View Full Version : The original Spendor SP2
Still using this speaker after 30 odd years and I have owned them from new. They still sound wonderful and with the right material give an uncanny naturalness to vocals and Instrument timbre. They don't rock hard but with more restrained music they are wonderfully natural sounding.
The originals are still the best in my opinion as the 8 inch mid bass driver was hand doped and carefully hand manufactured but I believe were difficult to make hence the SP2/2 which proceeded it had a different cone material. I don't think it sounds as natural although these speakers can be driven harder. I also feel the same about the harbeth speakers incidentally which moved to the Radial cone material which was easier to manufacture and probably more cost effective than its predecessor. I think the HL5 originals sounded better.
Anyway a few pics of these beautiful speakers which although old fashioned looking still sound sublime.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48517291011_15f96ba4dc_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2gViNir)P1000208 (https://flic.kr/p/2gViNir) by sy (https://www.flickr.com/photos/162281319@N03/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48558233932_2372b2c0f7_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2gYVDcS)P1000209 (https://flic.kr/p/2gYVDcS) by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/162281319@N03/]/url], on Flickr
brian2957
17-08-2019, 13:26
Ah...was hoping this was a sales thread James ;)
I heard these speakers when I paid a visit to James a few years ago and agree with everything he has said about them . My own description of these speakers was ' beguiling ' . Absolutely loved them :)
Ah...was hoping this was a sales thread James ;)
I heard these speakers when I paid a visit to James a few years ago and agree with everything he has said about them . My own description of these speakers was ' beguiling ' . Absolutely loved them :)
Cheers Brian, don't think they have changed much. :)
And the finish on them compliments your skirting boards too!
Haselsh1
18-08-2019, 06:43
And the finish on them compliments your skirting boards too!
;)
I am beginning to really appreciate Spendor speakers.
I've only heard the BC1. New Spendors were out of my price bracket in the early days and they keep their value pretty well so not a cheap second hand punt either.
I've only heard the BC1. New Spendors were out of my price bracket in the early days and they keep their value pretty well so not a cheap second hand punt either.
I have heard the BC1 many times, in fact I think Marco may have had some at one point. He also had some much larger Spendors I believe?
I prefer the SP1 to the BC1.
jandl100
18-08-2019, 07:04
I had a pair of SP1/2 for a short while.
Here being driven by a pair of 40wpc OTL monoblocks, but I used quite a variety and range of amps on them. Different stands, too - the open frame as in the pic and also sand filled Atacama.
https://i.imgur.com/LWfNwy4.jpg
Totally wonderful in terms of tonal neutrality - just amazingly natural through the broad midrange.
But micro-dynamically they were very sluggish - watching paint dry was a much more interesting and exciting experience!
I could hear why some folks would love the sound, but not for me.
As in the photo, I tried them with grilles removed to see if a bit of musical joie de vivre could be allowed through, but sadly not enough by a long way.
I'd be interested to hear a pair of SP2.
I suspect, like Harbeth, better things come in smaller packages. Hearing little Harbie P3ESR I was quite bowled over, loved them. While the larger SHL5 Plus and 40 seemed weighted down by their extra mass and did little for me.
I have heard the BC1 many times, in fact I think Marco may have had some at one point. He also had some much larger Spendors I believe?
I prefer the SP1 to the BC1.
I think he had the SP100 or something like that.
I think he had the SP100 or something like that.
They were big beasts.
Never heard SP2s but I love my SP1s and don't ever intend to part with them. If they have the family/BBC sound then I would love them I'm sure. [emoji4]
Sent from my I3113 using Tapatalk
Never heard SP2s but I love my SP1s and don't ever intend to part with them. If they have the family/BBC sound then I would love them I'm sure. [emoji4]
Sent from my I3113 using Tapatalk
The Sp2s are just a bit faster and quick on their feet and work better in smaller rooms, however I like the Sp1 especially with its super tweeter. I have A-B Sp1 and SP2 and their is a very noticeable difference in the top end of the SP1 because of this super tweeter.
The SP2 had a slight bass resonance, but which could be tamed at the port.
The BC1 was chosen at Bush after extensive auditioning with several other speakers, (and my voice was used in evaluation at that time), and I remember my boss showing me the graph with its then outstandingly smooth mid.
We had a BC2 or 3 in the control room, and the bass was very limited due to the thin cabinet design.
Of all the BBC heritage speakers I liked the LS 5/5, LS 3/4, and the subsequent LS 3/6 which to me was the best.
The Spendor S100 was I remember compared with ATC 100s when it appeared, and was described as a little more 'fruity'.
Mandryka
20-08-2019, 21:22
I had a pair of SP1/2 for a short while.
But micro-dynamically they were very sluggish - watching paint dry was a much more interesting and exciting experience!
I could hear why some folks would love the sound, but not for me.
I don’t have your speaker, I have SP1s, but I know exactly what you mean. Fortunately I found the problem went away when I hooked them up to a Krell KSA50. And then came back again when I hooked them up to a Quad 520. My conclusion is that my speakers are very fussy about amps, and they want the best or they sulk.
jandl100
21-08-2019, 07:26
Hmm, interesting.
I've had a Krell KSA50 (original mk1, refurbed) and I find it hard to imagine it bringing some zip to any speaker!
But you've tried the SP1/KSA50 combo and I haven't. There's no real way to assess this sort of synergy without actually trying it.
The best sounding combo I tried was the pictured OTL amp, a very vivid and upbeat amp, and even that couldn't bring the SP1/2 decently to life.
Unfortunately, my brief affair with the Spendors was over 10 years ago, before I started keeping detailed records of the hifi that has come and gone. And I can't now recall what other amps I had at the time and used on them, although the Krell would have been around that time, I can't be sure!
Anyhow, we're all after different things and hearing things differently and doing so with different music, so whatever floats your own boat is good!
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