guitardave

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
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.

cameronr

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.38 of 5, 8.00 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
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.

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

Weaknesses:
Not aware of any at this point in time

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

Price Paid:  $1200.00 from Private Party

Summary:
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.

Strengths:
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.

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

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

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
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.

Strengths:
Balance, finesse, glorious midrange.

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
B&W Naut. 802,803, Snell Acoustics, Infinity Intermezzo

Price Paid:  $5000.00

Summary:
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

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

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

Similar Products Used:
SP2/3 LE