Spendor SP 1/5 Monitors

Thanks guys, I'll contact Nick at Truesound and report back here with any info I get from him or the Spendor peeps. Cool and lively sounding small speakers. My first Spendors, joy!

Hi,

I have owned the Spendor 1/5. Bought a pair used from a Spendor dealer in 1998 or 1999. It was listed as a part of the Classic range but not wildly successful, discontinued maybe 7 or 8 yrs. ago. This was a relatively small speaker between the LS 3/5a and the Sp 3/1 (have owned both those as well). Someone (unofficially) told me this was a low production model designed mainly for the US & German markets, basically intended to be a larger LS 3/5a with a little more bass. It is a nice sounding small monitor, non-ported as I recall, if perhaps lacking a little of the LS 3/5a's magic. I've seen them relatively cheap here in the US, and wouldn't mind picking up another pair myself.

TLH

Hi Tlh28,

I listened to them all day yesterday, changing out my Epos M12's for the testing run. They sounded strong with the modest 50watt power amp I had 'em hooked up to. I was initially a bit concerned regarding what I have heard about the lower-than-usual efficiency of older Spendors, but these seem to light up just fine. Not quite the unbridled, energetic high-highs of the Epos, but that seems like it may be ideal for the vinyl system-in-the-making I got them for. I appreciate the info, Tlh28, and you're right, they are non-ported.

This was sent to me by a representative, Linda Kennedy, of Spendor in England. It explains the history of the SP 1/5. Ms. Kennedy writes:
"Thank you for your enquiry. The 15/2 superseded the 15/1 (which was the same as the SA1). The differences include change of tweeter from the Audax (discontinued) to the Vifa D25.
The 15/2 also had a rounded grille and bevelled hardwood front edge on the cabinet.
In 1995 the USA distributor was looking for a Spendor speaker with an entry level under $1000, so we made the 15/2 for the USA (40 prs) but called them the SP1/5 because we no longer wanted to designate models by numbers.
Shortly after this we introduced the 2000 Series, a range of speakers, which included models under the $1000 level and therefore SP1/5 was not made again.
regards,
Linda Kennedy"

Ok, there we go. I wonder if the "(40 prs)" means only 40 pairs were made for the US? Hmmm. Anyway, thanks to all for playing.
Cheers,
Jerry