Spendor SA1 vs PMC DB1i

[admin_exported]

I'm undecided which one to buy to match with my Nait i & CD5i (Mk2). Please help. Tq

 

[crusaderlord]

i demod these recently and posted my thoughts on this forum link but to be honest you really need to hear them as they are very very different in sound presenation.

http://whathifi.com/forums/t/123242.aspx

The SA1 has a pronounced midrange which is fairly distinct in its presentation style and emphasis midrange above treble and bass. It is a great speaker with a glossy finish (personally i prefered natural wood but they do stand out if you want them to be a feature).

The DB1i is i would say more balanced across the whole soundstage, with quite a strong bass presence for a small standmount. A good all rounder which i liked more than SA1 to be honest with my music taste.

From my demo i liked the SA1 / DB1i and Neat Motive 3 the best - but the do different things well.

It is certainly worth trying Neat Motive 3 alongside if you get the chance

 

[Anonymous]

Def give the SA1 a spin because it has some very special talents. Classically you should give it more than 10mins audition because it's not an overtly exciting speaker.

The DB1 will give you more bass welly but it isn't all good bass like the SA1.

Never heard the Neat Motive but I've heard that it gels with Naim kit exceptionally well so is a must for your list. In fact, if you distinctly like the Naim sound then I suspect you'll distinctly like the Neat sound too, but I'm only inferring.

Let us know how you get on!

 

[Andrew Everard]

Having heard both, I'd say that the SA1 is a more detailed design, but then it is considerably more expensive than the PMCs. I have used the PMCs extensively and really like what they do, but unless you particularly want a small speaker - which will need to be used on stands anyway, I'd also consider PMC's GB1 floorstanders, which will compare very favourably with the smaller speakers plus a pair of good stands.

I'd agree with having a listen to the NEATs, too.

 

[John Duncan]

Haven't heard the i but have the plus and compared it to the Spendor - as Ig says the presentation is very different and I stuck with the PMC - you may find the SA1 better or may not feel it's worth the extra money.

Do yourself a favour and hear the AVI Neutron V against the Spendor as well, you might save yourself 700 quid.........

 

[Anonymous]

JohnDuncan:Haven't heard the i but have the plus and compared it to the Spendor - as Ig says the presentation is very different and I stuck with the PMC - you may find the SA1 better or may not feel it's worth the extra money. Do yourself a favour and hear the AVI Neutron V against the Spendor as well, you might save yourself 700 quid.........

Is it ok to place these AVI Neutrons close to the wall, I dont have much space...

 

[Anonymous]

If you need to place the speakers close to a wall then the SA1s should be ideal as a closed cabinet design you can place them virtually anywhere, but check with ig as he has a pair............

 

[Eric2]

zztop:
Is it ok to place these AVI Neutrons close to the wall, I dont have much space...

ÿ

I'm in a similar position looking for a small speaker that is happy close to the wall.ÿ

I'm after a new amp as well maybe the new rega elicit so will wait for it's release before committing. But from my research the SA1 will work well close to the wall because it's a sealed design and the Neutrons are slightly short on bass so being near a wall might help them. The strong bass of the PMC might sound to boomy close up to a wall but maybe someone with a better understanding of these speakers could confirm this.ÿ

 

[John Duncan]

The despite being pseudo-ported the PMC doesn't suffer from being close to the wall, the spendor is closed so doesn't care, and the AVI likes a bit of reinforcement from a back wall. But remember the AVI is only 400 quid, and I might be overestimating its talents.

 

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know whether the Neat Motive 3 is fussy about placement?.....

 

[Anonymous]

I believe they're rear-ported so would benefit from being near a wall. How near will depend on the sound you like plus I would avoid corners too.

 

[fatboyslimfast]

Really? I thought rear-porters needed to be kept away from walls to avoid booming...

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, that was my understanding as I have a pair of B&W CM1s and although they are a great speaker they can be a bit boomy when close to a wall even with rear ports muffled, so I too am looking for a standmount that can be placed close to a wall........

 

[Anonymous]

Well generally the idea of having a rear port is so that the bass output can be reinforced by placement near a wall. This may not always suit preference and the sound varies greatly depending on the speaker. For instance, the Proac Tab Ref 8 Sig is very small and relies on this wall placement to get a decent punch. Having said that, my previous MA RS1s sounded boomy within 60cm of a wall.

I think you need to go and audition/play with some at a dealer to work out what you need and prefer.

 

[JoelSim]

The ProAcs sound better away from the wall.

ÿ

 

[JoelSim]

JohnDuncan:Haven't heard the i but have the plus and compared it to the Spendor - as Ig says the presentation is very different and I stuck with the PMC - you may find the SA1 better or may not feel it's worth the extra money.Do yourself a favour and hear the AVI Neutron V against the Spendor as well, you might save yourself 700 quid.........

I haven't heard the V but the IV was a very very good speaker for the money.ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

JoelSim:
The ProAcs sound better away from the wall.

ÿ

All about preference dear chap.

 

[JoelSim]

The bass is harsher nearer the wall. They are never going to be the bassiest speaker but too near the walls when the volume is up and they can get a tad unruly. Not so when 40cm or so away.

ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

I have just got pair of KEF XQ20's and they have excellent transparency and sound imagery but may be a little bright on the top end for some tastes. No trace of bass boom, which can be a real issue in my room as they have to sit in alcoves. They are front ported so seem less fussy than many speakers about placement and they give a strong deep controlled bass. And they have gorgeous looks.