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Budget Hunter: Spendor S8e vs Totem Hawk

I'm replacing a pair of B&W Matrix 804s with something less fatiguing and (hopefully) more musically involving.

A pair of Spendor S8e ($1200) and a pair of Totem Hawks ($1800) are for sale locally. I like what I've read about both. Before I drive an hour and a half in opposite directions to audition, I hoped I might get some insights from this group about any personal experiences you may have had. Likes and dislikes. My tastes in music runs the gamut but the human voice is the common thread through all of it.

The rest of my system is capable but modest. A Musical Fidelity A300 dual mono Integrated (150/250), MF A3 CD transport, Denafrips Aries II, Rega P2 and a Bluesound Node2i.

Thanks in advance!
craig_co
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,645 posts
 
@jjss49
Good catch. Those should have bottom plinths with spikes! No photos of the rear?
craig_co OP
15 posts
 
Thanks for your responses. Greatly appreciated.

I have a few questions about the appearance. Where are the plinths and, curiously, where is the 'ledge/lip' on the bottom of the front baffle that the logo/badge typically sits? Very odd.
jetter
3,033 posts
 
@craig_co and yogiboy. Are you are saying that there is not only no speaker grills, there are also no holes on the speaker to insert the speaker grills, leading to the conclusion that the speaker has been re re-veneered?

This besides the missing base.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,645 posts
 
@jetter 
Those speakers should have the inserts to attach the grills. I owned those speakers about ten years ago!
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,645 posts
 
@craig_co
Take a look at the speakers in the review. The plinths are attached to the bottom and the badge is at the bottom and not where they are located on the ones that you are looking to buy. Take my advice and pass on those!
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