The Spendor Thread..

[beatcomber]

As many of you know, I’ve either had a Fisher 400 or, more recently, a Fisher X-100 (14wpc) in my main system for a number of years, and my main speakers are the Spendor SP3/1R2’s that I had shipped from England a few months ago.

I recently moved my hifi from an 8’ x 12’ room downstairs to a larger bedroom upstairs, and was dismayed to find that my system now sounded thin and anemic, with light/flabby bass and lean mids. I thought that these nice speakers were too small for the space or something, and it was very upsetting.

On a whim, I swapped in my Rega Brio-R, 50 watts of solid state power, and was stunned by how spectacular it sounded with the Spendors... it was punchy and composed, with real bass extension, and wonderful tonal accuracy. Now, I always liked the Rega, but in my smaller room it sometimes sounded too "thick." In the new room, it sounds absolutely gorgeous. Maybe there is something to pairing British amps with British speakers.

I was immediately forced to throw out all of my preconceptions about tubes vs. solid state. It's clear to me now that the Fisher may have been fine with the Spendors in a tiny room, where it was able to get some reinforcement from the room itself, but in a more open space it quickly ran out of gas.

Switching to solid state also relieved the anxiety of caring for tubes, and it certainly is more convenient! Sure, I'll miss the euphoric presentation of tubes, but the Rega Brio-R brings its own thing to the party, so I don't feel like it's a major compromise.

And I still have the Fisher X-100, and plan to set it up with my Wharfedale Dentons in a smaller room. Win-win!

Whadda dope I was. The reason the Fisher sounded thin/anemic is because the EL84s were dying. I swapped in a new matched quad, and it sounds spectacular with the Spendors!

 

[kray]

Whadda dope I was. The reason the Fisher sounded thin/anemic is because the EL84s were dying. I swapped in a new matched quad, and it sounds spectacular with the Spendors!

maybe missed it but what speaker stands are those?

 

[beatcomber]

maybe missed it but what speaker stands are those?

Those are inexpensive Pangea DS400s, marketed by Audio Advisor. They are basically knock-offs of Target stands. They are the best choice I could find in their price range.

When filled with sand or kitty litter, they become very heavy and solid, which makes a big difference with regards to bass firmness and imaging vividness.

My suggestion to anyone who considers buying a set is to seal the bottoms, where the posts meet the bases, with some clear caulk. These stands will leak slightly otherwise. I have also lined the bottoms of the bases with Dynamat.

Ultimately my goal is to acquire a pair of 3-post Sound Anchors, and I'm just waiting for a pair with the correct dimensions to show up on the used market.

 

[kray]

Those are inexpensive Pangea DS400s, marketed by Audio Advisor. They are basically knock-offs of Target stands. They are the best choice I could find in their price range.

When filled with sand or kitty litter, they become very heavy and solid, which makes a big difference with regards to bass firmness and imaging vividness.

My suggestion to anyone who considers buying a set is to seal the bottoms, where the posts meet the bases, with some clear caulk. These stands will leak slightly otherwise. I have also lined the bottoms of the bases with Dynamat.

Ultimately my goal is to acquire a pair of 3-post Sound Anchors, and I'm just waiting for a pair with the correct dimensions to show up on the used market.

thanks. I saw these on Amazon too but lot of the reviews complained about getting them level and right after putting the post together. Others say they are easy to assemble and no issues.

what’s your thoughts?

 

[beatcomber]

thanks. I saw these on Amazon too but lot of the reviews complained about getting them level and right after putting the post together. Others say they are easy to assemble and no issues.

what’s your thoughts?

I read those same complaints, but I had absolutely no difficulties assembling them or setting them up.

 

[kray]

Thanks @beatcomber and @TEA FOR ONE

Will prob grab these for my new passed down the line Spendor S3/5’s from fellow AK’ers

 

[KevinCorr]

These are exactly like mine. A6 in Zebrawood. I still have them and they really sing with the new Belle's Aria Integrated amp. They had been used for years with a Marantz amp.

Spendor A6's Settling In....For Life

Anyone who has Spendors has the same feeling for them it seems. I've never had any speakers this wonderful. I think I've made the comment before, but every time I think they could use a little more low end, the musical presentation, the timbre of individual instruments of everything but the very deepest bass gets me involved and shaking my head in amazement. I love these speakers. I've not heard the other models but most are in agreement on the emotional involvement created by these loudspeakers.
I've finally gotten the placement just about right and almost have the listening space cleaned up enough to update the room pics but couldn't pass up posting a few of the speakers and system.
BTW, the Alpha Core Goertz speaker cables seemed to bring extra PRaT to the party while not impacting the magic of the A6.

Not saying nothing, just saying.

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[CKDC]

thanks. I saw these on Amazon too but lot of the reviews complained about getting them level and right after putting the post together. Others say they are easy to assemble and no issues.

what’s your thoughts?

I recently purchased a pair of the Pangea 400 stands.

I had to chase the threads in one of the holes for the spikes.

I did need to turn the spike out to maximum to level the stand but I think that is more about the tile floor in my listening room.

For added weight and sound deadening, I used some leftover dried bluestone from a patio project. To keep it from leaking out the bottom, I poured the bluestone into plastic bags and tied them off. The channels are maybe 3/4 full of bluestone.

I think there are better stands out there but not for $200.00.

 

[beatcomber]

I run the same stands. Putting them together was very easy. I haven't filled them,but they are pretty substantial.

I highly recommend filling them! It does make a big difference.

To keep it from leaking out the bottom, I poured the bluestone into plastic bags and tied them off.

Great idea, I should have done that.

 

[kray]

How the heck do these guys put out such large sound compared to their size?

 

[kray]

First,congratulations! In my listening room,and even my larger HT room,I found the sound to be very addictive. Reasonable listening levels is the key. They won't play at 100+dbs, but what they do is astonishing. Good luck,and enjoy!! Are you augmenting the Spendors with a sub?

Spot on!
no sub. My plan was to taste the Spendor sound and eventually grab a pair of A6/A6R’s. Although I may try them with a sub

 

[kray]

How big is your listening space?

16x16 mainly but back left corner is open to another room. It’s my basement so carpeted and 9’ ceilings.

 

[E Norman]

Hey everyone, could use some help. I picked up a pair of sp1/2e’s. Theyre from ‘99. I am running an arcam a19 and VPI for reference. I have them hooked up with the same biwire cables I’ve been using with my vandy 2ces for years. 2 bananas one end, 4 bananas on the other. When I fire these up, only the low end woofer works. Both speakers. I don’t know what the hell is going on. I also tried hooking one up to my sansui 2000a, same deal (last pic)

 

[VINTAGEO]

Could be several things, bad crossover caps, tweeters are blown, bad connection(probably not this)
Try pulling a tweeter and put an ohm meter across the - and + and see if they are not open..make sure to disconnect at least 1 side of the tweeter before testing. If they are bad, good news, the tweets can still e bought new...
Good luck

 

[E Norman]

Happen to

Could be several things, bad crossover caps, tweeters are blown, bad connection(probably not this)
Try pulling a tweeter and put an ohm meter across the - and + and see if they are not open..make sure to disconnect at least 1 side of the tweeter before testing. If they are bad, good news, the tweets can still e bought new...
Good luck

thanks! Happen to have a link?

 

[VINTAGEO]

Try searching vifa or seas tweeters, I know Solen Canada has them, maybe parts express...

 

[E Norman]

Anyone happen to know the item number or specific one to order

 

[Sansui77]

Looking to purchase a set of nice Spendor S100. Anyone selling or know where I could get a set? Is there a Spendor group on Facebook?

 

[VINTAGEO]

Anyone happen to know the item number or specific one to order

You'll have to pull the tweeter and get the number off it

 

[Linehand]

Anyone happen to know the item number or specific one to order

ScanSpeak

Are the tweeters failed?