In this review, we will be comparing D9.2 and Kendall, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Spendor and KLH.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Spendor D9.2 and KLH Kendall first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Spendor D9.2 | KLH Kendall |
|---|
| Brand | Spendor
United Kingdom · founded 1969 | KLH
United States · founded 1957 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.87" | 1" |
|---|
| Midrange | 7.09" | 5.25" |
|---|
| Woofer | 7.09" | 2 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar |
|---|
| Frequency response | 27-25k Hz | 25-23k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 96 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | up to 250 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 35.00kg / 77lbs | 22.14kg / 48.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 45.5" x 8.3" x 15.7"
1155.7 x 210.8 x 398.8mm | 40-3/16" x 8-5/16" x 14-15/16"
1021.0 x 212.0 x 380.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both D9.2 and Kendall are 3-way speakers.
Spendor D9.2KLH Kendall
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Spendor D9.2 |
KLH Kendall |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.87-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 7.09-inch |
1 x 5.25-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 7.09-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
D9.2 features a 0.87" Tweeter, a 7.09" Midrange and 1 x 7.09" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 500 Hz, 4.2 kHz. On the other hand, the Kendall features a 1" anodized aluminum Tweeter, a 5.25" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar Woofer.
Frequency Response
D9.2 has a frequency range of 27-25k Hz whereas Kendall has a frequency range of 25-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 25Hz, the Kendall can go slightly deeper then the D9.2's min frequency of 27Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing 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
D9.2 and Kendall have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. D9.2 sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the Kendall's is at 96 dB. This 6 dB difference makes the KLH Kendall a more sensitive speaker compared to Spendor D9.2, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing 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
Kendall features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. D9.2 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
KLH Kendall's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or 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 D9.2's and KLH Kendall's external dimensions. Spendor D9.2 has external dimensions of 1155.7 x 210.8 x 398.8mm (45.5 x 8.3 x 15.7inch) whereas KLH Kendall has external dimensions of 1021.0 x 212.0 x 380.0mm (40-3/16 x 8-5/16 x 14-15/16inch).
KLH Kendall is 134.7mm shorter and 18.8mm less deeper than Spendor D9.2 but it is also 1.2mm 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.
Near-identical footprints. Spendor D9.2 is 19mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Spendor D9.2 is 135mm 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 D9.2 is approximately 840.7cm2 / 130.3inch2 and base area of the KLH Kendall is approximately 805.6cm2 / 124.9inch2. The D9.2 requires 4% more surface area than the Kendall 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 D9.2 weighs 35.00kg / 77lbs and the KLH Kendall weighs 22.14kg / 48.7lbs. This makes the D9.2 58% heavier than the Kendall.
Here is a comparison of how D9.2 and Kendall's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of KLH Kendall?
Here are the items that come with the Kendall:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
- Grille
- Foam port
- 4 Rubber feet
- 4 Spike feet (with nuts)
- 4 Protective discs
- Manual
 Woofer Size |
7.09 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Sensitivity |
96 dB
vs
90 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
|
Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
|
Low Frequency Response |
25 Hz
vs
27 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
1021mm
vs
1155mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
805cm2
vs
840cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1500USD
vs
14998USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Spendor D9.2 |
KLH Kendall |
| Brand |
Spendor |
KLH |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
96 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
27-25k Hz |
25-23k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
7.09" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Woven Kevlar |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Butyl Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
0.87" |
1" |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
7.09" |
5.25" |
| Crossover Frequency |
500 Hz, 4.2 kHz |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1155.7mm (45.5") |
1021.0mm (40.2") |
| Width |
210.8mm (8.3") |
212.0mm (8.3") |
| Depth |
398.8mm (15.7") |
380.0mm (15") |
| Weight |
35.00kg (77lbs) |
22.14kg (48.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Wood Veneer |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
10 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
10 Years |
These sit in different price classes - Spendor D9.2 costs roughly 10x what KLH Kendall does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (27Hz vs 25Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | B | KLH Kendall is more sensitive (96dB vs 90dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | B | KLH Kendall: bi-amping. |
| Price | B | KLH Kendall is cheaper - $1,500 against $14,998, about 90% less; arguably a different class. |
A Spendor D9.2 B KLH Kendall
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?
KLH Kendall is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Spendor D9.2 if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, KLH Kendall is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $13,498 saved by taking the cheaper pair would buy a subwoofer or a better amplifier, and either usually does more for the sound than the difference between these two.
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.