Spendor Classic 4/5 Bookshelf Speakers: A Compact Marvel of Sound Engineering

The Spendor Classic 4/5 bookshelf speakers are a testament to British engineering and audio craftsmanship. As the smallest member of Spendor's retro-inspired Classic series, these speakers combine traditional aesthetics with modern acoustic technology. Designed for smaller spaces, they deliver an engaging and transparent sound that belies their compact size. With a heritage rooted in BBC research and decades of refinement, the Classic 4/5 offers a unique listening experience for audiophiles who value clarity, balance, and precision.

Build Quality and Design

The Spendor Classic 4/5 is a two-way sealed cabinet speaker measuring approximately 31 cm (H) x 19 cm (W) x 16.5 cm (D) and weighing 5 kg per unit. Its design pays homage to vintage Hi-Fi aesthetics with real wood veneer finishes available in walnut or cherry. The cabinet construction employs thin-walled panels with viscoelastic damping pads to control resonance effectively. This approach dissipates unwanted vibrations as heat, ensuring minimal distortion and maintaining sonic purity.

Unlike many modern speakers that use bass reflex ports, the Classic 4/5 features a sealed enclosure. This design prioritizes tight, controlled bass over sheer low-frequency extension, making it ideal for smaller rooms where excessive bass can overwhelm.

The front grille attaches magnetically for easy removal, revealing the drivers underneath. The overall build quality is exceptional, reflecting Spendor's commitment to producing high-end audio equipment entirely in their UK facility.

Drivers and Technical Specifications

At the heart of the Classic 4/5 are two meticulously engineered drivers:

1. Tweeter: A 22 mm polyamide dome tweeter, designed in-house by Spendor, delivers extended high frequencies with wide dispersion.
2. Mid/Bass Driver: A 150 mm EP77 polymer mid/bass driver, also developed by Spendor, handles lower frequencies with precision and warmth.

The crossover frequency is set unusually high at 4.2 kHz, allowing the mid/bass driver to handle most of the critical midrange frequencies independently. This results in seamless integration between drivers and an articulate midrange performance.

Key technical specifications include:

• Frequency response: 55 Hz – 25 kHz
• Sensitivity: 84 dB/W/m
• Impedance: 8 ohms (minimum impedance of 6.1 ohms)
• Recommended amplifier power: 25–100 W.

Placement and Compatibility

One of the standout features of the Spendor Classic 4/5 is its versatility in placement. Thanks to its sealed cabinet design, it performs well even when positioned close to walls or on bookshelves—though optimal results are achieved when placed on dedicated stands about 30 cm away from walls with slight toe-in angling toward the listening position.

Spendor offers custom stands designed specifically for these speakers; however, third-party options like Custom Designs’ FS104 Signature also work well.

In terms of amplification, while these speakers have relatively low sensitivity (84 dB), they present an easy electrical load due to their stable impedance curve. They pair beautifully with both entry-level amplifiers like the Rega io and higher-end systems such as Naim’s Supernait series.

Sound Performance

The sound signature of the Spendor Classic 4/5 can be described as balanced, insightful, and refined. These speakers excel at reproducing music naturally without artificial coloration or exaggerated bass.

Midrange Clarity

The midrange is undoubtedly one of this speaker’s strongest attributes. Vocals are rendered with exceptional transparency and emotional depth—whether it's Nina Simone’s soulful voice or Dolores O’Riordan’s ethereal tones from The Cranberries. Instrumental textures are equally impressive; orchestral pieces like Mahler’s Symphony No.2 reveal layers of detail that lesser speakers might obscure.

High-Frequency Precision

The tweeter delivers smooth yet detailed highs without harshness or fatigue—a hallmark of well-designed dome tweeters. Cymbals shimmer naturally while maintaining their tonal integrity.

Bass Response

While not designed for deep bass reproduction due to its compact size and sealed enclosure, the Classic 4/5 compensates with tightness and agility in low frequencies up to around 55 Hz. For listeners seeking more substantial bass output in larger rooms, pairing these speakers with a subwoofer could provide additional depth without compromising their inherent tonal balance.

Imaging and Soundstage

When properly positioned on stands at ear level, these speakers create an expansive soundstage where instruments occupy distinct positions within a three-dimensional space. Closing your eyes during playback makes it difficult to pinpoint their physical location—a testament to their excellent imaging capabilities.

Conclusion

The Spendor Classic 4/5 bookshelf speakers are a remarkable blend of tradition and innovation. Their compact size makes them perfect for smaller rooms or setups where space is limited, yet they deliver a sound quality that rivals much larger competitors. With their natural tonality, precise imaging, and timeless design aesthetic, these speakers offer an immersive listening experience that appeals equally to casual listeners and discerning audiophiles.

Whether you're rediscovering old favorites or exploring new genres across your music collection, the Spendor Classic 4/5 invites you into a world of musical enjoyment that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly modern.

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