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Model: 4/5 Category: Speakers Suggested Retail Price: $2,825 Description: Spendor's current iteration of the LS 3/5a Manufacturer URL: Spendor Model Picture: View
Review by mlsstl on September 29, 2022 at 19:00:52
IP Address: 70.135.149.73Add Your Review
for the 4/5This was one of those unplanned convolutions that resulted in my buying a pair of speakers that hadn't been on my radar. Some weeks ago I stopped by a local stereo store to listen to the DeVore Orangutan 0/96 speakers which I had never heard but always seemed interesting to me. They are excellent speakers, but not a practical option for me at the present time. On the way out of the shop I noticed he had several Falcon LS 3/5as sitting around. That triggered a memory of first hearing this BBC speaker when I lived in London in 1979. The speakers had always fascinated me, but I never did anything about it, and I still wasn't likely to spend $3K+ on them for a bedroom system where I already had a pair of GE BRXs.
But, one thing lead to another, and I stumbled across a pair of Spendor 4/5s, only one year old and in excellent condition, for just over half of their $2,825 MSRP. The 4/5s are Spendor's current interpretation of the classic 3/5a. I've had Spendors before and really enjoyed them, so this deal quickly became too good to pass up. A couple of weeks have now passed and the Spendors are staying and the BRXs have been sold.
The simplest description of the 4/5s is that they are organic and natural. While they have a small sweet spot and are sensitive to toe-in, the stereo imaging is spookily 3-D. Voice and acoustic instrument reproduction is spot-on, just as one would expect from Spendor. The biggest surprise is the bass. While the laws of physics for small speakers have not been broken, the amount and tuneful quality of the bass take one off-guard. Very surprising. As for treble, at first one is tempted to think it a bit recessed, especially compared to many other speakers. However, on extended listening, I think they got it just right -- I go back to that word -- "natural." There is a clarity to the treble that, while it doesn't grab your attention out of the box, turns out to be just right on extended listening.
I'm currently using the LSA VT-70 EL34 tube amp to power them. They make a great combo. I've got the speakers in a 12 X 12 room which is 80% open on the right into a larger bedroom. They have no problem filling the room to a substantial volume (for me, about 85 dB tops.) I've plowed through a wide variety of music through them, from 1940s recordings like The Ink Spots to 60's/70s rock, folk music, solo classical piano, orchestral, jazz, classic popular music, R&B and more, including a lot of Qobuz hi-rez. The speakers let you hear into the recording, from microphone choices and positioning, added effects and all down the line. If it is a good recording, fantastic! If it is a poor recording, well, all is revealed.
The drawbacks are the small sweet spot, as noted above, and while the bass is surprisingly good, there are limits, though one could always add a subwoofer. I also tried them in my much larger living room, which also shows their limitations. They are not the speaker for a large room. However, if I were limited to one system in a medium size or smaller room and needed physically small speakers, I wouldn't hesitate to buy these at their MSRP. I'm impressed, though I understand those who like more volume and more bass would look elsewhere.
Product Weakness: Bass is ultimately limited as is high volume. Relatively inefficient. Also sensitive to placement and toe-in. Product Strengths: Accurate reproduction of voice and acoustic instruments, great soundstage and 3-D image. Surprising bass for a small speaker. Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: LSA VT-70 Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): None Sources (CDP/Turntable): RPi 3B with HiFiBerry DAC2HD / Qobuz Speakers: Spendor 4/5 Cables/Interconnects: Blue Jeans / Belden Music Used (Genre/Selections): Classical, pop, jazz, R&B, R&R, folk Room Size (LxWxH): 12 x 12 x 8 to 12 Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
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Topic - REVIEW: Spendor 4/5 Speakers - mlsstl 19:00:52 09/29/22 (3)
- RE: REVIEW: Spendor 4/5 Speakers - mnawaz3@aol.com 19:48:58 09/30/22 (2)
- RE: REVIEW: Spendor 4/5 Speakers - mlsstl 08:37:48 10/01/22 (1)
- RE: REVIEW: Spendor 4/5 Speakers - BCR 09:54:13 10/01/22 (0)
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