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I've got a pair of Spendor S8e's that I'm driving with a Cary V12R. I've had these speakers through three amp combos now - and they sound really good - but I think I've reached the upper limit of what I can get out of them. Two things I'm specifically looking for: more 'air' in the highs and deeper bass that will sound good driven with 50W.
I'd also like to keep it to a dull roar - Maybe $3-4K. Used speakers are fine. Any good suggestions?
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Hi. I would strongly recommened trying the new Spendors. A number of Sprndor group members have finally given up their BC1s for the A9s. I did a 'review' of the A7 a few months ago, I've linked below. I used to own S8, and now use BC3s for what thats worth.
You could also improve the speaker by bi-amping, btw. ie, one amp for the lows and 1 amp for the highs - they can be the same type of amp, or they can be different amps if you level match them with resistors or an attenuator.
Try biamping just 1 speaker with both channels of the Cary and see if you can hear a difference. You should - more 'air' and midrange clarity is what usually can be recovered the music via bi-amping. So if you like the result, than you can get 1 more amp (I'd suggest a solid state for the bottom), and level match with a passive preamp between your preamp and one of the power amps.
It's easy to gain "air" (treble extension) and "bass" by switching from BBC-style monitors to modern designs with metal dome tweeters and lots of woofers (Monitor, KEF, Triangle, B&W, Focal, Paradigm, etc.) but you inevitably lose the mid-range magic of the BBC-monitors in the bargain.
Spendor designed some models that kept the mid-range magic but added bass and treble such as the BC3 and SP 9/1. Used pairs of these may be worth seeking out.
Not always true of all modern designs....just like its not always true of BBC designs. Its very much possible to gain a wonderful midrange magic with the modern designs while still keeping a full balanced presentaton, and its very possible to get a BBC unbalanced midrange as well.
Edits: 05/30/12
I have yet to hear a BBC design that sounded unbalanced in the mid-range.
Sorry for the confusion, they can sound unbalanced in conjunction with the overall spectrum of sound.
With tube amps in that wattage range, I would look at the floorstanding speakers from the Italian company Synthesis. These will sound more clear, dynamic and open than the S8e, but, some may find it too bright. For speakers with relatively small woofers, these have surprising bass response, though I don't know if it will sound better than the Spendors in that respect.
Another possible candidate is the Sonus Faber Liuto. This is another floorstanding speaker that I think is a good competitor for the S8e. I did a quick search and found the following advertisement for a pair at a discount (used?):
Man you would be a fool to purchse anything from MSS hifi.
I simply did a search. I had no idea that they are a bad idea (I generally buy from local dealers).
Go and take a listen the Canton Vento 830.2's. They will knock your socks off. They have that new ceramic tweeter and crossover from the Reference line. No harshness whatsoever in the upper frequencies.Lots of air, and a full midrange with a very good bottom...the whole spectrum is very well balanced.
True enough. I don't think another British monitor is quite what I'm looking for. I was thinking more along the lines of Coincidents or something like that.
I went from Spendor 2/3's to a pair of Salk SongTowers and never looked back. Deeper bass,plus more open with a greater sense of ease. Easily driven with 50 tube watts. Although they were both rated in 88 or 89 efficiency range, the Salks seemed a bit easier to drive. Easily come in under your mentioned price points as well.
Acoustic Sounds sells them, and at a very reasonable price.
Based on the classic BBC monitor this new version is designed by Spencer Hughes son Derek.
You'll want a pair of Skylan stands.
"Lock up when you're done and don't touch the piano."
-Dr. Greg House
I am sure they are very fine speakers, but they do cost over 4k and one could pick up a nice used pair of Spendor Sp 1/2's for $1500. or less so I was wondering if the Stirlings are that much better?
Comparing a new product to a 25 year old used product.
Is the new Honda Civic you pay $20,000 a better deal than the 1992 Civic you buy for $2,500?
Depends on what you want.
"Lock up when you're done and don't touch the piano."
-Dr. Greg House
I understand what you are saying and if there is significant improvement they are worth the extra money, which is why my original question was how they compared to current British monitors made by Harbeth and Spendors. The current Spendor 2/3R2's list for me than the the Stirlings 3/6's and the Spendor 1/2 R2's list for way more.
I wonder how the Stirling Broadcast LS 3/6 would compare to current Harbeth, Spendor and KEF monitors?
If they do sound like the original LS3/6 which they probably do given the designer and the BBC license, I don't know how they sound compared to modern BBC type speakers but I recall how they compare to the classic Spendor BC1(to which they were related as a furhtur developement. They had noticeably tighter bass(the biggest weakness of the BC1) and a very slightly warmer mid-range that was magic, the most seductive mids I recall hearing in many decades of audiophilia.
From what I've read and been told by people who've heard them, quite well.
It would be fun to own a piece of hi-fi history.
They are almost identical in design to the Spendor SP1/2, but a LOT less money.
They hit a nice size/performance/price point.
"Lock up when you're done and don't touch the piano."
-Dr. Greg House
I own a pair of Spendor SP1/2Es and had S8e speakers immediately prior. I was able to compare them back-to-back before electing to keep the SP1/2Es.
Based on what the original poster said he wanted (more air and deeper bass with his 50 watt amp), I can pretty much guarantee the Stirlings are not going to fit the bill.
The S8e definitely has deeper bass than the SP1/2E. The S8e will also play louder. The SP1/2 may offer a touch more "air" than the S8e due to the extra tweeter, but Spendors (and the BBC sound) are geared toward a more natural sound. They simply do not offer the extra sparkle one often hears in the more fashionable audiophile speakers.
The reason I kept the SP1/2Es instead of the S8e speakers is the classic model is more neutral in the voice range and with acoustic instruments. The S8e has an ever so slightly more modern sound. I was willing to sacrifice the deeper bass and more modern tone balance of the S8e in exchange for that extra midrange neutrality.
Given the Stirling was designed to BBC spec, I simply cannot imagine it giving the OP what he says he's looking for.
I think there are many people who are looking for big bass drivers with a lot of power behind them, pushing a lot of air. But one can reach exactly the same notes with smaller drivers that don't collapse your chest.
That distinction is often missed. Just go to RMAF: the air wins every time.
Observe, don't think
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