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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
craig_co OP
15 posts
 
Thanks for the link. High praise for sure.

Here's a link to the pair. Interesting, it looks like they've been re-veneered. I've never seen that. Don't know if that should give me pause.

Thanks again.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,645 posts
 
Where is the link?
craig_co OP
15 posts
 
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649712830-spendor-s8e-speakers-in-beautiful-condition-with-new-l...
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,645 posts
 
Those speakers should have grills. I think you should pass on them. Take a look at the sold listings on HiFi Shark. Those speakers are not worth $1200.
https://www.hifishark.com/search?q=spendor+s8e
jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
i am not a wood worker and have no knowledge of what it takes to relaminate or re-veneer the cabinets... good you are seeing them in person; the photos look good but one must check in person to be sure

i am also curious about the bottoms, don’t these speakers have bottom plinths? are there threads for spikes? speakers like that need to be grounded with spikes to sound their best

also, i agree about the grilles... as mentioned above by yogi

not many sets of these around, so shouldn’t dismiss, but needs a good check out and maybe some negotiation on a fair price

good luck
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