[Bingenito]

This forum has been very quiet in terms of contemporary product offerings. Besides the new speakers, amp and pre being posted on the website we have not really seen any info from Spatial, User reviews, YouTube reviews from the regular channels, manufacture co-branded videos... etc.

As prospective buyers what can we expect here in the next 30,60,90 days? Just my unsolicited POV but I do not think that a newsletter 6 times per year is sufficient marketing in this economy.

Thank you

[thestatman]

We have been promised a full set of specifications on the Raven pre in the next number of weeks so there is that.
   It can be really hard to cut through the mainstream review mags for product unless you are an advertiser, less hard in some of the fringier online review portals.   But you are right, I haven't seen a full on semi-professional review of the pre or power amps or new speakers anywhere that I'm aware of.   Spatial need a part time media manager to get the spice happening, but alas that costs moolah that is probably very needed elsewhere.

[Spatial Audio]

This forum has been very quiet in terms of contemporary product offerings. Besides the new speakers, amp and pre being posted on the website we have not really seen any info from Spatial, User reviews, YouTube reviews from the regular channels, manufacture co-branded videos... etc.

As prospective buyers what can we expect here in the next 30,60,90 days? Just my unsolicited POV but I do not think that a newsletter 6 times per year is sufficient marketing in this economy.

Thank you

We hear you! We are working to line up some third-party reviews as well as our own videos/promotions. Most of our focus has been on production and product development. In the next few months you can expect to see a new S4 speaker (imagine the S6 but with 2 x 12" woofers) for medium-large rooms. This is comparable to the previous M4 that was extremely popular. And, we are very close to having a high-efficiency X3 using the AMT from the X-series paired with a 10" midrange and a powered 15" woofer.

[jac1920]

As far as the preamp and power amps, I have to believe there are more out there than the number of reviews would suggest.  Feedback, including mine on this site as well as AudioGon have been generally positive.  I would hope that others find the time to post their impressions but I agree, it would be nice to see some semi-professional reviews.  I love my Raven preamp and see no need to replace it with anything else.

[Daryl Zero]

I have seen good reviews by individuals who purchased and tried the preamp.

What is missing for me and what I would really like to hear/know is whether the price is worth any differences in sound quality. The Raven is a $5,000 plus item preamp which requires you (if you have an integrated) to have or buy power amplifier/monos. I've been kind of intrigued at the idea of the Raven plus some Class D monoblocks but my speakers (Spatial's X5s) are very efficient and don't need 200 watts rms much less even 50 and it almost seems like chasing a white whale and expending a bunch of money for not much difference.

I have Don Sach's Valhalla integrated which, at the last PAF, Lynn Olson was very complimentary of because he hadn't heard it before. He told me that it sounded as good as amps costing 3 times as much. I previously had the LTA Z40+ which I thought was an excellent integrated but(on a thread I started) I read a lot of opinions that the Valhalla was significantly better. It was enough to convince me so I bought the Valhalla and I thought the Valhalla was significantly better with the X5s and in my room than the LTA even though the LTA was a fine piece of equipment.

So basically I'm looking for comparisons and price analysis from any reviewers which, so far, has been missing. I know there sometimes is cognitive dissonance (the need to adjust your opinions to justify your past actions or beliefs) and qualitative differences in different systems/rooms is tricky but that information would be helpful from anyone who has bought the Raven and/or the Blackbirds.

[Bingenito]

Thank you for the response. Sounds like you have more R&D occurring which is essential. That said the HiFi market is not doing so well right now and marketing is probably more critical to increase sales of existing product offerings.

Understanding that you are a small company and do not have endless resources... you may want to consider a loaner product that prospects pay for shipping and insurance and get to demo for X period and then post their thoughts and photos. Clearly large speakers are not good candidates for this but a preamp would be and there seems to be a lot of interest in that.

Doing your own videos frequently is also a great approach. Look at Danny at GR for example... Quick 5 min "Hey check this out, Did you know, etc."