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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 11 responses by craig_co

craig_co OP
15 posts
 
Thanks for your input everyone. The search continues!
craig_co OP
15 posts
 
Thanks for your reply.
craig_co OP
15 posts
 
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649712830-spendor-s8e-speakers-in-beautiful-condition-with-new-l...
craig_co OP
15 posts
 
Thanks for the link. High praise for sure.

Here's a link to the pair. Interesting, it looks like they've been re-veneered. I've never seen that. Don't know if that should give me pause.

Thanks again.
craig_co OP
15 posts
 
Thanks for your responses. Greatly appreciated.

I have a few questions about the appearance. Where are the plinths and, curiously, where is the 'ledge/lip' on the bottom of the front baffle that the logo/badge typically sits? Very odd.
craig_co OP
15 posts
 
Just to complicate matters. A pair of Harbeth M30s have just popped up for sale locally. More than I want to spend ... but. Curse this hobby.

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/ele/d/chevy-chase-harbeth-monitor-30-speakers/7287898445.htm...
craig_co OP
15 posts
 
@dekay thanks for that. I didn't realize all of that history was there. What a shame. These things were pristine last August.

Unfortunately, I'm probably going to have to pass on these. Who knows what happened.
craig_co OP
15 posts
 
@jetter yes, the seller actually states in the audio mart post above that "Spendor S8e speakers in beautiful condition . they have new laminate on the cabinets ,and look as nice as they sound ."
craig_co OP
15 posts
 
Thanks for following the ongoing saga. I've been in contact with the Spendor owner. He seems like a genuinely honest broker. Here's his response:

"The speakers have new cabinet laminate because they were damaged. I took them to cabinet maker, and they repaired them beautifully. The rectangular bottom, and speaker covers were damaged as well. I didn't replace them. They are very unique looking and sweet sounding. They have screw in flat feet that can be raised and lowered."

I'm now concerned about what kind of damage and if it compromised the cabinet integrity.
craig_co OP
15 posts
 
@chrisr I appreciate the offer. There’s a nice used pair here locally.
craig_co OP
15 posts
 
@jjss49 thanks, tempting! I’m in the DC area. I need to do something. Listening to Neil Young right now and those guitar solos are just ear shredders on these B&Ws. I might just have to send my son to community college and buy the Harbeths.
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