As someone who has owned SP 1/2E's (and a pair of original SP 1/2s) since 2011 as well as SP 2/3s since 1999, I have thousands and thousands of hours of Spendor experience. Compared to the S8e, which I also lived with, the Classic line is smoother, more natural, less fatiguing, and simply sounded more like living instruments in my room... no contest. Imo, the 1/2 is just phenomenally good. I drive mine with Quicksilver Mono 120s and AI M3B preamp.
Spendor S8e vs Spendor A7 vs Spendor SP1/2 vs Harbeth SHL5
Has anyone compared any (or all) of these speakers?