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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 following the ongoing saga. I've been in contact with the Spendor owner. He seems like a genuinely honest broker. Here's his response:

"The speakers have new cabinet laminate because they were damaged. I took them to cabinet maker, and they repaired them beautifully. The rectangular bottom, and speaker covers were damaged as well. I didn't replace them. They are very unique looking and sweet sounding. They have screw in flat feet that can be raised and lowered."

I'm now concerned about what kind of damage and if it compromised the cabinet integrity.
Post removed 
craig_co OP
15 posts
 
@dekay thanks for that. I didn't realize all of that history was there. What a shame. These things were pristine last August.

Unfortunately, I'm probably going to have to pass on these. Who knows what happened.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,645 posts
 
Those Harbeths are no bargain. They came out in 2002 and they listed for $3200.00. Last year I bought a used pair of the 30.1 in Rosewood finish and paid 3 grand!
tubebuffer
417 posts
 
DO THE TOTEM COME WITH BEAKS? TOTEM MAKE THE BEAK FOR THESE SPEAKER TO IMAGE BETTER MAKE SURE IT HAVE SET OF BEAK OR OFFER LESS AND BUY BEAK ELSEWHERE.
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