In this review, we will be comparing Classic 4/5 and Evoke 30, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Spendor and Dynaudio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Spendor Classic 4/5 and Dynaudio Evoke 10 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Spendor Classic 4/5 | Dynaudio Evoke 10 |
|---|
| Brand | Spendor
United Kingdom · founded 1969 | Dynaudio
Denmark · founded 1977 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.87" | 1.1" |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.91" | 5.5" Magnesium Silicate Polymer |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-25k Hz | 47-23k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 84 dB | 84 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | up to 160 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 4.99kg / 11lbs | 6.70kg / 14.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 12.1" x 7.4" x 6.5"
307.3 x 188.0 x 165.1mm | 12.4" x 7.1" x 10.5"
315.0 x 180.0 x 266.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Spendor Classic 4/5 and Dynaudio Evoke 10 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 4/5 |
Dynaudio Evoke 10 |
| Near-field |
Good |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
Poor |
(* 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 4/5 and Evoke 30 are 2-way speakers.
Spendor Classic 4/5Dynaudio Evoke 10
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 4/5 |
Dynaudio Evoke 10 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.87-inch
|
1.1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.91-inch
|
1 x 5.5-inch
|
Classic 4/5 features a 0.87" Tweeter and 1 x 5.91" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 4.2 kHz. On the other hand, the Evoke 30 features a 1.1" Cerotar with Hexis Tweeter and 1 x 5.5" Magnesium Silicate Polymer Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1400Hz.
Frequency Response
Classic 4/5 has a frequency range of 55-25k Hz whereas Evoke 30 has a frequency range of 47-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 47Hz, the Evoke 30 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Classic 4/5's min frequency of 55Hz.
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 4/5 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Evoke 30 which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
On the other hand, they have the same sensitivity of 84 dBdB.
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 4/5 features Binding post type posts and Evoke 30 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Dynaudio Evoke 10's Binding post terminals
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 4/5's and Dynaudio Evoke 10's external dimensions. Spendor Classic 4/5 has external dimensions of 307.3 x 188.0 x 165.1mm (12.1 x 7.4 x 6.5inch) whereas Dynaudio Evoke 10 has external dimensions of 315.0 x 180.0 x 266.0mm (12.4 x 7.1 x 10.5inch).
Spendor Classic 4/5 is 7.7mm shorter and 100.9mm less deeper than Dynaudio Evoke 10 but it is also 8mm wider.
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.
Dynaudio Evoke 10 needs about 54% more floor or shelf area. Dynaudio Evoke 10 is 101mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall.
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 4/5 is approximately 310.4cm2 / 48.1inch2 and base area of the Dynaudio Evoke 10 is approximately 478.8cm2 / 74.2inch2. The Classic 4/5 requires 35% less surface area than the Evoke 30 which gives it a small advantage 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 4/5 weighs 4.99kg / 11lbs and the Dynaudio Evoke 10 weighs 6.70kg / 14.7lbs. This makes the Evoke 30 34% heavier than the Classic 4/5.
Here is a comparison of how Classic 4/5 and Evoke 30's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Dynaudio Evoke 10?
Here are the items that come with the Evoke 30:
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Woofer Size |
5.91 inches
vs
5.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
307mm
vs
315mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
310cm2
vs
478cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
2999USD
vs
3398USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
|
Low Frequency Response |
47 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
| General |
Spendor Classic 4/5 |
Dynaudio Evoke 10 |
| Brand |
Spendor |
Dynaudio |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Sensitivity |
84 dB |
84 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
55-25k Hz |
47-23k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.91" |
5.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Magnesium Silicate Polymer |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
0.87" |
1.1" |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
4.2 kHz |
1400Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
307.3mm (12.1") |
315.0mm (12.4") |
| Width |
188.0mm (7.4") |
180.0mm (7.1") |
| Depth |
165.1mm (6.5") |
266.0mm (10.5") |
| Weight |
4.99kg (11lbs) |
6.70kg (14.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood veneer |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years (8 Years registered) |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years (8 Years registered) |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Dynaudio Evoke 10 digs deeper - 47Hz against 55Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (84dB vs 84dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match | A | Spendor Classic 4/5 is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Size | depends | Spendor Classic 4/5 is easier to place; Dynaudio Evoke 10 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Sealed vs Ported. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Price | A | Spendor Classic 4/5 is cheaper - $2,999 against $3,398, about 12% less. |
A Spendor Classic 4/5 B Dynaudio Evoke 10
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 55Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Spendor Classic 4/5 much easier to justify. Match it to your room: we rate Spendor Classic 4/5 the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and Dynaudio Evoke 10 for a mid-size room and a large room.
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.