I assume you mean the Spendor S3/5? Are you referring to their new price or used ($600) price?
There are many speakers that will sound more "transparent" than the Spendors, especially at lower volumes, where the inefficiency of the S3/5 makes it tough to drive. There are a lot of small speakers that are cheaper, more efficient and will sound more dynamic than the Spendors. Few will image as well and probably none will have their midrange richness. B&W DM 601 and Monitor Audio 2.5's are good examples of what I am trying to say. The Spendors are somewhat euphonically colored and are not for everyone, but to get this type of sound with the level of resolution offered is tough to find at even higher prices. Good luck and please let us know what you end up with.
There are many speakers that will sound more "transparent" than the Spendors, especially at lower volumes, where the inefficiency of the S3/5 makes it tough to drive. There are a lot of small speakers that are cheaper, more efficient and will sound more dynamic than the Spendors. Few will image as well and probably none will have their midrange richness. B&W DM 601 and Monitor Audio 2.5's are good examples of what I am trying to say. The Spendors are somewhat euphonically colored and are not for everyone, but to get this type of sound with the level of resolution offered is tough to find at even higher prices. Good luck and please let us know what you end up with.