Ryan R630 or Spendor D7


I'm using a McIntosh MAC6700 integrated amp and I had the chance to audition both the Ryan R630 and Spendor D7 speakers with the MAC.  Although they were different, I could easily live with either since I enjoyed both models.

My room is 12ft x 14ft (3.6m x 4.2m) and was wondering which of the two would be a better fit for my room.  The speakers would have roughly 1.5ft (0.45m) of space behind it.

Recommendations/advice?

agiaccio
My thoughts that may help, or not:
1) Both are great lines.
2) Stereophile published their measurements of the D7
3) I think Ryan tweeters are less likely to be bright in near field, although may be total non-issue with Spendors.  I have heard only the D9 as well as all Ryans a number of times. The HF is much easier to "treat" than the lows post purchase of course.
4) I would call Ryan and ask what model is most appropriate for your room setup. It may be the R620,  which actually has a more similar configuration to the D7 than the R630, or even the R610 with sub. Overloading bass can bring down the whole deal and  cap your listening level.  

I heard both those models at the RMAC in Denver this year. Excellent selection, I think you will either way have a great system. Enjoy!


I contacted both Ryan and Spendor and both told me that their speakers would work great in my room & with my MAC.

Then, I proceeded to re-audition both speakers (2 different dealers) and I seem to be leaning more towards the Ryan R630 speakers.

They are not as "pretty" as the Spendor D7 but they have a really nice, round, lovely sound with great detail, wide soundstage, sweet midrange, non-fatiguing treble (highs) with a deep/well-controlled bass despite their 38Hz rating.  They are really special speakers.

Too bad they don't use a black acoustic felt material around their tweeters so that it would blend in better with the speaker's black front.  I asked Ryan about it but they told me that the material they have tested & use only comes in that color.  They apparently tried tinting (dying) the material but couldn't get a nice and even finish.