Audio T Verdict
The Spendor A1.2 are genuinely compact speakers with the clear, natural and musically engaging presentation for which the British manufacturer is known.
Their sealed cabinet produces taut, controlled bass without a rear reflex port, making the A1.2 particularly easy to accommodate in smaller rooms or closer to a wall.
Spendor's proprietary 15cm EP77 polymer driver delivers an articulate and uncoloured midrange, while the 22mm polyamide-dome tweeter provides smooth, extended high frequencies.
At 83dB sensitivity, the A1.2 benefit from an amplifier with worthwhile power and headroom, although their 8-ohm nominal impedance presents a relatively friendly electrical load.
They cannot match a larger speaker for deep bass or physical scale, but for smaller rooms, near-wall installations and listeners who value clarity and tonal balance, the A1.2 are a wonderfully capable choice.
Spendor A1.2 Standmount Speakers
The Spendor A1.2 are compact passive speakers designed for shelf, furniture or stand placement in smaller listening rooms.
Each sealed cabinet contains a 15cm EP77 polymer bass and midrange driver, a 22mm polyamide-dome tweeter and a refined internal bracing system.
The speakers are supplied as a stereo pair and are designed and manufactured in the UK.
A Separate Amplifier Is Required
The Spendor A1.2 are passive loudspeakers and cannot play music directly from a phone, television, turntable, streamer or computer.
- No built-in amplification
- No Bluetooth or Wi-Fi
- No network streaming services
- No digital or HDMI inputs
- No built-in phono stage
A suitable stereo amplifier, streaming amplifier or AV receiver must provide the power and source connections.
Compact Sealed-Cabinet Design
Standing just 308mm tall and 186mm deep, the A1.2 are small enough for rooms and installations where a conventional standmount speaker would be difficult to accommodate.
The sealed enclosure has no bass-reflex port, reducing sensitivity to nearby walls and allowing greater freedom when positioning the speakers on stands, shelves or furniture.
Spendor specifies a typical in-room response of 60Hz to 26kHz. Bass is designed to be controlled and tuneful rather than artificially exaggerated.
15cm EP77 Polymer Driver
The proprietary 15cm EP77 polymer cone handles both bass and midrange frequencies.
Its carefully controlled behaviour is designed to minimise colouration and preserve the natural tonal character of voices and acoustic instruments.
The driver also maintains useful clarity at lower listening levels, making the A1.2 well suited to everyday listening in smaller rooms.
22mm Polyamide-Dome Tweeter
A 22mm polyamide-dome tweeter reproduces frequencies above the 4.2kHz crossover point.
Its compact diaphragm is designed to deliver smooth and extended high frequencies while integrating naturally with the EP77 bass and midrange driver.
The result is a balanced presentation that avoids drawing unnecessary attention to any single part of the frequency range.
Refined Internal Bracing
The Mark 2 cabinet incorporates a refined internal bracing system designed to reduce unwanted vibration and cabinet interaction.
A more controlled enclosure helps prevent stored mechanical energy from obscuring fine musical detail or softening transient information.
The compact cabinet is available in Black Oak, Oak, Walnut and Satin White, with removable magnetic grilles supplied.
Stand, Shelf or Furniture Placement
Dedicated speaker stands will normally provide the greatest positioning freedom and place the tweeters close to seated ear height.
The sealed design also makes the A1.2 suitable for a strong shelf or substantial furniture where stands are impractical.
Although they can operate close to a wall, small adjustments to wall distance, speaker spacing and toe-in can still produce worthwhile changes in bass balance and stereo imaging.
Use a Stable, Level Support
Whichever placement method is chosen, both speakers should sit securely at matching heights and should not rock or vibrate against the supporting surface.
Allow enough space behind the recessed terminals for speaker cable and connectors.
Amplifier Matching
Spendor recommends amplification between 25W and 100W per channel.
The 8-ohm nominal impedance and 6.4-ohm minimum should suit a broad range of amplifiers, but the 83dB sensitivity means additional power can be useful when listening at higher volumes.
A capable amplifier with good control and clean headroom will help the A1.2 preserve their clarity, timing and tonal balance as the music becomes more demanding.
Spendor A1.2 or A2.2?
Choose the A1.2 When
- A compact standmount speaker is required
- The room is relatively small
- Shelf or furniture placement is useful
- Close-wall positioning may be necessary
- Controlled sealed-box bass is preferred
Choose the A2.2 When
- A compact floorstander is preferred
- Greater bass extension is required
- Speaker stands are not wanted
- The room can accommodate a taller cabinet
- More effortless room-filling scale is important
The Spendor A2.2 use a similarly compact 2-way design but add a reflex-loaded floorstanding cabinet for deeper bass and greater scale.
System Matching
Well Suited To
- Small listening rooms
- Compact stereo systems
- Integrated and streaming amplifiers
- Turntable, CD and streaming sources
- Lower-volume evening listening
- Systems using an active subwoofer
Check Before Buying
- A separate amplifier is required
- Speaker stands are not included
- Speaker cable is not included
- Sensitivity is 83dB
- Connections are single wire
- Deep bass is limited by cabinet size
Spendor Products and Audio T Guides
Key Features
- Compact passive standmount speakers
- Supplied as a stereo pair
- 2-way driver configuration
- Sealed cabinet design
- 15cm EP77 polymer bass and midrange driver
- 22mm polyamide-dome tweeter
- 4.2kHz crossover frequency
- Refined internal cabinet bracing
- 60Hz to 26kHz typical in-room response
- 83dB sensitivity
- 8-ohm nominal impedance
- 6.4-ohm minimum impedance
- 25W to 100W recommended amplification
- Single-wire recessed binding posts
- Removable magnetic grilles
- Designed and manufactured in the UK
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Spendor A1.2 sold as a pair?
Yes. The Audio T product contains two speakers.
Do they contain an amplifier?
No. They require a suitable external stereo amplifier, streaming amplifier or AV receiver.
Are they sealed or ported?
The A1.2 use a sealed cabinet with no bass-reflex port.
Can they be placed close to a wall?
Yes. Their sealed design makes them less sensitive to close-wall placement than many rear-ported speakers.
Can they be placed on a shelf?
Yes, provided that the shelf is strong, stable and large enough to support each cabinet securely.
Are speaker stands included?
No. Suitable speaker stands are available separately.
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 60Hz to 26kHz.
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 6.4 ohms.
How sensitive are they?
Spendor specifies a sensitivity of 83dB for one watt measured at one metre.
Can they be bi-wired?
No. The A1.2 use a single pair of recessed precision binding posts.
How much does each speaker weigh?
Each speaker weighs approximately 4.8kg.
Which finishes are available?
Black Oak, Oak, Walnut and Satin White are available, subject to stock.
Are magnetic grilles included?
Yes. Removable magnetic grilles are supplied.
Where are they manufactured?
The Spendor A1.2 are designed and manufactured in the UK.
Would a subwoofer be useful?
An active subwoofer can add deeper bass in larger rooms or systems used for films, although it is not essential for every installation.
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Demonstrations with suitable stereo and streaming amplifiers
- Direct comparison with other compact speakers
- Amplifier power and system-matching guidance
- Speaker-stand and shelf-placement advice
- Room-positioning and setup support
- Speaker-cable and connection guidance
- Subwoofer matching and integration advice
- Home demonstrations may be available
- Part exchange may be available on suitable equipment
- Ongoing system and setup support
Contact your local Audio T store to arrange a demonstration or discuss matching the Spendor A1.2 to your amplifier, room and preferred placement.