just_the_mom Senior Member Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Pacific Northwest Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Briel Domus-uno (died 6... Grinder: cuisinart grand central
Posted Tue Nov 27, 2007, 10:55pm Subject: Saeco Spidem Villa
Hello everyone, It's one of the new kids again. I haven't been able to talk my husband into a Miss Silva yet and I'm going crazy with the hut cups. I was doing come christmas browsing on the net and I clicked on a link that cought my interest. I found a Saeco Spidem Villa automatic machine under $400.00. I have been searching the forums but I can't find any information on the "Villa" model. It looks similar to the Saeco Vienna which seems to have pretty good reviews. I don't want to buy a machine without some feedback because I'll be stuck with it for awhile good or bad. Does anyone know this machine? Saeco Spidem Villa. (photo below) Thanks for your help, Katie
SysComet Senior Member Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Silicon Valley Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Saeco Spidem Villa
Posted Mon Feb 11, 2008, 6:44pm Subject: Re: Saeco Spidem Villa
I own a Saeco Spidem Villa and used to own a Saeco Vienna Deluxe. In short, the Spidem Villa is a refined and improved replacement model for the Vienna Deluxe.
In more detail: I used to live in The Netherlands and owned the Vienna Deluxe there. I left it behind when I moved to the USA. I owned it for about five years and loved it; in that time, a spring on the brew group broke twice, needing repair. Given how much I used the machine, that's fair enough. First time, I think it cost somewhere about EUR 30 to get it repaired. Second time, I left the cost to be borne by the family member who got the machine.
Once in the USA, my wife and I looked for various coffee options, but after about a year of poor coffee decided that our post-move finances would stand blowing $500 on a good coffee machine. We couldn't find the Vienna Deluxe but found the Spidem Villa and ordered that. We've had the Spidem Villa for about two weeks.
Verdict: it really is a drop-in replacement for the Vienna Deluxe and I love it.
There's an extra piece of plastic in the coffee bean hopper which means you can't easily poke the beans in, but the plastic seems to be a sound baffle and the SV is considerably quieter than the VD; on balance, the minor inconvenience is worthwhile, given just how loud the VD could be.
The SV is faster to warm up and faster to switch the hot water nozzle between water and steam.
I had a moment's difficulty putting the brew group back in but it turned out that there was some added ridging to guide the brew-group in to rest properly; unexpected, but sensible and once I put the brew group in along those guidelines it settled into place very easily. Another improvement, my only problem was that I was so used to how I put it back before that there's a habit to unlearn.
There are some styling differences in the drip-tray, it's not full-depth by the steam-nozzle, fine; there are some styling differences in the buttons. I don't recall seeing mention of double-press for double-shot coffee on the brew button but I never used that before and I haven't thoroughly read the manual -- I just went on what I already knew.
With the VD the amount of coffee you'd get with the knob turned up to max was somewhat variable; the SV is much more consistent, giving the smaller measure which most coffee afficionados like. Me, I like full mugs and will settle for weaker coffee, since I'm abusing the expresso machine to do an "americano" anyway. Now I'm just using smaller cups and drinking more coffee.
The only real downside is that my coffee intake has gone way up since getting a machine which allows me to once more have decent coffee.
just_the_mom Senior Member Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Pacific Northwest Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Briel Domus-uno (died 6... Grinder: cuisinart grand central
Posted Tue Feb 12, 2008, 11:34am Subject: Re: Saeco Spidem Villa
Thank you for the replay. I was giving up hope that I could find any information out there from people who use the machine and not just the advertised sound bites! I am still looking for my perfect match and the SV looks like it could be a machine that will fit my budget and brew all the coffee I drink quite nicely. Again, thanks for the information! Katie
Posted Tue Feb 12, 2008, 12:08pm Subject: Re: Saeco Spidem Villa
Hi Katie. The Saeco Spidem Villa is a typical low-end superautomatic espresso machine; i.e., it will grind, dose, tamp, and brew a shot of espresso at the push of a button. Superautos require little or no skill on the part of the user, and the convenience factor is extraordinarily high. However, you will not get a great shot of espresso from this machine. Let me repeat that more strongly: under no circumstances, no matter what beans you use, no matter how you manipulate the machine, it will never produce excellent espresso. There are a variety of reasons for this, but let's just say that home superauto technology is not quite ready for prime time.
Unlike many CGers, I'm not a superauto basher. There are some reasoned arguments for getting a superauto: you do not have the time or desire to make espresso using a non-superauto machine, or perhaps circumstances (such as lack of a nearby sink) make it otherwise impossible to prepare espresso. In that case, if you drink espresso with a lot of milk and sugar, a superauto makes sense.
Just be aware that low-end superautos make a warm coffee-flavored beverage, not fine espresso. For the same price, you could purchase a Gaggia semiauto pump machine and a decent espresso grinder, and at least have the capability of achieving excellence in the cup.
Tazagrande Senior Member Joined: 11 Sep 2006 Posts: 3 Location: Bellingham,WA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: la san marco Grinder: astoria Drip: Bunn
Posted Fri Feb 29, 2008, 5:37pm Subject: Re: Saeco Spidem Villa
Katie, I just ordered Saeco Spiedem Villa from Costco.com for 399.99(after a $80 coupon running Feb.29-Mar9). Good choice to purchase from Costco because they will take it back for any reason at any time. I have read about plenty of people who love theirs, so I am hoping I will too. Like you I like a nice latte in the morning. I know that espresso is not meant to be prepared this way and it is not optimal. I have made espresso on amazing machines, as I have been a barista for many years. But I like steamed milk in my espresso! Had a Starbucks Barista at home and have survived just fine. I go out for great espresso. At home I want to make good lattes quick and easy. I am busy with 3 kids, looking to upgrade and keep it super easy. If you have time and desire to get into making great espresso it is a great hobby. Someday I will go back to my barista roots and get a real espresso machine when I have time to savor. Just not a priority right now. Besides, if I hate this machine I will simply return it. Good luck to you! -Tammy
Tazagrande Senior Member Joined: 11 Sep 2006 Posts: 3 Location: Bellingham,WA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: la san marco Grinder: astoria Drip: Bunn
Posted Mon Mar 17, 2008, 12:43pm Subject: Re: Saeco Spidem Villa
Katie, Got the Spiedem. Hugely disappointed. No steam power, low end espresso. And I am not super picky. Silvia on the way! I think holding out for the quality is the way to go. I should have listened to the others. Hope I did not lead you to make a bad choice. :( Thank goodness for Costco return policy. ~T~
coffeebreaking Senior Member Joined: 21 Jul 2007 Posts: 25 Location: Mississauga, Ontario Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Schaerer Siena
Posted Tue Mar 18, 2008, 1:45pm Subject: Re: Saeco Spidem Villa
Having sold both Spidem and regular Saeco models, I have had much, much more positive feedback about the Vienna Deluxe than about any Spidem model (I never carried the Villa so can't comment specifically). The Vienna Deluxe has long been one of our bestsellers and we often hear from people who've had them many years with no trouble. The Spidems were mostly returned within two weeks after purchase or upgraded from within a year or two. Just from the feedback I hear.
just_the_mom Senior Member Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Pacific Northwest Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: Briel Domus-uno (died 6... Grinder: cuisinart grand central
Posted Tue Mar 18, 2008, 5:26pm Subject: Re: Saeco Spidem Villa
No worries. I still have not had the opportunity to buy anything yet. I'm learning to appriciate the french press variety of java, and mixing it up with some robust teas for a change. Thanks for the followup I appreciate the concern and information. Katie
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