Saying the words “English sound” brings to mind the brands on which the glory of British hi-fi has been based for many years. Spendor is one of them. Next year, the company's track record in the industry will reach a respectable 60 years, but Spendor shows no signs of withering, much less decrepitude. The authority of the company and speaker systems under the Spendor brand has been steadily increasing over the decades. Today we are paying close attention to the Spendor A4 speakers.
The company was founded back in 1960 by spouses Spencer and Dorothy Hughes. The name, as we see, is formed by the first syllables of their names (SPENcer, DORothy). (It is curious that the name of another famous English brand, Harbeth, is arranged in a similar “family” way).
Spencer Hughes received his training in the engineering department of the BBC, which has long been not only a media corporation, but also a kind of talent forge for the British sound industry. The first speaker system Spencer created, BC1, became widely known in professional circles: it began to be used as a control monitor in broadcasting and recording studios in different countries.
English "Revolver"
Among the large assortment of various premium acoustics sold in stores today, the Revolver acoustics deserve special attention. The emergence of a truly British manufacturer did not happen immediately, but over many years.
Acoustics England
Note. At first, Revolver produced only a series of players, which were in good demand. These days, Revolver is an all-acoustic brand owned by Acoustic Pathfinder.
Many experts cite the radical reincarnation of Revolver as the reason for the sharp rise in the brand’s position. The English manufacturer is now put on a par with such brands as Morel, Focal (see Focal acoustics and its detailed review) and others.
Note. One of the advantages of the Revolver acoustics is its magnificent design and the highest quality of playback.
The design is certainly technically advanced. This is the merit of the talented developers working in the company. In an environment where consumers are placing ever greater demands on quality, maintaining such a high level is simply brilliant!
Designer subwoofer "Revolver AVS"
Revolver acoustics
Deserves special attention as one of the best models of the manufacturer. The components of this subwoofer use only high-quality materials, such as aluminum, for example. When you look at the structure, it immediately becomes clear that this is not simple acoustics.
Let's look at its features:
- The cases are made entirely of MDF;
- The acoustic cabinets are designed narrow, but they are relatively deep;
- Three sound emitters found a place at the top of the speaker: 2 midranges and a 25-tweeter located in the middle;
- As for the bass player, he sits below, a little to the side;
- After setting the woofers, the speakers can face in different directions or concentrate the bass in the center.
Note. The specific setting depends on the room in which the speakers will be installed. If the room is large, then it is recommended not to adjust the subwoofer in different directions, as this will only lead to sound dispersion.
More features:
- The diameter of the woofer is 130 mm;
- The diffuser is characterized by rigidity of movement and quick response to the signal. All this is thanks to the woven fiberglass from which the membrane is made;
- Midrange with rigid suspension. The diffuser material is paper with special properties.
For this subwoofer, it is recommended to select a powerful amplifier (see How to choose an amplifier for a subwoofer: valuable tips), since the sensitivity of the acoustics is 88 dB, and the reproduced frequency range ranges from 40 Hz to 28 kHz.
Revolver RW 45
Another speaker model from a British Hi-Fi class manufacturer. The price of these speakers is quite affordable for Russian music lovers.
RW 45 is the flagship model of the series, distinguished by its textile finish and other properties:
- The loudspeakers are completely magnetically shielded;
- The dome tweeter is made of anodized aluminum;
- The magnet is powerful;
- LF and MF drivers made of fiberglass;
- Gilded entrances.
The Revolver RW 45 model is a multi-purpose speaker. They are versatile, capable of reproducing all kinds of musical genres. High frequencies are played especially well. The tweeter is also good - there is absolutely no “sand” in its sound.
The midrange and bass are reproduced quite reliably. No noticeable distortion.
conclusions
Spendor confirms its high authority in Hi-Fi. Model A4 - speakers with a balanced design, attractive appearance, excellent sound and good value for money (the component is designed and manufactured in the UK).
Advantages: High quality workmanship, good price/quality ratio, excellent sound with excellent dynamics despite its compact size
Disadvantages: Impossibility of two-wire connection, lack of protective mesh included
Official website: Spendor A4
Price: 209,100 rub.
B&W
A bright representative of the English school. The models are either floor-standing or shelf-mounted.
B&W 684 S2
One of the manufacturer's expensive models. The speakers symbolize the good mood and mentality of the creators.
Let's look at the features of this acoustics:
- Excellent frequency reproduction: 72 Hz-22 KHz;
- High quality sound is transmitted at any distance, as long as the angular zone is within 60 degrees.
Note. This quality allows the listener to behave as freely as possible. You can listen to high quality music while sitting on the couch or moving around the room.
Compact acoustics B&W Wilkins A7
The English company B&W offers a compact speaker model of amazing beauty and power. These products immediately stand out from the competition. It is ultra-modern, supports AirPlay, although it looks simple in appearance. But this is until the moment you turn it on and the musical fairy tale begins.
The design of the speaker system is fully consistent with style and fashion trends. Between the top and central part of the speaker there is quite appropriately a silver strip on which the manufacturer’s logo, laser-etched, flaunts.
Note. The same aluminum strip runs along the top edge of the device.
In a word, the A7 design will come in handy anywhere, be it a shelf or a niche in the wall. The speaker will also look good in a car showroom.
Let us remind you that the popular Zippelin Air is the brainchild of B&W. The difference in this case between the models is compactness. In our opinion, the A7 turned out to be even more convenient; it definitely takes up less space. But it's heavier than the Zeppelin, and its impressive 5.7kg mass is a bit disconcerting.
Design is design, and the essence of acoustics is, of course, its ability to reproduce. In this regard, the A7 is in no way inferior to the best models in the world. So, on the rear panel of the speaker there is a FI port through which air is pushed out. This significantly increases the efficiency of the speaker and improves the bass several times.
Note. Of course, on the laconic rear panel, in addition to the FI port, there are other important elements. This includes a power connector, a hole for a hardware reset, a 3.5 mm audio port, ports for integration with the Internet and USB, and much more.
In the sound
System partners for sound examination this time were offered with a large margin: compared to the A4, the dCS Rossini CD player and the Accuphase E-270 complete amplifier are components of a significantly higher level.
The Spendor A4 pair announced its considerable sound advantages immediately, without any hesitation. The sound images generated by the speakers clearly showed an even frequency balance (this is reflected in the brand's studio pedigree), nobility in the presentation of timbres, an excellent stereo panorama and a considerable dynamic resource, which clearly does not correspond to the modest size and equipment of the speaker systems. In general, the lower register is well integrated into the musical fabric. Only occasionally, for example, when playing academic piano recordings, did a slight shift in the sound focus in the bass (bass reflex) appear.
FI port and screw terminals for single-wire connection
The music reproduced by the A4 has a pleasant touch of academicism, which, however, does not cross the line beyond which the sound begins to be perceived as vintage or old-fashioned. It is appropriate to recall the traditionally characteristic high level of musical culture in Britain, primarily performing. I think of famous concert halls, Abbey Road Studios, famous artists and rock bands - all these phenomena, including Spendor, grew up on the same cultural soil.
High-quality oak veneer finishing is very decorative
Spendor A4 are perfect for transmitting music of any style and any complexity. In large symphonic forms, the speakers demonstrated the clarity and volume of the spatial image, the naturalness of the timbre palette without a touch of synthetics and the subtlety of dynamic gradations, including in the microdynamic region. Spendor did not at all shy away from the climactic fragments, unfolding them to their full extent.
Stand with legs
The relaxed club atmosphere was typical of the sound of a jazz trio consisting of piano, double bass and drums. There was a lot of air and artistic “electricity” in the music created by A4. There was no thought that the speakers could not cope with transmitting recordings of a large concert organ with deep bass. A4 created, on the whole, an adequate idea of the scale - both of the organ itself and of the acoustic space, be it a cathedral or a concert hall. Vocals, male and female, academic and jazz, operatic and chamber, are very expressive and convincing in A4 transmission.
No matter what kind of music was played, the advantages of Spendor as a musical component were always revealed: openness combined with precision, sophistication of detail coupled with scale, variety, freedom and naturalness of sound gesture.
Wharfedale Kingsdale 3
Vintage acoustics in English
Brutal acoustics in English is the name given to the acoustics of this British manufacturer in a 3-way design, housed in a ZYA box. The speaker produces powerful sound for its class.
The sound balance of the Warfedal Kingsdale is adjusted by filter switches located at the rear. The materials of the bass and midrange diffusers are improved and meet the latest standards in the world of acoustic systems.
Note. The sound is reproduced especially well in the low-frequency register. A brighter sound comes from here.
The acoustics are capable of delivering 80 W of power. Sensitivity is 95 dB.
More characteristics:
- The design of the acoustics cannot be called super. Acoustics made from old, vintage ones;
- If you manage to get a sample of such a speaker with a protective grill, consider yourself very lucky.
ATS
Models first produced by engineer and designer Billy Woodman are also considered unique English acoustics.
Today, this speaker manufacturer doesn't just keep up with the times. He brings into reality such model samples that it is easier to call them acoustic masterpieces.
Initially, the floor-standing and bookshelf speakers of the British PBX manufacturer were intended exclusively for professional use. It took about three years to adapt these systems to the needs of the average user.
Nowadays, ATS products for the general public are produced simultaneously with speakers for professional use.
Distinctive characteristics of the systems:
- Each model is produced using modern technologies;
- Along with automated assembly stages, acoustics are also assembled manually;
- The excellent sound range is due to the use of integral soft dome technology and alloy waveguide.
