Speakers for Naim system - Proac, PMC, Spendor, Neat...or what..?

[admin_exported]

Its time to upgrade the speakers,....I am drawing up a short list to demo and don't want to exclude any potential gems...

Speakers will prob be either bookshelf/standmounts or small'ish floor standers...would like some bass but not overwhelmed by big floorstanders.

Any recommendations appreciated based on experiences.

Cheers

 

[Anonymous]

I've just changed from B&W 601s to Spendor A5s which are relatively small. I am very pleased with them. More detail, more bass, but well controlled. I think they are fairly neutral sounding. I also tried the Spendor SA1s which were very revealing, but just didn't have enough bass.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I am loving the sound at the moment and I am spending most of the time re-listening to my music collection!

I did also try PMC FB1I which were very good.

Mark

 

[Anonymous]

I think it's difficult to go wrong with that list. Add ATC as well and consider the PMC GB1i as opposed to the bigger brother, the FB1i. Think Spendor A5 = PMC GB1i, Spendor A6 = PMC FB1i.

What's the budget and what do you like to hear? Is it coloured and musical sound, absolute neutrality and detail, politeness, smoothness, brightness?

 

[Anonymous]

Budget is up to £1500.. speaker characteristics are: punchy, precise, but not too crisp/edgy(treble), articulate, smooth'ish, good bass-but not boomy/muddy,good sound stage, more neutral than coloured, but dynamic - in the room - excitement !

 

[Anonymous]

Well, your list of sonic characteristics sounds like mine when I bought the Spendor SA1. A lot of people think the bass is too light on them but I don't find that at all, personal preference. They're smooth, detailed, neutral, have superb treble without being bright or harsh, and they time like you wouldn't believe. Definitely give them a try.

If the SA1 doesn't quite scratch the itch, try the A5. Tiny floorstanders that pack a punch indeed! I think the A6 enters the realm of floorstanders that really beg for lots of driving current to get the bass right, looks like you might well have enough. The Arcam A38 certainly didn't drive them well enough.

Might be worth taking a look at the Proac Response D2. They're quite large stand mounters but seem to pair well with Naim from the audition that I had. I don't really like floorstanders as I find them too slow and ploddy so all of my suggestions should consider this fact!

 

[Craig M.]

JoshuaE:Budget is up to £1500.. speaker characteristics are: punchy, precise, but not too crisp/edgy(treble), articulate, smooth'ish, good bass-but not boomy/muddy,good sound stage, more neutral than coloured, but dynamic - in the room - excitement !

at that budget - atc scm19. neutral, natural, detailed, dynamic, endless clarity, great bass, easy to position. the 19's have it all, in fact they only have one weakness - they won't flatter poor sources or recordings. and they're a bit uninspiring to look at - so two weaknesses! but, my god, feed them something nice and they blow everything else at the price out the water. imo and all that....

 

[IJ]

I would suggest a listen to the Usher Be-718's , stand mount, great bass, not harsh. Plenty of reviews on the net. I think they fit into your price range.

 

[Frank Harvey]

JoshuaE:Its time to upgrade the speakers,....I am drawing up a short list to demo and don't want to exclude any potential gems... Speakers will prob be either bookshelf/standmounts or small'ish floor standers...would like some bass but not overwhelmed by big floorstanders. Any recommendations appreciated based on experiences. CheersAs you have the 122x/150x/Flatcap, you're in a very good position to be looking at this price point. As mentioned, the main one to try would be the ATC SCM11's or 19's, as they seem to fit your explanation of what you're after very well. The 150x will drive them extremely well too. Other options would be the Spendor SA1, but in comparison these will come across a little lightweight in the bass, but will probably have the sort of midrange and treble you're after. The KEF XQ20's are another nicely balanced speaker, that being front ported aren't too fussy about placement, possessing a nicely balanced bass for their size. They have a nice clear midrange, and the treble is detailed without being bright, which many seem to incorrectly think. The Proac Response D1 is a fantastic little speaker that can produce a lovely 3 dimensional image when driven properly, but some may feel their decent bass response is a little light (like the SA1) when compared to other slightly larger competition.

If you're willing to throw a little more into the budget pot, there are a couple of more options available to you, in the shape of ex-demo/B stock alternatives. One I can't mention on the forums, but the other is the KEF 201/2, which can be had for about £1800 (instead of £3,500). This would be more of a longer term purchase as it they would grow with the system.

Obviously as the amp/speaker is THE most important match in the system, the usual auditioning with your amplification is recommended.

 

[JoelSim]

Put Kudos on the list too. By all accounts they go well with naim.

 

[Anonymous]

JoshuaE:Budget is up to £1500.. speaker characteristics are: punchy, precise, but not too crisp/edgy(treble), articulate, smooth'ish, good bass-but not boomy/muddy,good sound stage, more neutral than coloured, but dynamic - in the room - excitement !

I recently upgraded to Spendor A5s and I think they fit your description to the tee, as well as fit your budget (they are £1495 I think). The more I listen to them the more i like them! Give them a listen.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for everyones' suggestions...it has helped narrow down a short-list..

Will plan to listen to the following:

Spendor A3 & A5

PMC FB1i & GB1i

ATC SCM 11 & 19

Kudos and Guru also have been recommended...

Once again many thanks.

BR

 

[Anonymous]

So- how did you get on with your listening? Any decisions made yet?

 

[Anonymous]

Ya do know Naims new speakers are gonna be released this year??? Check them out, look amazing too ...

http://www.naim-audio.com/products/ovator.html

 

[chebby]

Kiwi_Jonno:Ya do know Naims new speakers are gonna be released this year??? Check them out, look amazing too ...

http://www.naim-audio.com/products/ovator.html

Yes but they are going to be £6k and Joshua wants to spend £1.5k

 

[Anonymous]

chebby:
Kiwi_Jonno:Ya do know Naims new speakers are gonna be released this year??? Check them out, look amazing too ...

http://www.naim-audio.com/products/ovator.html

Yes but they are going to be £6k and Joshua wants to spend £1.5k

Yikes!!! So the speakers must be way better then the Alaes? Next down from Naim's reference?

 

[SHAXOS]

Dont discount Neats! They apparantly work amazingly well with naim and ive had a pair myself and thought they were excellent.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi JoshuaE

I know that you have the ATC SCM19's on your list however just to also let you know that from our experience the ATC's should be a great match for the electronics (we've sold and sell Naim with ATC).

With the SCM7's and SCM11's ATC give a very good taste of what they capable of however it's with the SCM19's (and above) that ATC really start to flex their muscles. The mid/bass unit of the SCM19's is massive (itelf weighing in at 9kg - which is more than a complete SCM11) and features ATC's Super Linear Magnet Technology which helps reduce distortion even further than the SCM11's. This leads to a significant improvemet in sound quality as reducing levels of distortion by such a dramatic amount (and amongst other benefits) helps reveal another layer of information. Ambient sounds and low level effects that were previously masked are now clearly audible and provide an enhanced sense of realism. The articulation of male vocals is markedly improved and piano reproduction is given a new lease of life.

In short (amongst their other qualities) the SCM19's neutral, uncoloured, natural and powerful presentation will help the current electronics (and many others down the road) to breathe and thereby allow their qualities the shine through.

Thanks

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Anonymous]

Had the first 'demo' session today...

PMC's first - very detailed sound, transparent, good - but not quite my cup of tea..

Spendor A5 - more extended bass - very good speaker - liked them

B&W 685 (just to check the 'price differential') - good for what they are - but not (obviously) in the same league...

Spendor S3/5R - pretty good, better than 685's..but not as good as the next speakers...

Spendor SA1's - very nice !!! - the bass was OK for me - liked these very much !!

Spendor S3/E - better than the /5R's, not as good as the SA1's - but pretty damn good

So far, prefer standmounts (a little 'faster'), could definitely live with the SA1's or the S3/E's...

 

[Anonymous]

Yay! Another fan of the SA1! Superb little speakers that tread the fine line between boogie and smoothness. Go on, you know it makes sense

Thanks for the update.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, I can confirm what iggie says after having my SA1s for a few weeks now, I cant see me ever wanting to change them and they go incredibly well with Naim............

 

[Anonymous]

If you liked the Spendors, might be worth giving Harbeth and Sonus Faber a listen, too.

 

[Anonymous]

If you like a small floorstander try the Epos m16i: they haven't been reviewed by WHF, but when I compared them against Kef and B&W I had no doubt. Have a look here:

http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/608epos/

http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/608epos/Massimiliano

 

[Anonymous]

Only one of the new Naim range will be 6k.

Other models in the series will be about 4k and 2k, I've been told.

Another speaker rarely mentioned but I would expect to be ideally matched to your Naim system would be Linn's Majik 140 floorstanders at about £1400.