Spendor S3/5 standard vs “SE” version????


Hello,
I have read that the S3/5SE's are more analytical than the standard (non-SE) version. Is that true? If so, is that bad? Has somebody compared these two? Which one is more musically satisfaying?

Thanks in advance for any input.
rumian2da67
I listened to both in the Spendor room at CES Vegas January 2003. The show conditions were pretty bad, so any nuances each monitor could convey were mostly lost, but I was able to discern differences between the two. All components upstream were Talk Electronics. In the environment I heard them, I felt the S3/5s sounded a bit bland. In contrast the S3/5SEs were much brighter and livlier.

Beyond that, I think how they would ultimately impress you depends on what you're searching for in a monitor, and what amplification you're planning on using them with.

Any Spendor dealers near you?
Gunbei, thanks for the input. Unfortunately there is no Spendor dealer near me.

I want to replace my Nautilus 805's which I find very bright (razor sharp quality) and unforgiving in my small room (9.4'x 15'x8'). On the other hand I would not like the sound to be too polite and slow.

Do you think the S3/5 SE's are as bright as the N805's? Did you find the S3/5 boring or slow?

I have:
Musical Fidelity A300 int.amp.
Musical Fidelity A3CD (transport) + Belca Canto DAC2
Analysis Plus cables/interconects.

Thanks.
The S3/5s are definitely verging on the boring and slow in my opinion. I have never heard the SE versions. The s3/5's sound is pleasant but in no way exciting. You'll either love the lack of edginess or be bored to death.
(I was driving with Densen B100, which is quite a dynamic and transparent amp).
I would urge you to include a Harbeth speaker in your selection if you are considering Spendor.
S3/5 and S3/5se are not the same speaker once you hear those. The S3/5se yields more resolution and a bit brighter side of the phases of the music. The S3/5se places itself on the side of 'standard hifi'. So it is your taste and, certainly, your system comes in heavily when you decide which one to choose.

I chose S3/5 because it produces classic/jazz vocal and solo violin/cello so well, the best I'd say. The S3/5 does very good job for chamber music as well. Since I have B&W matrix already, S3/5 over S3/5se was rather easy choice.

So the choice depends on what music you mostly hear. For instance, if you like to hear orchestral music, which is not very good idea with either S3/5 nor S3/5se, I'd suggest S3/5se. But, if not, you know.

Hope it helps.