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Thoughts and experiences on the Spendor SP100 R2

Seeking input from knowledgeable folks who have had or heard the large Spendor SP100 R2 speakers, or their predecessors or successors. I have had smaller Spendor SP2/2’s in the past, really enjoy their excellent mature sound, nothing flashy but sounds very real and easy to listen to.  Currently have the Epos M22 three way floor standers driven by a Naim Nait XS2 integrated.  I know the Spendor S100 series of large-box 3 ways have been the top of line model for the ’classic’ line, which they have continued to manufacture since a long long way back.  I guess they have periodically updated the speaker.

I would appreciate input on these speakers (there is a very nice condition set I can purchase used from the owner locally) and how they might compare to larger Harbeths, ATCs, Grahams, Wharfedales, even Devores and Klipsch’s (in the $6000-10,000 per pair range).

Also any input on suitable amp power and type to drive these Spendors would also be of help.
troidelover1499

Showing 2 responses by donquichotte

donquichotte
136 posts
 
How about a comparison to their lesser siblings? I hope this will not feel like derailing the thread. I'm thinking about upgrading from the SP2/3R2, which I love, to the SP100R2, but I couldn't find a single comparison between them. Should I expect better midrange detail due to the 3 way construction? Also, any extra punch to be gained? (I mean impactfull, hard hitting upper- and mid-bass, not talking about extended, full and weighty bass which I'm sure is much superior) Any downsides (like lesser coherence, maybe)?

Oh, and would they fit in a 23 square meters room with about 80 cm free space behind and playing at a moderate volume level? Maybe it's not wise, but I'm more tempted to move to the SP100R2's than to add a pair of subwoofers...

Thank you!
donquichotte
136 posts
 
Thank you both, very useful to me. So, SP100R2 won't bring additional bass slam, just extension, right? I've heard the Classic 100 but I think the positioning in the room was unfortunate or maybe it was simply a bad room as the bass extension suffered considerably - full sounding down to about 40Hz and nothing below. The deep tympani on Dead Can Dance's "Yulunga" were basically non-existent, and I can hear them on my SP2/3R2's! So I cannot extrapolate much about the SP100R2's bass from that experience.
Adding subs to the Classic 1/2, for example, would require a pretty low crossover point, most likely below 60Hz, so I'm not sure how would this option yield better bass slam / impact?!

@triodelover1499: between my SP2/3R2 and my Harbeth M30.2 (now up for sale) I prefer the former. Warmer, more exuberant, joyful or friendly I would say, with better lit mids, nice highs, bigger sound and in most cases I prefer their acoustic timbres reproduction. The Harbeth's are more "serious", they wear a costume with an appropriate tie so to speak, have a bit of a bump around 100Hz and the classic BBC dip in the midrange, a very (objectively speaking, more) refined tweeter and their less extended bass is clearer, tighter and with good (better?) texture. I must admit that the M30.2 played the most astonishingly realistic string quartet I've ever heard, though, they are great with violin and cello. 
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