as a result of Ron’s sound clip video that included several speakers like the Sapphire M-3s and the X-5s. I own a few other more expensive traditional box speaker systems, but none of then are as capable as the X-4s when it comes to sound staging, imaging, and making instruments sound like they are truly in the room. Clayton was also willing to build a matching pair of open baffle subs for me. I had them install two GR Research 12” - 16 ohm open baffle servo sub drivers in each of these two baffles. Fortunately, Clayton also had a slightly used pair of XLR Rythmik servo plate amps (these are hard to find right now). These open baffle subs take the low end down a little farther than the X-4s can do on their own, but the X-4s really don’t need them. I am still working to get the subs and the X-4s to integrate as well as I would like. I may seek advice from either Clayton Shaw or Danny Richie. In summary, I have been thrilled with these speakers so far, and I look forward to Ron’s complete review.
Having heard these recently, I'm really impressed with Spatial audio as a whole. The X-4s offer a great sense of spaciousness, and detail without ever sounding bright, or grating. Looking forward to the full review when that time comes! 👍
I've owned my X3s for more than a year (actually 3 of them up front, L, C, R). Never once did I regret my purchase. I listen to multichannel surround classical music (DSD or DXD). The speakers do get better over time (burn-in is indeed a thing). My listening area is very large (part of our home's great room). I keep them 5 feet from my front wall and 10 feet to the MLP. Soundstage width and depth are spectacular. Piano, violin, double bass, full orchestra and especially vocals are superbly reproduced.
Spatial’s X-Series are currently my #1 bucket-list speakers. Hope to own a pair someday. In the meantime, in my current small listening room, hoping to try the M6 Sapphires.
I got to hear Spatial Audio at Axpona and I totally understand now how special they sounded and why you get so excited about them Ron.
I stopped by spatial audio labs and listened to the M4 and M3 sapphires. Their room is not great (e.g. no shaped well and not many fancy treatments). I was blown away at the texture and bass quality (not quantity). I think in a smaller room the spl levels would have been better impact as their demo area opens up into their production area. Due to the supply chain issues their entire M lineup is currently not available.
What amp/pre did they use?
Absolutely great content. Love the way you describe in detail a product’s performance and build. Looking forward to more reviews. God Bless
Thank you!
“Warm milk and knitting with grandma” “Well, Suzy sissy pants” 🤣 Seriously though, fantastic review, Ron. Now, I feel I’ve gotta hear a pair of these somehow, even though I’m pretty satisfied with my current speakers. Like you, soundstage and imaging is very important to me. Looking forward to hearing more, especially the sound clips with commentary. It’s great to hear your impressions during them. Many thanks to you, Ron.
Ron E Day !! glad to see you back on the saddle !! thanks for the video
horn loaded desighn !! 'efficancy'
Thank you amigo!
Back IN the saddle
Efficiency
Interested in your thoughts about the X5 vs X4, particularly regarding audible differences in bass extension with the M3 going down to 35 Hz, X5 to 25 Hz, and X4 to 32 Hz.
Its a delight to watch every yours episode. Thank you Ron
Thank you!
I think its safe to say that the best speaker is no speaker. And the best amp is no amp. And the best pre amp is no pre-amp. Recorded music is And always will be just a Copy of something real. The copy will never be 100% fidelis(if that's a word..lol)...that being said we still need equipment, and sometimes I think we love the equipment more than the music itself. Which is fine. However it's important acknowledged that there are two schools of the thought. Those who want speakers and equipment that is transparent as to get as close to 100% fidelity as possible. Then there are those who pursue great clean sound but not necessarily a 100% copy. One group is not more right than the other. Those seeking 100% transparency will never achieve it, and those who don't care for it will still enjoy whatever they hear.
Nice to have you back Ron
Feels great to be back
Looks very much like the Beyma TPL-150H tweeter.... with the rear chamber removed?..... Yes, this tweet is stunning. Use them with my 15" drivers that I got from Pure Audio Project a few years ago..... OB is definitely the way to go
Give the Legacy Whispers a try, they have been doing the open baffle thing since the 80's. I have never heard better
“Letting go of past ideas and methods” - These types of speakers (Open baffle) are based on past ideas and methods.
Thank you so much for this initial review. It seems like these could be outstanding speakers. I look forward to your next review of the X4. Thanks again.
Finally Benchmark!
I have the benchmark AHB2 and the LA4 pre. I am a musician. I never ever thought a preamp would make such a difference but it does. All the freq are in perfect timing. That is what blew me away. I never expected it. I know some recordings really well and when I put in the LA4 I was like finally ! Something got the speed right.
I tried the benchmark DAC3 but there I prefer my Marantz HDDAC1. yeah weird but true. Has better timbre. To me at least.
You really need to try the AHB2. Paired with the benchmark pre is heavenly. It’s the furthest thing from cold. On the contrary it’s warm and just spot on.
Enjoy man
Love your sound demonstration sounded just like you talking. Amazing!
WOW! 😳.... Great impressions..... Those sound really badass.... Good to see ya bro... ✌️❤️
This is a very strong endorsement. So when you raved about the holographic presentation, my question was immediately "Tube amp"? Sorry that I am unfamiliar with your amp. My primary interest is in the crossover and how it is built and of what components? I am captivated by these speakers, to say the least.
Admit it, you want to build your own. 😋
@@carlosoliveira-rc2xt OK Yes. There, do you feel better :)
@@JerryWDaviscom Lol Let us know how they turn out.
I own the M3 Sapphires but wholeheartedly admit that if the X4s existed, I would have bought them instead. The AMT tweeter is well-loved by anyone who owns the X-series Spatials. The reason I went with the M3s is that I wanted a passive speaker. The X4s, being passive but with the AMT tweeter, will be a real winner. The only thing I wonder is if you lose a bit of bass going from 15" to 12" woofers. But I won't be swapping the M3s for the X4s. The M3s are also fantastic. Congratulations Clayton and Spatial. It's a tough path taken when your fundamental design choice (open baffle) challenges the thinking of audiophiles who believe box speakers are best.
yup same boat as you and for the same reasons. Love my M3s but if could have had the x4 instead that probably would have been choice.
Open baffle has been around for decades. It's plain false to say audiophiles think box speakers are best. Implementation is everything and if you build it they will come. For audiophiles looking for small bookshelf type speakers, there is nothing on offer and a box speaker will work best.
@@carlosoliveira-rc2xt Yes they have, but other than Maggies, they remain vanishingly rare outside the DIY community. I don’t know what audiophile preferences are but their buying habits are probably a pretty good proxy. I agree, for bookshelf speakers you need boxes, but comparing floorstanders to floorstanders, I bet box speakers outnumber all other speaker by at least 100:1. But if open baffles are approached with an “open” mind, and you can pull them way out from the wall, be prepared for a revelation. Then go back to boxes and…you’ll hear the box.
@@Unpreeeedictable In the upper echelon of speakers, you do not hear the box. What most people hear in comparing box vs open baffle is the back wave of the drivers creating the bipole/dipole effect. I can't stand maggies or electrostatics for most music because I value imaging which isn't the strong suit of panel speakers. As I stated, If you build it they will come. The reason open baffle is rare can't be blamed on the audiophile as was suggested but rather on the manufacturers. You can't buy what doesn't exist. Open baffle speakers were until recently butt ugly or at best plain Jane including those by Spatial Audio. I suggest Spatial Audio needs a cost no object flagship model with killer looks to attract the well heeled audiophile and with trickle down models you I'll find their popularity will increase. Jamo brought out a couple of open baffle speaker models but they were ugly and guess what? People buy speakers as much for looks as for performance. It's the same with cars and even shoes. Young woman buy the best looking shoes, not the most comfortable. I own expensive box speakers and there isn't an open baffle speaker, including Spatial Audios, that I have heard that makes me want to sell them. I will say I haven't heard NX Extremes but I would want better looking drivers there as well. Perhaps a custom GR Research line source MIGHT fill the bill.
@@carlosoliveira-rc2xt Happy to agree to disagree on this one. As for Maggies, there are weaknesses (that’s why I now own Spatials) but I can assure you, imaging isn’t one of them.
I'd love to demo/compare this most recent X4 model speaker to my M4 Sapphires!
I also like that this one is offered as a purely passive speaker option compared to the plate amplified X5 and X3. I've noticed a few comments about the high price point but the X line is not Spatial's entry level speaker offering as the X4 is ~40% more costly than the M4 Sapphire. Hopefully current market supply constraints will ease and the Sapphire line will become available again.
Yes, the X5 and X3 plate amps will probably be fine, but I'm generally not a fan of built-in amps due to issues of quality and reliability.
Keep these videos coming!!
So for those of us in the DIY space, it seems like we should take the sides and back off our speakers, use 2x the woofers, put in a 1st order crossover, and get a 5lb. weight for the bottom. Then we can avoid the $10k price of Spatial Audio's X4. But thanks for the idea!
🤗😎 LOOKING 👀FORWARD TO THE DETAILS RON …with eager anticipation 😍😍😍
Based on what I'm reading, these are likely to be my next (and possibly even my last) speaker purchase. Is the review for these incoming?! 🤞😁
Ron, if you still have the X4s, I highly recommend listening to the album "Feel like making LIVE!" by Bob James.
I’ll check it out!
There is no elephant. Great review and great commentary.
I love my M3 Turbo S speakers , especially after adding Spatial Audio silver oval 2 speaker cables , but I would love to hear these newer X4's .. I wish they came in a matte dark blue .
THE BEARD!!!!! Ron has gone fully “Texan”! 😇👍🏼
Do we go with Ron “Billy Gibbons” or Ron “Dusty Hill” ? 🤔
I’ll take either! Thanks man!
Even Danny liked them, as a speaker builder the 750 hz x over makes sense to avoid beaming and driver breakup with a 12 “ driver. Oh, can I send you a razor 🤣🤣🤣
Ultralam is made in Russia, not Germany
(ruclips.net/video/9Jz1TjCphXE/видео.html ):
“The production of Ultralam™ LVL began in 2009 at “Taleon Terra” Plant located in the town of Torzhok, Tver Region, Russia. It’s an innovative and unique project aimed to modernize Russia’s wood working industry. “Taleon Terra” Plant is the largest LVL manufacturing facility in Europe”.
Timberhof in Germany is a distributor.
Dude. You’re looking more like Moses. Lol. Not a bad thing mind you.
But I just itch looking at that.
Messin.
God bless you.
Hope you are well
I have to say Ron that the audio clips of the X5s you made a while back really spoiled my ears in terms of transient attack speed and the authority of they bass these speakers can produce. Also played the clips for my wife and she just wanted to know if she can listen to "your music" on Spotify 😄 Looking forward to hearing how the X4s stack up in your full review!
Absolutely! Thanks for the comment!
@@Newrecordday2013 any chance we can have a listening battle with your M3s vs the X4s vs the GR Xoticas?
Hey Ron!! My name is Joost and I'm from the Netherlands. I currently own magnepan 3.7i's but am really curious about the spatial open baffles. Have you ever heard 3.7i's? And if yes could you tell me something about the way they both perform voices? I especially love the way my maggies do voices and was wondering if this AMT tweeter from spatial would perform on the same level as the maggie ribbon? Also how about differences in imaging, threedimensionallity and bass. I would be very gratefull for your input. Thanks in advance if you would find the time to answer my questions.
Greetings from the Netherlands
How much better are these than similarly priced Magnepans?
Much better imo
I haven’t heard super high end Maggies, but I do have 1.7is and a set of Spatial Audio X3s. I love them both. Mid bass on the Maggie’s is not going to kick you in the face (and you need a sub!), but everything else about the Maggie’s is as incredible as people say. The X3s, which are in a much bigger room, on the whole, are a better speaker, especially for music you want to play loud. If you are into classical, or jazz, Maggie’s bigger than the 1.7i could absolutely be your jam, as long as you have the amp to drive them. The X3s are crazy sensitive, 100 watts will break your ears. 100 watts on the Maggie’s is … loud, but nothing in comparison. I dig the passive nature of the X4 and they will probably be amazing. Hope that helps!
@@jclaybaugh2 That does help. I have a pair of 1.7i's and a pair of Schiit Tyr's driving them, and they sound amazing to me, but I think the fuse/steel/etc in the signal path may limit them. I am most interested in an X4 + Ultralinear+ amp.
Have you ever heard the Pure Audio Project Trio Classic?
I am really curious on how these compare, I have been fence sitting on one of these two for a while.
I haven’t heard that specific model have had a couple of models in house to review that didn’t make it to the finals. While I truly appreciate and like Ze’ev, I can say he’s not as much about now the speakers measure which is something I do take a look at. In the case of the models I looked at, they were pretty far off the target from an objective/measurement point of view.
Ron, I believe I understand everything you said. But do the vocalist sound like there in the room?
Absolutely! They are smack dab in the middle of the stage and holographic as ever. No question about that!
like they’re
Thanks Ron. Is there any chance you could also try them in a small room to see how they go? The website says they are for medium rooms and recommends the M6 but that is not available. Do you need a larger room to allow open baffles to sing? Making my room bigger would break my budget so maybe I should stick with small box speakers? I currently have Elac DB6.2s.
If you have around 3 from the back of the speaker to the wall, you should be just fine.
@@Newrecordday2013 3 what? meters or feet? TIA
@@joshua43214 3 feet. Sorry.
@@Newrecordday2013 Thanks Ron, that was what I needed to know.
A little off subject, but did you ever give a full review of the M4's?
Ron, love your impressions of the X4. Still get the feeling you are trying to skirt around your feeling about the X5s. Personally I am loving my X5s, driven by a don Sachs preamp and triode lab 45 monoblocks @4.5 wpc. Not sure how the X4 would do with this amp.
I did hear the X4s at The CAF in November and really liked them (preferred them to the M4s) and I understand they may have been improved ?since then. I’m also aware that audio shows may not be the place to see speakers at their peak. I really love and value your thoughts and impressions. Looking forward to a more in depth review.
Hey Glen, I think I prefer the tonal balance of the X4 over the X5 and promise I’ll cover them in detail soon. Both are excellent but in my mind, serve different needs based on amp choice. Thanks man!
@@Newrecordday2013 Thank you Ron. I appreciate your response. See you in your next video!
@@glenschneider5978 pleasure is all mine!
do they really need a lot space behind the speakers? will the sound good or 1 foot away from the back wall?
I put amt super tweeters with my tekton speakers, made all the difference.
Is the X4 soundstage any HIGHER than the Sapphires? (I have 15 ft ceilings.)
What about the holy grail, the Spatial Audio X3? What about a review for them?
Are they available in Europe??? Will u present measurements with your next video?
Have you had an opportunity to audition the Martin Logan 13A Expression ESL? There is no crossover like no crossover; the entire spectrum covered by the panel; bass from 250 down is internally powered & for the first time the crossover to conventional dual powered woofers is seamless; undetectable; room correction built in too.
FWIW, I slightly preferred the Revels and Concept 500s to the Spatials in that Neumann Binaural mic vid. I also prefer a pair of Revels to the older Spatial models in my own home. The bass texture of the OBs is certainly special but in my place they were somewhat a one-trick pony. Guess we all hear things a bit differently at the end of the day.
Absolutely true! Thanks for sharing your opinion and thoughts!
Wouldn't it be great if you could upload a separate test audio clip somewhere with higher bitrate than youtube aac?
Be interesting to see what kind of amps you think do best with these. The drawing point of the other X line was the powered sub and lowered impedence.
Yup and the X5s still serve those who really want to use lower powered Amos which is great! As for the X4, I’ve been really impressed with how they sound using these burson amps!
Neodymium in the mid and the bass drivers? Was this a recent development?
Better than the perlistens?
Open baffle speakers have been around since the 1960's.
The naming concept is confusing. You are testing the X4, which isn‘t listed on the website, it only mentions X4 Ultra and M4 and if you are German, like me, it‘s impossible to find these. There is a German company that works with Spatial but their website is terrible and the products have completely different names and looks. Not your fault of course but I think thats suboptimal marketing.
How do these compare to the line sources and nxtremes?
Maybe you have already but maybe sometime you could show the scale of your room. I would like to see how far you are from those speakers.
Room is 16 feet wide and 20 feet deep. Speakers are about 7 feet into the room and I’m sitting about 6 feet away from the back wall.
Hi Ron. I'm new to your channel and these speakers look very nice indeed. They actually drew me to your channel and I have a question for you. Would they be suitable in a room which measures 16 foot long by 11 foot wide with 8 foot ceilings? I can only position their front around 25" to 30" from the wall and around 3 foot from each side wall. My listening chair is 3 meters from the speaker face. What's your thoughts? 🤔
Sure that would work. Granted, you won’t be taking full advantage of what they can do or what I’m hearing but you should be fine.
it's a shame speaker manufacturers don't give room size recommendations like Focal do. I'm wondering if the x5's might work better for my room size? 🤔 Love the channel btw 👍
@@steverees1936 I’ll never own these for cost and room considerations, but Spatial does in fact give these recommendations on their website. Take a look.
With your smaller room dimensions you might be better suited to a pair of M6 Sapphires. Spatial speakers sound best when you can get them well out into your listening room. You should check out Ron's (NRD) L.O.T.S. video for speaker placement. My room size is: 25' L x 18' W x 8' H and my M4's are ~6-1/2' away from the front (facing) wall and ~4-1/2' from the side walls. The speakers are positioned about ~8' feet apart (tweeter to tweeter) and are about ~10' away from my listening position where the back seat of my chair/couch is ~8' from the back/rear wall.
they should do a version with wider dispersion and smaller drivers for HT use
@@BrentLeVasseur brilliant..
What was his recommendation for LR for HT ?
M series is sold out until? Now both you and Danny Richie have discussed the X4s which will probably put more demand on them. In the question category, what is your Roon core in, electronics wise?
My Innuos Zenith is my core.
@@Newrecordday2013 I really appreciat that, because I'm looking at that as my music streamer.
@@dennismiller5725 You won't be disappointed in the Innuos Zenith 3 as your streamer/ Roon core... fabulous.
Would love to try dipoles but my listening room is such that about 3' (1m) is about as far from the back wall as I can get them. At least that wall is acoustically treated so it isn't that reflective. Doable?
Hi there, could you recoment an.open baffle diy kit at fair price please?
For $7500 they better be amazing
You know, I see comments like this all the time and I wish it was that easy. We would think as prices go up, value and performance always follows. The truth is, it doesn’t. There are many speakers that cost much more than the X4s that are better served as boat anchors or large paper weights. I wish the community would adopt a refreshed perspective about price. Sometimes cheap stuff is garbage and sometimes it’s amazing. Sometimes expensive stuff is garbage and sometimes it’s amazing. It really is that simple based on my experience over the last decade of doing this.
@@Newrecordday2013 I don't disagree with you
They seem reasonably priced tbh - way less than Jay Audio Lab’s light switch!
Surprised not to hear any comparisons between this and the nxotica
I’ll cover that topic as things progress!
When will we ever see a proper review with soundsamples???
Run Forest Run!
So listening to this would mean all the other speaker makers over $7000 will go out of business right? Is there nothing negative about them ?
No and no.
@@Newrecordday2013 ok :) so if the budget is 6000 , save an extra 1500 and the the X4?:)
I fear Spatial is going to separate me from a large sum of money in the future. :-)
You and me both! I don’t think these are headed home anytime soon. Anyone want to buy some kids?
Will it work with a 7w Set 300b Amp?
These 2 links were found to be not working on 3/4/2023.
What happens if I put 400 watts into each of these?
Nice! Sounds like they might sell propane and propane accessories…
Nice but I doubt they sound 100 times better than my Marantz SP1515 (3-way 15" woofer) though 100 times more expensive (literally although used). Give me a pair and I will compare.
X3 review please
When will be the Benchmark AHB2 review?
Probably in the next month or two. If you are just waiting for me to say it’s great - it is. Really nice sounding amp and highly recommended.
I'm confused......so they don't suck? :)
🤣😂😅
Dude, you are a very gifted orator. You got me quite hyped up about these. I wonder, are open baffle speakers less fussy about placement than box speakers? Can they be placed closer to the wall to hide its back side? WAF sort of a factor. :D
Thanks Wat! Only thing they are fussy about more than typical box speakers is the space behind them. Give them at least 3 feet and you’re in the good!
I own the X5s and I would swap it out for a fully passive X Series with a 15” bass woofer.
Thanks ! How much better do you think it would it be with separate sub?
@@mcbowler For some reason, my response to your question has been deleted twice?
@@DBTAudio the cia doesn’t want me to know.
@@mcbowler Lol…
I own the X5s and pair them with a REL sub. The bass is great. Have you tried a sub with yours?
curious why your don't use the Holo May Dac any longer?
Listening to it right now. It’s just a matter of experimentation and trying different options.
@@Newrecordday2013 have you tried the Holo May with HQPlayer? I had it first connected to my Sony xa5400es then I build a music server running HQ Player connected to the DAC with a USB cable The sound improvement with HQ Player was jaw dropping and so much better
@@ericstefko4852 no I have not! I’ll have to try it.
How far away from the walls do this need to be? I have a small room and I'm curious about this speakers.
3 feet away from the wall is a great starting point if you can.
@@Newrecordday2013 that's double than what I can move them. Is there a smaller version of those speakers?
@@JC.LC. well even if there was, you would really need the same distance for open baffle bass to work as intended. 2.5 feet would be the absolute bare minimum, imo.
@@Newrecordday2013 I see. OK Ron, thanks for the info.
Do these reach the sub-bass region adequately? (Thinking pipe organ low notes.)
Sure! I’ve heard bottom of the barrel bass coming from these, no worries.
@@Newrecordday2013 Thanks, but I don't know what "button-of-the-barrel" bass is. I assume it is very very low. 🙂
@@AdrianIII haha! Bottom of the barrel!
Need 16 Hz for 32-ft pipe
@@olcoot7107 Correct!
Send a pair to Erin so we can see some real data.
Erin does a great job with his measurements.
what are the woofers servo controlled analogue?
The woofers are passive. They are controlled by your amplifier.
@@Newrecordday2013 so what's in the big box at the bottom
The crossover components.
@@daveb1761 right nothing goes back to the amplifier input??
@@hoobsgroove I'm not exactly sure what you mean, but I'll take a guess and try. So these are passive speakers, meaning that there are no built-in amplifiers or servo feedback controls. The power to dirve teh speakers comes from an external amplifier, as is usually the case. The drive from the amplifier is applied to the crossover network. It's job it to allow only higher frequencies to pass to the tweeter and to allow only lower lower frequencies to pass to the woofers. WHen people speak of the external amplifier "controlling" the drivers, but most often in the context of the woofers, it means that the amplifer is actuall kind of working to not only start the woofer moving, but to also stop it. Once a woofer is moving, it's inertia wants it to keep going, even after teh driving current//voltage has been removed. At that point an interesting thing happens. the inital of the speaker and voice coil keep moving through the magnet field of the speaker's voice coil magnet. That turns it into a voltage/current generator. The produced power has nowhere to go other than backwards, back to the amplifier. The path is provided by the speaker leads and the output driver of the amplifier. To the power being produced by the inertia of the still-moving speaker (generator), the ampliier looks like a load into which power can be dumped, because it is. To this power, the amplifier appears as almost a short-circuit. The degree to which an amplifier appears as a total short, is meansured and quantiied by its so-called damping factor. Lower damper factors, suggest the power left in teh speaker can be disipated more quickly, resulting in the woofer(s) stoping soon. Hense, more "controlled". All done without any servo loops or amplifiers in the speakers themselves. Such is the case with the passive Spacial M4.
750 hz up is higher than the sapphire tho... hmmmmm
Here we go again with the open baffle rant 😅
I know, when am I going to shut up about it!?
@@Newrecordday2013 😂😂 waiting for the sound clips 😅
"I was talking to Clay-en..."?
Yeah he changed his name. He’s crazy like that.
Are those eminence kappa drivers $185 each ? ? ?
No.
1:36
How about when you review anything, you address orchestral climaxes? Not everyone a pop/rock listener
Another overpriced open baffle speaker. I will keep my martin logan esl at half the price.
To each their own.
Martin Logan - the curved ESL that Roger Sanders invented, and subsequently discarded as being inferior in phase, dynamics and controlled directivity.
Also MLs aren’t time-aligned.
To be the best, you first have to beat the best. I would like to see how these X4's stack up against the ATC SCM 40 with their legendary mid-range, dual suspension tweeter and paper cone bass: ruclips.net/video/Rh1FdSApvVo/видео.html
@Kevin Chen Why - do you enjoy settling for second best? ;)