AudioCircle
Industry Circles => Spatial Audio => Topic started by: Desertpilot on 10 Oct 2023, 04:11 pm
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Hello Everyone. No sense letting this message board grow inactive.
I purchased three X3s in May, 2021. Now, Spatial Audio is selling the X4. The cost of each of my X3s is roughly equal to the cost of each X4 Ultra. Do I want to upgrade? No. Do I feel I have a less capable speaker? No. I continue to be amazed at the sound quality from my X3s. I do not know the quality of the crossover parts inside my X3s. Given the speaker's cost, I would expect the crossover circuit is pretty darn good. In my situation, speakers are five feet from the front wall and 10 feet from the MLP, each speaker's drivers meld into one sound. There is never a time when any driver sounds detached from the other drivers. Soundstage is robust in width and depth and is located behind my speakers.
I listen to classical surround music. Typically, the music is mixed to 5.0 channel configuration, ITU format (rear surrounds rather than side surrounds). My download purchase choice, when available, is DXD 352.8/32 (WAV). I try to download directly from the recording studio. I want to highlight three recent purchases that have motivated this post.
-- Solo Piano: Nicolas van Poucke, The Schumann Collection, Vol. 2. https://trptk.com/shop/downloads/the-schumann-collection-vol-2/ (https://trptk.com/shop/downloads/the-schumann-collection-vol-2/).
---- Review: https://www.hraudio.net/showmusic.php?title=16217#reviews (https://www.hraudio.net/showmusic.php?title=16217#reviews).
I own a lot of impressive solo piano music. This new release goes beyond anything I have in my collection. The piano is properly centered behind my center channel speaker. Each note is clearly reproduced. It is so distinct, you can hear the notes from each hand of the pianist as if you were standing beside the piano. It is a double SACD album with a generous two hours of music. I can listen to the entire performance with no feelings of fatigue. Release Date: October, 2023.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=257414)
-- Chamber: Chiaroscuro Quartet, Haydn: String Quartets Op. 33 1-3. https://www.eclassical.com/haydn-string-quartets-op-33-nos-1-3.html (https://www.eclassical.com/haydn-string-quartets-op-33-nos-1-3.html).
---- Review of one of their other albums: https://www.hraudio.net/showmusic.php?title=13299#reviews (https://www.hraudio.net/showmusic.php?title=13299#reviews).
I've never been a fan of HIP (Historically Informed Performance) style. In this case, however, it is absolutely stunning. The quartet plays on 1700's instruments using gut strings. The whole conception of chamber music changes for me. The artists noted how different it was for them to use gut strings. For example, they had to make changes in timing to accommodate the swift drop off in sound. On lesser speakers, this distinction would be lost. On my X3s, I am absolutely amazed at the music's robust sound. The four artists surround my center channel speaker. However, each performer is properly distanced from one another. It is so realistic, I feel I could get up and walk over to them. Release Date: May, 2023.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=257416)
-- Orchestra: Manfred Honeck, Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5. https://www.nativedsd.com/product/fr752-tchaikovsky-symphony-no-5-schulhoff-five-pieces-for-string-quartet/ (https://www.nativedsd.com/product/fr752-tchaikovsky-symphony-no-5-schulhoff-five-pieces-for-string-quartet/).
---- Review: https://www.hraudio.net/showmusic.php?title=16101#reviews (https://www.hraudio.net/showmusic.php?title=16101#reviews).
I'm a big fan of Honeck and his Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. This is simply his newest recording and I agree with the reviewer, "This is without doubt the finest modern recording of Tchaikovsky’s 5th Symphony in both musical and sonic terms that I have heard...". My X3s put the entire orchestra in my listening space. Instrument groups are all properly spaced. Everything comes together to give me that "I am at the concert" feeling. Release Date: July, 2023.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=257417)
My X3s make the genre or style irrelevant. They all come through in superb sonic quality. Certainly, my equipment choices contribute to my wonderful listening experience. I give my X3s an accurate signal and they turn it into an accurate sound. Sure, I have a large room with several GIK acoustic panels. I also carefully measured speaker distances. Bottom line, I've done what I felt needed to be done to give my X3s the opportunity to perform at their best. All I do at this point in my retired life, is spend lots of time each day listening to music.
Marcus
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I'm going to have to try and get the Nicolas van Poucke on vinyl. I'm exclusively just purchasing vinyl from here on out. You have great taste in music, and I'm buying solo piano and harpsichord music like a mad man :) I just love the stuff. I'm loving Sylvia Marlowe. She has a different tonality and approach and her playing is impeccable. Thank you for the great recommendations.
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You're in luck. Vol 1 is on Vinyl. https://trptk.com/shop/vinyl/the-schumann-collection-vol-1-2-lp/ (https://trptk.com/shop/vinyl/the-schumann-collection-vol-1-2-lp/). I think it's equally as impressive.
Thanks for your comment.
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X3’s are incredible speakers - I still miss them.
If you like Mozart, the new set of sonatas by Hewitt are incredible.
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Thanks Tyson. Your opinion is always valued.
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You're in luck. Vol 1 is on Vinyl. https://trptk.com/shop/vinyl/the-schumann-collection-vol-1-2-lp/ (https://trptk.com/shop/vinyl/the-schumann-collection-vol-1-2-lp/). I think it's equally as impressive.
Thanks for your comment.
Fantastic. I'm so blessed to have a record store in my town that has a large classical section, and most of the titles are $6.00. Most are in excellent condition. I'm making it a weekly visit :) Who needs food. Thank you
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Let's talk about the drivers.
I know the crossover point between the subwoofer and the mid range driver is 90 Hz. The crossover between the mid range driver and the AMT (Air Motion Tweeter) driver is 1,000 Hz.
AMT Driver: Ron at New Record Day has always had issues with AMT drivers. He says they draw attention to themselves although he had a change of heart with the new X4s. My X3s have the same AMT driver in the same wave guide as the X4. I've never notice an integration issue between the AMT and the other drivers. In fact, reproduction of piano, violin and vocal music is superb and fully integrated. I know many of you prefer the dome style tweeter. I've gone through plenty of speakers with this type of tweeter. For me, the AMT is perfect.
Mid Range Driver: Total bliss for me. This 12 inch driver reproduces the bulk of instruments in classical music. Reproduction is precise and extraordinarily accurate. Baritone & Bass vocals are stunning.
Subwoofer: My speakers have the 15 inch subwoofers with the 250 watt amplifiers. Testing informed us that the subwoofers had unbalanced gain. I retested until I could set the volume knobs to equalize the subwoofer volume. I've never felt I was missing bass. Plucking double bass strings, tubas, organ notes all come through loud and clear. I do have two SVS SB13Ultra subwoofers and I installed their amplifier upgrade. They are in the rear of my listening space, underneath my rear surround speakers. Our testing showed us a 30 Hz crossover would be beneficial. No, I don't get earth shattering bass or physical feelings. My music doesn't need that experience. The 30 Hz crossover works perfect for me.
Bass side note. I know GR research touts their circuit that stops their bass drivers on a dime. I don't think we have that circuit on the X3s. But, in my experience, I've never felt the bass notes propagated excessively. Maybe I'm wrong. EDIT: from the GR Research website: "...Direct Servo plate amps. Direct Servo is a patented technology that is far more effective than any other servo control systems of the past."
Thanks for listening.
Marcus
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Thanks for sharing what you nailed about the reproduction quality of Spatial Audio speakers and how they can faithfully reproduce quality produced music. I've been this hobby for 40 years and I have the listening experience from owning many styles of speakers and gear these speakers hold their own and better many of them in making music sound alive in the room. With those speakers up to $30,000. You can get a different sound but that does not make them better just different in how they reproduce and image and that is due to how they bring bass, mids, or highs forward in their speakers in one or two of those areas, no different than cables can do.
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Thanks for sharing what you nailed about the reproduction quality of Spatial Audio speakers and how they can faithfully reproduce quality produced music.
Thank you for your active membership in our community!
... With those speakers up to $30,000. You can get a different sound but that does not make them better just different ...
The law of diminishing returns.
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I agree 100% with you Desertpilot. I've had the X5s since the spring of 2020 and they still impress me each and every time I listen to them, they play any genre of music equally well and really do not have a particular sound signature. They sound like the source feeding them. I had been searching for new speakers about five years ago and Spatial was on my radar since then. But when the X series came out it seemed like exactly what I had been waiting/looking for which was a ribbon type of tweeter (I've had very good dome speakers in the past such as Scanspeak revelator, Dynaudio Esotar, Morel, etc.), very high efficiency to give more amplification options, powered woofer (so I have more control over the amount of bass and easier to integrate in the room) and easy impedance load.
This speaker has vastly surpassed my expectations and I bought them having never heard Spatial audio speakers before.
I belong to an audio club in CT. and each member that visits for a listen is in awe and all say they cannot believe the performance for what they cost and mention that they are among the best speakers they've heard period regardless of cost. They are surprised also that since my room is not very good that the bass quality, imaging, dynamics and transparency are still so outstanding. They also mention that when they first sat down and looked at all of the big drivers they could not believe the coherency the speakers produced as the appearance and size of the drivers would not suggest that.
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I agree 100% with you Desertpilot.
Thank you!
I had been searching for new speakers about five years ago and Spatial was on my radar since then. But when the X series came out it seemed like exactly what I had been waiting/looking for...
I was looking at GR Research speakers initially. I purchased Danny's crossover upgrade for my SVS Ultra Bookshelf speakers. Great upgrade but I learned that building speakers was not possible for me (dang, my hands hurt after building the crossover). So, then I began looking at Spatial Audio and fell in love with the X3s.
I belong to an audio club in CT.
I grew up in New Haven, CT. My family still lives there. When I visit, we always head to Pepe's Appiza https://pepespizzeria.com/ (https://pepespizzeria.com/) on Wooster Street.
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wow ok. I grew up in West Haven and now live in Fairfield so not far from New Haven. I'm actually meeting relatives for pizza Saturday night in New Haven but at Modern which is very good as well. Pepes, Modern and Sallys are considered the whole trinity best pizza places in New Haven although there are several other great pizza places in the area and my favorite of the three is actually Sally's although all three are exceptional. Zuppardis in West Haven is fantastic as well.
Anyway that's nice that your family still lives there and I'm sure you visit when you can and get some good pizza. I'm Italian and the New Haven area has very good Italian food in general.
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Yes! Zuppardis.
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Desertpilot your post over last couple years are why I went and bought this same speaker. I love them and I have had a few types in my lifetime including maggies... These are so dynamic and once placed right in your room and have the right treatments they sound well above their price point to me. I thought about going to the x4 but think how much more can I get then I already have. I was fortunate to find these on the used market for 1/3 of cost new and couldnt be happier with them. Love reading everyones take on their own journey. :).
Don
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Don, thank you very much. I super appreciate your taking time to post your thoughts.
Marcus
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X3’s are incredible speakers - I still miss them.
If you like Mozart, the new set of sonatas by Hewitt are incredible.
What do you miss about them Tyson vs your current speakers?
I have my X-3s combined with GR Research Dual Servos and I don’t think I could find a much better speaker at any price.
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What do you miss about them Tyson vs your current speakers?
I have my X-3s combined with GR Research Dual Servos and I don’t think I could find a much better speaker at any price.
I still think the X3's are great speakers, particularly for music. I actually have 2 systems at my house - a dedicated 2 channel music-only setup on the main floor and a HT setup in the basement (also 2 channel). For a long time I ran my best speakers (the Serenity Acoustic Super 7's) in the basement. For the upstairs system, I rotated through a bunch of different speakers before ending up with the X3's.
One day it dawned on me that I really ought to move the Super 7's upstairs to the music system because they are pretty much the best music speakers I've ever heard. So I did, and they are awesome in the upstairs system now.
I moved the X3's to my HT downstairs and they sounded good down there but just didn't produce enough bass. I was about to buy and build out some OB subs to augment them when I saw someone selling NX-Oticas with 2 towers of triple 12" OB subs for about the same price I could get for my used X3's. So I sold the X3's and got the NX-Oticas and the triple bass towers. And that definitely produces enough bass for movies!!
As for what I specifically miss about the X3's - in my music system the X3's had power and ease in the lower midrange/upper bass that my Super 7's just can't match. There's something very 'right' sounding about a big 12 inch paper woofer doing the midrange.
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Has anyone any experience in hearing how the X-3's sound compared to the new Ultra4's?
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There's something very 'right' sounding about a big 12 inch paper woofer doing the midrange.
Yep. 8)
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There is no perfect speaker, you find one who sounds good to you and the type of music you enjoy that brings the performance to you, very few speakers can do that, and Spatial is one as well as Clayton Shaw designs with another new company of his. The speakers can change as you change cables and power cords on your amps, as well as your room, that is a good speaker that can easily allow you to hear these changes, some are so colored/tilted in the highs and lows that these differences don't stand out.
I tonight pulled out 4 power cords from my collection and used them on my amp, each easily could hear the sonic changes. From lackluster to a point, to overly warm and other details pushed forward, one a good balance of the others, now if I heard my speakers with any of the cords that were not as good as the one I like more, it would have given me the wrong idea on how these speakers sound, So the speaker is the teller of the total rest of your gear and cables, room before them. Now that is a speaker people dream of having and you don't have to drop obscene money to get that performance, perfect they may not be but right they are at what they allow you to enjoy of your recordings and only improve as you feed them better and match cables and take care of your room acoustics. Bright these speakers are not only if they are in a room with no care given, and time taken for setup and cabling to match to bring out the best they can be.
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I moved the X3's to my HT downstairs and they sounded good down there but just didn't produce enough bass. ...
Tyson, thanks for your explanation. I was curious about your decision to sell your X3s.
I use my X3s in a home theater application as well as for surround music. I have two SVS SB13 Ultra subwoofers in the rear of my listening space. For music, I set the crossover at 30Hz. I didn't want my X3s to handle very low organ notes. For movies, I set the crossover at 40Hz. I didn't want my X3s to handle explosions, etc.. I have never felt I was lacking in bass for either application.
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Yep. 8)
I certainly concurr. For example I Have two sets of speaker cables that each have a msrp of over $4,000. Yet they sound as different as night and day in my set up! However, there are innumerable threads here that go on, and on, and on about how a particular speaker sounds, its good points , its bad, etc. I was just trying to get some feel for the Ultra 4 as most (but not all) seem to love the X-3.
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Lots of good thoughts here and thanks for the music recommendations.
And after 39 months my X3s continue to amaze me too. I am finally totally enamored with the X3s but it certainly wasn’t simply a matte of hooking them up and saying “all done”. I struggled getting the X3s to “bloom” with various amps and pre-amps. But the magic just wasn’t happening. Then my friend Michael loaned me an early Decware SET amp. WOW! What just happened?! I couldn’t believe my ears. No pre-amp; DAC to amp direct. I unhooked the Decware amp and re-connected my $8000 integrated. Two songs later the Decware was back in my system on long-term loan. I was in music nirvana.. until Michael loaned me an early Aric Audio 12au7 pre-amp. Not again! This combination offers something I have never before heard in a home stereo. My wife and I listen for hours on end. No listener fatigue, no wishing the system sounded better. I ended up buying a used Decware amp and Michael sold me the Aric Audio pre. And now it’s all about the music.
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Is it okay to say that my X5s continue to amaze me or is this thread numberist?
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I can’t speak for others Daryl but I am ambinumberist. Bring it on!
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I absolutely agree that there is no "perfect" speaker and the decision as to which one to own often rests on how many things does it do right...in our room with our system...and how few things does it do wrong.
To my way of thinking, the question implied as to the potential value of replacing the X3 with the X4 rests with a couple of things...which can't really be known without hearing the X4s:
1. Does eliminating the built in amp and using the same amp to drive the whole speaker improve the tone of the bass/mid bass?
2. Does the X4 improve upon the overall coherency as some have said they hear a slight disconnection?
3. Is there more low bass and low mid bass slam as some have said they need a separate subwoofer to bring this out?
One of the "problems" with a really good sounding speaker is that it is hard to improve upon...and the improvements are often hard to hear.
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I absolutely agree that there is no "perfect" speaker and the decision as to which one to own often rests on how many things does it do right...in our room with our system...and how few things does it do wrong.
To my way of thinking, the question implied as to the potential value of replacing the X3 with the X4 rests with a couple of things...which can't really be known without hearing the X4s:
1. Does eliminating the built in amp and using the same amp to drive the whole speaker improve the tone of the bass/mid bass?
2. Does the X4 improve upon the overall coherency as some have said they hear a slight disconnection?
3. Is there more low bass and low mid bass slam as some have said they need a separate subwoofer to bring this out?
One of the "problems" with a really good sounding speaker is that it is hard to improve upon...and the improvements are often hard to hear.
I can say this my subwoofers when used using the same amp as what drives my speakers always sounded better and blended better because the same amp "signature" impacts both the main speaker and the sub, where the sub's amp gives the bass a different sound dues to a class D amp being used or even a/b amp, so I would always go passive in speakers, not to mention the hassles of a powered speaker fails and having to ship the speaker or speakers back for repair.
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People say all the time, "there is no perfect speaker." By whatever definition one ascribes to it, even if you had a perfect speaker, you wouldn't know it because it would always sound imperfect. Let's set aside the influences of your room, gear, treatment, hearing, etc. for a moment. Music, regardless of the source, is imperfect. Whenever you attend a live concert, there's nothing perfect about the sound. The bass is often muddy, the band is playing too loud, the horns sound harsh, etc. The point is -- enjoy whatever speakers you have by embracing the sonic imperfections because they're 100% unavoidable. It's great to read threads like this one where people are amazed by their speakers and aren't chasing the next best thing.
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I absolutely agree that there is no "perfect" speaker and the decision as to which one to own often rests on how many things does it do right...in our room with our system...and how few things does it do wrong.
To my way of thinking, the question implied as to the potential value of replacing the X3 with the X4 rests with a couple of things...which can't really be known without hearing the X4s:
1. Does eliminating the built in amp and using the same amp to drive the whole speaker improve the tone of the bass/mid bass?
2. Does the X4 improve upon the overall coherency as some have said they hear a slight disconnection?
3. Is there more low bass and low mid bass slam as some have said they need a separate subwoofer to bring this out?
One of the "problems" with a really good sounding speaker is that it is hard to improve upon...and the improvements are often hard to hear.
I know Don Sachs was salivating over the X4 Ultras and mainly because of the passive woofer. I also know I wasn't hearing the same things he was. I didn't think the 300b mono blocks were a significant improvement over the Valhalla (pricewise and soundwise). I'm pretty sure he has a specific ear for subtle differences that I wasn't hearing. I'm happy being naive or ignorant about such things and just loving what I have.
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One of the great joys of this hobby is NOT searching for perfection but searching for different sounds. Just as bands sound different from night to night and venues sound different from each other...and all of it being enjoyable even though its different....just changing up the sound from time to time can bring the same joyful experience.
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Hi Marcus,
How about a photograph of your system.Thanks for your post.
Cheers Rod
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YES ! A photo is worth a 1000 words !
Thanks for sharing.
Double A
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Hi Marcus,
How about a photograph of your system.Thanks for your post.
Cheers Rod
Sure. Let me locate my photos.
Front three X3s. Luckily, my wife allows this setup. Wall to the left side. Open to the dining room on the right side.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=258406)
I have a couple more photos but Audio Circle is having an issue with my upload.
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Is it okay to say that my X5s continue to amaze me or is this thread numberist?
LOL! No "numberists" here. Please do contribute.
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I know Don Sachs was salivating over the X4 Ultras and mainly because of the passive woofer. I also know I wasn't hearing the same things he was. I didn't think the 300b mono blocks were a significant improvement over the Valhalla (pricewise and soundwise). I'm pretty sure he has a specific ear for subtle differences that I wasn't hearing. I'm happy being naive or ignorant about such things and just loving what I have.
That’s interesting, what you say about Don liking the X4 for its passive woofer, as he owned (still owns?) a pair of X5s, and one of the things he said he liked about them (one of the arguments that convinced me to go with the X5s) was how the active sub freed up the kind of amplifier he could use to power the mid and tweeter. I suppose both things can be true: one can like freedom of amp choice the active sub allows for and also like the sonic continuity provided by one amp powering the full range.
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That’s interesting, what you say about Don liking the X4 for its passive woofer, as he owned (still owns?) a pair of X5s, and one of the things he said he liked about them (one of the arguments that convinced me to go with the X5s) was how the active sub freed up the kind of amplifier he could use to power the mid and tweeter. I suppose both things can be true: one can like freedom of amp choice the active sub allows for and also like the sonic continuity provided by one amp powering the full range.
I prefer the passive bass, yes. The Blackbird 300b monos that Spatial will be producing at the end of November is quite another level above the 300b monos we had at the Seattle show. The bass is astonishingly real. You can hear the beats in the low piano strings as they fade away. The X5 subs are nice, but they are solid state amps and they simply cannot do that. It is the tonality... So I prefer an open baffle with passive bass down to 30 Hz like the X4.
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I prefer the passive bass, yes. The Blackbird 300b monos that Spatial will be producing at the end of November is quite another level above the 300b monos we had at the Seattle show. The bass is astonishingly real. You can hear the beats in the low piano strings as they fade away. The X5 subs are nice, but they are solid state amps and they simply cannot do that. It is the tonality... So I prefer an open baffle with passive bass down to 30 Hz like the X4.
Is it the combination of the Blackbird 300b amps with the X4Ultra that makes the difference for you, or would you opt for the passive Ultras over the X5s regardless of the amp? For example, would you pair the Valhalla with the Ultras over the X5s, or do you feel the tonal benefit of the passive bass is only realized with an amp the quality of the Blackbird? I hope I’ve framed my question clearly.
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Is it the combination of the Blackbird 300b amps with the X4Ultra that makes the difference for you, or would you opt for the passive Ultras over the X5s regardless of the amp? For example, would you pair the Valhalla with the Ultras over the X5s, or do you feel the tonal benefit of the passive bass is only realized with an amp the quality of the Blackbird? I hope I’ve framed my question clearly.
I prefer a good competent tube amp like the Valhalla with the passive bass. Mediocre tube amps, hard to say. Flea watt SETs, probably the X5 with powered sub. Depends on the tube amp. An ST70 or clone, Prima Luna, things like that, hard to say. My long-term experience is with tube amps farther up the food chain from those, which I consider entry-level. A very competent tube amp sounds more realistic than that amp powering the sub to my ear. We all have our taste. An amp like the Blackbird? Not even close. This is NOT to say the X5 sounds bad! If you were a fan of EDM or other genres of that sort, or just electric bass, then you may prefer the powered sub. If you like to listen to acoustic bass, left hand of the piano, various percussion instruments where you can hear the effect of the skin on the drum head, how it is struck, the decay of the body of the instrument.... then the really good tube amp. This is what I prefer to listen to and for those things I will take a very competent tube amp like the Valhalla or if you have the budget, the Blackbird is quite a step up. This is my taste, based on my experience. One size does not fit all....
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This is an excellent conversation about the passive subwoofer of the X4 vs. powered subs on the X3/X5. Given my situation, I doubt I would "hear" the differences. I am very satisfied with the bass in my X3s. I wanted to talk about the superior reproduction of vocals but since we're on bass, here are a few of my favorite cello and double bass music selections. In my opinion, the bass comes through very realistic and lifelike.
One of my favorite cello albums is Elgar & Tchaikovsky – Cello Works, Johannes Moser, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande. Available at Native DSD: https://www.nativedsd.com/product/ptc5186570-elgar-tchaikovsky-cello-works/ (https://www.nativedsd.com/product/ptc5186570-elgar-tchaikovsky-cello-works/). Right from the first bars of the opening track, you know you are in for a wonderful sonic experience.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=258569)
Another cello album that gets a lot of play time is Dark Fire, Joachim Eijlander. Available at Native DSD or TRPTK, both digital and Vinyl: https://www.nativedsd.com/product/ttk0056-dark-fire/ (https://www.nativedsd.com/product/ttk0056-dark-fire/). For me, the music borders on improvisation and almost jazz fusion.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=258570)
Finally, here's a wonderful double bass and piano album, Canto Interno (The Song Within), Justyna Maj, Luis Cabrera, Sylvia Huang. Available at Native DSD or TRPTK, both digital and Vinyl: https://www.nativedsd.com/product/ttk0072-canto-interno/ (https://www.nativedsd.com/product/ttk0072-canto-interno/)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=258571)
Of course, I have plenty more favorites, but these three come to mind.
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I found the Valhalla amp improved bass performance on my X5s. I was fairly stunned at this given that the woofer was driven by a different amp. I find that the bass performance of the X5s is what I want. I know Spatial went away from the active woofer as they had some issues with the plate amp but mine, so far, have been just fine. Listening to the X4 Ultras at PAF didn't make me want those speakers instead of the X5s I have.
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I found the Valhalla amp improved bass performance on my X5s. I was fairly stunned at this given that the woofer was driven by a different amp.
Using a speaker level signal is supposed to preserve much of the sound quality of the source amplifier. REL use this method for their subwoofers and Musical Fidelity offered their Supercharger high power amplifiers that would accept a speaker level signal from low powered amps. This is why you'd notice a difference in bass quality from using different amplifiers.
For me, the active bass in my X3's solved a room problem I have with a large sofa between me and the speakers acting as a massive bass trap. Sit on the sofa and there's bass. Sit at my desk directly behind the sofa, as I usually do, and the bass vanishes, but with the X3s I can correct for my listening position.