SPATIAL AUDIO HOLOGRAM M1 Turbo - NEW - OPEN BAFFLE DESIGN

New from Clayton Shaw, the Flagship of the HOLOGRAM line of open baffle, high efficiency speakers. The M1 continues the ground-breaking performance of the Hologram M2, introduced at Axpona 2014, but in a full range, 15 inch driver-based design. The point source, 2-way achieves in-room response to 32Hz and is an all analog, completely passive design, eliminating the need for DSP equalization and bi-amping. Twin 15 inch driver units and 95 dB sensitivity create stunning dynamics while retaining the smooth and 3D presentation of the smaller M2 model, which was a hit at 2014 Axpona and the California Audio Shows: 

Steven Stone of the Absolute Sound Magazine remarked:  The Best Sound (For the Money) – It was a dead heat between the Emerald Physics CS3 mark II ($3500US/pr) and the Spatial Hologram M2 ($2,000US/pr) rooms. Clayton Shaw designed both speakers which conquered their hotel room sonic shortcomings with aplomb.

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Re: Spatial Audio Hologram M1 Turbo

I can't stop listening to this system. I didn't comment on the looks of the speakers in my last post. They are gorgeous. Modern looking, expertly finished, and unimposing. If Clayton were to distribute these via retail chains, I suspect every other speaker manufacturer would shit their pants. Their WAF factor is off the charts. When you factor that with the fact that they punch WAY above their price point the rest of the industry has much to be nervous about. While everyone else is regurgitating the same design from the beginning of speaker development, Clayton has revolutionized speaker design. After listening to my M1's for a few hours I concur that box speakers are now obsolete. Do NOT audition these speakers if you have no intention of buying them. They will make it nearly impossible to go back to your conventional speakers. Once the image height lifts, every album I listen to will sound like an intimate live performance in a small club or coffee shop. The open baffle lends to a diffuse sound with plenty of air between instruments and textured vocals, yet the imaging is still pin point. You get that live sound, but are still able to identify clearly where the singer is placed along with the band. This is not a subtle effect that will be lost on anyone. Listening to "Billy Jean" by Michael Jackson earlier I had to pick my jaw up off the floor. His voice sounded pure, textured, and authentic. The sound stage was wide though the image height is limited to the height of the speakers. "Jam" also from MJ is incredible via these speakers as is "Black and White." I highly recommend listening to these three tracks through the Spatials. "Jam" is just fun through my M2's. "Black and White" opens with a son listening to music late at night and the father yelling at him to turn it down. A few seconds in the father bangs on the son's door and a few seconds later bangs on his door again. Both times the door banging is utterly realistic and fun. Keep in mind that I am powering these speakers thru a $600 tube integrated that generates a mere 10 watts per channel. I have not turned up the volume past 1/4 so far and it is plenty loud with reserve current available. Total system cost came to roughly $5k. Plenty of money, but I have auditioned systems that used speaker cables costing more. I can't think of a system I have had more fun listening to than this one currently and it is only a few hours old. The best is still to come. There is no thinking with these speakers, it is all about enjoying. You completely forget that you are listening to a "system" and just listen to music. In the end, isn't what this hobby is supposed to be about? To be able to get there at the price offered makes these speakers hands down the best value on the audio market right now IMO.

GaryZab

Part Time Audiophile’s Scot Hull was at Axpona:

As to the sound … well. This is one of those moments when you’re forced to scratch your head and wonder aloud, with a giant WTF bubble over your head, as to why all those other rooms were having such trouble. Here, the presentation felt accurate, linear, and remarkably open. No bloom or boom. Sitting in the sweet spot, I heard nothing out of place or out of character. I’m certain I’d opt for the Turbo, myself, and I’m quite sure there’s even more room for a Twin Turbo version, with even more mo’ betta parts. But here’s the kicker — that price is not irrelevant. $2k? Seriously? It’s like wandering into a Bang and Olufsen showroom and being told that they just decided to take a zero off the end of the price because Reasons. Your only valid response is to say, “Rock On.” And if that was a little opaque, let me make this clear — this was a very convincing demo. Yowza. Me likey.

M1 Specifications

Type:  Compact 2-way, point source, open-baffle, dynamic driver, controlled directivity

Chassis:  5 layer Aluminum Composite / MDF

Driver compliment:  Two 15 inch mid/woofers, one wide bandwidth compression driver

Crossover:  Passive 800Hz - Hologram Network  

Frequency Response:  32Hz - 20kHz  +/- 3dB

Sensitivity:  95dB 1M @ 2.83V

Impedance:  4Ω nominal, low phase angle

Dimensions:  36T x 20W x 3D inches (plus magnet depth), 50 lbs.

20 year limited warranty

Available in White or Black Aluminum

The Hologram M1 is available now.  A 45 day trial period allows you to experience the Hologram in your own home without risk. Restocking fee applies.

M1  Turbo       $4000 pr.  (premium crossover components and WBT NextGen terminals)