Speakers for Naim x series system

malthus80

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I've been feeling that my Viennas are holding back my system and maybe a move to a faster more neutral design would be beneficial. I've read that proacs response series or dynaudios focus series could be a good match. I'd prefer speakers with a sweet balance in the treble, transparent midrange and deep tuneful bass. Would also prefer floorstanders as I have fairly large room. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
 

Frank Harvey

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malthus80 said:
I'd prefer speakers with a sweet balance in the treble, transparent midrange and deep tuneful bass.
You've pretty much just described ProAc.

I'm not familiar with the Viennas, but could it be you need to give them more power to perform at their best? Maybe a move to a NAP200 or NAP250 will bring about the changes you're looking for.....
 
malthus80 said:
I've been feeling that my Viennas are holding back my system and maybe a move to a faster more neutral design would be beneficial. I've read that proacs response series or dynaudios focus series could be a good match. I'd prefer speakers with a sweet balance in the treble, transparent midrange and deep tuneful bass. Would also prefer floorstanders as I have fairly large room. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi malthus80

Some questions (i hope you will not mind) -

What do you generally listen to?

Will anyone else use the system? If so, what are their listening preferences?

Is the room lightly or heavily furnished?

Room shape?

Distance between speakers?

Room positioning of speakers (in relation to walls, anthing in between or either side of the speakers such as window/s, chimney breast, sofa etc.)?

Walls (brick, stone etc.)?

Will the speakers be used down length or across the room?

Room floor (wooden, concrete, carpeted etc.)?

Listening distance?

Will anything be in the way of the speakers?

Have you heard any Proac or Dynaudio speakers? if so, your impressions?

Have you also considered any other makes of speakers?

Your general listening level?

Any plans to also change any of the existing electronics in the near future?

Your budget for the speakers?

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft
 

malthus80

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MUSICRAFT said:
malthus80 said:
I've been feeling that my Viennas are holding back my system and maybe a move to a faster more neutral design would be beneficial. I've read that proacs response series or dynaudios focus series could be a good match. I'd prefer speakers with a sweet balance in the treble, transparent midrange and deep tuneful bass. Would also prefer floorstanders as I have fairly large room. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi malthus80

Some questions (i hope you will not mind) -

What do you generally listen to?

Will anyone else use the system? If so, what are their listening preferences?

Is the room lightly or heavily furnished?

Room shape?

Distance between speakers?

Room positioning of speakers (in relation to walls, anthing in between or either side of the speakers such as window/s, chimney breast, sofa etc.)?

Walls (brick, stone etc.)?

Will the speakers be used down length or across the room?

Room floor (wooden, concrete, carpeted etc.)?

Listening distance?

Will anything be in the way of the speakers?

Have you heard any Proac or Dynaudio speakers? if so, your impressions?

Have you also considered any other makes of speakers?

Your general listening level?

Any plans to also change any of the existing electronics in the near future?

Your budget for the speakers?

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

I listen to all kinds of music. very eclectic. They need to be all rounders. No one else uses the system. The room is a living room so is heavily furnished. The speakers are in front of a window with a chimney to the side and in front of them. The sofa are in front of the speakers. One is to the side the other on the back wall. Walls are Victorian brick. High ceilings. Room is carpeted. I sit about 3m from the speakers. I have heard proacs in the past on Naim and liked the sound but this was on olive series components. Not heard dynaudio. My listening level varies from low level late night to full on rage against the machine at relatively high volume but not party levels. No plans to change the components as not had them long. If prefer not to spend more than a thousand over what I can get for the Bachs. Many thanks
 

malthus80

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Oct 30, 2008
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FrankHarveyHiFi said:
malthus80 said:
I'd prefer speakers with a sweet balance in the treble, transparent midrange and deep tuneful bass.
You've pretty much just described ProAc. I'm not familiar with the Viennas, but could it be you need to give them more power to perform at their best? Maybe a move to a NAP200 or NAP250 will bring about the changes you're looking for.....

I've not had the amps for long so would prefer to not buy anymore electronics and the nap 250 is prohibitively expensive. Would consider a nap200 in the long term though. Thanks for the advice. Appreciated
 

Frank Harvey

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Jun 27, 2008
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No problem Malthus80. From the Census you've just filled out, I still say the ProAcs will be an extremely strong contender. Of all the loudspeakers we have on demo between £1,500 and £2,500, and there's a lot, the D18's have been the speaker of choice by some margin.

The ProAcs work fine with the older olive Naim stuff, but even better with the more forgiving modern range.
 
malthus80 said:
MUSICRAFT said:
malthus80 said:
I've been feeling that my Viennas are holding back my system and maybe a move to a faster more neutral design would be beneficial. I've read that proacs response series or dynaudios focus series could be a good match. I'd prefer speakers with a sweet balance in the treble, transparent midrange and deep tuneful bass. Would also prefer floorstanders as I have fairly large room. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi malthus80

Some questions (i hope you will not mind) -

What do you generally listen to?

Will anyone else use the system? If so, what are their listening preferences?

Is the room lightly or heavily furnished?

Room shape?

Distance between speakers?

Room positioning of speakers (in relation to walls, anthing in between or either side of the speakers such as window/s, chimney breast, sofa etc.)?

Walls (brick, stone etc.)?

Will the speakers be used down length or across the room?

Room floor (wooden, concrete, carpeted etc.)?

Listening distance?

Will anything be in the way of the speakers?

Have you heard any Proac or Dynaudio speakers? if so, your impressions?

Have you also considered any other makes of speakers?

Your general listening level?

Any plans to also change any of the existing electronics in the near future?

Your budget for the speakers?

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

I listen to all kinds of music. very eclectic. They need to be all rounders. No one else uses the system. The room is a living room so is heavily furnished. The speakers are in front of a window with a chimney to the side and in front of them. The sofa are in front of the speakers. One is to the side the other on the back wall. Walls are Victorian brick. High ceilings. Room is carpeted. I sit about 3m from the speakers. I have heard proacs in the past on Naim and liked the sound but this was on olive series components. Not heard dynaudio. My listening level varies from low level late night to full on rage against the machine at relatively high volume but not party levels. No plans to change the components as not had them long. If prefer not to spend more than a thousand over what I can get for the Bachs. Many thanks

Hi malthus80

Thanks for your reply and your welcome.

I hope you don't mind but just a few more questions -

Did you audition your Naim electronics before you bought them? If yes, was this done with your Vienna Acoustics Bach speakers, with other speakers or both? If other speakers were used then what were they and your impressions of them?

Will you be auditioning speakers to replace your VA's? If so, are Proac, Dynaudio and other makes available for you to audition at nearby dealers/home?

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft
 

malthus80

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Oct 30, 2008
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MUSICRAFT said:
malthus80 said:
MUSICRAFT said:
malthus80 said:
I've been feeling that my Viennas are holding back my system and maybe a move to a faster more neutral design would be beneficial. I've read that proacs response series or dynaudios focus series could be a good match. I'd prefer speakers with a sweet balance in the treble, transparent midrange and deep tuneful bass. Would also prefer floorstanders as I have fairly large room. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi malthus80

Some questions (i hope you will not mind) -

What do you generally listen to?

Will anyone else use the system? If so, what are their listening preferences?

Is the room lightly or heavily furnished?

Room shape?

Distance between speakers?

Room positioning of speakers (in relation to walls, anthing in between or either side of the speakers such as window/s, chimney breast, sofa etc.)?

Walls (brick, stone etc.)?

Will the speakers be used down length or across the room?

Room floor (wooden, concrete, carpeted etc.)?

Listening distance?

Will anything be in the way of the speakers?

Have you heard any Proac or Dynaudio speakers? if so, your impressions?

Have you also considered any other makes of speakers?

Your general listening level?

Any plans to also change any of the existing electronics in the near future?

Your budget for the speakers?

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

I listen to all kinds of music. very eclectic. They need to be all rounders. No one else uses the system. The room is a living room so is heavily furnished. The speakers are in front of a window with a chimney to the side and in front of them. The sofa are in front of the speakers. One is to the side the other on the back wall. Walls are Victorian brick. High ceilings. Room is carpeted. I sit about 3m from the speakers. I have heard proacs in the past on Naim and liked the sound but this was on olive series components. Not heard dynaudio. My listening level varies from low level late night to full on rage against the machine at relatively high volume but not party levels. No plans to change the components as not had them long. If prefer not to spend more than a thousand over what I can get for the Bachs. Many thanks

Hi malthus80

Thanks for your reply and your welcome.

I hope you don't mind but just a few more questions -

Did you audition your Naim electronics before you bought them? If yes, was this done with your Vienna Acoustics Bach speakers, with other speakers or both? If other speakers were used then what were they and your impressions of them?

Will you be auditioning speakers to replace your VA's? If so, are Proac, Dynaudio and other makes available for you to audition at nearby dealers/home?

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

I didnt audition the naim electronics with my speakers as i bought the naim electronics off ebay. Im not able to afford the entry price for new naim gear unfortuantely. Im very happy with the x components. Extrememly balanced sound. The sound is far from offensive with the viennas as they are a sweet speaker and so work well with naim gear. Unfortunately they have a slightly uneven bass and the richness of the naim gear highlights this slightly. It can sound amazing but can be tripped up. I would like to audition the speakers with my kit. Maybe an ex demo pair of d18's that David from frank harvey hifi mentioned. Unfortunately there are no nearby dealers of these speakers. Music matters is the closest and the staffordshire branch doesnt do anything like that. I heard rega rs5's on naim gear before and was impressed. That was at music matters, so maybe that could be arranged. What is your opinion on the Rega's? Again thanks for the advice.
 

Frank Harvey

Well-known member
Jun 27, 2008
567
1
18,890
Visit site
malthus80 said:
I didnt audition the naim electronics with my speakers as i bought the naim electronics off ebay. Im not able to afford the entry price for new naim gear unfortuantely. Im very happy with the x components. Extrememly balanced sound. The sound is far from offensive with the viennas as they are a sweet speaker and so work well with naim gear. Unfortunately they have a slightly uneven bass and the richness of the naim gear highlights this slightly. It can sound amazing but can be tripped up. I would like to audition the speakers with my kit. Maybe an ex demo pair of d18's that David from frank harvey hifi mentioned. Unfortunately there are no nearby dealers of these speakers. Music matters is the closest and the staffordshire branch doesnt do anything like that. I heard rega rs5's on naim gear before and was impressed. That was at music matters, so maybe that could be arranged. What is your opinion on the Rega's? Again thanks for the advice.
Many people buy used Naim as they're not quite in the position to buy new. But, I would stress to people that it's worth ringing round a few dealers to see if they have any ex demo Naim for sale, as most dealers tend to refresh their demo stock once every year or two, every year in our case. Ex demo deals can be surprising, and more than competitive with some of the prices that can be had on eBay. At least buying ex dem, you'll have a warranty.
Anyway, the Rega speakers work well with Naim, but I don't think they're going to give you anything over your Viennas. When considering speakers like this, it's worth travelling - it's something you want to get right, and not have to 'guess at'.
 
malthus80 said:
MUSICRAFT said:
malthus80 said:
MUSICRAFT said:
malthus80 said:
I've been feeling that my Viennas are holding back my system and maybe a move to a faster more neutral design would be beneficial. I've read that proacs response series or dynaudios focus series could be a good match. I'd prefer speakers with a sweet balance in the treble, transparent midrange and deep tuneful bass. Would also prefer floorstanders as I have fairly large room. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi malthus80

Some questions (i hope you will not mind) -

What do you generally listen to?

Will anyone else use the system? If so, what are their listening preferences?

Is the room lightly or heavily furnished?

Room shape?

Distance between speakers?

Room positioning of speakers (in relation to walls, anthing in between or either side of the speakers such as window/s, chimney breast, sofa etc.)?

Walls (brick, stone etc.)?

Will the speakers be used down length or across the room?

Room floor (wooden, concrete, carpeted etc.)?

Listening distance?

Will anything be in the way of the speakers?

Have you heard any Proac or Dynaudio speakers? if so, your impressions?

Have you also considered any other makes of speakers?

Your general listening level?

Any plans to also change any of the existing electronics in the near future?

Your budget for the speakers?

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

I listen to all kinds of music. very eclectic. They need to be all rounders. No one else uses the system. The room is a living room so is heavily furnished. The speakers are in front of a window with a chimney to the side and in front of them. The sofa are in front of the speakers. One is to the side the other on the back wall. Walls are Victorian brick. High ceilings. Room is carpeted. I sit about 3m from the speakers. I have heard proacs in the past on Naim and liked the sound but this was on olive series components. Not heard dynaudio. My listening level varies from low level late night to full on rage against the machine at relatively high volume but not party levels. No plans to change the components as not had them long. If prefer not to spend more than a thousand over what I can get for the Bachs. Many thanks

Hi malthus80

Thanks for your reply and your welcome.

I hope you don't mind but just a few more questions -

Did you audition your Naim electronics before you bought them? If yes, was this done with your Vienna Acoustics Bach speakers, with other speakers or both? If other speakers were used then what were they and your impressions of them?

Will you be auditioning speakers to replace your VA's? If so, are Proac, Dynaudio and other makes available for you to audition at nearby dealers/home?

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

I didnt audition the naim electronics with my speakers as i bought the naim electronics off ebay. Im not able to afford the entry price for new naim gear unfortuantely. Im very happy with the x components. Extrememly balanced sound. The sound is far from offensive with the viennas as they are a sweet speaker and so work well with naim gear. Unfortunately they have a slightly uneven bass and the richness of the naim gear highlights this slightly. It can sound amazing but can be tripped up. I would like to audition the speakers with my kit. Maybe an ex demo pair of d18's that David from frank harvey hifi mentioned. Unfortunately there are no nearby dealers of these speakers. Music matters is the closest and the staffordshire branch doesnt do anything like that. I heard rega rs5's on naim gear before and was impressed. That was at music matters, so maybe that could be arranged. What is your opinion on the Rega's? Again thanks for the advice.

Hi malthus80

Thanks for your reply and your welcome.

I hope you will not mind however i've just got a few things to look in to so i'll get back to you by this Wednesday :)

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft
 
Hi malthus80

Yes, Rega's RS5 speakers work well with Naim electronics and if they impressed you then try and audition them again.

I've had a chat with various dealers and in addition to D18's, speakers such as Dynaudio's X32/Focus 220, Wilson Benesh Arc, PMC FB1/FB1i Signature and Vienna Mozart Grand are also worth consideration.

The following dealers have been extremely helpful and are enthusiasts and true specialists. They'll be happy to offer you in store and if need be home demonstrations. Please contact

Paul Hobbs at Moorgate Acoustics (Sheffield) on 0114 2756048 for Vienna Acoustics, Dynaudio, Rega, Wilson Benesch

Tim at Divine Audio (Leicestershire) on 01536 765531 for Proac, PMC

Simon at Doug Brady (Cheshire) on 01925 828009 for Dynaudio, Proac, Rega

I hope this helps.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft
 

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