Spendor C4
FOR Agile, articulate and expressive sound; compact AGAINST Nothing of note
Looking for a good pair of compact premium floorstanders? Spendor’s new A4s could be exactly what you’re after. They’re beautifully engineered, smartly finished and sound great. At just over 80cm tall they’re also unlikely to dominate, even in smaller rooms.
Two-way design
While it may be tempting to think of these speakers as a development of the company’s well-established A5 model, they are quite different – even if the general styling and cabinet dimensions suggest otherwise. These are a two-way design, rather than the 2.5-way of the A5 – the change marked with a move from two 15cm drivers to a single 18cm mid/bass unit.
The low frequencies are tuned by a rear-firing reflex port on the new model; the older one had a sealed cabinet. High frequencies are delivered by Spendor’s favoured 22mm wide-surround tweeter, which is claimed to produce a wider frequency range and lower distortion than traditional dome designs, but this time with a protective grille in place.
The change in drive unit configuration doesn’t alter the underlying specifications too much. 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-compatible amplifier will be happy driving these.
Solid build
We’re impressed by the build quality. The cabinet feels immensely rigid, with internal bracing combined with the clever use of low mass constrained polymer damping. The finish is pleasing too, with crisp edges, neat detailing and smart wood veneers. Finish options are traditional, and include black ash, dark walnut or natural oak.
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. We’re fine with that. It’s always better to use a single run of quality cable over twin runs of an inferior alternative.
These oorstanders are unfussy about positioning – give them a little space to breathe and don’t stu them into a corner. We slightly angle them towards the listening position, to solidify the stereo imaging.
Expressive performance
It doesn’t take long to realise that the A4s are talented. They have a more outgoing, friendly character than the older model. They’re expressive and, surprisingly for a Spendor, fun.
We start with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and these floorstanders revel in the music’s wide-ranging dynamics and complex arrangement. There’s plenty of insight, with the A4s able to track multiple instrumental strands while still presenting them as a cohesive and musical whole.
Spendor has long prided itself on delivering natural and convincing tonality and that proves to be the case again here. These sound clean and wonderfully balanced. They replace the slightly sterile presentation of the A5s with a natural sense of life and articulation that’s appealing.
Strong imaging
Stereo imaging is impressive too. Once positioned (and partnered with suitably talented electronics) these speakers render an expansive, nicely layered soundstage populated with precisely located instruments. The imaging stays stable even when the music becomes demanding.
Massive Attack’s Teardrop shows the A4s to be capable of deep, articulate low frequencies. While they wouldn’t be our rst choice to ll large rooms or play at a party, they do well for their size. Importantly, they stay rened and composed when pushed. Rhythms are handled in a surefooted manner and delivered with snap and drive. There’s all the insight and analysis we’ve come to expect from Spendor's models, but here it comes with a sense of enthusiasm the brand hasn’t always managed.
The A4s' 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.
While we’ve generally liked Spendor’s products, a few of the smaller models have tended to prioritise analysis over entertainment. The A4 delivers both with ease. In recent years the likes of PMC’S Twenty 23s have been our go-to compact floorstanders at this price level. You can safely add the Spendor A4s to that very short shortlist.