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Does the Spendor S8e invert phase?

Hi, I have been listening to a pair of Spendor S8e's and noticed that the transients didn't sound as crisp as my Vandersteen 1B's (which aren't exactly the most detailed speaker).

However, on a whim, I swapped + and - on the speaker cables and it seems to have improved the sound. Has anyone else had this experience with this speaker?

I had also heard that people with tube amps like the Spendors better than those with solid-state amps. Since many tube amps and/or pre-amps are phase-inverting, I wonder if it has something to do with this. Thanks.
gene888
gregm
3,405 posts
 
It makes no sense for a spkr to have invert polarity... Maybe it's the upstream active components?
jond's avatar
jond
5,789 posts
 
I think that one or more of your c-j components inverts phase. Check with the company to be sure.
aball
2,016 posts
 
Your PV14 is the one inverting the phase.
gene888 OP
8 posts
 
Hi all, I know my PV-14 inverts phase. That's why I was familiar with the effect of polarity on transients. I had already adjusted for that with the Vandersteens. However, when I plugged in the Spendors with the adjustment, the transients sounded dull. By switching again (2 inversions = phase correct), the Spendors seem to sound better.

A speaker can invert phase if it has a high-order crossover. In fact, the S5e woofer inverts phase (look up the Stereophile review and JA's measurements for the S5e).

Basically, I'm wondering if anyone else has heard this effect with their Spendors. Thanks again.
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