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Replacing Vintage Spendors is not as easy as I thought

I have a pair of 1989 era Spendor SP1 s and was thinking of updating them as I have heard of the vastly improved technology and materials used by current speaker manufacturers.  So off I have been listening to new speakers, many of which come advertised as natural sounding, or neutral etc. My search has been a bit constrained by my Leben tube amp which is a modest 32 watts. I have heard Harbeth, Aerial Acoustic, Devore, new Spendors, Totem and a few other brands all of which lack the natural vocal qualities of my SP1s.  Some are more dynamic but at the expense of more fatiguing treble.  I have limited my search to the 5000-7500 range but am coming up empty handed.  I am sure if I was ready to spend 15,000 +  I could find a good upgrade, but college tuitions preclude such an expenditure.  Anyone out there with any suggestions?
Thanks
MP
mpomerantz
audition__audio
1,392 posts
 
I would suggest that what you believe to be fatiguing treble is actually much more accurate treble but a treble of which you are not accustomed. An additional thought is that the newer speakers are much more revealing of the electronics than your old Spendors thus less forgiving of poor program material. You need to be very aware of what electronics are driving the speakers you auditioned and also the room in which they were demoed. 
reubent
6,941 posts
 
.....or maybe you just prefer the sound of your old speakers. Nothing wrong with that. If you prefer the old speakers, no reason to part with $5000 - $7500 or even $15000. 

BTW, I stumbled upon a pair of Infinity RS1.5s, vintage 1980, a few years ago. Brought them home, promptly sold off my more expensive speakers, and have been living happily ever since.

My suggestion: Don't worry, be happy!
jond's avatar
jond
5,706 posts
 
Agreed if you like your speakers that much keep them, Spendor makes great speakers and the SP1 is a classic. If you must have something new check out Audio Note, the AN-J, my current speaker, is right in your price range. 93db sensitivity it's easy to drive and very organic sounding. Whatever you decide good luck and happy listening.
inna
7,260 posts
 
Yeah, keep your speakers. Perhaps upgrading your source and/or cables would make more sense.
If you want to try something different - not British sound - I suggest you try Kharma. Used, new is too expensive. No idea how they would work with your amp, probably depends on model, you room, how loud you listen, what you listen to. But 32 good tube watts is not little.
gregm
3,397 posts
 
I second jsautter above, what your ears are rejecting is the tweeter attack of contemporary speaker design.
Having said this, new Spendors 2/3 or the smaller Harbeths are an evolution of your own spkrs sound.
Otherwise, try the smaller ATC models, the SL 20 or the 40. Great midrange (as you’re used to hearaing)
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