Speaker for Nait 5i?

[jakja83]

I am interested in good speaker matches for the Nait 5i (i-italic) in a 17 sq.mtr. room. I currently use Kudos C2 floorstanders, but they are a bit big for the room and due to the room`s shape the bass is a bit boomy and I can hear it trigs some room nodes.

I was thinking a standmount or a smaller floorstander. I like open, precise, musical, full sound with details without being hard on sibilants.

 

[roger06]

Well if I were replacing my Dynaudio 52SEs I'd probably first audition something from PMC. I've heard their smallest speakers with Naim kit and they complement very well...

 

[jakja83]

Ok, thank you.

How about these then?

Spendor SA1

ATC SCM 11

 

[Frank Harvey]

I'm not familiar with the Kudos, so I can'ay how these directly compare, so I can only recommend speakers which match the Nait 5i, and don't produce too much bass.

The SA1's would be fine, as would ProAc's Tablette Reference 8 Sig. You could also try the Neat Motive 3's.

I wouldn't recommend the SCM11's for the Nait 5i, go for something a litttle more efficent. The 5i doesn't quite have the bass control for them - they really need the Nait XS.

 

[crusaderlord]

Naim have at times recommend Neat Motive speakers as a preferred choice - WHF have also supported this within their system reviews over the years. Also i can vouch for Neat against a number of other models in various demo's.

Definately worth a look and i think i would describe them in similar terms to what you are looking for

 

[chebby]

crusaderlord:Naim recommend Neat Motive speakers as their preferred choice.

Where?

 

[Andrew Everard]

FWIW I'd go along with the Motive suggestion...

 

[Anonymous]

Yes so would I,

I think that the SA1s might need a tad more oomf to get the best out of them..........

 

[Frank Harvey]

Ideally the SA1's would also need a Nait XS, but if used with a Nait 5i they won't sudder the same shortcomings as the SCM11's.

 

[chebby]

jakja83:I like open, precise, musical, full sound with details without being hard on sibilants.

The Motive 3 review in WHF suggests it's only (minor) flaw is...

"They have rough edges: that inverted metal dome tweeter isn't the most
refined, and if pure analysis is your thing, they stand accused of
rounding off the finest of details."

(The same criticism is also mentioned in the WHF Motive 2 review.)

So you really must listen first given that you made a point of mentioning your preference for detail without harsh sibilants.

 

[Andrew Everard]

The Motive 2, on the other hand...

(with apols in advance for dodgy OCR, but if you login you can read the original PDF...)

 

[chebby]

I have had many recommendations made to me in recent months that Harbeth P3ESR (£1350) work well with a Nait 5i. (From both dealers and users of both.)

However, I cannot yet testify to this fact personally as I cancelled my planned audition of them in a London dealer a couple of weeks ago. (Daughter's 18th birthday put big dent in money for a while.)

If you have a Spendor SA1 budget then you also have the budget for the P3ESRs and (from everything I have read and been told so far) I think you should really try and get to hear them if possible.

I can vouch for Spendor S3/5Rs sounding very refined and smooth with a Nait 5i. A little too refined and smooth for my tastes on the day, but you may love them and they are only £750. Ideal in a smaller room like the one you describe and definitely no boom (sealed box).

 

[Anonymous]

The SA1 are very inefficient (measured at something like 82dB W m by Hifi World) so will need plenty of Watts for high volumes. Their impedance curve shows a benign and easy current load so they're easy to drive. As pointed out, the Nait 5 might not be the best match in terms of overall performance but I'm sure it would cope well enough. Try the combo and see! The Roksan Kandy K2 works quite well with the current Spendor speaker range so might be worth a look.

EDIT - OK, you already have the Nait 5i - I have a short memory!

 

[jakja83]

Ok, thank you. I have requested an audition of the Motive 2s and I will look into the Harbeths.

I can get a 30% discount on all Spendor-models, hence why I looked at them in the first place. Also the A5 is within reach, but about the same as the C2 bass-wise?

 

[crusaderlord]

to answer Chebby's question - i have read it more than once and Naim have used Neat speakers at audio events to demonstrate their products - but here is an extract from WHF....

''Neat speakers featured in a What Hi Fi? system test this month winning 5 stars. Naim Audio specifically requested Neat loudspeakers for this review and this result again confirms the widely held view that Neat and Naim are a winning combination. Of course, there are other electronics available which also give superb results when partnered with Neat loudspeakers..''

 

[chebby]

I have been at a naimuniiti event where the Naim guy (Jason Gould) was using PMC GB1is. He said himself that he particularly liked them for those demos.

Despite being a Naim employee, I did not assume for one moment that he was giving any kind of 'official' Naim recommendation or endorsement.

 

[chebby]

crusaderlord:.....here is an extract from WHF....

''Neat speakers featured in a What Hi Fi? system test this month winning 5 stars. Naim Audio specifically requested Neat loudspeakers for this review and this result again confirms the widely held view that Neat and Naim are a winning combination. Of course, there are other electronics available which also give superb results when partnered with Neat loudspeakers..''

That was an extract from Neat themselves (not from WHF and not quoted from WHF by Neat).

I would also be extremely suprised if WHF allowed a manufacturer to specifically request the brand of partnering speakers in equipment reviews.

 

[mitch65]

I have used Neat Petite I and IIIs and am using Spendor S3s with Naim amplification, the Neats especially seemed to love the high current Naim amps deliver and by all accounts Neat like using Naim amps in the test stage.

 

[Andrew Everard]

When we do our annual one-make systems tests - usually of a CD player and amp for hi-fi, and a BD player and receiver for home cinema - we allow the manufacturer to supply their own speakers where they make them, or specify the speakers they would choose to complete the system.

 

[crusaderlord]

chebby:
crusaderlord:.....here is an extract from WHF....

''Neat speakers featured in a What Hi Fi? system test this month winning 5 stars. Naim Audio specifically requested Neat loudspeakers for this review and this result again confirms the widely held view that Neat and Naim are a winning combination. Of course, there are other electronics available which also give superb results when partnered with Neat loudspeakers..''

That was an extract from Neat themselves (not from WHF and not quoted from WHF by Neat).

I would also be extremely suprised if WHF allowed a manufacturer to specifically request the brand of partnering speakers in equipment reviews.

sorry chebby but whilst it is on Neat's website it is a real extract from WHF magazine System review and i have a copy of it and it clearly recommends the synergy between Naim and Neat and notes it as a winning combination - the fact that Naim have directly asked for the matching also shows they recommend Neat as a good match

i was offering an option based on publicised commentary from well respected sources but equally PMC speakers would also be a good option to try and i really liked them in my own demo

 

[Anonymous]

Opera callas or ATCSC 11s

 

[DIB]

I have a Uniti which is based on the 5i and it goes very well indeed with my EB Acoustic EB1's. After 6 weeks of running in I just love the combination.

.

 

[Anonymous]

Can i hijack this thread?

Im using the cd5i-2, nait5i-2 combination at the moment running into a pair of Proac Studio 110's. I do enjoy the sound very much but sometimes find it is a little clinical and tiring, and sometimes think i wouldnt mind a bit more warmth from the system.

Would a paid of Neat Motive 3's offer a hugely different (and warmer) sound to the Proac's?

 

[crusaderlord]

Whilst i own the Neat Motive 3's i havent heard the Proac 110's (although have tried the Neats with Proac 1SC and Proac Tablette Signature 8).

My demo against the Signature 8 showed the Neats to be smoother and with a much nicer vocal presentation and as you say not as fatuiging to listen to. The Neats are fast and dynamic, punchy with good bass but i would not call them bright in the treble.

The trouble is as i havent heard the 110's i dont know if the brightness you feel is down to them or the Naim or their combination so my comments need to be qualified but this. That said the 1SC was excellent, lovely and smooth but equally more expensive at the time.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Motives, as indeed any speaker, would come across smoother on Arcam than many other manufacturer's electronics.