Spendor Classic 3/1 | Can it do more than just midrange?

[@surf6d769]

Great review, and superb speakers. Detailed, natural, smooth and engaging. But with a surprisingly taut and powerful bass underpinning that too. Got a pair on order and can't wait until they arrive.

[@analogholic_reviews]

Hi David, you will love them!

[@surf6d769]

@@analogholic_reviews did you try them with the Rega Aethos by any chance? The Classic 3/1 and Classic 4/5 sounded great with my Arcam SA30 (open, detailed and bold), but I've definitely been wondering how they may synergise with the Rega (or Naim SN3). Seems like maybe they'd open up the top end a bit, and give an extra kick in dynamics and rythyms. Would be an expensive upgrade, but definitely curious.

[@analogholic_reviews]

I didnt get a chance to try them with the Aethos as they had to be returned. My experience with the Glenn Croft Phono Integrated was amazing though. Clear but polite top end. I did like it driven by my Jolida 3502s with a full NOS pre tube compliment and KT120 and 150 power tubes!

[@Renee-pe8dn]

Over priced boat ankers Great for AM radio@@analogholic_reviews

[@FritzBrew]

Excellent review, straight forward and to the point. I look forward to more of your videos.

[@DougMen1]

Classic thin wall British speakers like Spendor and Harbeth are stunningly good, and stunningly expensive too.

[@Renee-pe8dn]

Way de f over priced for listening to podcasts

[@idc7305]

Great review. How do they perform with rock/classic rock? I owned the Harbeth C7 and while the midrange was fabulous with rendering of voices and saxophone etc they were too soft sounding with rock and couldn’t get decent imaging. Thanks!

[@mat_v]

Nice review and thank you! I’m highly considering buying a pair of these that came up in the used market. When you tried it with all those amps, did they respond better to one over the other?

[@analogholic_reviews]

Thanks for the feedback! The Croft and the Jolida brought about more midrange magic. The class D W4S had the best bass control and definition. The Jolida 3502S with KT150 tubes were my favorite- good balance with articulate bass and midrange magic.

[@richardchew1829]

Hi Rohit,
Nice review. Wondering if the speaker can be place near wall like 20cm from wall

[@analogholic_reviews]

Hi Richard. I would expect the bass to sound a tad boomy that close the the front wall, generally speaking though.

[@jasonme3557]

As always a great review. How would these sound with a Cyrus Dac 6? a new toy I just got

[@utubz007]

Awesome review. I am an old time audiophile, from the 70's. I have an original pair of Rogers LS3/5A speakers that I still enjoy... also enjoyed Dalquist DQ 10's in the early 80's. Love the review in particular the jazz record recomendations. It really was excellent to add to the discussions. I loved some of my older Spendors and use Harbeth 30.1 reference with REL crossed over at 90HZ. Have you any thoughts on ProAc? I have never owned them. Cheers!!

[@analogholic_reviews]

Thank you for the kind words. I’ve had the Proac Tablettles, D20Rs, and the D48Rs for an extended period of time. Owned quite a few newer Spendor models as well. I enjoy both presentations, but I am partial to the dynamics that Proacs bring to the table. See links below to the Proac videos.

[@analogholic_reviews]

th-cam.com/video/bcsAnGv9wqg/w-d-xo.htmlsi=xcY-YRj5bv4LBBwO

[@analogholic_reviews]

th-cam.com/video/9nq8ZZsCo_M/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared

[@surf6d769]

Out of interest, what do you think the minimum room dimensions would be, for these to give a balanced presentation (clear of walls), without bass boom? It's difficult to know how a 'small to medium' room is defined sometimes. Thanks

[@analogholic_reviews]

Hard to say what the min recommended dimensions would be but I tried them in a 15'L × 11'W x 9'H room with great results listening somewhat near-field (7 - 8'). They performed well in an odd shaped room (40' x 14' x 9') as well when clear off boundaries and listening 10' away. They did lose some of the magic when placed in a large 33' x 32' x 10' basement.

[@timothyfreeseha4056]

If it helps- though you've undoubtibly sorted this out, I found the recommendations by Spendor to be spot on. That is, this is a great nearfield/ mid field speaker, that sounds great with some distance from each other and some distance from boundaries. I have mine 2 meters apart, more than 2 feet from the front wall and side walls. Also, they sound good on your typical pillar stand- they sound great on an open frame stand, or with some space between them and a surface. Bass improves and they open up. Regardless of room size, these speakers will show you when you have your placement right and your listening position right.

[@yippie6862]

Spendor's prices are just F'n ridiculous. They have steadily been raising their prices over the last 20 years. Higher than the inflation rate. Not too long ago these speakers were $3195. Now they sell for $4,475! They will always be awesome sounding speakers but I believe they are overpriced now.

[@emery368]

Maybe secondhand they last a while

[@beatcomber]

Non-UK buyers can get good deals ordering used/demo models from UK dealers. I bought a pair of like-new showroom demo SP3/1R2 (before the 3/1 Classic was released) for $1425 USD including shipping & tariff from Analogue Seduction. At that time, they retailed new for $3195.

[@VinodKumar-gx7wj]

Excellent reviews to the point. What we miss in KEF LS50 Meta and KEF R3 compared to this Spendor?

[@analogholic_reviews]

Thanks, Vinod. You gain more resolution, bass extension, midrange realism and the treble region is sweeter (not necessarily more transparent in treble).

[@ralex3697]

Not worth comparing KEF are not in the same league

[@surf6d769]

Having owned the R3 previously (and now own the Spendor 3/1), and home demoing the LS50 Meta, I'd say the R3 has one advantage, and that's imaging. I.e. If you like laser cut sharp imaging in the soundstage. The LS50 Meta (compared to the R3) is a bit more easy going, smoother in the highs, a tough more warmth in the mids, a decent all rounder. The Spendor beats them both for: tonality, more textured and realistic bass, more cohesive and integrated bass with the mids, smoother more realistic highs, stronger rhythmic ability, an overall more 'all of a peice' sound, more detailed (but in a slightly less forward, non fatiguing way). The Spendors strike a lovely overall balance I feel.
My main issues with the R3, were somewhat lean, unnatural mids, a slight metallic edge to the highs, and slightly lumpy and disconnected bass. The Ls50 meta is better in those respects, but still pales compared to the Spendors in all the above mentioned aspects, and isn't as rhythmically engaging or dynamic.

[@colinchang1543]

@@surf6d769 You're making me want to purchase the 3/1's... sounds exactly like what I'm looking for

[@ladevinette]

Great review , how do you compare the classic 1/3 or 2/3 against Harbeth HL5 plus
my room is 7x5x2.5m but my listening space is 4x5x2.5m and I’m deciding between classic 1/3 , 2/3 or Harbeth HL5 plus . Do you think that the classic 2/3 or hl5 plus are big for my room ?
Thanks in advanced

[@analogholic_reviews]

Thank you!
I have owned the Harbeth SHL5 (not the + version). The SHL5+ has the radial 2 driver and crossover upgrade over the older model.
Both speakers IME are well suited to your listening space. The SHL5 sounds more dynamic with deeper bass, extended highs. The midrange is sweet and expressive on both speakers, but I would still give the edge to the SHL5 for resolution. But note thought that the SHL5 would benefit greatly if you pull them out a foot (or even better ~ 2ft) into your listening space. I hope this helps.

[@solomonella]

great review! i have the same speakers but have a slight brightness to it. any tips o taming it down? i have it paired on primaluna kt150s and audioquest cables. cheers

[@analogholic_reviews]

I’m surprised that you are experiencing brightness. What is your source? Also, what pre tubes are you using? Tungsols 12ax7/u7s can be bright sounding depending on system. The KT150s are amazing power tubes!

[@solomonella]

@@analogholic_reviews I have a rega p10/hana umami to PS audio Stella phono. Hegel H95 when digital, always powered by the Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP..all tubes are Tungsols so that may be it! but the Spendors are actually starting to sound lush, might have just needed more running in. and yes the kt150s are awesome!

[@marcoserafino835]

are they bass reflex or closed box??

[@justinzhang3639]

nice review，wonder is this spendor can handle those pop or rock?

[@analogholic_reviews]

Yes, it can do any genre full justice but with some limitations to playing very loud.

[@justinzhang3639]

@@analogholic_reviews Thanks man

[@manuzach]

Hi Rohit! Never heard of this brand before just Harbeth….btw what’s the name of the first vinyl you mentioned here ?

[@analogholic_reviews]

Hi Manu. The first vinyl album is called Jacintha is her name.

[@manuzach]

Great found it on Apple Music … the Patricia barber of Asia! She has done “the thrill is gone” on Barbers cafe blue album…I listened to that on the Aegir amp and it sounded amazing

[@analogholic_reviews]

@@manuzach check out her album Girl from Bossa Nova. I cant quite get enough of her when listening to that album!

[@manuzach]

@@analogholic_reviews can’t find that one on Apple….a recent aquisition has been the Rupert neve headphone amp…it’s sound is so organic and life like …I use it at work with my trusty old Bose QC15 (that’s old!) …sounds bette than ever

[@analogholic_reviews]

@@manuzach bro, if you can find Jacintha Bossa Nova on digital or vinyl, check out “so nice”. Her own version of nod tribute to the great Jobim. She doesn’t imitate, but she pays perfect homage, yet her own flavor. Love this girl’s vocals. But then again Brazilian Bossa is the sexiest jazz ever!

[@dougefresh133]

How do you remove the speaker grill cover?

[@analogholic_reviews]

Bit of a pain. Use a blunt, thin, stiff rounded edge like that of a coin 🪙 to carefully pull out the grill little by little from around the edges. Do so very carefully as you might damage and tear the fabric if it is done improperly. Once you have it removed, I’d advise you insert a thin ribbon or thread in place before reinstalling to aid easy removal next time around, if needed.

[@existentialquest1509]

Planning to sell my Dali rubicons and buy this

[@analogholic_reviews]

You just may like it better, but you should try it in your system first. I wish I could listen your Rubicon 6 in your system.