Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Spendor 1/2E Speakers by krisjan

Model:	1/2E
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$2500
Description:	3-way, front-ported monitor
Manufacturer URL:	Spendor
Model Picture:	View

Review by krisjan ( A ) on April 30, 2006 at 18:39:55
IP Address: 69.211.120.136

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for the 1/2E

I have owned these speakers for 5+ years now. They have a deservedly top notch reputation as a very musical speaker. Yes, there's that term "musical" but honestly it aptly describes the character of this speaker. It is a moderately sensitive speaker (88 dB) that has worked well with the tube amps I've used. Most of my listening has been with the ASL Explorer SET monoblocks (50 w/ch) which was a good combination providing plenty of power to drive these to high levels in my small room (13 x 12 x 8). I use violin, cello and piano as the primary acid test for a speaker and the 1/2e's provide an honest tonality to those instruments. I detest speakers that have an exaggerated high end (most "Hi-Fi" speakers in my experience) and the Spendor's cannot be found guilty in this area. I am also not someone who craves "pinpoint" imaging (because such images are typically overblown compared to a live acoustic event) and the Spendor's won't provide that if that is what you are after.
Their main virtue is in the midrange. Acoustic instruments come across so natually it is a real pleasure to listen to them. No listener fatigue at all - you can listen all day and then regret having to shut the system down when you're done. I have recently replaced the ASL's and switched to a pair of Cary CAD-211 AE monoblocks and these amps have brought the very best from the Spendors. What a beautiful sounding midrange!
The one significant fault is in the bottom octave. The 1/2E's begin to roll off on the low end at 41 Hz. and they really don't provide the heft you need in the bottom octave to faithfully represent the music. I tried for several years to integrate a Sunfire subwoofer but I was never really successful in getting this to work to my satisfaction. Because I believe the low end is critical to truthful reproduction, I am going to be moving to a more full range speaker (Vandersteen 3A Sigs).
My time with the Spendor's has been very satisfying and I highly recommend them with the caveats stated above.

Product Weakness: Bottom octave is lacking
Product Strengths: Truthful, musical midrange; natural top end. Works well with tubes.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Cary CAD-211 AE monoblocks
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Sonic Frontiers Line 1
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Cayin SCD-50T CD/SACD (tubed out)
Speakers:	Spendor SP-1/2E's
Cables/Interconnects:	Various
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical (98%) - Jazz (2%)
Room Size (LxWxH):	13 x 12 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	none
Time Period/Length of Audition:	5+ years
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Monster HTS-5100 power conditioner
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Bottom octave is lacking
Product Strengths:	Truthful, musical midrange; natural top end. Works well with tubes.