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Looking for a good pair of compact premium floorstanders? Spendor\u2019s new A4s could be exactly what you\u2019re after.<\/p>\n
They\u2019re beautifully engineered, smartly finished and sound great. And at just over 80cm tall they\u2019re unlikely to dominate, even in smaller rooms.<\/p>\n
Build and compatibility<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n While it may be tempting to think of these speakers as a development of the company\u2019s well-established A5<\/a> model, they are quite different \u2013 even if the general styling and cabinet dimensions suggest otherwise.<\/p>\n These are a two-way design, rather than the 2.5-way of the A5 \u2013 the change is marked with a move from two 15cm drivers to a single 18cm mid\/bass unit.<\/p>\n The low frequencies are tuned by a rear-firing reflex port on the new model. The older has\u00a0a sealed cabinet.<\/p>\n High frequencies are delivered by Spendor\u2019s favoured 22mm wide-surround tweeter, which is claimed to produce a wider frequency range and lower distortion than traditional dome designs –\u00a0but this time with a protective grille in place.<\/p>\n The change in drive unit configuration doesn\u2019t alter the underlying specification\u00a0too much.<\/p>\n Claimed sensitivity is similar at 86dB\/W\/m (just a single dB down from the A5) and nominal impedance remains at 8ohms. Any good price-appropriate\u00a0amplifier will be happy driving these.<\/p>\n We\u2019re impressed by the build quality. The cabinet feels immensely rigid, with carefully designed internal bracing combined with the clever use of low-mass constrained polymer damping.<\/p>\n The finish is pleasing too, with crisp edges, neat detailing and smart real wood veneers. There are the traditional finish options, including black ash, dark walnut and natural oak.<\/p>\n Connection is through a high quality pair of single wire terminals. Spendor has moved away from biwiring with its A models in a bid to keep things simple.<\/p>\n We\u2019re fine with that. It\u2019s always better to use a single run of quality cable over twin runs of an inferior alternative.<\/p>\n These floorstanders are unfussy about positioning \u2013 just give them a little space to breathe and don\u2019t stuff them into a corner.<\/p>\n We angle them towards the listening position slightly, which helps to solidify the stereo imaging.<\/p>\n Sound<\/strong><\/p>\n Once up and running it doesn\u2019t take long to realise the A4s are talented. They have a more outgoing and friendly character than the older model. They\u2019re expressive, entertaining and, perhaps surprisingly for a Spendor design, fun.<\/p>\n We start with Tchaikovsky\u2019s 1812 Overture<\/em><\/a> and these floorstanders revel in the music\u2019s wide-ranging dynamics and complex arrangement.<\/p>\n There\u2019s plenty of insight, with the A4s able to track multiple instrumental strands while still presenting them as a cohesive and musical whole.<\/p>\n Spendor has long prided itself on delivering natural and convincing tonality, and that’s\u00a0the case again here. These floorstanders sound clean and wonderfully balanced.<\/p>\n They replace the slightly sterile presentation of the A5s with a natural sense of life and articulation that\u2019s hugely engaging.<\/p>\n Stereo imaging is impressive too. Once properly positioned\u00a0(and partnered with suitably talented electronics) these speakers describe an expansive, nicely layered soundstage populated with precisely located instruments.<\/p>\n The imaging stays stable even when the music becomes demanding, which is no easy feat.<\/p>\n Massive Attack\u2019s Teardrop<\/em><\/a> shows the A4s to be capable of deep, articulate low frequencies.<\/p>\n While they wouldn\u2019t be our first choice to fill large rooms or play at a party, they do well for their size. More importantly, they stay refined and composed when pushed hard, avoiding the slight edge of their predecessors.<\/p>\n Rhythms are handled in a surefooted manner and delivered with plenty of snap and drive. There\u2019s all the insight and analysis we\u2019ve come to expect from Spendor’s models, but here it comes with a sense of enthusiasm the brand hasn\u2019t always achieved.<\/p>\n The A4\u2019s midrange is lovely. Voices come through with impressive clarity, pleasing projection and a class-leading level of subtlety. This points to well-matched drive units and a carefully calibrated crossover.<\/p>\n Verdict<\/strong><\/p>\n While we\u2019ve generally liked Spendor\u2019s products, a few of the smaller, more affordable models have tended to prioritise analysis over entertainment.<\/p>\n The A4 delivers both, with ease. In recent years the likes of PMC\u2019s Twenty 23s<\/a> have been our go-to compact floorstanders at this price level.<\/p>\n We’re adding the Spendor A4s to that very short shortlist.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/famous-av.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/spendor_a4_05.jpg\")
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