Chord Anni - speakers?

[Snowfun]

Hi,
I am very tempted by Chord’s Qutest and Anni combination. My primary use will be through headphones. But there are times when I’d like to play through speakers. It’s 10w in a small room. Nothing loud! Are there any suitable speakers? If not I’ll possibly get a Naim Qb just for those times… but I’d prefer a decent speaker.
Thank you to anyone who can advise.
Tim

 

[RoA]

10 watts may not seem a lot but unless you have really inefficient small speakers it should be plenty. Look at (a real) 86db/W + measured properly … usually independently, not manufacturer specs. Others will suggest brands/models.

 

[Al ears]

There are plenty of efficient and easy to drive speakers but they tend not to be really small.
Depends on the size you can get away with and budget

 

[Snowfun]

Size isn’t really an issue. Budget - 4 figures but the lower the better! Could I be bold and ask for an example? (I confess to a certain ignorance in these matters - is it just a high impedance I’m looking for? >90?)

 

[daytona600]

Something efficient 90db would be ideal Klipsch , Elipson

 

[Al ears]

You don't specify four figure what?
Anything above 87dB without massive dips should suffice.
Depends also on size of room and where you intend to place them.
Audition whatever you can.
Something like this might suit:-
or their floorstanders if you have room and don't want to buy speaker stands.

Icon Audio MFV 6 Speakers (Pair)

The MFV6 stand mount speakers from Icon Audio are designed to get the most out of your valve amplifier, high sensitivity speakers which are perfectly matched to low and high output valve amps. The vast majority of hi-fi speakers available today are made for powerful transistor amplifiers, which...

www.audioaffair.co.uk

 

[twinkletoes]

Small speaker that’s easy to drive? One springs to mind! Pro arc tabletts only requires a 5 watt amp, so the anni should have plenty of head room. How they sound together I don’t know. Should be able to find them second hand for a decent prices

​

 

[nopiano]

I can’t work up much enthusiasm for the Anni, especially as it seems expensive for what you get, but the review here suggested that KEF LS50 work well. I’m not a headphone enthusiast either, so ignore me as you obviously like it. https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/chord-anni

For a modern offering - which in a small space is ideal - I’d look at the Epos ES-7N which seem versatile in placement thanks to a clever design.

 

[Snowfun]

Thank you for the responses. The Icon Audio range look ideal. Certainly the first port of call.
Why the Chord Anni? Yes, it’s expensive for what one gets but it’s different, fun and made in the UK. With a decent headphone amp. And, to be brutally honest, I’m not allowed anything too loud!

 

[RoA]

I like Chord's 'dare to be different' approach. Value? In the eye of the beholder.

The only thing I personally would do is look for an equally unusual speaker to pair it with to complete an awesome small system. Who needs loud?

 

[twinkletoes]

Thank you for the responses. The Icon Audio range look ideal. Certainly the first port of call.
Why the Chord Anni? Yes, it’s expensive for what one gets but it’s different, fun and made in the UK. With a decent headphone amp. And, to be brutally honest, I’m not allowed anything too loud!

You cant think of watts in terms of loudness its brilliant marketing term though! that even reviewers and industry professionals fall pray to.

Take my klispch heresy for example (or any klipsch for the most part), supposedly 99DB and a 8ohm load they are driven with a 23 watt class A single ended amp, im easily able to reach 90DB peaks in room with a slight tweak on the volume dial (7 o'clock) set the volume at a quarter, well you get the ideal. I could run these speakers with 2 watt valve amps or even a powerful headphone amp such as the anni and still have lot of headroom.

Watts in my system dont really mean a great deal.

Get the right speakers for the anni and you'll have good old time

 

[RoA]

I am going against my own advise here but these would look nice with the micro components

IOTA – Neat Acoustics

For over 25 years Neat loudspeakers have been hand-crafted by a dedicated team. These loudspeakers are widely considered to offer the very best in High-End audio reproduction.

neatacoustics.com

You won't rattle walls though.

 

[Noddy]

I would have thought you could get a much more powerful good quality amplifier with an excellent built in DAC for significantly less money.

Regarding made in the UK, I’d be interested to know where the components (case, circuit boards etc) are made. I wonder if they would tive an answer?

 

[Snowfun]

I would have thought you could get a much more powerful good quality amplifier with an excellent built in DAC for significantly less money.

Regarding made in the UK, I’d be interested to know where the components (case, circuit boards etc) are made. I wonder if they would tive an answer?

I guess Chord will source components from a variety of sources and geographical locations.
Yes, I could certainly find more powerful amplifiers with decent DACs for the money. But do I want (or need) to? No. Maybe it’s ridiculous to put “looks” towards the top of the list. Maybe it’s ridiculous to put quirkiness (or, indeed, “quteness”) towards the top of the list. But - for me - it’s all part of the room design. It is a statement that, for me, extends beyond “how it sounds”. But that is nevertheless important hence why I’m here!
The current final decision…. Fyne Audio F500sp.

 

[Noddy]

I guess Chord will source components from a variety of sources and geographical locations.

I did mention it because Britain doesn’t seem to have strong enforcement of Made in Britain unlike Switzerland, Germany and others

Yes, I could certainly find more powerful amplifiers with decent DACs for the money. But do I want (or need) to? No. Maybe it’s ridiculous to put “looks” towards the top of the list.

I can understand that, it’s a good reason, albeit not one that drives my hifi decisions.