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Former Spica owners ... what did you trade up to ?

This question is brought on by my borrowing of a friend's Spendor s3/5. The spendors are very highly reviewed, particularly in the area of imaging. To cut a long story short I lived with the spendors for 3 days and then put back my trusty Spica Angelus and the conclusion...

The spicas are head and shoulders above the Spendors in every possible way, but especially in imaging. With the spendors it was very apparent that the sound was coming from two small boxes. The sound was also veiled, which surprised me since their top end extension is supposed to be superior to the aging angelus.

Ok the Spendors win in looks. But that's it.

So that got me thinking, with all the review hype out there I need to hear from previous spica owners on which speakers they have found to be a clear upgrade, both monitors and floorstanders.
seandtaylor99
philip_psha5b7
28 posts
 
Spica Tc60 lacked the bottom notes, good only for vocals.
Dynaudio A72 floorstander is a grand piano by comparison, and not too expensive to own.
seandtaylor99 OP
1,262 posts
 
Thanks everyone. It seems to me that it is a wise idea to hang on to the Spicas when purchasing "trade-up" speakers, since many have found that the "trade up" is more of a "trade sideways".

What a pity that Jon Bau is not still designing speakers.
seandtaylor99 OP
1,262 posts
 
I thought I'd update this ancient thread.

I ended up trading my Spica Angelus for Green Mountain Audio Europas about 2 years ago, and I am very happy with the move. The Europas better the imaging of the Spicas (though not by much) and improve the bass and the clarity. The Europas are rather like Spica Angelus imaging with ability to rock.

I still use a REL Strata 3 and it seems to integrate better with the europas, perhaps because it's crossed at 48Hz (versus 27Hz with the Spicas).
jimburger
104 posts
 
I went from a pair of TC-50's plus a single Spica Subwoofer to the Apogee Centaurus Minor. From there the Apogee Caliper(still with a single Spica sub), Magnepan 1.6QR with a single Vandersteen 2Wq, and finally to the Magnepan 3.6R with a stereo pair of Vandersteen 2Wq subwoofers. The TC-50's now reside in the upstairs office. The problem I had with the TC-50's was the necessity of keeping my head in the same vertical plane. The tonal balance and imaging would get messed up if you stood up or slouched too much in your chair. If I maintained the correct sitting position the Spicas were magic. I just didn't like being tied to such a small sweetspot, especially in a vertical plane.
patrickamory
193 posts
 
From TC-50s to Audio Note J's to VMPS 626Rs. Now I've got refurbed Quad ESL-57s en route from PK.

Patrick
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