In this review, we will be comparing Classic 2/3 and Classic 3/1, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Spendor.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Spendor Classic 2/3 and Spendor Classic 3/1 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Spendor Classic 2/3 | Spendor Classic 3/1 |
|---|
| Brand | Spendor
United Kingdom · founded 1969 | Spendor
United Kingdom · founded 1969 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.87" | 0.87" |
|---|
| Woofer | 8.27" | 7.09" |
|---|
| Frequency response | 35-25k Hz | 40-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Weight | 14.97kg / 32.9lbs | 9.98kg / 22lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 21.4" x 10.7" x 13.3"
543.6 x 271.8 x 337.8mm | 15.5" x 8.6" x 11.2"
393.7 x 218.4 x 284.5mm |
|---|
What size room are the Spendor Classic 2/3 and Spendor Classic 3/1 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Spendor Classic 2/3 |
Spendor Classic 3/1 |
| Near-field |
Good |
Good |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
No way |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Classic 2/3 and Classic 3/1 are 2-way speakers.
Spendor Classic 2/3Spendor Classic 3/1
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Spendor Classic 2/3 |
Spendor Classic 3/1 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.87-inch
|
0.87-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 8.27-inch
|
1 x 7.09-inch
|
Classic 2/3 features a 0.87" Tweeter and 1 x 8.27" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3.6 kHz. On the other hand, the Classic 3/1 features a 0.87" Tweeter and 1 x 7.09" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3.7 kHz.
Frequency Response
Classic 2/3 has a frequency range of 35-25k Hz whereas Classic 3/1 has a frequency range of 40-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 35Hz, the Classic 2/3 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Classic 3/1's min frequency of 40Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Classic 2/3 and Classic 3/1 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 88 dB.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Classic 2/3 features Binding post type posts and Classic 3/1 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Spendor Classic 2/3's and Spendor Classic 3/1's external dimensions. Spendor Classic 2/3 has external dimensions of 543.6 x 271.8 x 337.8mm (21.4 x 10.7 x 13.3inch) whereas Spendor Classic 3/1 has external dimensions of 393.7 x 218.4 x 284.5mm (15.5 x 8.6 x 11.2inch).
Spendor Classic 2/3 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 53.4mm wider, 149.9mm taller and 53.3mm deeper than Spendor Classic 3/1.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Spendor Classic 2/3 needs about 48% more floor or shelf area. Spendor Classic 2/3 is 53mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Spendor Classic 2/3 is 150mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Spendor Classic 2/3 is approximately 918.1cm2 / 142.3inch2 and base area of the Spendor Classic 3/1 is approximately 621.3cm2 / 96.3inch2. The Classic 2/3 requires 48% more surface area than the Classic 3/1 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Spendor Classic 2/3 weighs 14.97kg / 32.9lbs and the Spendor Classic 3/1 weighs 9.98kg / 22lbs. This makes the Classic 2/3 50% heavier than the Classic 3/1.
Here is a comparison of how Classic 2/3 and Classic 3/1's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
 Woofer Size |
8.27 inches
vs
7.09 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
35 Hz
vs
40 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
393mm
vs
543mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
621cm2
vs
918cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
4999USD
vs
6499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Spendor Classic 2/3 |
Spendor Classic 3/1 |
| Brand |
Spendor |
Spendor |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
35-25k Hz |
40-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8.27" |
7.09" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Tweeter Size |
0.87" |
0.87" |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
3.6 kHz |
3.7 kHz |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
543.6mm (21.4") |
393.7mm (15.5") |
| Width |
271.8mm (10.7") |
218.4mm (8.6") |
| Depth |
337.8mm (13.3") |
284.5mm (11.2") |
| Weight |
14.97kg (32.9lbs) |
9.98kg (22lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
|
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
|
| Labor Warranty |
|
|
Both are Spendor, from different ranges - so the house sound is shared and the differences are mostly in scale, engineering and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Spendor Classic 2/3 digs deeper - 35Hz against 40Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (88dB vs 88dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Size | depends | Spendor Classic 3/1 is easier to place; Spendor Classic 2/3 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | B | Spendor Classic 3/1 is cheaper - $4,999 against $6,499, about 23% less. |
A Spendor Classic 2/3 B Spendor Classic 3/1
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
The usual trade-off: Spendor Classic 2/3 measures better, Spendor Classic 3/1 costs about about 30% more% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 40Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Spendor Classic 3/1 much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, Spendor Classic 2/3 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Spendor Classic 3/1 is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.