Spendor SP 1/2e....TECH HELP NEEDED!


 

Hey all, I figured this is the best place to get some advice for my spendor sp1/2e's that I grabbed for about 1k off of shopgoodwill a while back (I know, I know, not ideal).

Love the sound, and absolutely blown away by the midrange. Killer speaker all around and by far the best I've run.

Unfortunately, it looks like the right speaker is failing. I think both the mid tweeter and the woofer. The right speakeer sound is noticeably less than the left, clarity is all off. Sound is muddy, mid is buried, and volume is lower. When I press the woofer, there's a slight scratch (voice coil?) and I have a feeling they're due for a tune up or an upgrade.

I've paired to Scott 222, Marantz 2285b, Marantz 2240 and an ArcamA19 and the problem is persistent.

I have found new tweeters, and midrange drivers (the same scanspeak models as the cabinet) that are available for purchase.

Should I go about finding replacement scanspeak drivers and upgrading/replacing the set or should I ditch them and go to something else?

If I were to ditch and get new speakers, budget is roughly $2k ish. Would prefer to keep repairs below $1500.

Was thinking about ditching and going with either the Falcons LS3/5a or some used Harbeths (but have never heard either). My fear is that trying to stay in the spendor line and go new is going to be the classics ($14k) and thats not an option.

Thoughts on what to do?

ellisjnorman

All 3 of the Marantz units (2285b, 2240, 2235b) and the Arcam A19 unit are integrated. The only tube is the 222.

Is it possible a crossover is at fault? And not a driver?

My SP2/2 are 35 years old and drivers are working great (ESL57 owner)

I did some testing. Swapped amps and tables. Turns out there's a bit going on. 

Tweeter in left speaker is out, mid in right speaker is out. Woofers work fine it looks like, at least from a movement standpoint.


The plan now is to replace the tweeters and the mids in both cabinets, reassess and more than likely send the drivers in to Millersound to be restored after hearing them.

Hoping to get them as close to back to baseline as possible.

 

Before you do anything else I recommend that you join the Spendor user group at the link below.  There are guys on this forum who have enormous experience with troubleshooting and restoring Spendors, and specifically the BC-1 line. Best of luck.