The Spendor Thread..
- Thread starter Bigerik
- Start date
Hello,
I was wondering if anyone has compared the Spendor D7 with PMC Twenty 24 or ProAc D30R? These are some of the speakers I have read about, but don't think I will get to audition. I currently have a pair of Quad 21L, but am planning to upgrade in the next few months.
On a Naim forum someone mentioned that Spendors sound is "pipes and slippers". I was surprised to read that, especially since I have heard good things about the D7. My room is 15 X 19 X 8. I read that the Spendors go about 28Hz. For my next upgrade I would like a "full range" floor stander. I use a TVC instead of an active preamp and hence these speakers seem attractive because of their high sensitivity. The only concern against the Spendor D7 is from Stereophile's review that high frequencies quickly roll off after 18kHz. Not that I can hear till that range, but I have read that frequencies beyond 20kHz affect the subconscious, and hence the music?
Can someone who owns a D7 share their experience on what they felt about their upgrade and the D7 sound in general. For example I have auditioned the Triangle sound years back and do not like it because they sound too forward. I like a 6-10 rows perspective.
Thanks!
I was wondering if anyone has compared the Spendor D7 with PMC Twenty 24 or ProAc D30R? These are some of the speakers I have read about, but don't think I will get to audition. I currently have a pair of Quad 21L, but am planning to upgrade in the next few months.
On a Naim forum someone mentioned that Spendors sound is "pipes and slippers". I was surprised to read that, especially since I have heard good things about the D7. My room is 15 X 19 X 8. I read that the Spendors go about 28Hz. For my next upgrade I would like a "full range" floor stander. I use a TVC instead of an active preamp and hence these speakers seem attractive because of their high sensitivity. The only concern against the Spendor D7 is from Stereophile's review that high frequencies quickly roll off after 18kHz. Not that I can hear till that range, but I have read that frequencies beyond 20kHz affect the subconscious, and hence the music?
Can someone who owns a D7 share their experience on what they felt about their upgrade and the D7 sound in general. For example I have auditioned the Triangle sound years back and do not like it because they sound too forward. I like a 6-10 rows perspective.
Thanks!
audiodon
Addicted Member
milpai,
I'm only sending along my thoughts, not experiences.
As far as "pipe and slippers", that arguably may have once been true, but the A series, while not in-your-face forward, has more mid-treble energy than the Spendor of old and quite a bit of oomph.
Nobody will be confusing them for Klipsch, that's for sure.
The closer the A9s are to the rear wall, the more prominent the bass. The D7 has the same bottom porting arrangement.
I have A9s. I haven't heard the D7, but they appear to be cut from similar cloth. I have also not heard the competitors you speak of.
What they don't have is a sound signature of their own that they impart.
Their one downside is that in a bright room, they can get lost.
My room is 30x13 and the speakers are on the short wall center. Click on my signature and the last few pages will tell the story.
I'm only sending along my thoughts, not experiences.
As far as "pipe and slippers", that arguably may have once been true, but the A series, while not in-your-face forward, has more mid-treble energy than the Spendor of old and quite a bit of oomph.
Nobody will be confusing them for Klipsch, that's for sure.
The closer the A9s are to the rear wall, the more prominent the bass. The D7 has the same bottom porting arrangement.
I have A9s. I haven't heard the D7, but they appear to be cut from similar cloth. I have also not heard the competitors you speak of.
What they don't have is a sound signature of their own that they impart.
Their one downside is that in a bright room, they can get lost.
My room is 30x13 and the speakers are on the short wall center. Click on my signature and the last few pages will tell the story.
audiodon,
Thank You for your perspective. It was helpful . I do not like speakers that sound in-the-face. Like I mentioned in my post - I like a bit of back seat perspective. I did discuss with a PMC Twenty 24 owner and he mentioned that the 24s were a backseat kind of loudspeakers as well. I wish I could listen to these speakers somewhere. My room is not bright, since I have some treatments in place. I am so intrigued by the D7 because of all the good user reviews. I have not come across any negative reviews of these loudspeakers.
I am also considering the PSB Imagine T3, since they are also in the same price range and probably more accessible in the US. The only concern is their metal tweeters.
My system is here: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vevol&1130536720
Thank You for your perspective. It was helpful . I do not like speakers that sound in-the-face. Like I mentioned in my post - I like a bit of back seat perspective. I did discuss with a PMC Twenty 24 owner and he mentioned that the 24s were a backseat kind of loudspeakers as well. I wish I could listen to these speakers somewhere. My room is not bright, since I have some treatments in place. I am so intrigued by the D7 because of all the good user reviews. I have not come across any negative reviews of these loudspeakers.
I am also considering the PSB Imagine T3, since they are also in the same price range and probably more accessible in the US. The only concern is their metal tweeters.
My system is here: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vevol&1130536720
audiodon
Addicted Member
Where are you located? Acoustic Sounds has them.
By a bright room, I mean a big brick room in an old mill building kind of echoic room. Perhaps I chose the wrong term. That is, the one type of room that I would think Klipsches would excel in.
In that room, you'll love Spendor towers unless the room is too dead and I suspect it isn't too dead.
On the D7s, yeah, Spendor did buy advertising in Stereophile for a year, but if they weren't great, John Atkinson wouldn't have even considered testing them. You don't get recommended without advertising, but you don't get selected unless you're also excellent.
By a bright room, I mean a big brick room in an old mill building kind of echoic room. Perhaps I chose the wrong term. That is, the one type of room that I would think Klipsches would excel in.
In that room, you'll love Spendor towers unless the room is too dead and I suspect it isn't too dead.
On the D7s, yeah, Spendor did buy advertising in Stereophile for a year, but if they weren't great, John Atkinson wouldn't have even considered testing them. You don't get recommended without advertising, but you don't get selected unless you're also excellent.
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Hi Audiodon,
I am located in Ohio. But I do not have a dealer nearby where I can audition the Spendor. Honestly, that Spendor Dark is irresistible in the D7, albeit at a higher cost. I don't know how much discounts dealers give now a days.
I will keep searching in the meanwhile. Thank You for your thoughts on the Spendors!
I am located in Ohio. But I do not have a dealer nearby where I can audition the Spendor. Honestly, that Spendor Dark is irresistible in the D7, albeit at a higher cost. I don't know how much discounts dealers give now a days.
I will keep searching in the meanwhile. Thank You for your thoughts on the Spendors!
Hi. I've been a non-contributing member for some time. But now I've discovered this Spendor thread maybe it's time to join in.
I used to have a pair of Spendor LS3/5As but sold those on to a fellow enthusiast after I had bought a pair of S3/5Rs. Wonderful bookshelf speakers which I fully enjoyed until I found myself able to afford something bigger. So I went with the A5 three years ago and I'm still impressed. I was very surprised though at how long they took to run in.
I hope soon there will be another chapter to be added. I reckon a pair of the new (-ish) D7s is on the cards and, with luck, before Christmas. I'm planning to arrange a home demo to make sure I'm doing the right thing; I don't want to move away from the lovely A5s without good reason. I heard the D1s on demo at Bristol '13 and was immediately impressed with how the top end sounded 'bright' (that's not really a good description) but never harsh. Just very clear in a see-through and hear everything kind of way; the D7s use the same tweeter. If the reviews are to be believed, plus confirmation of the D7's quality from a friend who's opinion can be trusted, then the D7s may give me a lot of joy.
Time will tell.
Derek
I used to have a pair of Spendor LS3/5As but sold those on to a fellow enthusiast after I had bought a pair of S3/5Rs. Wonderful bookshelf speakers which I fully enjoyed until I found myself able to afford something bigger. So I went with the A5 three years ago and I'm still impressed. I was very surprised though at how long they took to run in.
I hope soon there will be another chapter to be added. I reckon a pair of the new (-ish) D7s is on the cards and, with luck, before Christmas. I'm planning to arrange a home demo to make sure I'm doing the right thing; I don't want to move away from the lovely A5s without good reason. I heard the D1s on demo at Bristol '13 and was immediately impressed with how the top end sounded 'bright' (that's not really a good description) but never harsh. Just very clear in a see-through and hear everything kind of way; the D7s use the same tweeter. If the reviews are to be believed, plus confirmation of the D7's quality from a friend who's opinion can be trusted, then the D7s may give me a lot of joy.
Time will tell.
Derek
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audiodon
Addicted Member
all right . . . allriGHT . . . ALL RIGHTIE!!!
I confess, I confess.
There is now a pair of Spendor D7s running in next to my A9s. They take a long time to run in. After 10 days of mostly soft playing, they were good, but not yet outstanding. So, another ten days is in progress.
I must simplify and downsize. This is part of that drive. Click the link at the bottom and go to the end to see my system for photos.
The exchange rate is working in our favor these days. Get 'em while you can.
I confess, I confess.
There is now a pair of Spendor D7s running in next to my A9s. They take a long time to run in. After 10 days of mostly soft playing, they were good, but not yet outstanding. So, another ten days is in progress.
I must simplify and downsize. This is part of that drive. Click the link at the bottom and go to the end to see my system for photos.
The exchange rate is working in our favor these days. Get 'em while you can.
audiodon,
I am still following this thread.
What would you say about the frequency extremes? From the specs I understand they do not go much beyond 20kHz. Not that I can hear is, but studies show that it affects how we "perceive" the sound stage overall. Did you get a chance to test the low freuency in your room? On the spec and some measurements indicate 27Hz which is pretty good. I am still looking for a speaker that I can live with for the next 10 years. So your feedback and a mini review is much appreciated.
Thanks!
I am still following this thread.
What would you say about the frequency extremes? From the specs I understand they do not go much beyond 20kHz. Not that I can hear is, but studies show that it affects how we "perceive" the sound stage overall. Did you get a chance to test the low freuency in your room? On the spec and some measurements indicate 27Hz which is pretty good. I am still looking for a speaker that I can live with for the next 10 years. So your feedback and a mini review is much appreciated.
Thanks!
audiodon
Addicted Member
I find the D7 to be the most neutral and transparent speaker I've heard to date.
My listening friends prefer the D7s without the assistance of my Spendor Sub-3 subwoofer. I kind of like the sub. About the only recording it makes a big difference on either way in the lows department is when playing something with kettle drums played for dramatic effect like Stravinsky's "The Firebird" or "The Rite of Spring". I have the sub set very low, with the crossover at the lowest possible frequency, which is like 50hz. Most people who don't like subs don't turn them down far enough, either in frequency or in amplitude. So of course they're too much for real listenability under those "I can hear it" conditions.
As far as supersonic frequencies go, what we decide to perceive and what we actually hear is as much a matter of faith as it is genuine perception - in my opinion. If your gear goes out to supersonic frequencies or you have to have that because, well because it must be better, great.
For tube gear to go far past 40k starts to cause a new set of problems in design, some resolved by heavy use of negative feedback or other tricks. As far as SS gear or class D gear goes, I won't venture an opinion. As far as speakers go, It's kind of an academic argument.I tend to find a lot of speakers bright as their solution to provide air and soundstage. If you listen through that you often end up tired . . . or cranky.
Personally, I look for naturalness of tone and for my walls to disappear. That is my soundstage. Height cues, depth, front or back, relative positioning is somewhat all in the mind.
Many speakers achieve the supernatural, seeming larger than life. Many listeners crave that. I find it exhausting. That's why I'm writing about these speakers.
In my 13' x 30' space with the speakers in the middle of the short (13) wall, they sound great. So, I'm about 10 - 11 feet from my speakers.
The D7s sound natural with the grilles on.
The A9s sound more natural with the grilles off.
Both have some run-in time before they're at their best.
I can't think of anything negative to say about either pair and I think, if you can relate to my descriptions, you'll find much to like in either pair.
My listening friends prefer the D7s without the assistance of my Spendor Sub-3 subwoofer. I kind of like the sub. About the only recording it makes a big difference on either way in the lows department is when playing something with kettle drums played for dramatic effect like Stravinsky's "The Firebird" or "The Rite of Spring". I have the sub set very low, with the crossover at the lowest possible frequency, which is like 50hz. Most people who don't like subs don't turn them down far enough, either in frequency or in amplitude. So of course they're too much for real listenability under those "I can hear it" conditions.
As far as supersonic frequencies go, what we decide to perceive and what we actually hear is as much a matter of faith as it is genuine perception - in my opinion. If your gear goes out to supersonic frequencies or you have to have that because, well because it must be better, great.
For tube gear to go far past 40k starts to cause a new set of problems in design, some resolved by heavy use of negative feedback or other tricks. As far as SS gear or class D gear goes, I won't venture an opinion. As far as speakers go, It's kind of an academic argument.I tend to find a lot of speakers bright as their solution to provide air and soundstage. If you listen through that you often end up tired . . . or cranky.
Personally, I look for naturalness of tone and for my walls to disappear. That is my soundstage. Height cues, depth, front or back, relative positioning is somewhat all in the mind.
Many speakers achieve the supernatural, seeming larger than life. Many listeners crave that. I find it exhausting. That's why I'm writing about these speakers.
In my 13' x 30' space with the speakers in the middle of the short (13) wall, they sound great. So, I'm about 10 - 11 feet from my speakers.
The D7s sound natural with the grilles on.
The A9s sound more natural with the grilles off.
Both have some run-in time before they're at their best.
I can't think of anything negative to say about either pair and I think, if you can relate to my descriptions, you'll find much to like in either pair.
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Audiodon,
Thanks much for taking time out to reply. Congratulations on the new speakers. I did take a look at your system page. But very honestly, I am not sure if you have the set the D7s properly, since they are close to the A9s. I am wondering how thrilled you would be when you set them up correctly. Recently I have a new dedicated room (15 X 19), though not as big as yours. But my speakers are more than 5 foot from back wall and 3 foot from side walls. The sound stage that my system throws is amazing. Did you experiment positioning with the D7s? I have them in my list of "to audition" speaker, since not only the users generally like them, but also because their sensitivity is more than average which is beneficial for a system like mine with passive preamp.
Enjoy your speakers and music!
Thanks much for taking time out to reply. Congratulations on the new speakers. I did take a look at your system page. But very honestly, I am not sure if you have the set the D7s properly, since they are close to the A9s. I am wondering how thrilled you would be when you set them up correctly. Recently I have a new dedicated room (15 X 19), though not as big as yours. But my speakers are more than 5 foot from back wall and 3 foot from side walls. The sound stage that my system throws is amazing. Did you experiment positioning with the D7s? I have them in my list of "to audition" speaker, since not only the users generally like them, but also because their sensitivity is more than average which is beneficial for a system like mine with passive preamp.
Enjoy your speakers and music!
audiodon
Addicted Member
The A9s were moved out of the way and the D7s really came into their own a while ago.
The actual room is 19' x 13' but the house has an open floor plan with the entry into the kitchen, having an opening of 10' into an an 11' room, makes a 30' run so for expedience I called it one room.
I have a family so the domestic situation comes first.
One of the great things about these speakers is that they are designed to be used close to walls. A lot of wide baffle speaker problems like floor bounce, the rule of squares and suck out are not there. I still have the tape marks where I'd pull the BC1s or SP1/2s out to for the rare critical listening sessions.
At this point, I am using them with a Fisher X-1000 EL-34 tube amp with a motorized passive attenuator between the preamp part and the amp part of the X-1000. I need the remote volume control because of my disability.
My friend AK'er thedelihaus said, "If I had six grand I'd go out and buy some right now".
I think you're just going to have to get out there and find a place to demo them.
The actual room is 19' x 13' but the house has an open floor plan with the entry into the kitchen, having an opening of 10' into an an 11' room, makes a 30' run so for expedience I called it one room.
I have a family so the domestic situation comes first.
One of the great things about these speakers is that they are designed to be used close to walls. A lot of wide baffle speaker problems like floor bounce, the rule of squares and suck out are not there. I still have the tape marks where I'd pull the BC1s or SP1/2s out to for the rare critical listening sessions.
At this point, I am using them with a Fisher X-1000 EL-34 tube amp with a motorized passive attenuator between the preamp part and the amp part of the X-1000. I need the remote volume control because of my disability.
My friend AK'er thedelihaus said, "If I had six grand I'd go out and buy some right now".
I think you're just going to have to get out there and find a place to demo them.
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FauxHall
Super Member
I've been daydreaming about the SP100 ever since I since I heard the S5e in a San Francisco shop over a decade ago.
My current listening room is about 3000 cubic feet, solid concrete with a glass back wall. Are the SP100s too big?
I'm seeing a nice pair of original SP100s on the London CL and I'm mighty tempted. My current amp is a 35 wpc Sony HAP-S1. I'm thinking I could get by for awhile with just that. Down the room, when budget allows, I'm thinking of a big Sony ES integrated, like a TA-F808ES at 120 wpc. (I'm a Sony fanboy, I admit.)
Comments or recommendations?
My current listening room is about 3000 cubic feet, solid concrete with a glass back wall. Are the SP100s too big?
I'm seeing a nice pair of original SP100s on the London CL and I'm mighty tempted. My current amp is a 35 wpc Sony HAP-S1. I'm thinking I could get by for awhile with just that. Down the room, when budget allows, I'm thinking of a big Sony ES integrated, like a TA-F808ES at 120 wpc. (I'm a Sony fanboy, I admit.)
Comments or recommendations?
greenjudas
New Member
Hi all,
I see the D7 and A9 etc mentioned quite a lot here,but no one seems to mention (or own) Spendor ST speakers
I have had the pleasure of these for about 3 months now and appreciate and like them more each day
Anyone?? Would love to hear others thoughts on these top of the line Spendors
I see the D7 and A9 etc mentioned quite a lot here,but no one seems to mention (or own) Spendor ST speakers
I have had the pleasure of these for about 3 months now and appreciate and like them more each day
Anyone?? Would love to hear others thoughts on these top of the line Spendors
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greenjudas
New Member
Well ,they are known as ST or Statement. They are a two and a half way floor stander just under a metre tall.
Released around 2010 I believe. I have owned some pretty decent speakers over the years and these would probably be the best all round speaker that I've had.
Released around 2010 I believe. I have owned some pretty decent speakers over the years and these would probably be the best all round speaker that I've had.
