Almost exactly a year to the day James …
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Wow amazing speakers
Open baffled how do you find them and what do you have to do as in room treatments I’ve often looked at the concept off them but never took the plunge
I think over the pond they are more popular than in the UK we still like our boxes so there not seen that much I first came across them in a article on hifi pig I was blown away buy the concept off no box
Archie: Like you I had spent quite some time being intrigued by the concept … I had gone to 2 or 3 HiFI shows where OB speakers were being demo’ed and had loitered around the rooms talking to the presenters but couldn’t quite bring myself to pull the trigger.
I must say though, they sounded tremendous at the shows … and I think that’s not always the case as the acoustics sometimes leaves a lot to be desired in those rooms.
Very early last year, after reading everything I could get my hands on about the technology, I read that Nelson Pass (of Pass Labs) had a pair of Open Baffle PureAudioProject (PAP) for his personal use.
Also Harry Westfield, owner of VPI no less, has a pair and speaks glowingly. In his own words they are *“…the answer to where did the dynamics go, where are the goosebumps and it has become my go to speaker for musical enjoyment…that special something that makes it sound real”.
PAP has a money back offer so I thought why not? Nothing to lose … and that’s the end of the story … wonderful experience … and still vey much enjoying them to this day.
But to answer your specific question … I didn’t use treatments in my last house and, even though I’ve only been here a little over a week, I’m not sure I’m going to need any here. The absence of a cabinet and there being no longer a need to put the air in the cabinet under pressure changes the entire dynamic of how the music sounds. The speakers provide omnidirectional music … the music doesn’t appear to emanate from anywhere it’s just “there” … in the room.
OB speakers are particularly sensitive to the distance from the back wall … in my last house I had them about 36" … I’m just in plonk and play mode at the moment … whenever I get 15 minutes to sneak away I’ll listen to a track and move a speaker a bit, then a bit more. I’ll find the right spots eventually.
The sound initially takes some getting used to … it’s effortless … and with my pair, having 4 x 15" woofers they are NOT wanting for bass. End game speaker for me. Hope this answers some of your questions.
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They’re just lovely!
I think OB speakers have a gentle roll off, from what I remember of speaker design, so as long as they’re away from rear walls the bass is supposed to sound much nicer than the steeper roll off, if more extended bass, from infinite baffle or bass reflex designs. Those bass drivers look like they shift a lot of air regardless 
Anyway, they look awesome.
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Not my photos, but photos of the inside of an Icon Audio 25 MkII Valve Amplifier, which is part of my office system.
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That looks very neat compared with many valve-based systems.
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Yes. Beautiful point to point wiring. 
Thank you so much for your response to my questions much appreciated
Yes I can imagine the 4 15"woofers produce plenty off bass, I do like the effortless sounding bit just as imagine how they would sound
Again thank you it appreciated
One off the best amplifiers I’ve ever had was made by icon audio I loved that amplifier it was few models up on yours, unfortunately I had to sell to help towards funds for something else more important at the time maybe one day I’ll get another, also had there valve cd player that was brilliant as well
My virgin Nait 1 (top) and unit serviced by Plurison a few years ago, Still marvel at sound quality of this amplifier. Wish I would have had WBT connectors installed on phono section but wanted to keep stock.
Would love to see shot of n-Sats innards as have one which exhibits a slight noise when moved an indication of something loose inside. Have refrained from opening up as does not affect sound but still discerning. In all likelihood crossover components which are often glued in-place in many speakers …
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This is an updated - show us what’s inside - of my 1986 Linn LP12, now that the upgrade project is nearing completion at my dealer.
So, an “afterwards” picture, to compare and contrast with first “before” post of the original inside, back in October 2020 at the start of the works
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This inside view of a Linn reminded my of a couple of pictures I took when I replaced the built-in under chassis power supply with an external Atlas power supply on my Alphason Sonata Gold turntable, which I still have of course.
Here is the inside of the Atlas Power Supply
And yes I know I should not have used mains coloured cable for the low voltage cable connecting to the motors as you see here.
The turntable had two motors, and the “7 on its side” shaped sub-chassis is cast from pig iron and is very heavy, and of course makes a rigid base for the bearing and the arm mounting. The three support suspension springs hang down to support this sub-chassis so are in tension, and are adjusted from above so no jig needed for setting up. High mass and damping design, and adding to the weight is the massive record playing weight. The only drawback is the difficulty fitting the flat belt over the two motor pulleys, hidden under the solid single piece platter. Could be considered a no compromise design!
Also apologies for the barrel distortion, the sides are straight!!
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Here’s closeups of my XPS DR. I’m actually impressed at the quality of the components and case. It’s definitely well done.
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A lot more on those DR modules than it first looks like too. 6? Inside the xpsdr. I ought to know, as I have one and have had the top off.
Yes, 6 of them.
These are inside of P3PS. Note it was based on NAP140 utelising some of the same parts.
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They’ve not held back with the flux on those diodes!
Ha. they are going to be all replaced and cleaned up! 
KPS25s was notoriously hot running and caps were underspec’d resulting in fast decaying parts.
