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Spendor Classic 100 - An itch I want to scratch!

I have an itch that just needs to be addressed.  Over the last 20 years, I've yet to try a classic BBC monitor or its progeny.  The Spendor Classic 100 seems like a winner.  I have hears some smaller Spendor monitors at AXPONA and was impressed at the openness and effortless sound--especially in contrast to so many modern speakers that sound forced, phony.  

These don't come up often in the used market.  Looks like I'd be doing a sight unseen/unheard purchase from an online retailer like Acoustic Sounds or Upscale.  

What can users tell me? All polite and reasonable opinions welcome!

FYI 

Music - wide variety: jazz, rock, folk, blues, world, some classical

Room 16 x 23 x 10' ceilings

jbhiller
donquichotte
169 posts
 

@OP: You may find my comments regarding Spendor SP2/3R2 as compared to Harbeth M30.2 and then to Spendor Classic 100 interesting:

https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/2700741

https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/2747211

jbhiller's avatar
jbhiller OP
1,458 posts
 

@deep_333 , no I haven't had those speakers in years. Currently, in the room where I want to try Spendors I'm running Revival Audio Atalante 5s.

clio09
3,413 posts
 

I was a big Spendor fan back in the 90's when it was still owned by Spendor and Derek Hughes was still there. I still own a pair of Spendor 1/2e which I will never part with even though my reference speakers are Quad ESL 57. Recent Spendor designs don't do much for me. Maybe try to find a pair of earl SP100s, or take a look at some of the Graham speakers Derek Hughes is designing these days.

jjss49's avatar
jjss49
6,920 posts
 

Always good to get your view as I have enjoyed your input over the years.  While I’ll certainly leave room for the potential this may not be an issue in the new models or in my space/to me, I will be careful.  

What do you like that has that midrange magic and clarity? 

proacs are what i always come back to 

treepmeyer
162 posts
 

OP - You might want to consider other BBC design brands.  Graham was mentioned above.  I have a pair of Stirling LS3/6 speakers in roughly the same size room as yours.  Like the Grahams, these Stirlings were designed by Derek Hughes.  I prefer to match them with a pair of SVS micro 3000 subs, although one doesn’t necessarily need to do this.  I also run them with the Bacch DSP/ room correction system.  The result is astounding immersive soundstage and imaging.  The sound, especially the upper mids and highs, at any volume I feel comfortable with, is effortless but nuanced and non-fatiguing.  
 

The point is that what probably drew you to the Spendor Classic 100’s was that magical BBC mid-range and other brands have implemented the BBC designs over the years, some quite recently with modern drivers.  Nothing against the Classic 100, but you might want to broaden your search.  Good luck.

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