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Spendor
Loudspeakers
Pick a speaker, any
speaker, and I guarantee you’ll be able to find those who
love it and those who hate it. It’s easy to get into trouble
when recommending a speaker. The plethora of brands and
models multiplied by the vast range of personal references,
virtually insure you will offend some and befriend others.
A very few speakers
that I have come across in my thirty years in this business,
have possessed the ability to fall into the graces of most
all who listen. I’m not exactly sure why, maybe it’s an
even handed tonal presentation, maybe it’s low distortion,
or possibly a specific frequency response curve. Who knows,
maybe all of the above. For whatever reason, there are indeed
a very few speakers that seem to be almost universally accepted.
As you
might have guessed by now, I think Spendor fit’s into that
exclusive club. Yet more than just being non-offensive,
the Spendor’s have a genuinely likeable quality along with
some real performance attributes. These designs are well
respected for their superb recreation of all things spatial;
they do the sound staging thing to a T. Resolution of lo-level
detail is sparkling and, above all, a tonal palette that
is musically satisfying. Oh yes, they do the rhythm and
pace thing too.
Spendor has been around for thirty-odd years. Founded back
in the 1960’s by Spencer and Dorothy Hughes, it grew out
of expertise gained in the engineering department of the
BBC. The company has designed and marketed a number of outstanding
speakers over the years, gaining a worldwide reputation
for quality with models like the classic LS3/5.
In 2001
the company was acquired by Philip Swift, founder of the
renowned Audiolab brand, with the intention of modernizing
the designs to meet with contemporary expectations. Many
of us long-time Spendor fans were apprehensive, feeling
that the so-called modernization meant discarding the qualities
so prized in their past designs. That turned out not be
the case, and Mr. Swift has done an excellent job of melding
the past strengths with new innovation. The Spendor “S”
Series speakers are an extension of past superb designs;
and carry forth the philosophy and performance that have
made this brand so popular.
The "S" Series models employ the unique Linear Flow port
technology to eliminate turbulence of port "chuffing," and
predictable low frequency response. The Spendor drive units
feature stiff, light polymer cones with proprietary damping
to reduce coloration. The dynamically damped enclosures
dramatically reduce cabinet re-radiation levels.
Each model delivers a balanced energy output
to guarantee a consistent sound and a vivid seamless sound
stage in a diversity of living environments. This technology
is complemented by elegant modern styling. Whether you
listen to music or film, stereo or surround sound, there is
a Spendor loudspeaker system to match your individual
lifestyle. Each model is calibrated and matched to broadcast
reference standards + 1.0dB.

S3e
This
two-way stand or bookshelf speakers offers amazing
performance for the size. The
Spendor S3e shares the same advanced technology and design
principles as our larger loudspeakers. At the heart of the
S3e is a 140mm Spendor bass-midrange driver with our new
ep38 polymer cone and thermally engineered magnet plates to
ensure absolute linearity at any playing level. The S3e will
sit happily on either a stand or bookshelf which makes it
easy to place in your listening room.
-
60 Hz to 20 kHz
-
86 dB sensitivity
-
8 Ohm impedance, 6.8
minimum
-
Linear Flow Reflex
porting
-
6.5" W x 10.2" D x 13.4"
H
-
Cherry, Maple or
Rosenut real wood veneer (Cherry pictured,
see samples below)
-
Five Star rating - What Hi-Fi?
-
Stands optional
-
$1499pr

S5e
The
Spendor S5e is the ideal solution for everyone who demands
superb sound from a compact floor standing loudspeaker. The
S5e has two individual 140mm Spendor drive units. One driver
handles the
midrange and upper bass, the second driver covers very low
frequencies (and is engineered to match the 3D linear flow
port). The result is a small loudspeaker which delivers
convincing punch and weight and a surprisingly 'big' sound.
The Spendor S5e has excellent efficiency and an easy to
drive load so you don't need a big powerful amplifier. The
linear flow reflex technology allows placement close to a rear wall and the bass without excessive
boom.
An amazing value!
-
50 Hz to 20 kHz
-
87 dB sensitivity
-
8 Ohm impedance
-
Linear Flow Reflex
porting
-
6.5" W x 10.4" D x 31"
H
-
Cherry, Maple or
Rosenut real wood veneer (Maple pictured,
see samples below)
-
See the Stereophile
review in the September 2004 issue
-
Stereophile Product
of the Year 2004
-
$2199pr

S6e
The S6 delivers great sound from a slim
cabinet. Like
all the 'S' series loudspeakers, stunning looks are enhanced
with an elegantly profiled, acoustically engineered grille.
The S6 will enhance the style of any room, while filling
it with wonderful music.
-
48 Hz to 20 kHz
-
88 dB sensitivity
-
8 Ohm impedance
-
Linear Flow Reflex
porting
-
7.75" W x 12" D x 35"
H
-
Cherry, Maple or
Rosenut real wood veneer (Cherry pictured,
see samples below)
-
$2499pr

S8e
Here is serious power handling for
dynamics and punch thanks to a special
bass-mid drive unit combined with our new 'linear-flow'
bass reflex loading. The result is a brilliantly detailed
and vibrant sound with deep articulate bass that always
remains natural and well balanced. From Dance to Dvorák
the S8 is an amazingly versatile loudspeaker.
In her Stereophile review, Sallie Reynolds
writes: "So at the risk of sounding naive and overblown,
I'm going to give you my true thoughts on the Spendor S8e:
buy it. For $3000 you are, I swear it, getting as close as a
whisker to $30,000 in sound, glorious, house-filling sound."
- 43 Hz to 20 kHz
- 8 Ohm impedance
- 89 db sensitivity
- Linear Flow Reflex porting
- 9" W x 12.75" D x 36.75" H
- Cherry, Maple or Rosenut real wood veneer
(Cherry pictured, see samples below)
- Rated a "Best Buy" by What Hi-Fi?
- $3299.00pr

S9e
The S9 has to be heard to appreciate the
grand scale
of its superbly integrated sound. Whether you play loud or
soft, music or film, the S9 has an uncanny ability to convey
the energy and emotion of the performance. The bass is rock
solid, treble delicate and airy, and the mid range
captivatingly realistic. Often you'll feel you could reach
out and touch the performers.
- 40 Hz to 20 kHz +/- 3dB. -6dB at
28Hz
- Nominal 8 Ohms impedance, 6 Ohms
minimum
- 90dB sensitivity
- Linear Flow Reflex porting
- 9.7" W x 15.2" D x 39.6" H
- Cherry, Maple or Rosenut real wood veneer,
(Cherry pictured, see samples below)
- $5499.00pr

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