Warmth, musicality, detail, and just plain soundin' right...

When's Spendor gonna make an active version of these, with true bi-amping? I'd have liked some kind of mounting arrangement for 1/4" high spikes. I used small rubber feet at each corner to isolate them from their current mounting surface. And additional electrical configuration to bypass the crossover altogether - for true biamping sans crossover losses.

Will own these for life, unless some dramatically new speaker technology gets invented. Have had these for a few years, with many musically-inclined guests coming to visit for long listening sessions. Honestly, without any prompting, they begin to ask questions about how I got the sound quality, what I paid etc... Even girls ask. And they're only driven with a fairly basic 70 watt amp. Proof's in the pudding guys. And as for the bass and room-size 'limitations' mentioned elsewhere, uh, they *are* small speakers, you know. The solution lies in your overall system design - if you're in the league of buying these, you can afford a good sub. I use a PSB Stratus that goes to 20 Hz, but I still run the Spendors full-range though. The sub's low-pass freq is set real low, to 50 Hz or so. The spendors are rated to 70 Hz I know, but back wall interaction extends that quite a bit. Anyhoo, back to enjoying a huge music collection, NOT a stereo system.

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PSB Stratus, Polk, Prozac, B&W 602

Really excellent mid- or high-mid- range. One of the best in female voice, cello, clarinet, and jazz.

Make me forget about the laws of physics. So good in its specialities (female vocal etc.) and made me think that it would do the same for the large scale music.

Now I feel, 6 months of ownership, it is time to share my opinion on this speaker with the members of community. First, I should mention my system because without it, readers won't be able to extract any information from my review. My audio system: Naim amplification (superb in dynamics, speed, focus) Sony digital source (neutral, emit all the bits from a CD) This speaker needs long, I mean very long, break-in time compare to other loudspeakers. I have used pop, rock, new-age, and classical (orchestra, vocal, string solo, pipe organ etc.) recordings to make this speaker sing, finally. After full 4 months of training, changes in characteristics are much slower speed than before. At the end of the 2nd month, I was beginning to realize this speaker is really something. After 3 months, I was wondering how much more it can get better from here. We all know that no speaker is perfect, expecially at this size, this Spendor has limited capabilities like most other speakers do. However, within that limit it does things extremely well, if not the best. They are: female vocal, solo string instruments (violin & cello, but more on cello), small size jazz, and small chamber music. It is a loudspeaker which I want to listen many hours and years to come.

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listened/used: proac, harbeth, b&w, thiel, kef, snell, mission, celestion, jamo, polk, tannoy.

Fabulous fit n' finish, deliciously warm and easy to listen too, yet detailed. THE minimonitor. A bargain at their price.

Not good for larger rooms.

I would like to begin by saying that people really need to stop handing out "5" ratings like nothing. "5" means the best possibly available, so stop it unless that is what you mean. Anyhow, I bought my S3/5 pair used at Audiogon because I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Let me cut right to the chase: without a doubt, this is the finest mini-monitor I have ever heard. It does have this amzing ability to be both velvety smooth and detailed at the same time--a rare quality indeed. However, it IS a minimonitor with all the limitations that go with it, that is to say, for nearfield listening only. In anything other than a small room, this poor little guys just can't do it as a full-time speaker. It's not about not playing loud enough, but they just can't re-create a realisticly large soundscape, even with the addition aof a sub. For comparison, I have a pair of Quad 21L speakers as well (mind boggling good for the $$$). As I A/B the speakers back and forth, yes the Spendors were wonderfully truthful, warm and detailed, but as soon as I'd switch to the Quads, the soundstage just grew immensely in every direction along with much more air and ambiance. For a mere $300 more, the Quads crush the spendors as an everyday non-monitor, real world listening spaeker (please distiguish this from the purpose of a "monitor"). So, for nearfield listening, really small rooms or monitoring, rush out and buy these inmmediately. Tho only better speaker for small rooms is the Konus Audio Essence, but more than 3x the $$$. For real listening in real-size spaces, look elsewhere (like the Quad 21L--see my review there).

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Everything

Small size, low price, superb sound quality, fit 'n finish.

Not a weakness, but they do like ample power.

I have the "SE"version of these, that I just bought used 2 days ago.I have them hooked up to my "main system" right now, which consists of CJ-PFR preamp, CJ MF2250 power amp, Cary 303/200 CDP, & Fanfare tuner. (My main speakers w/this system are B&W M802 S3's). To give you the chronology on this; I recently sold a pr. of Merlin TSM M's, which I loved, only because I felt I couldn't afford to keep both th 802's & the Merlins, & also I wanted a smaller speaker for my 2nd system. And I also had sold a pr. of B&W CDM1-SE's, that I had in my 2nd system for awhile. You won't believe how great these speakers are! And I think they will reflect whatever quality of upstream components you have. They have totally relieved my regrets over selling my Merlins (esp. as the 3/5 se's were less than 1/2 the price, used). I wouldn't want to say that they are "as good as" Merlin TSM-M's (only because I'm not sure I'm qualified to make that judgement), but if they're not, it's by a very very small margin. Another comparison I could make is that they totally blow away the B&W CDM1-SE's that I had--it's not even close--& the Spendors are about the same price, & smaller in size. My only problem now, is that I'm enjoying these so much that I want to keep them in my "main system", switching back & forth with my B&W M802's, so I still need to get speakers for my "2nd system". Bottom Line: You could be very happy with these, even in your main system, & upgrade your other components around them to a very high level before you ever wanted to upgrade your speakers. A huge bargain, even if you buy them new.

Similar Products Used:

Merlin TSM-M's, B&W M802 S3's, B&W CDM1-SE's.

Smooth, refined sound that is very involving and rhythmic. A rich tone, but still revealing and clear. At first I thought they were overpriced--now I think they are a deal....

Needs power, it is true. Won't have the hyper detail that some like (ie You won't be able to hear a rat fart)

Brilliant little speaker. Tiny package about the size of a large shoe box -- I was a bit concerned when I first unpacked them. Hooked them up and I was amazed the richness and clarity of the music I heard. The sound is so incredibly smoothed and polished that you become spoiled by the presentation. I listen to these speakers for hours on end, toed in, while I was sitting aprox. 8 feet from the plane. They are driven with 70 watt SS integrated. From this very modest setup, I get great sound -- better than many elaborate systems I've heard. There is something difficult to define in the way the Spendors work, but if anything they convey an excellent sense of rhythm and timing. Interestingly, despite their smooth sound, the 3/5s are very revealing of upstream changes -- a pretty sophisticated feat, IMO. Caveats should include the requirement of at *least* 70 watts, preferably 100W. Furthermore, detail freaks will be disappointed -- the Spendors do have some roll off on top. Not that you will care -- the hyper detailed stuff gets old quick -- this is a speaker to live with. I don't think I will ever sell them....

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Quad 12L, B&W (various 800 series models)

Accurate midrange, excellent soundstaging with plenty of "air" and sense of space (even with ss electronics). Nice wood cabinet. No brightness or midrange glare.

Low sensitivity. Will sound a tiny bit dull and closed in at low volumes. Will not play loud in a large room. Need good stands.

Firstly, anyone contemplating getting these speakers should read the rave reviews at enjoythemusic.com, and in the Absolute Sound and Listener magazines. I won't reiterate all of what has been written except to say that I think these are a stunning, successful achievement for a small speaker. They share many strengths with the LS3/5A from which they are descended. I am using these in a small room, in a 2nd system, with a modest NAD receiver (but a good front end). Yet, I get a level of performance that I have spent thousands trying to achieve in a larger system. These are not for everyone, but if you want a natural, full sounding midrange along with resolution without brightness, then you should audition these. I have owned other "classic" speakers such as the large Advents and DCM Time Windows. The Spendors are better, much better.

Unreal soundstage in depth and width Transparent as they come a magical "richness" and naturale ease

The obvious...cost...and limited bass....

These little speakers defy the laws of physics...something this small should have no right sounding this large...I auditoned these versus the Maggie mmg12s...nice speakers in their own right...with these spendors right next to them..I asked to hear the Maggies first...with female vocals and stand up bass material...and was floored with the richness,3d soundstage, and "tube like" quality of the performance...until I found out the sales rep made a mistake...he actually had the spendors running instead...talk about transparency! With the same material the Mags sounded a bit dry, with the vocals having a "razor sharp" quality...in the end I preferred the tonal balance of the spendors..more full and "rounded"...and surprisingly just as transparent...a bit "spendy" considering the limited bass...but they sound much deeper than the specs would leave you to believe...for the money the NSM model 5s are very close..at 1/3 the price

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Nsm model 5,maggie mg12,vandy 1c

Sheer musical enjoyment. Smooth, sweet highs, natural midrange. Always look forward to listening to them. High WAF.

Not efficient. Needs good amp and subwoofer for best performance. Has limited bass and dynamics without sub.

These speakers are highly musical. Needs an amp that can deliver high current to get the best out of them, because of their inefficency. I have heard them with low powered SS and they sounded dull and lifeless. Currently using a Plinius 175 watt integrated with excellent results. The midrange is natural, the highs sweet and the bass (what little there is above 70hz) is tight, fast and coherent. I have the 3/5's runnng full range, mated with an ACI Force subwoofer and get excellent full range sound for about $1650.00 new. Compare this setup with any $3000 or less monitor and you will walk away loving the value of the 3/5's with a sub. I have tried many other small, more expensive monitors (in my room, on my system) that did one or several things better than the 3/5's, namely: they went lower in the bass, or the highs were more extended, or they were more dynamic or they imaged better. However, I found myself always preferring the 3/5's for listening enjoyment. Those other monitors get on your nerves after a short time: the highs become irritating or you realize you are listening to something not as "right", not as coherent, not as musical, as the 3/5's. These are speakers you can marry long term and get off the flavor of the month, "equipment swap bandwagon". Mate them with a good amp and subwoofer and you will soon become so involved with the music that you will no longer think about the equipment. You will start enjoying music more, which is what it is all about!

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Dynaudio 1.3SE, Totem 1 Signature, Silverline SR-12.

seductive midrange, holographic soundstage and imaging! the ability for the speakers to disappear, superb bass for such a small speakers, very transparent sound with layering capabilities. a very musical speaker!

placement can be a bit tricky if placed near walls. Best for free space ala not near the side walls and back walls. Power amp needs to be gutsy, 84 db not a very easy load for some amps. Patience to get the most out of these. It took me about a year to really appreciate what they are really capable off.

I had these speakers for over a year now and I thought a review would be in order. After that long of an experience and going in and out of different speaker systems which includes the list below, I now feel that this is the speaker to keep for life. Its hard to find fault in this speaker because it does things so well more than the other speakers I have tried. Off course the type of music material do matter. For instance, these speakers wont do rock music or anything with heavy synthesized bass. No way. But for my everyday listening like jazz, some pop music, classical, choir and chamber musical, oh, its hard to beat. The sound is very realistic and natural. Timbers are rendered faithfully and accurately. Soundstaging in my 6meters x 7 meters listening room is unbelievably huge. Its layering capabilities is first rate. You hear everything as if you are in the concert hall with the band. I followed NSM's placement of putting the speakers at the center of the room and bass came alive with authority. This also further reinforced the holographic capabilities of these small speakers. In short, these are the speakers for the long haul! I plan to add a Rel Sub in the near future so full range capabilities can be had without losing its superb imaging capabilities. My speaker search is over! I'm done. I just have to buy more cd's to enjoy my system.

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Dynaudios Audience 40,Contour 1.3, Totem Arro and Model 1, B&W Nautilus 805, Kef Cresta 1, Sonus Concertino, Concerto, SPendor 1/2, Epos ES 11.

Transparency.Midrange "rightness" that is unbelieveable.*The Breath of Life*.

Gotta have a sub,or else you will surely shortchange the wondrous pictorial (sonic)presentation provided above 100 hz.

One fine day a couple of years ago,as I was looking over the cluttered shelves of a used stereo equipment store in the town of Eugene,Oregon,my eyes focused on a very small pair of nicked and discolored wooden cabinets with old-fashioned,inset- stretched grills. I hefted these little curiosities in order spin them sideways and look at the price sticker. The dealer was asking the ridiculous price of almost $500,and as I turned toward the rather knowing-looking thin man who was eyeing my moves with interest,I was given a sudden explanation. He explained that these were indeed older speakers that were somewhat famous for their use as the british BBC broadcast monitors,that they were considered "classics",and that he would have absolutely no problem selling them quickly at the full asking price. He offered an audition,and what I heard was (as silly as this may seem)*a presence of sound that somehow caused my world to stand still*. I had owned some pretty decent small monitors,the B+W 601-S2's among them,but a certain really palpable,clear,and eerily lifelike sound was pouring out from the shelf they sat on that was just so pleasingly musical,it struck my heart directly. I say "pouring out from the shelf" because these tiny transducers were so transparent that I would never have known where the speakers were unless I myself had extracted them from among the rubble with my own hands a few seconds ago. It was explained that these were the old Spendor LS3/5A's of BBC fame. I was told they were no longer made. But even though I was stunned(and frankly,in love),unable to pin down exactly what it was that was so special about the sound of these things,in all ways amazed,I could not bring myself to cough up the dough for such old speakers and I was shortly out the door. The funny feeling of regret has never left me,and I was happy to find out recently that Spendor is still alive and well and still produces what is basically the same speaker,the S3/5 and,it is even supposed to be "improved". I am going to go for it this time--for some reason I trust Spendor,that because they once created such a musical masterpiece,the company is simply to be trusted for their ongoing integrity. Actually,recent reviews also tend to bolster this idea. I will later continue my praise of "the finest little monitor in the world",updated-version.

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B+W,others.