Budget Hunter: Spendor S8e vs Totem Hawk


I'm replacing a pair of B&W Matrix 804s with something less fatiguing and (hopefully) more musically involving.

A pair of Spendor S8e ($1200) and a pair of Totem Hawks ($1800) are for sale locally. I like what I've read about both. Before I drive an hour and a half in opposite directions to audition, I hoped I might get some insights from this group about any personal experiences you may have had. Likes and dislikes. My tastes in music runs the gamut but the human voice is the common thread through all of it.

The rest of my system is capable but modest. A Musical Fidelity A300 dual mono Integrated (150/250), MF A3 CD transport, Denafrips Aries II, Rega P2 and a Bluesound Node2i.

Thanks in advance!
craig_co

Showing 1 response by bipolarman

Go with the Hawks.

They are built to last a long time and are exceptionally musical without being colored.

If you ever upgrade any of your Electronics, you will genuinely hear any of the sonic improvements that come with the upgrade.  In other words, the Totems won't let you down in the long term.

Good luck!