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Spendor Classic 3/1 vs Graham Chartwell LS6 ?

Hello.

I am a beginner in audio system and currently interested in Spendor Classic 3/1 and the Graham LS6.

I listen to Jazz, Vocals, EDMs, Rap, as well as some chillout cafe music and classics.

From what I know about the Spendor Classic series, they have added improved high frequencies units to the older SP series, the sound stage is very wide, imaging is very clear, perhaps not the most opulent bass on 3/1 model as with all speakers of this size, but that is what my room can handle and I have no issues there. Here is a link that made me to pick the 3/1 as one of my candidate speakers Spendor Classic 3/1 playing EDM. In this video, the uploader uses an ambient electro music to demonstrate the speakers performance. It is absolutely stunning to my ears, but I do not know if this is close to real life experience. One interesting thing about the Spendors new Classic series, the company played EDMs on their Classic 100s and 200s in audio shows. I only saw a few youtube demos from the shows, but Spendor must had confidence in their speakers playing fast paced EDMs.

The Youtube demos Graham LS6 on the other hand do not play any EDMs. By all means, EDMs are not the only type of music I listen to, but that was what impressed me on the Spendor 3/1 and hoped to see what it is like on the LS6. Nevertheless, from what I see, the speaker sounds amazing with Jazz. Here is a link music starting at 2:00. It isn’t quite clear which speakers perform better to my ears because the demos don’t play the same track. Also, the reviews on LS6 are saying this is an awesome speaker, but no review on the 3/1 could be found.

I understand I will have to audition those speakers myself eventually, but there isn’t a Spendor or Graham dealers in my local area. I hope to learn about the differences of these speakers, which one would be less fatiguing, why you think one of them would be your choice, and more.

Thanks!

K
yggy1
20 responses Add your response
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transience
56 posts
 

I have owned the A1, A4, and LS6 speakers. The Graham LS6 provide a sense of natural scale and immersion that just feel much more involving to me; it is a more open and dynamic sound than Spendors and make me want to play loud; the Spendors faded into the background quite nicely with no distractions, which is also something one may want .

I did find the A1s bass shy for some genres (house, reggae, large scale opera) but a rather charming speaker. The A4 produced, by comparison, a great all around unassuming sound with tight actual bass and yet less of the stunning transparency of the Graham and A1 stand mounts. I do find myself applying DSP bass trim in Roon for the Grahams as they are seated near a wall. If you’re willing to go that route, and listen in a medium size space, the Grahams are end game speakers - rivaling some far, far dearer speakers I own (huge German Physiks and powerful WVL models for use in very large spaces) for sheer enjoyment. Their BBC lineage also makes them strikingly clear relay devices for sonic scale and vocal inflection; it’s not just a cliché. 

plakey
8 posts
 
I'm demoing the LS6 this weekend... although I don't have a way to demo the 3/1 at the moment....
troidelover1499
253 posts
 
I am glad this one was revived from 2020.  Am quite intersted in this very nice discussion!
plakey
8 posts
 
I bought a pair of Spendor A1 last year for my office. I have to say I love them. I used to have Harberth P3ESR (different room, different amps) but I never really liked it and got rid of it after a few years. I think the A1 are very very good. It's more live sounding than the Harberth, which to me it a great thing... I also have a pair of DeVore 3XL downstairs. I'm actually wanting to demo the Spendor 3/1 or the Graham LS6 to (maybe?) replace them. I've used a few different amps with them: Sugden A21, Rega Brio, LFD Minstral, Exposure 2510. 
leonarend
10 posts
 
I only heard the Graham ls 3/5 when I demoed the ls 6 at home. An excellent little speaker with a very good midrange. I also own the Falcon ls3/5a which were upgraded to gold batch very recently. The falcon and Graham ls 3/5 are similar. The sound is sweet and very very musical (in the end the falcon is the better one to my ears) . But the Spendor A1 has impressed me a lot. The sound is very neutral and precise. I would imagine that for studios they would be the better choice. One thing what bothers me more and more about the ls 6 is the veneer. The sound however is grand; bigger scale and a fuller sound than the smaller brother. I wish there was a smaller sized 3 way bbc type speaker. 
sumaato
100 posts
 
Leonarend, can you talk about the contrasts between these two speakers? Thanks.
If u want sealed go one step smaller like the Graham ls 3/5 or the Spendor A1.


leonarend
10 posts
 
If u want sealed go one step smaller like the Graham ls 3/5 or the Spendor A1. I use the A1 in a Naim set-up (plus my tv is connected) 30cm from the backwall and no problems at all. I also own the Graham ls6 in a different set-up. They sound fantastic but indeed the bass can be overwelming when playing at louder volume . I also use socks in the ports and that solves the problem. 
helomech
1,694 posts
 
Not too many sealed speakers around anymore. I wonder why that is?

I wonder the same. There are advantages to sealed designs that cannot be achieved in a ported box. Porting helps with efficiency but power is relatively cheap these days. 


yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,701 posts
 
Not too many sealed speakers around anymore. I wonder why that is?
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,821 posts
 
From the video samples (I know), the Spendor sounded better to my ears. I have had SP2/2 for decades and they are excellent. The SP2/3R2 might be worth a look.
helomech
1,694 posts
 
It's really quite uncanny since I'm looking at spendor classic 3/1 as well. The difference is that I own the Graham ls6.

I can tell you without a doubt, ls6 is bad for edm. The bass is just way too boomy, especially if you put it near walls. That is the main reason why I'm looking at the spendor classic 3/1.

But, if you stuff socks into the ls6, it turns into one of the best bookshelves you can own. Mid range and treble is impeccable. Bass is tight as well. But it rolls off gradually from 100hz

The majority of modern speakers sound boomy when placed near walls, especially if the walls are of typical North American construction. 

The 3/1s are rear-ported, thus likely not any better than the LS6s in terms of bass boom. Better off getting sealed-cabinet speakers.
yunie_'s avatar
yunie_
6 posts
 
just to revise what i say, saying it as one of the best bookshelves is perhaps too hyperbolic especially since I have never tried any of those high-end bookshelves like wilson, raidho and the recent raved upon buchardt s400

and one more major let down from the ls6 is the veneer quality. it feels cheap, and is prone to damages. the falcon ls3/5 that i have, has much better quality veneer.

I asked someone who owned the spendor ls3/1 r2 (the previous version), and he said that bass is tight. I am interested to hear from other spendor ls3/1 owners but apparently they are far and few between.
yunie_'s avatar
yunie_
6 posts
 
It's really quite uncanny since I'm looking at spendor classic 3/1 as well. The difference is that I own the Graham ls6.

I can tell you without a doubt, ls6 is bad for edm. The bass is just way too boomy, especially if you put it near walls. That is the main reason why I'm looking at the spendor classic 3/1.

But, if you stuff socks into the ls6, it turns into one of the best bookshelves you can own. Mid range and treble is impeccable. Bass is tight as well. But it rolls off gradually from 100hz
gryphongryph
378 posts
 
I have the Graham’s 5/9, fantastic speakers for jazz, classical and voices, I think the Spendors and Graham’s speakers are more alike than fundamentally different. I find that my 5/9 need a bit of space away from side walls and toed in a bit.
helomech
1,694 posts
 
Another speaker you might consider if your space and dealer availability allows, is the Stirling Broadcast SB-88. It's larger than the other speakers you're considering but that will result in more life-like scale. It uses the same midwoofer driver tech found in the LS6, and like other Grahams, was also designed by Derek Hughes.

I have a pair of SB-88s and Spendor SP2/3R2s. The Spendors play with larger scale and greater bass depth but the SB-88s have the upper hand in refinement and fatigue factor. The SB-88s are also a bit more dynamic in the midbass. However, the new Classic series is alleged to be much improved in terms of dynamics.

If you're in the U.S. and interested in the Stirlings, send me a PM. I know where new pairs can be had for a great price. 
yggy1 OP
78 posts
 
@twoleftears Thanks for pointing that out. 

@rossb Thanks for the heads up and suggestions!
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
Apart from all the other links in the chain, I think you're also hearing the very different acoustic of the two rooms.
rossb
185 posts
 
I currently own the Graham LS6 and in the (distant) past have had a lengthy home demo of the Spendor 3/1. But it was a long time ago and not the current model, so probably not too relevant. At that time I found the Spendor a bit too coloured and woolly, particularly at the bottom end. But this may have improved in the current model.
I can say that the Graham LS6 is an outstanding speaker. I have been through a lot of standmount speakers in my smallish room over the last few years, including Harbeth P3ESR, M30.1 and M30.2, Dynaudio C1, Dali Epicon 2, Graham LS5/8 and others. The Graham LS6 has ended my long search and is exactly what I have been looking for. Tonally rich but not coloured, dynamic with good bass extension, and very musically engaging.

That said, my choice of music is mostly jazz and classical, with a bit of rock and electronica.  I'm not sure if my preference would change if I listened to EDM mainly.

I should also mention that the LS6 take a *long* time to run in - a couple of months, at least - and sound a bit shrill and boomy for the first month or so. If you get a demo, make sure it is a well run in pair.
And definitely do not make any judgments about speakers based on Youtube videos!
yggy1 OP
78 posts
 
@helomech Thanks for the suggestion. I too realize their A lines are very well regarded. I did not have any idea about thin-wall speakers. Do they sound better on classics and vocals instead?
helomech
1,694 posts
 
Haven't heard either of these specific models and I doubt anyone here has experience with both. 

That said, I have heard other models from both brands and all have been excellent. If EDM is one of your primary genres and you don't have a large room, you should consider the Spendor A4s. Their dynamics and bass are quite excellent and probably better suited to EDM than the thin-wall cabinets of the Classic series. I realize the A4s are their most affordable line but there's nothing "budget" about their sound.


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