No experience Jak, but each time I stumble onto them, they do look pretty compelling, so looking forward to what you hear.

Yes, and with so many variables too, including it seems sensitivity and drivability with similar numbers. In my rooms, I might be inclined to lean toward the 12 inch to be safer with having headroom during my loudest listening. But I have been playing with open baffle design ideas for years, and I suspect my next speaker will likely be one of those. Who knows, my sound has been, and is now so good I am not looking, but always interested.

Good point about us audio heads!

I looked into Spatial quite a while ago, and then, Clayton Shaw seemed a little too technically inclined and not enough listening inclined for me, so though his work sounded pretty exciting, I sort of lost interest. Then listening to New Record Day recordings of his more recent work, I don't know if those recordings are not good, or the speakers, but the talk did not match my impressions, that is for sure. Leaves me in that place where I would have to hear them in person, but guessing not "alive" sounding enough for me.

The writeup on the Cryotones does indeed sound compelling, not unlike Steve's creative vibe and write-ups... But maybe especially for me, having become a "modifier," and having figured out how to take things pretty far beyond the original, like you, I would have to hear them. Just gets so particular as our preferences refine, and I find I need more refined speeds and very fine information in lively space than many seem to need, along with the usual efforts ... all presented with musical aliveness that is complex, smooth and graceful. But the Wathens look compelling toward this end. As do the Coherent.

Some pretty nice choices you are considering!

I wonder if you had heard about the new open baffle speakers on the block... Macaria, by Maco?

Well that sounds intense and very interesting, lots of information... kind of mind blowing to think about how to organize and design it to make navigating it all intuitive and not overwhelming I imagine! I look forward to seeing how it comes out!