Hi @mpomerantz!
Have you been able to listen to the Spendors? If so, what were your impressions?
Have you been able to listen to the Spendors? If so, what were your impressions?
Spendor Classic 1/2
Good day all. I was ready to finish the interminable speaker search and go with the Devore O93 as the replacement to my trusty SP-1s, when a friend suggested I listen to the Spendor Classic 1/2 ( given how much I have enjoyed the SP1 for 30 years). Of course there is no local dealer who carries the Classic 1/2; though I believe I can hear the Classic 2/3. So has anyone out there had the opportunity to audition either of the newer Spendor Classic line? If so, how do they compare sonically to the old SP-1 or the current Devore O93? Or even the other contenders in my search; Proac D30R or Graham LS5/9 floor. To be used with a leben tube amp ( 32 wpm)
Thanks,
M
Thanks,
M
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- 13 posts total
https://darko.audio/2020/01/spendor-the-classic-1-2-versus-the-d7-2/ A pretty nice comparative review here. |
I'm interested in these also. Reading past the obligatory kind remarks that every reviewer makes he admits the bass was overwhelming and he shoved socks in the ports plus "dynamics are not top drawer". With this being the only review to be found I'm hesitant to drop $8 grand on them. Yes I know we should listen to them but Bluebird Music gave me a retailer 3 states away. I was able to track one down in a neighboring state but they have no Classics to audition. I found a demo pair in the UK for a price that would make it a fair gamble not sure they'll ship to the US. |
Harder and harder to audition high end speakers these days as so many brick and mortar retailers are under seige. I have had SP1/2’s for 15 years, along with many Harbeths, ProAcs, Acoustic Energy and ATCs. The Spendors are definitely a relaxed speaker, beautifies and takes sharp edges off the music, especially strident treble. The bass does lack impact, it is more of full rolling bass, not a slam bang bass. But the sound is oh so lovely. And I never feel like I am missing out on detail. The larger baffle and woofer makes you feel like a wave of music comes gently at you, while the center image stays well defined and solid ... I listen more to the music on the Spendors (jazz, vocals, some pop/soul) and more to the system using the other speakers. I also have the ProAc D30r’s... they are immediately noticeable as a more ’transparent’ speaker... sharper edges, quicker on transients, more piercing on hot recordings. The ribbon tweeter is sweet and super clear at the same time. The overall image is slightly sharper and deeper (not wider) than the SP1/2, but sometimes, when playing loud, you feel the music is being shot out at you more, not so much a gentle rolling wave of sound. I run good solid state to grip the woofer on the Spendors and move to tubes to slightly mellow the ProAcs... big big big smiles with both. |
- 13 posts total