Spendor SP2/3 lack of LF

[Kei]

I've inherited a pair of Spendor SP2/3's along with a pair of Tannoy SRM-10B's and the first thing i've noticed about the Spendor's compared with all of my other speakers is that they sound very lean in the LF department. (with a bump around 2-300hz) This contradicts everything i've read describing them as warm. The Tannoys and even my own home made Kef B200 based design seem to have significantly more to give in the low end. (Even though Tannoy super reds are commonly described as lacking in bass) The specifications suggest a response down to 60Hz at -3dB for the Spendor and 55Hz at -3dB for the Tannoy)

I've tried them with 3 different solid state amps (luxman L-220 integrated, harrison Xi-150 moseft and a inter-m R300+) and a few different sets of cables but they still sound the same. I've cleaned up the termination plates too as they were slightly tarnished. Two things that have struck me as odd, the ports don't seem to have any effect on the sound and the woofer suspension is about the stiffest I've ever come across. Does something seem amiss or are my expectations overly high?

These are the speakers in question. Woofers are genuine with SP2/3e printed on their stickers.

 

[sreten]

Hi,

Something is amiss. I've read reports of surrounds
going stiff so thay are worth checking. I'd also
contact Spendor for their thoughts.

rgds, sreten.

 

[Kei]

Cheers for the confirmation of my thoughts sreten. I've had a good look at the info available on the spendor yahoo group and it seems that the surround is made from neoprene rubber which hardens with age sending the resonance way up. There seems to be a common fix using DOT3/4 brake fluid on the surround to soften it up again. No idea as to the long term effectiveness of the treatment or whether any degradation is caused either. Will see whether spendor offer a service to replace just the surrounds or whether they'd want to replace the whole driver. (Seems to be ~£500 which is not really worth it seeing as they were free)

 

[rayma]

I've inherited a pair of Spendor SP2/3's along with a pair of Tannoy SRM-10B's and the first thing i've noticed about the Spendor's compared with all of my other speakers is that they sound very lean in the LF department. (with a bump around 2-300hz)

Have you double checked that they're in phase, both externally and internally? I've found seen speakers miswired, both by the factory and the user.
Try reversing the wiring to one of them to be sure.

 

[speakerdoctor]

I upgraded some xovers for this model which the customer initially installed incorrectly wiring them. Also have a schematic. PM me if needed.

 

[Kei]

I've run the speakers as mono which should rule that problem out. The hardened surround issue seems to fit the symptoms i have like elevated mid range due to the rise in resonance.

 

[Jonathan Bright]

There is a very recent thread on this topic (stiff surrounds) that could be useful. It is called "Armorall treatment" in the Multi-way section and it has several replies on surface preparation and options for different treatments for stiff surrounds and Armorall is NOT recommended btw......good luck.

Cheers, Jonathan

 

[sreten]

Hi,

Well brake fluid is a very effective paint stripper and
seems a far better bet than "Armourall" IMHO.

The facts should be you can't really overdo it,
as the spider should be the thing controlling
driver Fs, the subtlety is the surround ideally
should terminate the cone in a controlled
manner for minimum midrange colouration.

rgds, sreten.

 

[speakerdoctor]

I upgraded some xovers for this model which the customer initially installed incorrectly wiring them. Also have a schematic. PM me if needed.

Pics and schematic of the crossover can be found in the files area of the Spendor Yahoo group.

 

[Kei]

Well some applications of DOT4 seems to have done the trick, certainly got their bass back. Surrounds still "feel" remarkably stiff vs other speakers though. (although i have to say that they also feel substantially thicker too which is probably why)

I'm in a bit of a quandary now choosing between my Tannoy super reds and these. I knew once I got these up to spec it was going to be a tough choice but it's incredibly hard to decide between them.