I've had the Source Point 8's for about 2 weeks now, been busy, but managed to get about 50 hours on them so far (I keep hearing 100 hours is the nirvana point). Compared to the Wharfedale Linton's out of the box, they presented themselves like Linton's on steroids. With each passing hour that statement became more accurate and more expansive than just an injection of Linton goodness. The SP8''s had their own voice, and it's stunning.
I researched the snot out of these, and couldn't really find any "bad" reviews, minus the minor "personal preference" opinions here and there. My biggest concern was comments about brightness. A few long discussions with folks at both Upscale and Music Direct, and nudged along by some phenomenal financing options we pulled the trigger...............but tucked the Linton's away for now.
Let me get this out off the way, the matching stands are not attractive in my opinion, didn't like them at all. We replaced them with a set of Solid Steel SS-5's which match the height of the stock stands.
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The speakers are really well built, much like the Linton's, just a beautiful "vintage" look with a little modern edge to them. You either like them or you don't. Of course the most important thing is the sound, these speakers disappear. I found my sweet spot to be 20" from the wall firing straight on, no toe in. The concentric design and attractive front baffle (to me anyway) eliminate the usual sweet spot, the sound field carries so well that regardless of your position, you're getting the full effect of these speakers.
Detail a plenty, clean, crisp with no harshness what so ever. Beautiful mids and plenty low end for my taste. Bass is accurate, tight, impactful and punchy, soundstage and imaging are wide and deep, its a bit uncanny. Instruments are precisely placed in their own space in the recording and vocals are remarkably accurate and engaging. The SP8's sound like much bigger speakers than they are, I find them very neutral and accurate in their presentation. The SP8''s are also pretty revealing, while "good" pressings sound fantastic, you'll notice poor or compressed pressings will stand out, but any decent speaker should do that. Overall thee SP8's did an amazing job with whatever I threw at them, classic rock to jazz, even "shrilly" 80's pressings were tamed down to sound great.
If you were debating jumping on the Wharfedale train, you may want to add these to your list to consider, at their current sale price of $2000 without stands and $2200 with, I have 0 reservations saying that the SP8's are much more than $400 better than the Linton's. The Linton's are special, hands down one of the best bargains out there, but if you're looking for a bit more, quite a bit more, out of your speakers without breaking the bank per say, the SP8's belong on your list.
All that said, my Linton's went from stand by mode to a new home, it was bitter sweet, but the SP8's have become my end game speakers and I couldn't be happier with my decision, they seem to sound better and better each day.
simaudio.com
