mozcho
Well-Known Member
Congrats for getting them cheaply! I have the later SP1/2s, wondering how similar/different are they.
The Spendor Thread..
- Thread starter Bigerik
- Start date
Reviving to add my testimony to this statement. Just acquired a beautiful pair of BC-1's courtesy of AK'er @Fairlane last weekend, and teamed up with a McIntosh MC225, all my several pairs of speakers that I love have taken a seat. I can't stop listening to this combo! The only other pair of British speakers I've owned(and still do) is a pair of JR 149's, which are wonderful, but they never had the hypnotic effect that these BC-1's do. Captivating is the word that comes to mind.
TunerLanding
Active Member
For me what sets them apart is the imaging. It’s incredible. And while the bass doesn’t go super low what’s there sounds incredibleReviving to add my testimony to this statement. Just acquired a beautiful pair of BC-1's courtesy of AK'er @Fairlane last weekend, and teamed up with a McIntosh MC225, all my several pairs of speakers that I love have taken a seat. I can't stop listening to this combo! The only other pair of British speakers I've owned(and still do) is a pair of JR 149's, which are wonderful, but they never had the hypnotic effect that these BC-1's do. Captivating is the word that comes to mind.
Perfectly said.
Indeed! Great to meet you as well and bringing these to me. A highlight in my audio journey for sure!
I haven't yet tried them with anything more powerful then my McIntosh MC240. I'm sure at some point I'll experiment more, but as I've indicated I'm to intoxicated with the way they make music with the MC225 presently that I'm in no hurry.
TunerLanding
Active Member
I’ve heard of a magic with spendor and Mcintosh, and that they can pair with low powered tube systems. That said the consensus seems to be that they benefit from high wattage to most audiophiles. They are just built and tuned so perfectly they can handle whatever you throw at them and you don’t have to use the rest of a system as an equalizer. You can hear the love and precision and R and D in the voicing like few other speakers. Sometimes colouration is what brings recordings in to realistic presence.
I'm sure that's true. I'm a bit of contrarian when it comes to powering speakers. I've heard some of the best sounds from my AR3's come from the Mc tube amps that I'm now using,or have used, with the BC-1's. And the the 3's are notorious power mongers. I've been seriously criticized and ridiculed for expressing my enjoyment doing this. But whatever. I like high power amps, and use them with with my Allison One's , KLH Model 5's, and presently, yes, with my 3's. At some point , as I said, I'm sure I'll get around to trying something like that out with the BC-1's since "consensus" says they benefit. But to me, the BC-1's are perhaps the most musical speaker I've ever owned, or listened to. True, I'm making that statement after only owning them less then a week, but at this stage in my life and audio experience, I feel I can. Pairing them up with the most musical amp I own in the MC225 just makes sense. These are speakers that I will only use for certain types of music, mostly jazz and various types of acoustic music. When I want to listen to something more aggressive, I have other speakers/amps for that.
That all said, this morning I gave in and connected them to my McIntosh MC2105, my favorite sounding solid state amp. 130 watts, give or take at clipping, and of course I'll never use any more watts with it then I did with the MC225. Does it sound good? Hell yeah, it sounds great! Your statement regarding the ability of the BC-1's to be able to handle anything thrown at them is spot on. Perhaps a little more control on the bass size leading to a little more thump even at extremely modest levels. The trade off is a little less air and delicacy, and not quite as much startling mid range, which the MC225 excels at.
Damn speakers make it hard to stick with just one amp for them.
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Unfortunately today one of my BC-1's completely stopped working. I had been putting it on it's stand when music was playing. It was upside down in error, so I gently turned it over, and the sound went dead. To make sure it wasn't simply a connection, I connected the amp to another speaker and had sound from it. Reconnected to the BC-1, and nothing. It had been working fine for about an hour previous to this.
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
If you have an ohm meter check across the terminals. Zero resistance would be a short. Maybe something became dislodged and is causing the problem. An infinite reading would indicate an open circuit. I’m not able to see how the wires are connected to the crossover and how the crossover is mounted to the baffle. It could be glued. A failure could cause it to be floating around and be stuck to one of the magnets.
Might just be easier to remove the back a take a look.
Good luck and report back!
Might just be easier to remove the back a take a look.
Good luck and report back!
Thanks! That's just what I did and it was simply a wire from the crossover that got loose. Luckily just a matter of popping it back on and back in business!
Does seem like the same speaker will need a rotation of the woofer however, as I'm noticing some rubbing today. But at least it's working!
Amcrebelfan
Super Member
I have the BCII speakers but can't find efficiency anyone know. I have been searching but nothing.
TunerLanding
Active Member
I think a
round 86 db
Amcrebelfan
Super Member
Thank you
blame vinyl
Member
I've read the ones made in the late 80's, like my sp 2/2 , are better build quality than the later years products ... is there a "sweet spot" for production years for Spendor?
blame vinyl
Member
which video shows how you applied the brake fluid to the surrounds? I have to try this soon. Mine sound pretty good already but I'm assuming the bass will get a boost
robberends
New Member
hi jurgen, are you still in this forum? i have some questions about the bc1 crossover.
He hasn't been on for a year.
sp58
Active Member
Hello, still here and glad to own the Spendors !
If this is not allowed please remove. My last piece of quality gear as I downsize, Spendor 3/1 LE (1005/1006 out of a total of 25 pair for the 25th anniversary). A true LE run unlike most which are limited to as many as they can make and sell.
Spendor 3/1 Limited Edition
Spendor 3/1 Limited Edition
