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Spatial Audio M3

Capitol C

Capitol C

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
I'd like some expert opinions on the Spatial Audio M3 speakers. I've listened to, and been impressed with, MartinLogan ESls, I plan to listen to them again and compare them to Golden Ear Triton 3s soon. I'm looking for something in this price range, and I agree with my charming wife that something less boxy is better for my living room. The speakers will be used for two-channel listening to classical music, mostly symphonic (think Brahms or Mahler) plus some jazz. Listening to speakers in showrooms is, or course, no guarantee that they will sound good in your room, but the Spatials can't be listened to in my area of the country.
Thanks to all in advance for comments and suggestions.
 
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Hi, I am a fairly new owner of the M3's and I couldn't be more thrilled. These are the Turbo S. First of all, I have little or no experience with open baffle speakers, planars, etc. Having owned Dunlavy's for almost 20 years it was time to see what new technology could do.
The sound: live, open, coherent, full, intense, beautiful. last night I was blown away listening to Red Seal Bartok, and jazz.
I highly recommend these speakers, but YMMV, why?
Amplification: At 94 or 95 db, what you put up front comes to the fore. In my case tube amps are perfect, BUT, I could hear tweaks that before were less noticeable, changing speaker wires although subtle, over time showed me much more (going from Morrow to MIT) speaker placement equal distant from sidewalls and toeing in slightly allowed a HUGE soundstage (for classical) with the right recordings. I would even venture to say the designer listens to jazz, because ensemble playing is so LIVE and spot on!
I recommend either buying used and reselling if you don't like them or spending the money with the return policy. I really am thrilled by these wonderful speakers.
 
ricardoe, Welcome to Audiokarma, and thank you for your very helpful comments. I'm currently listening to the AR-3as that I've owned since they were new. I did a careful (and fun) restoration on them, they sound very good, but I'd also like to see what 45 years has done to speaker technology.
I've never heard Dunlavy's, but given their reputation, I'd say that if you like the M3s, that is an opinion that counts. Thanks much for the answer, I'll post again when I decide which speakers to try first.
 
I heard the M3's at The Show Newport (California) in 2015, they were fantastic. There were a crap ton of speakers at the show, many retailing 30 to 50 times the list price of the Spatial Audio M3's and yet I kept going back to the Spatial room to listen to the M3's.
 
Yes, I think if you are going to take the plunge into cost and a new set of speakers, I'm not sure you would do any better. Because they are highly sensitive, they can be driven by any wattage, which is a plus. Also, the bass goes to around 45Hz, and even though I use a sub, it's not necessary AND they are coherent all the way through their range. The treble is also very accurate, and does not create an overly bright presentation. Drums, percussion, bass, symbols, vocals ALL have a tremendous sense of presence and weight. I hope I am not overstating, but you may be able to check other websites like audiocircle and see if anyone in your area has a pair. Good luck!
 
The web site quotes 32 hz to 20 khz +/1 3db, "in room response". I'm not sure what in room response means, but 32 hz is lower than the 3as. I don't want to stir up a hornets next about subjective vs objective, but I wish that speaker manufacturers would publish anechoic chamber measurements on frequency response, total-harmonic distortion, and intermodulation distortion just as a starting point. Dunlavy also made a good case for inpulse response measurements.
 
Yes, I stand corrected. It may be that in this case the "in room response" is important in that the M3's deliver less of the room sound, while maintaining good bass, whereas box speakers are very responsive (usually negative) to room boundaries. Why not give them a call, tell them your situation and....? Good luck!
Also, with the AR3A speakers, I was wondering if you considered something like Harbeth's, for a similar sound?
 
Heard them at RMAF. Like other's have already said, I kept going back to that room to listen. Very "live" and realistic sounding speaker. I don't know if that would eventually "wear" on a person, but I don't think so. If they have a return policy for direct purchase - I'd go for it.
 
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