Spendor A7 Vs D7

[eazyryder]

I am currently on the verge of purchasing a pair of spendor A7s after demoing at my local dealer.
My issue is, i have now spotted a pair of D7s brand new for the same price as the A7s.
I have not demoed the D7s and would like some info on them.
Are the D7s the superior speaker compared to the newer A7s?
Do the D7s have the same sound characteristics as the A7s?
Has anyone had the chance to compare these two directly?
What should i go for?

 

[insider9]

If you can give them enough room to breathe then it's a no brainer. Allow about 1m from back wall.

 

[eazyryder]

If you can give them enough room to breathe then it's a no brainer. Allow about 1m from back wall.

So go with the older D7s, they are not the D7.2.?
Even though the A7s are newer with the new flow port?
I did demo the A7s and loved them, would I get more of the same with the D7?

 

[insider9]

How big is your room? How much room can you afford them?

 

[eazyryder]

How big is your room? How much room can you afford them?

Room is 24ft x 12ft.
Could only really give them around 1 up to 2 feet from the back wall, side walls are not an issue.
Ceiling height is 8ft

 

[eazyryder]

As you know from my previous posts I have been auditioning many floorstanders over the last few months and the spendors on first audition just blew me away.
Seeing the older D7s at the same price has now confused what appeared to be a foregone conclusion for me

 

[insider9]

I've only heard D7 and from conversations with owner they need a little bit more than 2 feet from back to sound their best. I'd go with your ears and not doubt yourself. Not really heard Spendors that I didn't like.

 

[eazyryder]

I have decided to take a leap and gone ahead with the purchase of the D7s.
Many reviews I have read have suggested they are the superior option of the two.
I hope, without my demoing them, they are.
Loved the sound from the A7s
Hope I am not making a big mistake

 

[insider9]

Whatever you've decided you'll have to live with for a while. It is the better speaker of the two. Hope it works well in your room. Let us know how you get on.

 

[7760]

Hello!

I have decided to take a leap and gone ahead with the purchase of the D7s.
Many reviews I have read have suggested they are the superior option of the two.
I hope, without my demoing them, they are.
Loved the sound from the A7s
Hope I am not making a big mistake

So what's the verdict, then?

I've been offered a pair of D7s for £2000 plus a 500-mile return drive. Does that sound like something one ought to go for?

Thanks!

 

[eazyryder]

Hello!



So what's the verdict, then?

I've been offered a pair of D7s for £2000 plus a 500-mile return drive. Does that sound like something one ought to go for?

Thanks!

Sorry this reply may be to late.
For that price and in a good condition I would definitely go for them.
What colour are they?

 

[jonathanRD]

I've been offered a pair of D7s for £2000 plus a 500-mile return drive. Does that sound like something one ought to go for?

That's exactly what I did and paid for mine. 500 miles and 8 hours of driving, but worth every penny!
What happened? Did the lockdown beat you?

 

[eazyryder]

Returned the Spendor D7s
Gave them plenty off time to run-in before I made proper judgement
Analytical thin sounding and a little boring, Treble was excessive, I was trying every filter on my qutest to try to tame it with no success.

Yes you could hear every detail in the music but failed to satisfy me musically.
Sounded flat and unengaging, passable for big classical pieces but turn to a bit of rock and the excitement and dynamic drive was gone.

The D7s put me off playing most of my albums.
For me in my listening room with the Nait XS2 and qutest there were definite issues going on.

 

[Dom]

OMG on your kit easyryder. I almost bought the Supernait3

 

[eazyryder]

OMG on your kit easyryder. I almost bought the Supernait3

OMG what about "my kit"?
Why didn't you buy the supernait 3?
Wasn't it good enough?

 

[Dom]

Good stuff on your kit. Must be good sound.
First it's quite a bit above my budget, and there was a mix up with my postage on Ebay, so I just gave up. Maybe in the future!

 

[eazyryder]

Good stuff on your kit. Must be good sound.
First it's quite a bit above my budget, and there was a mix up with my postage on Ebay, so I just gave up. Maybe in the future!

I feel like I am nearing the end of my hi fi journey, but yours may have a long way to go.
I started in the 90s with a Denon Integrated and tannoy speakers.
Cost me about £200 for amp and speakers
You have a lot more to choose from now I think and the ebay deals

 

[Dom]

Don't say that I'll miss ya. The journey has just begun.

 

[jonathanRD]

The D7s put me off playing most of my albums.
For me in my listening room with the Nait XS2 and qutest there were definite issues going on.

By most peoples standards the D7's are great speakers, but it just goes to show how the characteristics and combination of your room, amp and source (plus your ears) can have such a big effect.
I've demoed a Nait XS2 and from what I've read from others, I suspect the Naim/Chord combination was just too much for the Spendors.

 

[eazyryder]

By most peoples standards the D7's are great speakers,

I know the D7s have has many glowing reviews, which was my main reason for trying them.
But I have also since read on many different forums from various D7s owners they are also known to have a wayward treble.
I also experienced this myself.

Think many of the issues where sorted out with the newer D7.2s, employing a revised polypropylene Mid/Bass driver



After demo

 

[Al ears]

I know the D7s have has many glowing reviews, which was my main reason for trying them.
But I have also since read on many different forums from various D7s owners they are also known to have a wayward treble.
I also experienced this myself.

Think many of the issues where sorted out with the newer D7.2s, employing a revised polypropylene Mid/Bass driver



After demo

Must have revised the cross-over as well as that driver change isn't going to effect treble output.

 

[eazyryder]

Must have revised the cross-over as well as that driver change isn't going to effect treble output.

Apparently Philip Swift has said "This was mainly due to the upgraded mid-range driver which uses a revised polymer to better integrate with the proprietary tweeter and main bass cone"

I actually covered the tweeter with a cloth thinking this was the cause of the treble issue, it wasn't and for me it was more pointed towards the mid-bass driver on the D7.

But I am sure the cross-over has had minor tweaks as well