Hi, I've been without a system for a couple of years, but now I am in a position to spend about £3000-3500 on a system. I like the Naim5i and Nait5i for CD and Amp. I just need some speakers now. I have a small semi-detatched house, with thinish walls and my room is about 4 metres by 4 metres. I would, ideally, like speakers that can be used close to the back wall, but they will be out of the corners. I listen to things like female vocals, show soundtracks. I want something that gives me exciting involving listening without having to be played too loud. I was thinking of bookshelf speakers, but could go for floorstanders if there is anything suitable. Suggest away, please.
Naim System - what speakers?
- Thread starter BillyE
- Start date
The Naim combo should leave you about £1200 or so for speakers, and for that money I'd be thinking in terms of the PMC DB1i standmounters, at around the £770 mark, or the same company's GB1i compact floorstanders, which are £1275 and will take up less space than DB1is on stands.
Alternatives? Well, the new Spendor SA1s (£1100) are rather delicious, as you can read in the Temptations section of the July issue, on sale tomorrow, and the same issue has a group test of some £600-700 standmounters, too.
Alternatives? Well, the new Spendor SA1s (£1100) are rather delicious, as you can read in the Temptations section of the July issue, on sale tomorrow, and the same issue has a group test of some £600-700 standmounters, too.
I think PMC and Naim would be suitable for stripping paint. I've used TB2+ at home with Cyrus and Plinius and found a distinct brightness each time.
Dynaudio suit tonally, but Naim doesn't have the power.
Although Naim speakers are generally a joke, I quite like the N-Sats.
I do like the Spendor SA1 a lot but wasn't overally impressed when demo'd with Naim at The Bristol Show.
How about some Neats? Spendor s3e? Or old Kanns?
Dynaudio suit tonally, but Naim doesn't have the power.
Although Naim speakers are generally a joke, I quite like the N-Sats.
I do like the Spendor SA1 a lot but wasn't overally impressed when demo'd with Naim at The Bristol Show.
How about some Neats? Spendor s3e? Or old Kanns?
[quote user="darrenwm1"]I think PMC and Naim would be suitable for stripping paint.[/quote]
How so? Are you suggesting either the new Naim electronics or the new PMCs are bright? It simply isn't so.
[quote user="darrenwm1"]
Dynaudio suit tonally, but Naim doesn't have the power[/quote]
IMHO the Nait 5i has more than enough power for Dynaudios.
[quote user="darrenwm1"]
Although Naim speakers are generally a joke[/quote]
Ah, I see... Ever heard DBLs on the end of a six-pack? Hilarious fun, but far from a joke.
[quote user="darrenwm1"]I do like the Spendor SA1 a lot but wasn't overally impressed when demo'd with Naim at The Bristol Show.
How about some Neats?
[/quote]
Or I guess you're suggesting how about not buying the Naims?
How so? Are you suggesting either the new Naim electronics or the new PMCs are bright? It simply isn't so.
[quote user="darrenwm1"]
Dynaudio suit tonally, but Naim doesn't have the power[/quote]
IMHO the Nait 5i has more than enough power for Dynaudios.
[quote user="darrenwm1"]
Although Naim speakers are generally a joke[/quote]
Ah, I see... Ever heard DBLs on the end of a six-pack? Hilarious fun, but far from a joke.
[quote user="darrenwm1"]I do like the Spendor SA1 a lot but wasn't overally impressed when demo'd with Naim at The Bristol Show.
How about some Neats?
[/quote]
Or I guess you're suggesting how about not buying the Naims?
Hi, Andy, my old friend.
I find PMC bright. That's just my opinion. Naim is a bit lively too, and if it doesn't drive the bass properly it will begin to sound strident as you turn it up. IMO.
I used to own a Naim 5 system at home with Dynaudio Contour 1.1 and it was fun and bounced along. It certainly appeared to sound more powerful than paper suggests, but does not compare to how those speaker sounded later on with appropriate power.
I've heard SBLs with a couple of 250s and it was fun indeed, because it was so coloured and inaccurate. We listened mostly to George Benson funking on an LP12 and it had me in stitches.
The SA1 didn't impress me at Bristol but there is so much background noise at shows. When I listened in Sevenoaks recently they knocked me over they were so clear. They were approach AVI actives in clarity. I'm not suggesting no Naim, but I think a better approach to building a system from scratch is to find speakers that work in the room first, not a CD and amp he likes the look of.
I find PMC bright. That's just my opinion. Naim is a bit lively too, and if it doesn't drive the bass properly it will begin to sound strident as you turn it up. IMO.
I used to own a Naim 5 system at home with Dynaudio Contour 1.1 and it was fun and bounced along. It certainly appeared to sound more powerful than paper suggests, but does not compare to how those speaker sounded later on with appropriate power.
I've heard SBLs with a couple of 250s and it was fun indeed, because it was so coloured and inaccurate. We listened mostly to George Benson funking on an LP12 and it had me in stitches.
The SA1 didn't impress me at Bristol but there is so much background noise at shows. When I listened in Sevenoaks recently they knocked me over they were so clear. They were approach AVI actives in clarity. I'm not suggesting no Naim, but I think a better approach to building a system from scratch is to find speakers that work in the room first, not a CD and amp he likes the look of.
No worries, Andy.
Another recommendation for the original poster could be to hit the Naim forum. They have a nice long thread of system pictures each year. I used to negotiate my way through that thread seeing what speakers were commonly partnered, in order to get an idea of what works well.
B&W and Totem are also popular, IIRC.
Andrew, what would your suggestions to approach building a system from scratch.
Another recommendation for the original poster could be to hit the Naim forum. They have a nice long thread of system pictures each year. I used to negotiate my way through that thread seeing what speakers were commonly partnered, in order to get an idea of what works well.
B&W and Totem are also popular, IIRC.
Andrew, what would your suggestions to approach building a system from scratch.
[quote user="darrenwm1"]Andrew, what would your suggestions to approach building a system from scratch.[/quote]
1) Set a maximum budget
2) Find a good dealer, rather than simply a retailer
3) Book a demonstration at a time when the shop isn't busy and you'll have time to explore some possibilities.
4) Listen, listen and listen.
1) Set a maximum budget
2) Find a good dealer, rather than simply a retailer
3) Book a demonstration at a time when the shop isn't busy and you'll have time to explore some possibilities.
4) Listen, listen and listen.
In my experience, anything from the PMC range will make an excellent partner to Naim electronics. A lot of people are huge fans of Neat with Naim but I think both brands share the same tendancies which just makes the music a touch too fast for me. Its like being driven at 140 mph - exciting yes, but you wouldnt want to do it for long.
PMC is a much better balance whether you go for DB1, GB1 or even FB1. All are very good.Totem Rainmakers are also good
PMC is a much better balance whether you go for DB1, GB1 or even FB1. All are very good.Totem Rainmakers are also good
I would prefer to post something a bit obvious but should work well. Neat motive 2 (small floor standers) or Neat Momentum 3i (stand mount).
Totem Model 1 sig also would work and Kudos Creda C1 should sound very good with Naim too.
Totem Model 1 sig also would work and Kudos Creda C1 should sound very good with Naim too.
[quote user="Andrew Everard"]
The Naim combo should leave you about £1200 or so for speakers, and for that money I'd be thinking in terms of the PMC DB1i standmounters, at around the £770 mark, or the same company's GB1i compact floorstanders, which are £1275 and will take up less space than DB1is on stands.
Alternatives? Well, the new Spendor SA1s (£1100) are rather delicious, as you can read in the Temptations section of the July issue, on sale tomorrow, and the same issue has a group test of some £600-700 standmounters, too.
[/quote]
What did you partner the SA1s with Andrew? They're hungry little beasties measured at 82dB!
The Naim combo should leave you about £1200 or so for speakers, and for that money I'd be thinking in terms of the PMC DB1i standmounters, at around the £770 mark, or the same company's GB1i compact floorstanders, which are £1275 and will take up less space than DB1is on stands.
Alternatives? Well, the new Spendor SA1s (£1100) are rather delicious, as you can read in the Temptations section of the July issue, on sale tomorrow, and the same issue has a group test of some £600-700 standmounters, too.
[/quote]
What did you partner the SA1s with Andrew? They're hungry little beasties measured at 82dB!
cse
Well-known member
[quote user="BillyE"]
Hi, I've been without a system for a couple of years, but now I am in a position to spend about £3000-3500 on a system. I like the Naim5i and Nait5i for CD and Amp. I just need some speakers now. I have a small semi-detatched house, with thinish walls and my room is about 4 metres by 4 metres. I would, ideally, like speakers that can be used close to the back wall, but they will be out of the corners. I listen to things like female vocals, show soundtracks. I want something that gives me exciting involving listening without having to be played too loud. I was thinking of bookshelf speakers, but could go for floorstanders if there is anything suitable. Suggest away, please.
[/quote]
Rega R3 for small/medium room. IMO better balanced than PMC's and happy against a wall. Dont discount them because of price.
Hi, I've been without a system for a couple of years, but now I am in a position to spend about £3000-3500 on a system. I like the Naim5i and Nait5i for CD and Amp. I just need some speakers now. I have a small semi-detatched house, with thinish walls and my room is about 4 metres by 4 metres. I would, ideally, like speakers that can be used close to the back wall, but they will be out of the corners. I listen to things like female vocals, show soundtracks. I want something that gives me exciting involving listening without having to be played too loud. I was thinking of bookshelf speakers, but could go for floorstanders if there is anything suitable. Suggest away, please.
[/quote]
Rega R3 for small/medium room. IMO better balanced than PMC's and happy against a wall. Dont discount them because of price.
HIJACK ALERT*** Hey DM. picked up my maple proac 110s today!!! sweet................ (Hell they sound better than the demo pair and they're not even run in) ;-)
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