Spendor s3/5 SE, Harbeth HLP 3

I owned both Spendor 3/5s and de Capos. I also owned Spendor 2/3s over a long period of time. I haven't heard the current HLP 3s, but did audition the older version 6 or 7 years ago. I have also heard other Harbeths in a home environment a few times. I strongly disagree w/ the above assessments. I would chose the Decapo over either of these in an instant. The Decapos are much close to full range, far more dynamic and extended, but still musical. Particularly w/ jazz or classical, these speakers can be eerily realistic in the right setup. The Spendors may sound more "magical" w/ voices, but you would be giving significant fullness of sound and resolution. Of course, the real comparision to the de Capos would be the 1/2s or Compact 7s/5s. I heard the 1/2/De Capo comparision a number of times with various amps & sources in a dealer's shop, and it is a very close call. I probably would have taken the 1/2s at the same price, mainly because my prior experience w/ Spendors, but got a good deal on a demo pair of De Capos. I replaced the de Capos w/ Living Voice Auditoriums, and much regretted the choice, even though the LVs are an excellent speaker that bests most in their price range. JMO, of course.

TLH

Hi,

After thinking about what I wrote yesterday, I thought I should add a few comments. First, after re-reviewing my comment above, I feel compelled to say that the Spendor 3/5s are an incredible speaker; they just didn't have enough LF response for me. Second, I think the Reference 3As are very demanding of amp, source, cables, etc., because they are so resolving, so that if you don't have or don't plan to spend the $$ and effort to get them right, it probably would not be a good purchase. Third, if you listen mainly to vocalists (whether DK or Sinatra), rather than jazz/classical, you might well prefer a Spendor or Harbeth. Personally, I think the Spendor 3/1 (which I also owned) is an unsung gem of the line; if you're thinking of spending a little more than the cost of a 3/5, I would highly recommend that speaker as well. It doesn't play as deep as the de Capo, nor is quite as dynamic, but I think it would satisfy most people in a small to moderate sized room. The 3/1s were the first Spendors I owned; my previous speakers to the 3/1s were Vandersteen 1Cs and Meadowlark Kestrals, and I had absolutely no regrets about the change.

TLH