Videos on Spatial Labs X5 mods

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Daryl Zero

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Videos on Spatial Labs X5 mods
« on: 13 Aug 2024, 12:32 am »
The Audiophile Junky has put up a couple of videos about a former industry guy who does his own mods and amps. He has a system using the Spatial Audio Lab X5s which are modded in several ways. The only thing I have in common with his set up (other than the speakers themselves) are that I discovered a while ago that putting these speakers in front of bookshelves is a great sound dampener.

https://youtu.be/dXGzu3EXFtE?si=DNwmfv8S_kINQEx2

https://youtu.be/ZNFsCTEtroc?si=kQP0OWPCtiD34JiO

Jon L

Re: Videos on Spatial Labs X5 mods
« Reply #1 on: 13 Aug 2024, 01:33 am »
I hope he is using something better to record sound than the cell phone he usually used.

At any rate, I thought this Spatial X5 video was a very interesting juxtaposition to this video by sound engineer Randy Parker explaining another fully-active system using Trinnov Altitude 16 DSP processor with room correction and Multi Entry Horns (MEH) with not a single tube in sight.

https://youtu.be/lrXDs2bSG28?si=lZSxh0L3F3eT9R2n&t=1269

Mr. Big

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Re: Videos on Spatial Labs X5 mods
« Reply #2 on: 14 Aug 2024, 09:14 pm »
Modifying a speaker by changing its crossover components is something 99% of us cannot do; such changes transform the sound into something distinct, and one can only hope the modifications yield a satisfactory result. The video showcasing their work suggests a suboptimal listening room: one speaker is next to a large bookshelf, the other in a more open area, the front wall is cluttered with equipment and a large screen, and the seating area is similarly arranged. Assessing the impact of the modifications in that room, it seems they would be unique to that setting, even for the stock speaker. Nonetheless, they appear to be enthusiasts who take pleasure in their hobby, which is commendable. My own foray into modifications taught me expensive lessons about resale—there's virtually no market—and sound quality. The equipment sounded more balanced and accurate before I replaced parts with costlier ones, which altered the entire voicing of the system. A designer once told me that you construct a circuit based on the components used. Inserting parts that emit more high frequency than intended shifts the sound towards the high end, resulting in excessive brightness. Nelson Pass and others possess more experience than any hobbyist, but if they enjoy their work and it brings them joy, that's what truly matters. They noted cabinet vibrations, but all musical instruments vibrate.

Daryl Zero

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Re: Videos on Spatial Labs X5 mods
« Reply #3 on: 14 Aug 2024, 10:24 pm »
Mods aren't anything I could do. I posted this thread because (1) this forum has been pretty inactive so I thought it might be an interesting discussion topic and (2) I thought it interesting that some fairly knowledgeable audiophiles were using the Spatial Audio Lab X5s as their starting point which indicates to me that it is a good design or at least a good starting point.

I did listen to the audio clip (for whatever good it is) in the second video (listening on headphones) and then played it on my system and really didn't hear any differences I can identify. I'm pretty much of the opinion that I either can't do much better than what I've set up or that I couldn't tell the difference anyhow. I tend to the first because I've had a few experienced/knowledgeable guys listen to my system and received pretty positive comments plus I've heard a few systems and remain happy with mine.

Mr. Big

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Re: Videos on Spatial Labs X5 mods
« Reply #4 on: 15 Aug 2024, 02:31 pm »
Mods aren't anything I could do. I posted this thread because (1) this forum has been pretty inactive so I thought it might be an interesting discussion topic and (2) I thought it interesting that some fairly knowledgeable audiophiles were using the Spatial Audio Lab X5s as their starting point which indicates to me that it is a good design or at least a good starting point.

I did listen to the audio clip (for whatever good it is) in the second video (listening on headphones) and then played it on my system and really didn't hear any differences I can identify. I'm pretty much of the opinion that I either can't do much better than what I've set up or that I couldn't tell the difference anyhow. I tend to the first because I've had a few experienced/knowledgeable guys listen to my system and received pretty positive comments plus I've heard a few systems and remain happy with mine.

It can only get so good, and the next step up is for the doctors and lawyers with expendable money in the $$$$$$ ranges. Sadly that is where the companies are marketing and pricing their gear towards because that is where the sales are. Looking through TAS yesterday most stuff reviewed was way out of my price range even when I worked and made a good income, and still could not see myself paying today's prices are just crazy and doom this hobby as boomers pass on and retire and just stop buying gear like they did when they were younger.

Bingenito

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Re: Videos on Spatial Labs X5 mods
« Reply #5 on: 17 Aug 2024, 02:34 pm »
Having owned the X4 latest edition and some quality electronics I agree with the statement above. You can do better but that last 20% performance will cost you 10x. I know first hand.

Yes it is impressive but in this economy probably not the best use of funds. The other downside of going all out is that you can really no longer swap gear as the market for ultra HiFi is dead and your prospective buyers are 3 guys and 2 of them kick tires... Be happy with 80-85% is my advice.

El Tio

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Re: Videos on Spatial Labs X5 mods
« Reply #6 on: 18 Aug 2024, 03:40 pm »
During my journey of assembling my latest system, part of my focus was tight Bass. Not quantity but quality. This is what led me to the open baffle design. I purchased a pair of Spatial's M3s and have been very pleased with how they sound in my room. I ended up at a point where I considered my system complete and there was nothing else to add or replace. At some point I started to wonder what was in the crossover and that it was probably my weakest link. I finally opened it up to see what was inside. The components I would say were better than average but that there was room for improvement. After determining the electrical values of all the components I started looking into obtaining replacement parts of the same values. I figured if I am going to notice a difference these new components are going to have to be VERY good (expensive). The crossover was pretty simple with three second order filters consisting of 6 parts total. I did not want to make any permanent changes to the speaker itself so this was going to be an external crossover that would utilize the current Speakon connector. I first made a prototype as this was a big crapshoot in terms of results. After some burnin I was very happy with the results and made the final version on a one inch thick plank of Walnut (another pricey component). The result was more detail top to bottom with improved depth/Soundstage. I think the bass is tighter too but it was already very good so this could just be me? So this project was $3K in total. I figured if a company made a component that could be purchased for $3K that would make my system sound better I would probably buy it, so this is how I justified the project. Besides it was fun!