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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
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 
i would go for the spendors... unless you like a bright treble presentation... which the totems will provide

musical fidelity amps are not super smooth, the sound is more or less neutral solid state (so i would choose speakers with a dose of warmth)
craig_co OP
15 posts
 
Thanks for your reply.
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yogiboy
5,645 posts
 
I have owned those Spendors. They are an excellent speaker. I doubt that you would go wrong with them. If they are in good condition $1200 is a great price. Here is a review!
https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/spendor-s8e-loudspeakers-1
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