Audio T Verdict
The Spendor AW1 bring genuine Hi-Fi sound to rooms where conventional speakers and stands would be difficult to accommodate.
Their sealed cabinets deliver taut, controlled bass, while Spendor’s 15cm EP77 polymer driver gives voices and instruments a clear, natural character.
A smooth 22mm polyamide-dome tweeter provides extended high frequencies without making effects, dialogue or music sound unnecessarily bright.
The supplied tilt and swivel brackets make it easy to direct each speaker towards the listening area, whether the AW1 are used for stereo, front-channel or surround duties.
They cannot match the larger DS1 for output and scale, but their compact size, flexible installation and full-bodied presentation make them an excellent room-friendly option.
Spendor AW1 Theatre On-Wall Speakers
The Spendor AW1 are compact passive on-wall speakers designed for stereo music and multichannel home cinema systems.
Each sealed cabinet combines a 15cm EP77 polymer bass and midrange driver with a 22mm polyamide-dome tweeter.
The speakers are supplied as a pair with removable magnetic grilles and dedicated tilt and swivel wall brackets.
Amplification and Secure Wall Mounting Are Required
The AW1 are passive loudspeakers and require a suitable stereo amplifier, streaming amplifier, AV receiver or multichannel power amplifier.
Each speaker weighs 5kg. The wall, bracket installation and chosen fixings must safely support the speaker over the long term.
Compact On-Wall Design
Each cabinet measures 305mm high, 165mm wide and 186mm deep before the wall bracket is fitted.
The supplied bracket adds approximately 75mm to the depth, but gives the AW1 considerably greater aiming flexibility than a fixed flat-to-wall speaker.
Their compact proportions make them suitable for smaller living rooms, discreet music systems and home cinemas where floor space is limited.
Tilt and Swivel Wall Bracket
The dedicated mounting bracket provides up to 18 degrees of upward or downward tilt and up to 180 degrees of horizontal swivel.
This allows each speaker to be directed towards the main listening position rather than firing straight ahead from a less-than-ideal wall location.
The final range of movement will depend on the cabinet’s proximity to adjacent walls, furniture and the screen.
Check the Wall Before Drilling
Use wall fixings appropriate for the surface and construction. Plasterboard, masonry and timber-supported walls require different installation methods.
Check for concealed electrical cables, water pipes and other services before drilling. Professional installation is recommended where there is any uncertainty.
15cm EP77 Polymer Driver
Spendor’s proprietary 15cm EP77 polymer cone handles both bass and midrange frequencies.
The driver is designed to minimise unwanted colouration, helping dialogue, vocals and acoustic instruments retain a natural and intelligible character.
Its comparatively large radiating area also allows the compact AW1 to produce a fuller and more substantial sound than their cabinet dimensions might suggest.
22mm Polyamide-Dome Tweeter
A 22mm polyamide-dome tweeter reproduces frequencies above the 4.2kHz crossover point.
Its smooth response helps the AW1 remain clear and detailed without pushing treble effects or vocal sibilance unnaturally forward.
The adjustable bracket can be used to direct the tweeter towards the listening area, improving clarity and focus where the speakers must be mounted above seated ear height.
Sealed, Room-Friendly Cabinet
The AW1 use a sealed cabinet rather than a bass-reflex port.
This prevents a rear port from being obstructed by the wall and helps the speaker deliver tight, controlled bass from its intended mounting position.
Spendor specifies a typical in-room response of 55Hz to 25kHz, giving the AW1 useful bass extension for music, television and surround effects.
Stereo and Home Cinema Placement
Front or Stereo Use
- Mount the speakers either side of the screen or music system
- Keep both speakers at matching heights where possible
- Use the brackets to aim them towards the listening area
- Allow approximately 1.8m to 3m between the pair
- Keep them clear of side walls where the room allows
Surround Use
- Side-wall placement is preferred where practical
- Mount approximately 1.5m to 2.1m above the floor
- Position slightly behind the main listening area
- Rear-wall placement can be used where necessary
- Angle the speakers towards the seating area
Plan the Cable Route First
Decide whether the speaker cable will run inside the wall, through surface trunking or directly from nearby AV furniture before installing the brackets.
Leave enough cable for connection and bracket adjustment without placing strain on the recessed binding posts.
Amplifier and AV Setup
Spendor recommends amplification between 25W and 100W per channel.
The 8-ohm nominal impedance and 6.6-ohm minimum should suit a broad range of capable stereo and AV amplifiers, although the 84dB sensitivity rewards clean power and useful headroom.
When using the AW1 with an active subwoofer, an 80Hz crossover provides a sensible starting point. The final setting should be confirmed through room correction and listening tests.
Spendor AW1 or DS1?
Choose the AW1 When
- The smallest cabinet is required
- Tilt and swivel adjustment is important
- The room or listening distance is modest
- A 15cm driver provides sufficient output
- Conventional binding posts are preferred
Choose the DS1 When
- Greater output and bass scale are required
- A larger 18cm driver is preferred
- The system uses Spendor D-Line speakers
- Higher power handling is useful
- A fixed, closer-to-wall installation is suitable
The Spendor DS1 provide a larger and more powerful on-wall alternative with an 18cm EP77 driver and LPZ tweeter.
Spendor Products and Audio T Guides
Key Features
- Compact passive on-wall speakers
- Supplied as a stereo pair
- Suitable for stereo or surround use
- Two-way driver configuration
- Sealed cabinet design
- 15cm EP77 polymer bass and midrange driver
- 22mm polyamide-dome tweeter
- 4.2kHz crossover frequency
- 55Hz to 25kHz in-room response
- 84dB sensitivity
- 8-ohm nominal impedance
- 25W to 100W recommended amplification
- Single recessed binding-post connection
- Up to 18-degree bracket tilt
- Up to 180-degree bracket swivel
- Designed and manufactured in the UK
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Spendor AW1 supplied as a pair?
Yes. The Audio T product contains two on-wall speakers.
Do they contain amplification?
No. They require a suitable stereo amplifier, streaming amplifier, AV receiver or multichannel power amplifier.
Are the wall brackets included?
Yes. A dedicated tilt and swivel bracket is supplied for each speaker.
How far can the brackets be adjusted?
Each bracket provides up to 18 degrees of tilt and up to 180 degrees of swivel, subject to the surrounding space.
Are wall fixings included?
The supplied brackets must be installed using fixings appropriate for the wall. Check the product contents and wall construction before installation.
Can the AW1 be used as stereo speakers?
Yes. They can be used as compact wall-mounted left and right speakers for a stereo music system.
Can they be used as surround speakers?
Yes. Their compact sealed design and adjustable brackets make them particularly suitable for side or rear surround channels.
Are they sealed or ported?
The AW1 use a sealed cabinet with no bass-reflex port.
What drivers are fitted?
Each speaker uses a 15cm EP77 polymer bass and midrange driver with a 22mm polyamide-dome tweeter.
What is the frequency response?
Spendor specifies a typical in-room response of 55Hz to 25kHz.
What amplifier power is recommended?
Spendor recommends between 25W and 100W per channel.
What is the nominal impedance?
The nominal impedance is 8 ohms, with a stated minimum of 6.6 ohms.
How large are they?
Each cabinet measures 305mm high, 165mm wide and 186mm deep. The mounting bracket adds approximately 75mm to the depth.
How much does each speaker weigh?
Each AW1 weighs approximately 5kg.
Which finishes are available?
Black Oak, Walnut, Oak and Satin White are available, subject to stock.
Are magnetic grilles included?
Yes. A removable magnetic grille is supplied with each speaker.
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Advice planning stereo and home cinema systems
- Direct comparison with the larger Spendor DS1
- Matching guidance for Spendor centre speakers
- Wall-position and bracket-planning advice
- Amplifier and AV receiver matching
- Speaker-cable routing and connection guidance
- Subwoofer crossover and integration support
- Room-correction and system-calibration advice
- Home demonstrations may be available
- Ongoing system and installation support
Contact your local Audio T store to discuss matching and installing the Spendor AW1 in your stereo or home cinema system.