AudioCircle
Industry Circles => Spatial Audio => Topic started by: mrotino332 on 11 Nov 2021, 03:16 pm
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I guess I'll be the first one to ask but other than the X4 not having a powered woofer, what is the real difference between these models? I've had the X5 for the past year and a half and it is an amazing speaker and the main reasons I purchased it over the other models was the high efficiency, 8 ohm load and self powered woofer.
From what I can tell the X4 is 4 db less efficient, most likely has different brand midrange (Beyma) and woofer (Beyma) and maybe also has different crossover parts. The price on the website between these models is the same so I'm wondering what the pros and cons are for both for any new prospective customer? I'm really just curious on why one would pick either model over the other as the cost is the same.
For me as I mentioned I wanted the higher efficiency and powered woofer as I like to adjust the bass loudness to my liking so prefer the ability/flexibility to tune it based on the speaker location. One of my amplifiers stays in Class A for speakers above 5 ohms so that was another consideration.
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Well, the drivers are different and it's passive. From what you say your speakers currently meet your needs, so enjoy! How would they sound by sonics, perhaps Clayton could tell you or post here, if there is a difference at all, I like the passive designs.
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I would think they probably sound quite similar. The difference in drivers probably comes down to application over performance.
The X5 probably has better bass performance given that it is DSP controlled and driven directly from the amplifier.
A lot of people, myself included, aren’t thrilled with electronics in speakers. In 5 years if you lose the plate amp, you have a bricked speaker. There isn’t anything to guarantee a replacement.
A passive version allows you to enjoy most of the X series without worrying about plate amp issues.
If you are a level headed person you can enjoy the X5. Some of us are too neurotic.
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Yes, the X4 and X5 sound very similar. Many of our X5 customers that own low powered SET need the extra high efficiency and 8 Ohm characteristics that the X5s provide. But, most audiophiles own higher power, push-pull tube or solid state amps and would prefer to have a passive version, so we produce both.
Clayton
spatialaudiolab.com
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I was really excited to see the news of the X4. I know "active is the future", but I would prefer a passive, and I'm dying to hear the X4's now if they ever come in stock at J&J in San Jose. Clayton, any chance of that?
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I was really excited to see the news of the X4. I know "active is the future", but I would prefer a passive, and I'm dying to hear the X4's now if they ever come in stock at J&J in San Jose. Clayton, any chance of that?
Yes - we plan to get J&J a pair once full production starts.
Clayton
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I have a 400 W Lyngdorf 3400 solid state amplifier (moreover with a totally adjustable frequency response) but i would never ever renounce to the active low bass woofer: the flexibility the X3 and X5 allow is stellar and i adjust them depending on the music i listen to. Since X4 and X5 are priced the same, i recommend listening prior deciding.Trust your ears. And if you can't, i would personally lean towards the active X5. Remember also that the higher sensitivity of the X5 allows an incredibly good low level listening. IMHO.
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As @squeedle,
I was really excited to see the news of the X4. I know "active is the future", but I would prefer a passive...
and am wondering if the X4's would provide an "easy load" for my small PASS amp... Clayton, any chance you could please let us know what the minimum impedance value for the X4's is?Remember also that the higher sensitivity of the X5 allows an incredibly good low level listening.
This is a very important characteristic in my book too, @StefanS! How significant is the 4dB difference in this regard, please?