In this review, we will be comparing Classic 3/1 and P3ESR XD2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Spendor and Harbeth.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Spendor Classic 3/1 and Harbeth P3ESR XD2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Spendor Classic 3/1 | Harbeth P3ESR XD2 |
|---|
| Brand | Spendor
United Kingdom · founded 1969 | Harbeth
United Kingdom · founded 1977 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.87" | 0.75" Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 7.09" | 4.5" RADIAL |
|---|
| Frequency response | 40-25k Hz | 75-20k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 83 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | 15-50 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 9.98kg / 22lbs | 6.10kg / 13.4lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 15.5" x 8.6" x 11.2"
393.7 x 218.4 x 284.5mm | 12-1/16" x 7-1/2" x 7-1/4"
306.0 x 190.0 x 184.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Spendor Classic 3/1 and Harbeth P3ESR XD2 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 3/1 |
Harbeth P3ESR XD2 |
| 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 3/1 and P3ESR XD2 are 2-way speakers.
Spendor Classic 3/1Harbeth P3ESR XD2
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 3/1 |
Harbeth P3ESR XD2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.87-inch
|
0.75-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 7.09-inch
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
Classic 3/1 features a 0.87" Tweeter and 1 x 7.09" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3.7 kHz. On the other hand, the P3ESR XD2 features a 0.75" Ferrofluid-cooled dome Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" RADIAL Woofer.
Frequency Response
Classic 3/1 has a frequency range of 40-25k Hz whereas P3ESR XD2 has a frequency range of 75-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 40Hz, the Classic 3/1 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the P3ESR XD2's min frequency of 75Hz.
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 3/1 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the P3ESR XD2 which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Classic 3/1 sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the P3ESR XD2's is rated at 83 dB. This 5 dB difference makes the Spendor Classic 3/1 a more sensitive speaker compared to Harbeth P3ESR XD2, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
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 3/1 features Binding post type posts and P3ESR XD2 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 3/1's and Harbeth P3ESR XD2's external dimensions. Spendor Classic 3/1 has external dimensions of 393.7 x 218.4 x 284.5mm (15.5 x 8.6 x 11.2inch) whereas Harbeth P3ESR XD2 has external dimensions of 306.0 x 190.0 x 184.0mm (12-1/16 x 7-1/2 x 7-1/4inch).
Spendor Classic 3/1 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 28.4mm wider, 87.7mm taller and 100.5mm deeper than Harbeth P3ESR XD2.
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 3/1 needs about 78% more floor or shelf area. Spendor Classic 3/1 is 101mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Spendor Classic 3/1 is 88mm 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 3/1 is approximately 621.3cm2 / 96.3inch2 and base area of the Harbeth P3ESR XD2 is approximately 349.6cm2 / 54.2inch2. The Classic 3/1 requires 78% more surface area than the P3ESR XD2 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 3/1 weighs 9.98kg / 22lbs and the Harbeth P3ESR XD2 weighs 6.10kg / 13.4lbs. This makes the Classic 3/1 64% heavier than the P3ESR XD2.
Here is a comparison of how Classic 3/1 and P3ESR XD2's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
83 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Woofer Size |
7.09 inches
vs
4.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
40 Hz
vs
75 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
306mm
vs
393mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
349cm2
vs
621cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
3790USD
vs
4999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Spendor Classic 3/1 |
Harbeth P3ESR XD2 |
| Brand |
Spendor |
Harbeth |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
83 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
40-25k Hz |
75-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
7.09" |
4.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
RADIAL |
| Tweeter Size |
0.87" |
0.75" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
3.7 kHz |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
393.7mm (15.5") |
306.0mm (12") |
| Width |
218.4mm (8.6") |
190.0mm (7.5") |
| Depth |
284.5mm (11.2") |
184.0mm (7.2") |
| Weight |
9.98kg (22lbs) |
6.10kg (13.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
|
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |
A generation apart: Harbeth P3ESR XD2 is the newer design, against a 2017 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Spendor Classic 3/1 digs deeper - 40Hz against 75Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Spendor Classic 3/1 is more sensitive (88dB vs 83dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | A | Spendor Classic 3/1 is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Size | depends | Harbeth P3ESR XD2 is easier to place; Spendor Classic 3/1 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | B | Harbeth P3ESR XD2 is cheaper - $3,790 against $4,999, about 24% less. |
A Spendor Classic 3/1 B Harbeth P3ESR XD2
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?
Spendor Classic 3/1 leads across most of the measured areas for a fairly modest premium, which makes it the easier pick if the budget stretches. Harbeth P3ESR XD2 is the one to take if it does not. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 75Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Harbeth P3ESR XD2 much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, Spendor Classic 3/1 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Harbeth P3ESR XD2 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.