Spendor SP2 vs Monitor Audio Monitor One, Ditton Works Review

[@Lexington365]

Excellent review and really good work on the channel. I do some casual hifi flipping across Marketplace and eBay and I come across quite a lot of different gear. One of the perks of the job is I get to test it all out. Well around 3 months ago I picked up a pair of the Monitor One's (bi wire version) for £40, with the sole intention of flipping them on. When it came to listing them I bought them down, took my beloved Quad speakers off the stands, popped the little Monitor One's on to take some good pictures. Then I thought well they are on the stands now, I might as well try them out. 3 months down the line they are still on the stands. In 25 years of hifi I have never heard a speaker so right for a room. To my ears they are a flawless monitor with exceptional levels of detail. They image as well as any speaker I have heard at home, and as very rightly pointed out in the video really excel on jazz, classical and acoustic music, which makes up the bulk of what I listen to at home. Absolutely faultless speakers.

[@dittonworks]

Thanks for watching. Yep I liked those little M/A’s very good for such small things..

[@martindevon3204]

That Monitor audio tweeter is a gem. Probably the best metal dome I've heard. The Monitor 3 floorstanders with am extra woofer are lovely

[@dittonworks]

It is indeed good Martin.

[@MichaelYates]

Excellent Review, explanation and sound test on both these pairs of speakers.

[@dittonworks]

Thanks Michael 👍

[@metatron-007]

Monitor Audio Monitor One I have a pair since new, still running fine..

[@dittonworks]

I think they are great 👍

[@dynacoman7363]

Level headed believeable review. Have been using 1970's Celestion Ditton 10's in a kitchen system. You are right about finding quality older speakers. Like them a Lot. Just found pair of near mint Spendor S-3/5's...will be fun to compare with Ditton 10's. Because of your positive review... will now keep eye out for SP2 mk II's. Thanks ! BTW... Two additional very good small British speakers under 250 £ are early Celestion Compact A's.. and bi-ampable Mordaunt-Short Carnival 2's.

[@dittonworks]

@dynaco man. Thank you 🙏 Yes Celestion A compacts, designed by “golden ears” Bob Smith, fantastic speakers.

[@jbradshaw7]

I got some Monitor Ones for £75 about 10 years ago. Sound sweet still, I use them in my office setup. EDIT: Found the receipt and actually it was only £60 - bargain!!

[@harrystannard5944]

Very rare you come across a review regarding the Monitor One's. Had mine since new from the early nineties being fed by an Audiolab 8000a which is even older. Interesting what you said about their possible limitations regarding these reproducing rock, electro etc. I tend to listen to early music along with baroque programme as well as folk rock such as Steeleye Span but my partner tends to listen to more mainstream such as The Beautiful South and these diminutive boxes sound amazing. Many have commented on how they believe they're listening to cabinets a lot bigger. Great reveiw.

[@dittonworks]

Yes. They are really quite impressive. In hindsight my comment may have been a tad unfair as they were up against the Spendor SP2 however both speakers weren’t fantastic at heavy stuff. I’m a big fan of The Beautiful South. I’m not surprised they perform well playing those great tracks 👌

[@jeanlouvet2882]

Hello, I would like to know if the mr1 audio monitors are the same as the ones because they don't have the same loudspeaker? I liked your video and the sound of the ones and I would like to find the same ones... thank you for your answer. Google

[@martinwilkinson2344]

Great, level headed review. I'm looking at modern speakers to replace my battered MS Festivals from the 80s (which I love) and couldn't believe the prices now! Used to build my own but chipboard/Hessian finish doesn't go down too well with the current decor!

[@dittonworks]

Q acoustics make pretty good chespish speakers. Dynaudio’s Emit series is very good value for money. Thanks for watching