I have a Spektrum and a Taranis X9D plus SE I swear by the Taranis. Go for the Taranis. As we soon I should have a Spektrum Hack Module to plug in the back for my Taranis for DSMX/2 protocols so I can still use any Spektrum RX I have and the BNF planes. I will then be selling my Spektrum TX. Coming from first using DSMX protocols and a Spektrum guy here is why I recommend Taranis.
The value of it! Taking apart my Taranis. And watching a DX9 being opened up. The build quality is the same. I actually feel stupid for buy Spektrum in the first place. Not to mention buying receivers. FrSky is so much more value for a product that is of the same quality and half of the time better. Look at Spektrum AR 636 receiver it's a 6 channel RX w/AS3X... All AS3X is, 3-axis stabilization... they want $80.00 for it. FrSky S6R receiver. It's a 6 channel receiver with 3-axis stabilization... they same as darn thing for $30.00... economically a no brainer. That's even if you want stabilization! They are grossly over priced. Giving a fancy marketing name "AS3X" or even "SAFE" and sell it for double the worth. I can set up a FC with beta flite that can do the same thing as "SAFE" for free...
The transmitters... functionality a Taranis X9D plus SE is more than a DX18 yet costs the same as a DX6 and costs 1/4 the price of a DX18. There was nothing wrong with the old gimbals in the Taranis X9D plus. Just a few very experienced and top notch multirotor pilots who have had many radios to compare them with... didn't prefer them... and did a mod for the M9 hall effect gimbals. Now guess what FrSky did. Took all the mods and advice from the community and released a radio (Taranis X9D plus SE ) with all these mods. And sells it for cheaper than you could do the upgrade for. Yeah... Spektrum would not do that. They would release a new model name it something like hmmm I don't know... DX20 and sell it for $1,000.
Just look at how much horizon hobby sells a BNF UMX for just because of a "branded" technology name like AS3X and SAFE. Some thing we can do with 2 minutes in beta flight or a 3 axis gyro for a few bucks.. they charge $60.00 for a UMX RX/ESC flight board.
Just be wise in this market. Get the best value for your money and demand quality.
If you want DSMX protocols. Just get a module. You won't regret it.