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This is incidentally true also for quieter sessions. Whilst the SP100R² can play very loud, it's not essential to have fun. But then punch and timing of the new woofer are said to have improved over the predecessors which I haven't heard but which by reputation suffered from a bit of plumpness down low. If one attends to proper setup in matters of placement and cabling, soundstaging too scores well on the report card. Aside from spot-on image focus, I particularly enjoyed how the stage opened up and projected out in front. The SP100R² doesn't merely deliver a stark view on the action but especially at higher levels spills forward to confront the listener. This should properly flood even larger spaces. Yet it doesn't generate an overly tall wall of sound. Vertical reach limits out at the upper edges. This didn't bother me and seemed typical for speakers whose tweeters mount below their midranges.
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As stated, I'd hoped to nail our loaner with a cliché and in the end it somehow worked out since British classic speakers are rumored to excel at voices. In this all-important range the SP100R² belonged to the best I've yet heard regardless of price – and best here equals most natural. Vocals and acoustic instruments but even electronic sounds are pleasingly embodied and especially tacit on both timbre and differentiation. Throughout the presentation remains intelligible and loosey-goosey effortless. On staging and plasticity plus the microdynamically impeccable treble which melds into perfect unity with the midrange, the Spendor has been tuned for emotionality and naturalness too.
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Spendor's Classic Range
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| If you can live with bass that's warmer than dead neutral to be gratifyingly dry and dynamic but not Formula 1 twitchy and accelerated, the SP100R² is clearly a speaker which won't have to hide behind twice as costly specimens like my Thiel CS 3.7. Needless to say, rather different sonic philosophies apply. To put it polarizing, the Spendor isn't laboratory examination kit but involving music maker. I'd fit a tonally neutral or even slightly lit-up amp with good control; and a proper stand. And these Brit boxes are quite finicky about the ideal cables. I was very surprised by Tellurium's Ultra Black which I briefly had on hand to watch the presentation go even more on the offensive whilst becoming tauter and more angular. That's clearly a worthwhile area to experiment with. |
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redaktion @ fairaudio.de |
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Psych profile of the Spendor SP100R² ...
• Superlative, ultimately realistic and transparent midband performance which seamlessly melds with the treble into an easily digestible most organic sound picture.
• Tonally somewhat warmish, with bass that'd suit a mature tower speaker but veers into greater volume than dead neutral to not exhibit top but still satisfying dynamics and timing.
• Resolution that clearly sorts out a recording with accuracy and rich textures. Ultimate peeled-out focus and analytical detail extraction aren't fortes.
• Good microdynamics.
• A very musical long-term friendly treble which lacks for nothing but is tweaked for more integration and pleasure than spectacular glitter or excessive transparency.
• Involving frontal staging with high plasticity but vertical limitation at the upper baffle edge.
• Excellent fit 'n' finish which only at first glance seem rustic. Top quality veneers.
Facts:
• Concept: 3-way bass reflex
• Sensitivity: 88dB/1W/1m
• Dimensions (HxWxD): 70 x 37 x 43cm
• Weight: 36kg/ea.
• Finish: Cherry, dark Walnut, black Ash
• Warranty: 5 years
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