2. speakers
  3. 1254540771

Upgrade from Spendor SP 1/2, what's next?

I currently have a pair of original SP 1/2's and am upgrading from a Cayin TA-30 to a Cayin a88t to drive them. Listen mostly to classical and jazz vocals and love the sweet mellow warm sound. I'm considering trying a new speaker and was thinking of going to a floor stander. What Spendor floor standing speaker (or other maker) would you recommend? The room is 20' x 14' with 10' ceiling, wood floors, minimal furniture.
mikewdc
jdmeyers77
15 posts
 
I have been a Classic Spendor guy since 1980. I have also tried Harbeths, but preferred Spendor. You own one of the very greatest transducers ever made

Read this: http://www.regonaudio.com/SpendorSP12Loudspeakers.html

I have two suggestions. Buy a musical sub (e.g., ACI or REL). And try Speltz Anti-Cable speaker cable. They opened up my 1/2s and 100s -- utterly transforming the speakers from fantastic to mind-blowing. No joke. Been in the hobby for 35+ years and that cable is the single most significant upgrade I have ever made. Read the testimonials.

By the way, my Cary 300SEI (with 11 wpc) and the ACI sub are an intoxicating combo with the 1/2s. Put your wallet away, my friend. It ain't the speakers!
nolitan
865 posts
 
I've had Spendors for quite sometime. Great speakers, on the warm side of the spectrum.
Suggest you audition a pair of harbeth SHL5s- quite different frm the spendor line, more detailed and transparent but still has that beautiful midrange.
YMMV.
mikewdc OP
22 posts
 
Thanks for all the excellent advice that I have come to know from A'gon.

These SP 1/2's are originals too (not E, not R, etc.). I bought them used in 1999. I had first heard Spendors about 10 years prior to that (no idea what model they were, but I think they were a sealed model).

I'm excited to see what the new amp (Cayin a88t) will do for them with the upped wattage (over the Cayin TA-30).

Will keep you posted.
nolitan
865 posts
 
For the spendors to come alive, a good s/s amp is more recommended that the Cayin amp. I have friends with Cayin amp on spendors, while the midrange is ok, the dynamics and details kinda suffers a lot.
Suggest you consider a good 100-150w s/s amp for the Spendors. To begin with, they have a smooth sound to them so tubes can be omitted. YMMV
fin1bxn
140 posts
 
I have owned the Spendor SP1/2e and loved them. Used a Pass x250 amp and also a Rogue Stereo 90. The had the midrange magic, excelent top end and tight bass. But they couldnt handle low octives. If you get a subwoofer with a crosover that might work. I wouldnt and didnt do it. After many speaker auditions I bought a pr of used Revel F52's They wond have the depth of midrange (Could be my cabling) but they are oustanding in every other way. Top to bottom, imaging, bass response is awsome my tuned room is 11 x16 with an opening in back to another room
More to discover