Naim Unitilite Audition

[kev g]

A brief summary of my Unilite audition at my local hi fi shop.

First up with the Uniti was a pair of Monitor Audio BX5 with streamed music. I`ve never encounterd an ipad but the controls were slick, quick & easy to pick up. The Naim app a joy to use. The BX5`s were natural, overall well balanced but a little flat - never drew me into the music. :?

Next came the Rega RS3 and what a difference, The whole sound opened up, bass was deep, tight & not over powering. The snap of the snare drum & vocals, better soundstage, all wonderfully presented for a musical, foot tapping experience. The whole sound drew you in & the speakers just seemed to disappear.

I was looking to audition floorstanders but as surprise the assistant next set up a pair of Kef LS50. I heard these at the Bristol show & in the square room found them shut-in, boxy & very bass shy. The smaller rectangular show room suited them much better. Bass was very deep & for me too prominent ! Overall a deeper, thicker sound, not so much depth to the music, not so open like the Rega`s.

Finally came the Kef Q500`s. These I found very similar to the LS50`s, a deep boomy bass that was too much.

Switching to CD`s but leaving out the BX5`s the presentation of the Kef`s & Rega`s remained.

The Rega RS3 for me was the way to go. Better start saving.

Music used - Van Morrison, Robert Cray, Diana Krall, The Police, Bob Marley, Sade, Santana, Elvis Costello

:wave:

 

[CnoEvil]

The whole sound drew you in & the speakers just seemed to disappear. I was looking to audition floorstanders but as surprise the assistant next set up a pair of Kef LS50. I heard these at the Bristol show & in the square room found them shut-in, boxy & very bass shy. The smaller rectangular show room suited them much better. Bass was very deep & for me too prominent ! Overall a deeper, thicker sound, not so much depth to the music, not so open like the Rega`s. :

It just goes to show how subjective this Hifi lark is, and how component synergy and room acoustics effect the sound......I found the exact opposide when I heard Rega speakers vs LS50s (with Linn Majik DSM).

 

[Overdose]

The whole sound drew you in & the speakers just seemed to disappear. I was looking to audition floorstanders but as surprise the assistant next set up a pair of Kef LS50. I heard these at the Bristol show & in the square room found them shut-in, boxy & very bass shy. The smaller rectangular show room suited them much better. Bass was very deep & for me too prominent ! Overall a deeper, thicker sound, not so much depth to the music, not so open like the Rega`s. :

It just goes to show how subjective this Hifi lark is, and how component synergy and room acoustics effect the sound......I found the exact opposide when I heard Rega speakers vs LS50s (with Linn Majik DSM).

Not to mention confusing, to newcomers.

 

[CnoEvil]

Not to mention confusing, to newcomers.

.....only if they spend too much reading and not enough time listening to a good variety of different options.

 

[Overdose]

Not to mention confusing, to newcomers.

.....only if they spend too much reading and not enough time listening to a good variety of different options.

Preferably in their own home.

 

[chebby]

I only ever found the RS3s to be slightly better than my Rega R3s. (That is to say the RS3s are only slightly better than excellent!)

I have them playing over 8 hours a day, most days, with everything from Radio 4 to movies. I like them so much that I am now on my second pair

You have (in my experience of RS3s and R3s with Naim, Arcam, Rega and Marantz systems, at dealer demos and at home) made a good choice.

Rega loudspeakers are not a 'fashionable' choice but who cares?

Good luck with the saving up.

 

[GMK]

Preferably in their own home.

Never underestimate the power of different room acoustics. I bought some Tannoy V4's blind (stupidly) last year on impulse and was massively disappointed in them. They went back in their box and into storage the next day. Trying them last week in a new home and my god, they are not the same speakers. Now I know why they were the award winners

 

[stevebrock]

Glad you enjoyed the Rega RS3.

I have said this before but ignore Rega speakers at your peril!

People seem to find them boxy, I know they score that great on looks but I have some Paino Black RS1 and they sound fantastic.

PS Did you enjoy the Unitilite?

 

[kev g]

Yes, enjoyed the Lite - superb, compact, all-in-one piece of kit.

Hopefully at the end of the month I will be able to order one. Will have to wait a good while for new speakers though & continue to use my old Tannoy R2`s.

:

 

[lesmallett]

Does anything compete with the Unitilite in terms of being able to work with my AV Receiver, replace my SB Touch and seperate DAC?

I'm very interested but worried about the bad reports of the Naim with Monitor Audio. I have the RX surround system and can't afford to replace them. Need something to compair it against that will do the above.