Totem if you like a more dynamic speaker. Totems are not edgy or bright sounding. I have owned and listened to British speakers and all are too dark for me except B&W, they are way to bright for me.
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!
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!
47 responses Add your response
craig just noticed these... a little more $ than s8e but they are mighty fine and in your backyard! https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa9893-spendor-fl10-full-range would be an interesting alternative to a harbeth c7 or super 5, less $ than those, better bass response good luck, happy hunting :) |
@craig_co don’t know where you are located... here is a set... unmolested... maybe a road trip to get them? https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649675252-spendor-s8-e-speakers-cherry-finish/ |
Spendor all day, just not that pair. The S8e requires a more substantial amp than most Spendors just FYI. These are nice: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Spendor-SP2-3E-Standmount-Bookshelf-Speakers-British-Monitor-Audiophile-/353424567332?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292 |
Totems are well made speakers, have a good following. The metal tweeter does have a propensity for brightness/harshness, esp. with solid state gear. One can use tube gear to take the edge off some, but one needs to be careful with matching tube amps as Totems are typically lower impedance and lower efficiency, so tube amps may smooth out the treble but in the process, also lose a good bit of the good bass response (given their size) which is one of Totem’s typical strengths. |
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! |
| Post removed |
I had a used pair of Hawks. I got them for $1100. They were pretty awesome at that price. Deep bass for such a small speaker. Great imaging. Good detail but the tweeter was a bit edgy sounding to me. They like power but I also got good results with a Primaluna Dialogue integrated. For around $1500 or less they would be hard to beat and especially if you’re looking for a small footprint floorstander. |
Those Spendors have "issues". Avoid/detour/forget/erase. If you had vision issues and the price was $600/pr then I might green light it. But you aren't and he won't so move on!!!! If you plan to double the budget you'll have others to consider. Go listen to the Totems. I would keep shopping. Love the Walnut Spendor finish. |
| Post removed |
| Post removed |
A couple things I learned buying used speakers: If foam doesn't look original, make sure surround is perfectly centered, ask if crossover has been messed with at all, have they ever been opened and I bought a pair and noticed a small perforation to one of the cones after I got them home. It could be repaired, but was not disclosed at time of purchase. |
| Post removed |
| Post removed |
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. |
Nice choices. The Harbeth's are priced high for that generation, but ike contemporary Spendors, might be exceptional conveyors of the classic BBC / British sounds even more than the 30.1 and 30.2 sets. If intrested, condiser offering something considerably lower than the asking price? As for the Spendors, I have not looked at the plinths and so forth, but they generally are very highly regarded, and the logo presumably was relocated as a consequence of the re-lamination. Worth an ask. |
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... |
here is an old listing with excellent photos of the speaker in stock/original form... https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649453146-spendor-s8e/ |
@craig_co Take a look at the speakers in the review. The plinths are attached to the bottom and the badge is at the bottom and not where they are located on the ones that you are looking to buy. Take my advice and pass on those! |
i am not a wood worker and have no knowledge of what it takes to relaminate or re-veneer the cabinets... good you are seeing them in person; the photos look good but one must check in person to be sure i am also curious about the bottoms, don’t these speakers have bottom plinths? are there threads for spikes? speakers like that need to be grounded with spikes to sound their best also, i agree about the grilles... as mentioned above by yogi not many sets of these around, so shouldn’t dismiss, but needs a good check out and maybe some negotiation on a fair price good luck |
Those speakers should have grills. I think you should pass on them. Take a look at the sold listings on HiFi Shark. Those speakers are not worth $1200. https://www.hifishark.com/search?q=spendor+s8e |
I have owned those Spendors. They are an excellent speaker. I doubt that you would go wrong with them. If they are in good condition $1200 is a great price. Here is a review! https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/spendor-s8e-loudspeakers-1 |
