I have the SP-100s.

Amazing , Incredible, Fabulous Speakers!!!

I have owned many high end designs over the years. These include BBC LS5/8, Tannoy GRF, Rogers LS7ts, Chartwell LS3/5A, JR149, Quad Electrostatics. These Spendors are unrivalled.

I am totally in love with them and will never sell them. I have enjoyed so much beautiful music with these I could give the people at Spendor a huge hug and a kiss to say THANK YOU for making such a positive difference in my life. There is nothing I can say against them. Truly a pinnacle of loudspeaker design.

I always assumed Spendors were not for me, assuming they were "old school" and bloated and colored sounding. I was a regular Thiel user, also Quad US Monitors, etc. I bought a pair of S-100's on Audiogon for pretty cheap, to check them out. I was completely blown away by them. They are far and away the most neutral, natural, versatile, and ENJOYABLE speakers I have ever heard. Additonally, they do all the typical audiophile things (imaging, etc) very well. Overall, the term I would use to best describe them is natural. The truly just sound real. Also they are very easy to drive, and fairly efficient.

Utterly fantastic musicality. Deep clean bass that sits under an unrivalled mid-range

Not aware of any at this point in time

I have to agree with most of what has been already praised about these speakers. They are one of the best speakers I have ever heard. Musically involving like very few others, and I have heard most of the big names like JM Lab, Martin Logan, Dynaudio, B&W, Revel, Proac etc. Regarding the one recurring caution surrounding the bass, I find that in my large room (5x7metres), the bass is not an issue as it has been for some other reviewers. It sounds deep, clean and fabulously integrated with a superbly tactile midrange. But the key to this speaker is not to analyse the sound but experience its overwhelming musicality. I dont ask myself does it image, how big is the soundstage and all that other usual hifi talk. I just let the music wash over me in a state of wonderment. I had thought to find a potential rival in the B&W 803, (a speaker I had heard sound very promising on cursory auditioning), but after a more lengthy audition the other day, I quickly formed the conclusion that the SP100 wipes the floor with the B&W803. The 803 is a very good high fidelity speaker and impresses on that score, but comparing the two is a bit like comparing a BMW sports model to a Lamborghini. The BMW has technical excellence, but the latter has soul in spades. Back to the speakers, the 803 has new technology in spades, c.f. the SP100's tried and trusted materials, but the clever technology counts for nought at the end. I had heard the Legacy Focus a few months before acquiring the SP100s, so a direct comparison isn't possible, but whilst I thought the Focus had great bass and a clean midrange, I do not recall it possessing anything like the same presence.

Similar Products Used:

SP2/2s, B&W 803, Legacy Focus, Revel F30, Dynaudio Contour 3.3

Overwhelming listenability, especially with tubes [I am using a 12 watt single-ended amp at the moment that I adore and that compliments everything this speaker does well], although I have used them with quality solid state devices and have been rewarded with the same essential results. These are chameleons--somehow able to give you music despite the source, although more music with better sources.

Absolutely none, except that they are heavy and need good stands [I have Sound Anchor that were designed for these speakers].

My comments about this speaker are short and to the point. If you have a chance to purchase them and are tired of finding the speaker that you can be satisfied with over the long haul, then beg, borrow or steal the funds to get your hands on a pair of these. I am a 59 year old audio enthusiast who has been through too many speakers to count. I purchased these two years ago to upgrade from the Spendor SP 1 [another great speaker, by the way]. My listening room was ultimately too large for these, however, and so I trolled for a used pair of S-100's [Listener Magazine a major influence on my purchase of both Spendor products]. I could listen actively or passively to these speakers for 24/7 and never be bored, disappointed, or most importantly fatigued. These will be the last speakers that I own, period.

Similar Products Used:

Spendor SP 1 B & W [several floor standing models] KEF [floor and stand mount signature models] Epos [ES 12 & 14] Celestion [SP 6] Tannoy [12" studio monitor--can't remember the model] AR 3a

Balance, finesse, glorious midrange.

none

The SP100 is possibly the most "musical" speakers I've auditioned. I liked them so much that I bought a used pair when I didn't need another pair of speakers. At the store I had them compared with the B&W nautilus 802 and 803, Infinitity Intermezzos 4.1, and no offense to the B&W and Inf. but they sound boring c/w the Spendor. What I heard from the SP100 was warmth, timbre accuracy, glorious midrange, and excellent sound stage esp. with classical vocals. They require good electronics to obtain the details and subtlties that very few speakers at this price range can offer.

Similar Products Used:

B&W Naut. 802,803, Snell Acoustics, Infinity Intermezzo

Rigourous 'academic' 3 ways heavy duty speakers with quite flat response overall freq range.

need neutral high-speed strong and powerful engine(s).

I already wrote a review 3 years ago. I still own these SP100 and I still love them... The only thing I could add is that I finally understood that the first impression they give, which is generally quite good, may hide the actual fabulous reveal. The only 'problem' is that the price to pay to make them reach the 'highest ground' is as superlative as the pleasure we look after ... It is probably true that S100 are still one of the best speakers on this market place, but maybe not for a long time (?). It is also probably true that they sing with almost all hardware available. But, again, if one want to take this way , one must give them the best of everything, and this is neither easy to find nor to pay. Who really listens SP100 operating like monitors of that kind are supposed to ? ( I mean like the big sister of LS3/5A they are ). Shall we see some SP100MK2/LE some day ? To all, I wish good luck and much fun, too

Similar Products Used:

SP2/3 LE

Superb music makers that surpases the vast majority of ''box speakers'' extant. Very easy to drive (Hint: 15-watt single-ended triode amps love ''em).

None for the price.

These are superb speakers in the British traditon of flat mid-band accuracy with a relaxed and timberaly accurate presentation. Contrary to other opinions here, I think SP100 has fabulous imaging and soundstaging when care is taken in positioning them in your listening enviroment. The only weakness I can detect is a slight ''wooliness'' to the bass region, but this is ameliorated by keeping them away from the back wall and using them in the near-field--like a proper set of monitors should be used. These speakers are an all-time classic in every sense of the word. Spendor dealers are not easy to find but they''re worth seeking out by serious Audiophiles and music lovers with budget for speakers up to $6,000 or so. Acillaries: C.E.C. Tl-1X transport Mark Levinson 360 dac Audio Research LS-15 preamp Audio Research VT-100 mk II amp Kimber kable (balanced) Sound Anchor Stands (for SP100)

Similar Products Used:

Kef 107/2, Quad ESL-63, Aerial 10T, Thiel 3.6, B&W Nautilus 803 & 802, Spendor SP1/2, Wilson Watt/Puppies.

Wide, flat frequency response, detailed midrange and treble.Benign impedance curve allows use of almost any type of amplifier

Perhaps a touch- just a touch of box coloration, but very little.

A distinguished and well balanced all -around performer that succeeds in reproducing all types of music in a generous, relaxed and self -effacing manner. The expansive midrange will be a revelation to many, especially lovers of vocal music.

Similar Products Used:

Klipsch, ProAc, Celestion, TDL, Fried,Dahlquist.

Midrange is absolutly fantastic, the misic starts here, Bass is excellent,

accuracy, and speed

I sold my Spendor, to upgrade for Watt Puppy, it makes now three years, so I never had music since. They were linked to a Spectral Amplifier and Pre Amplifier. I can guarantee that me and friends were almost crying on cello and acoustic music. These loudspeakers are magics, I regret. My brother in law just spent more than 200K$ in a full GOLDMUND system, I am sorry, but you don't get the pleasure that offers you the S100. I am still looking after a hihgh end system that have the charming sound of the spendor, please help me ?

Similar Products Used:

Jm Reynaud Offrande, Watt Puppy 3.2, ProAC response 3.5

Punchy tuneful bass, musical and smooth from top to bottom. Great business like appearance on dedicated stands.

none

I mainly listen to pop/rock music including classic rock, electric blues, folk and lots of the new alternative styles. I've had these speakers about a month and have listened to over a hundred lps and cds, though mainly vinyl. These SP100s let me enjoy all my records regardless of recording quality and record condition. The speakers have a warm full range, well integrated sound that does justice to every record I have played. Fun factor = 10. Cringe factor = 0. Bands like Rush or old Motown records that used to drive me from the room now sound great like I remember them before I got into hi-fi about 20 years ago. Older quality recordings from the early 60s sound great as they should and listening to classic rock from the 70s is a revelation. Distortion drenched classics from Husker Du, Dinasaur Jr. and Catherine Wheels Ferment are presented in all thier majesty. The recording/pressing quality on most small label new vinyl is awesome and the Spendors get it through. Drums can be tight and bulletlike or big loose and bombastic depending on the record, like the full bodied quitars that are presented in comforting full color sooth or like a piercing chainsaw. The punchy bass is very tuneful but not overly taut and well represented as part of a musical event not as a seperate entity. Vocals are the high point! Overall a real tasty rythmic colorful sounding loudspeaker that produces a big coherent image.
These cost, with stands, $1400 more than the PSB Stratus Golds they replaced. After 4 years with the Golds I never warmed up to the sound, believe me I tried, and the best I could do was enjoy 20% of my records - almost always an audiophile recording or an import. Most of the time it was a chore to listen to them. With $2500 less in electronics I have got more musical satisfation, 100%, in one month than I did in any one year of living with the Golds. The Spendor SP100s would be a bargain at 5 grand - a tremendous value.
Currently hooked up to the Spendors is an Exposure 15 integrated (replacing a 6/7/18 combination for these speakers), Sony ES CD player with Transparent Ultra interconnects, Rega planar 3 with a Rega Elys cartridge (replacing a wood bodied Grado Platinum for these speakers).

Similar Products Used:

PSB Stratus Golds