First post here, but thought I’d share my thoughts on the Spendor 4/5’s, which I’ve had for a week or so now.
Planted on HMS T1-600 stands. Powered by the Arcam SA30 integrated amp. Only used in a 4x4m bedroom so far (with bay window making up some of that space), not too far from the wall behind. Suspended wooden floors beneath carpet. But there’s a smaller 2.8m x 3.5m bedroom next door I may use too.
I’ll preface this by saying I demoed a number of speakers a year or so back (e.g. Kef R3, Dynaudio Special 40, PMC21, Spendor A4). They all had varying degrees of virtues, but I couldn’t shake that feeling of them all sounding a bit forward and grating.
I’ve also never heard an LS3/5a variant before, so can’t really directly compare these Spendor 4/5. I only demoed the latter in store, although probably should have done a home demo first.
They’re certainly easy to listen to, and forgiving enough to make them so across a broad range of music. A mile away from the previous Kef R3’s for example.
They have a natural midrange tone and just sound so open, detailed and clean. Luscious at times. Voices sound particularly good, but thankfully the midrange isn’t overly warm or woody. There’s definitely a hint of colouration and warmth, but it’s subtle and inoffensive.
The upper frequencies are crisp when the recording dictates, but generally have a slight silkiness to their character. They aren’t shimmery and washed with ambience in the way a Dynaudio tweeter is, but they are smooth and easy going, so no complaints there.
The togetherness of their presentation, from top to bottom, is superb. But with it you get an enchanting, natural and engaging midrange, with loads of space in the soundstage, an easy going treble and tons of detail. As an overall presentation, they trump anything else I’ve heard in my room. Female vocals are incredible. It’s an eye opener hearing something so fast, open and detailed, yet somehow never tiring.
Yes, the low end is limited and they don’t have substantial punch or sweeps in dynamic, and sometimes I miss that. But the bass there is, is so fast, precise and well-integrated. Ironically, on some bass-heavy tracks, they’re actually a blessing over other speakers, as the bass is kept tight and manageable, without being overwhelming. The bass response/timing on Bad Guy by Billie Eilish, or Paradise Circus by Massive Attack is staggeringly good through the 4/5’s, as they follow the undulating rhythms perfectly, but never dominate. Bass heavy pop tracks sound great for this reason, which is not what I expected. Rock (e.g. think guitar crescendos) is underwhelming however. Ambient electronica suits them really well, as does folk / acoustic music. Plus any music involving a female vocal basically!
Part of me wishes I set my sights higher on a pair of Spendor 3/1s or even some Harbeth 30.1’s...but then that would dominate the room more visually (it’s a bedroom after all) and have less wife appeal factor. Not to mention the extra cost. Plus (I’m guessing), you’d also then lose that ridiculously coherent response the 4/5s give.
It’s only occasionally I miss not having more bass. But perhaps a non-intrusive, musical sub for when the mood takes me would be worth it. Dunno if a Rel TZero or T5i may fit the bill.
Anyone else heard them?