Audio T Verdict
The Spendor A4.2 deliver a remarkably full and engaging performance from an exceptionally slim, discreet floorstanding cabinet.
Their proprietary 18cm EP77 polymer driver provides articulate bass and Spendor's characteristically natural midrange, giving voices and instruments clarity without making the presentation sound clinical.
A new 27mm rear-chambered soft-dome tweeter and refined crossover bring greater openness and dynamic expression to the high frequencies while maintaining a smooth tonal balance.
The A4.2 remain tuneful when positioned relatively close to a wall, making them particularly appealing for smaller living rooms where larger speakers can be difficult to accommodate.
They benefit from capable amplification, but their manageable impedance and compact dimensions make them a wonderfully versatile route into a serious British-made floorstanding speaker.
Spendor A4.2 Floorstanding Speakers
The Spendor A4.2 are slim passive floorstanding speakers designed to produce room-filling sound without dominating the room visually.
Each cabinet combines an 18cm EP77 polymer bass and midrange driver with a new 27mm rear-chambered polyamide-dome tweeter.
The speakers are supplied as a stereo pair and are designed, engineered and manufactured in the UK.
A Separate Amplifier Is Required
The A4.2 are passive loudspeakers and require a suitable stereo amplifier, streaming amplifier or AV receiver.
- No built-in amplification
- No Bluetooth or Wi-Fi
- No network streaming services
- No HDMI or digital inputs
- No built-in volume control
Spendor recommends amplification between 25W and 150W per channel.
18cm EP77 Polymer Driver
The proprietary 18cm EP77 polymer cone handles both bass and midrange frequencies.
Its slim driver chassis allows Spendor to use a narrow 165mm-wide cabinet while retaining the radiating area required for convincing bass weight and room-filling scale.
The carefully controlled cone behaviour helps vocals and instruments retain their natural tone while keeping bass lines articulate and easy to follow.
New 27mm Soft-Dome Tweeter
The A4.2 introduce a new 27mm polyamide-dome tweeter with a wide surround and rear chamber.
The larger diaphragm and refined crossover network are designed to provide a more open, dynamic and natural high-frequency response.
Crossing over at 2kHz also allows the tweeter and EP77 driver to work together across a broad and carefully controlled frequency range.
Rigid, Dynamically Damped Cabinet
The reflex-loaded enclosure uses an asymmetric internal structure with carefully positioned bracing and dynamic damping.
This helps control unwanted cabinet vibration that could otherwise colour voices, blur transients or obscure low-level musical detail.
Spendor specifies a typical in-room response extending from 36Hz to 27kHz, giving the narrow cabinet impressive bass reach without relying on an oversized enclosure.
Flexible Room Placement
The A4.2 are designed to remain tuneful and articulate when used in smaller rooms or positioned relatively close to a wall.
Begin with both speakers the same distance from the wall behind them and positioned symmetrically around the main listening area.
Small adjustments to wall distance, speaker spacing and toe-in can then be used to balance bass weight, vocal focus and soundstage depth.
Start with Modest Toe-In
Begin with the speakers facing mostly forwards or angled only slightly towards the listening position.
Increase the toe-in gradually if the central image lacks focus, or reduce it if the soundstage feels too narrow.
Amplifier Matching
The A4.2 have an 85dB sensitivity and a nominal impedance of 6.75 ohms, with a stated minimum of 5.4 ohms.
This presents a sensible load for many modern integrated and streaming amplifiers, although the speakers still benefit from clean power and useful headroom.
A capable amplifier will help preserve bass control and dynamic expression as the listening level increases.
Levelling and Floor Protection
Height-adjustable spike feet are supplied to provide a stable interface on suitable carpeted floors.
Adjust each spike until the cabinet is level and does not rock, then secure the adjustment before completing the final speaker positioning.
Protect Hard Flooring
Do not place exposed spikes directly onto wood, laminate, tile or other delicate surfaces.
Use suitable floor protectors and make sure that both speakers remain level and completely stable.
A2.2 or A4.2?
Choose the A2.2 When
- The listening room is particularly compact
- The smallest A-Line floorstander is required
- A 150mm-wide cabinet is easier to accommodate
- More modest listening levels are typical
- A lower purchase price is preferred
Choose the A4.2 When
- Greater bass extension and scale are required
- An 18cm driver is preferred
- The new 27mm tweeter appeals
- Higher output and dynamic freedom are useful
- The room can accommodate the taller cabinet
The Spendor A2.2 provide the most compact floorstanding option in the current A-Line.
A4.2 or A7.2?
Choose the A4.2 When
- A slim and discreet floorstander is important
- The room is small or medium sized
- 36Hz bass extension is sufficient
- Placement flexibility is a priority
- A lighter and smaller cabinet is preferable
Choose the A7.2 When
- Greater bass depth and output are required
- The listening room is medium or larger
- Additional dynamic scale is important
- The larger cabinet suits the available space
- More powerful amplification is available
The Spendor A7.2 extend the A-Line formula with a larger cabinet and greater low-frequency authority.
Spendor Products and Audio T Guides
Key Features
- Slim passive floorstanding speakers
- Supplied as a stereo pair
- Two-way driver configuration
- Reflex-loaded enclosure
- Rigid asymmetric cabinet
- Spendor dynamic damping
- 18cm EP77 polymer bass and midrange driver
- New 27mm polyamide-dome tweeter
- Wide-surround tweeter suspension
- Rear-chambered tweeter design
- Refined 2kHz crossover network
- 36Hz to 27kHz in-room response
- 85dB sensitivity
- 6.75-ohm nominal impedance
- 25W to 150W recommended amplification
- Single-wire recessed binding posts
- Height-adjustable spike feet
- Designed and manufactured in the UK
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Spendor A4.2 sold as a pair?
Yes. The Audio T product contains two floorstanding 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 A4.2 use a reflex-loaded cabinet.
Can they be placed close to a wall?
Yes. Spendor designed the A4.2 to remain tuneful in smaller rooms and relatively close to a wall, although final positioning should be refined by listening.
What drivers are fitted?
Each speaker uses an 18cm EP77 polymer bass and midrange driver with a 27mm polyamide-dome tweeter.
What is different about the A4.2 tweeter?
It is a new wide-surround, rear-chambered 27mm soft-dome design partnered with a refined crossover network.
What is the frequency response?
Spendor specifies a typical in-room response of 36Hz to 27kHz.
What amplifier power is recommended?
Spendor recommends between 25W and 150W per channel.
What is the nominal impedance?
The nominal impedance is 6.75 ohms, with a stated minimum of 5.4 ohms.
How sensitive are they?
Spendor specifies a sensitivity of 85dB for one watt measured at one metre.
Can they be bi-wired?
No. The A4.2 use a single pair of recessed precision binding posts.
Are spike feet included?
Yes. Height-adjustable spike feet are supplied.
How large are they?
Each speaker measures 861mm high, 165mm wide and 284mm deep.
How much does each speaker weigh?
Each A4.2 weighs approximately 14.5kg.
Which finishes are available?
Black Oak, Walnut, Oak and Satin White are available, subject to stock.
Are magnetic grilles included?
Yes. Removable magnetic grilles are supplied.
Where are they manufactured?
The A4.2 are designed, engineered and manufactured in the UK.
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Demonstrations with suitable integrated and streaming amplifiers
- Direct comparison with other Spendor A-Line models
- Amplifier and system-matching guidance
- Room-positioning and close-wall setup advice
- Speaker-cable and connection guidance
- Spike and hard-floor protection 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 A4.2 to your amplifier and listening room.