Gents,
this is quite an overwhelming show of experience to help me answer my question. For that, I thank you (David, Audiocrack, Micro, Steve and of course Gary). Adding my own opinions here, I will say that I have heard Audiocrack's system...and I have posted at length in a new thread I created which, ironically, is called something like "Genesis 1.1s vs Wilson X1/Grand Slamms". In it, I clearly state that I came away with the distinct impression that in that same room, my X1s to the Genesis 1.1s would be like Sashas to X1s. Now that is an IMPRESSION because of course we could not actually do it...but I have never heard in all the years of auditions of X1/X2s heard effortless scale on Rachel Podger Vivaldi Extravaganza like in Audiocrack's customized room.
That said, I come back to reality...which is that the mighty Genesis 1s are too big for me today and in the foreseeable future. I have considered the equally expensive Arrakis...but at the moment, a logical question is the one I have asked: Can X1s biamped and combined with seriously powerful and well-setup subs (Thor, XS, Magico QSubs, Gothams, etc) allow me to scale up pretty darn close to the really big boys in a much more room-manageable form. Biamping does not cost more room other than an amp, and I already have one sub.
Here is my guess...those who have participated, please let me know if I am on the right track. In a room, say 17 x 35 x 8-10...a pair of X1s biamped probably adds:
- far greater linearity
- less grain
- more control/dynamic capability and speed
- presume we are also replacing the passive woofer crossover with the Wilson Active Crossover so more adjustable to the room
Thor/XS/JL-type subs add:
- spaciousness/sense of scale
- ultimate sense of power
- deep bass
My gut tells me the sense of scale will still not be at Genesis or Arrakis level...but it will close in a room of the above dimensions...so close I might not even be able to tell or care.
Plus, it probably IS significantly greater scale and naturalness than what I have today...because once a system starts to have notable grain, strain or lack of linearity...the soundstage immediately collapses and the 'lifelike palpability' starts to fad quickly because the music becomes injected with distortion. The bi-amping and the removal of the X1 passive woofer crossover (in the right technical hands!) should reduce that much more distortion...and the super-subs should give that ultimate sense of space, effortlessness and, yes, slam that would be better than what I have (even in my medium room) because the super subs will have even lower distortion and superior control to the Velodyne.
About right?