Spendor Classic 100 / Classic 100Ti : 3-way reflex stand mount loudspeaker
Over five decades Spendor Classic loudspeakers have earned iconic status as the reference standard for many audiophiles, musicians and professional sound engineers. Inspired by the enthusiastic world-wide response following the introduction of our flagship Spendor SP200, for 2017 we are introducing the most significant performance improvements ever across all models.
Spendor Classic 100 / Classic 100Ti : 3-way reflex stand mount loudspeaker
Over five decades Spendor Classic loudspeakers have earned iconic status as the reference standard for many audiophiles, musicians and professional sound engineers. Inspired by the enthusiastic world-wide response following the introduction of our flagship Spendor SP200, for 2017 we are introducing the most significant performance improvements ever across all models.
Our new models are built around a totally new generation of Spendor drive units. Featuring advanced polymer and Kevlar cones, cast magnesium alloy chassis, high-efficiency motor systems, optimised electro-dynamic damping and excellent thermal dissipation, they deliver a truly captivating sound with unprecedented transparency and dynamic contrast.
With meticulously refined crossover networks, enhanced cabinet structures, new elastomer panel damping and new style magnetic grilles, the new Spendor Classic loudspeakers deliver music with the captivating warmth and charm of the 70s originals. Refined and perfected over five decades, Spendor Classic offers the ultimate in pure listening pleasure for serious audiophiles.
A new edition to the range is the Spendor Classic 100Ti, featuring a striking Titanium Baffle finish.
Specifications
Description: 3-way twin reflex stand mount
Drive units HF: 22mm wide surround textile dome
Drive units MF: Spendor 180mm, with black EP77 polymer cone
Drive units LF: Spendor 300mm bextrene cone with Kevlar composite stabiliser dome
Frequency response: 25Hz-25kHz
Sensitivity for 1W @ 1m: 89dB
Impedance nominal: 8 ohms
Crossover frequencies: 490Hz, 3.6kHz
Amplifier: 25-250 watts
Connections: Single pair gold plated precision binding posts
Pair matching: within 1 dB broadcast reference standards
Dimensions H x W x D: 700 x 370 x 433mm
Net weight: 36kg
Cabinet real wood veneer finishes:
Cherry, Walnut (Classic 100)
Walnut, Titanium Baffle (Classic 100 Ti)
“A wonderfully engaging sound with plenty of scale, tonal refinement; great midrange; easy to drive and partner. The SP100Rs remain some of the most charming speakers money can buy.”
“Regal, surprisingly neutral and articulate performers with true presence and authority. Superb with large-scale recordings.”
“..One might be unlikely to pick the SP100R2 on aesthetic grounds, but it does supply a wonderfully homogeneous, full bandwidth sound that will particularly suit those that favour classical music” – Paul Messenger
“They are a supremely musical, deeply satisfying listen that allow music to flow as intended and are effortlessly musical. That 12inch bass unit allows them to breathe scale and authority into the most demanding music while the midrange and highs are gloriously sweet and open.”
“The Spendors lived up to their BBC heritage as monitors. They were open, articulate, correct, and, without sounding the least bit cold, cerebral. Sixteen years later, Spendor’s flagship Classic model is just as recommendable, if not more so-and is all the more deserving of its status as a reference.” – Art Dudley
About a year ago I decided to upgrade my KEF Reference loudspeakers; whilst they still sound very good indeed, drive-unit technology has moved on. However choosing a set of speakers which would offer many years of listening pleasure, is not easy choice especially here in South Africa as one has to locate a brand which has a venerable reputation not only for sound quality, but also offers longevity and of course, availability of spares and after sales service. After hearing one of the smaller stand-mounted Spendor loudspeakers – and on the basis of Jeandrés’ advice and positive reviews in the British and American press – I chose the Spendor Classic Series, the SP100R2. After chatting with Jeandré, I actually decided to go ahead and purchase without even hearing them (hair-raising at the time – but after delivery, certainly worth it!).
Although I am fortunate to have my own listening room, it’s pretty small and when the Spendors arrived they landed up being placed slightly under eight feet part which is probably not ideal. Furthermore, they look somewhat ‘boxy’ in appearance, eschewing the usual narrow baffled, domestically pleasing designs prevalent in today’s market (my KEF 105/3s have narrower baffles with two 20 cm bass woofers, whereas the Spendors make use of a single 30cm woofer). Despite the KEF’S modifications (I rewired them internally with ten metres of silver wire) the Spendors are clearly superior in every way and I was stunned at their overall performance; especially in the light of the fact that that their broad baffle design seemed initially to negate the possibility of such an exceptional, deep sound stage. Their build quality is that of hand-made furniture and the Spendors offer a superlative, seamless presentation with the most delicate and refined midrange and top end I have ever heard – they have not only transformed my system but have transformed my perception of recorded music. The transparency and midrange clarity is superior to other more expensive, other high-end speakers I have heard, including the Meridian DSP 8000, Cello Loudspeakers, Martin Logan electrostatics, the Avant Garde Trios (a large horn design) and the B&W 800. Yet having said this, the Spendors are the opposite of being cold and clinical: instead they are exceptionally smooth and musical with a wonderfully open and musical midrange.
Another unexpected surprise was the bass: far superior to the KEF (a floor-stander with a much larger cabinet). Interestingly, in this regard we are not only looking at deeper bass, but lower registers with more accurate pitch and timing, as well as superior texture and colour as compared to the KEF’s. I was also taken by the fact that the Spendors have a benign impedance curve and are thus easy to drive; partnering very effectively with my 18 watt per channel valve amplification.
While the SP100R2 is without question, the finest loudspeaker I have heard in thirty years of being an audiophile, I nevertheless suspect that most loudspeakers ultimately are voiced in such a manner that they manifest a particular suitability for certain types of musical program – and whilst unquestionably the SP100R2 is superb with all types of music – they are especially magical with jazz, classical and light pop. In saying this, however, again it also needs to be said that my experience with the Spendors is very much based on my partnering ancillary equipment, namely low powered valve amplification and I am certain they will sound a great deal more dynamic with more powerful, solid state amplifiers and Spendor themselves in an e mail, have confirmed that this is indeed the case.
Review notes by M Norman – August 2015