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.
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.