Todays demo went very well indeed.
Amp and CDP were the NAD C355BEE integrated along side the NAD C545BEE CDP. Speakers were: B&W 683's, B&W 685's, Monitor Audio RX2's, GS10s and the GS20's and QUAD 22L2's.
Music ranged from Massive Attack to Hot Chip to Sting with some Nat King Cole and the Watchmen soundtrack thrown in
Started off with the NAD gear and the B&W 685's: Very good indeed but I knew already that it would be good after having had the speakers and similar NAD gear before. Just wanted to demo them for peace of mind etc...
Then demo'd the M/A GS10's which sounded superb but a little bit flat in the bass department. Moved on to the M/A RX2's and then it all seemed right! Soundstage was superb; deep, taut bass, great smooth and detailed midrange and brilliant but clear/crisp treble! REALLY liked this combo!
Whilst I was waiting for the guys to move the speakers around they brought in some Dali Mentor Menuet speakers in that had just been delivered; tiny speakers and more so when sat on Atacama SE24 stands but they sounded bloody brilliant; but not for me! A Bit too bass shy but at their size that's to be expected and for their price...!
Next speakers were the M/A GS20's which looked gorgeous and sounded superb but they were a little brash at the top end (cables could have been an issue here as they were Chord Chameleon Silver's). Soundstage was superb though and they had lush midrange. Bass was good but I didnt feel it was a taut as the M/A RX2's. Weird I know as they're standmounters but I do think the GS20's deserve better amplification IMO.
Then tried the B&W 683's which were very good indeed; these can really shift some air and kick out bags of bass. The midrange was very detailed but a little harsh at the top end but I do feel that the cables were beginning to be the culprit. I think some decent Chord copper cables would sort this! Thease speakers gave me everything I wanted TBH; deep, solid and punchy bass, great midrange that loved deep male vocals and mellow female vocals, the treble was very good indeed and just needed a little calming.
Last but not least I demo'd the QUAD 22L2's; these blew me away in all honesty. Gorgeous looks, lovely size and finish (piano black but they had the 21L2's there as well in birdseye maple). The 22L2's really kicked out some welly; great bass that was tight and punchy but loved to be ushed IMO; very detailed and smooth midrange that gelled with all music thrown at them and their treble was precise and crisp.
I have to say that I'm mightly impressed with the NAD gear; the amps built like a tank and really drives speakers well. It's gutsy and certainly has some punch to it. The CDP is also superb; built solidly and delivers tracks with aplomb; great bass weight and detailed midrange. It doesnt drag the treble out at all but instead delivers it with ease and prowess!
I am having to go back as they didnt have the M/A RX6's in today so I'll demo them I think with the same gear and music but I really am stuck between the M/A RX2's, QUAD 22L2's and the B&W 683's. Today; these speakers sang to me very well indeed and I really liked them all!
Some thinking is called for now I feel; demo's next week may be put on hold!!!
Amp and CDP were the NAD C355BEE integrated along side the NAD C545BEE CDP. Speakers were: B&W 683's, B&W 685's, Monitor Audio RX2's, GS10s and the GS20's and QUAD 22L2's.
Music ranged from Massive Attack to Hot Chip to Sting with some Nat King Cole and the Watchmen soundtrack thrown in
Started off with the NAD gear and the B&W 685's: Very good indeed but I knew already that it would be good after having had the speakers and similar NAD gear before. Just wanted to demo them for peace of mind etc...
Then demo'd the M/A GS10's which sounded superb but a little bit flat in the bass department. Moved on to the M/A RX2's and then it all seemed right! Soundstage was superb; deep, taut bass, great smooth and detailed midrange and brilliant but clear/crisp treble! REALLY liked this combo!
Whilst I was waiting for the guys to move the speakers around they brought in some Dali Mentor Menuet speakers in that had just been delivered; tiny speakers and more so when sat on Atacama SE24 stands but they sounded bloody brilliant; but not for me! A Bit too bass shy but at their size that's to be expected and for their price...!
Next speakers were the M/A GS20's which looked gorgeous and sounded superb but they were a little brash at the top end (cables could have been an issue here as they were Chord Chameleon Silver's). Soundstage was superb though and they had lush midrange. Bass was good but I didnt feel it was a taut as the M/A RX2's. Weird I know as they're standmounters but I do think the GS20's deserve better amplification IMO.
Then tried the B&W 683's which were very good indeed; these can really shift some air and kick out bags of bass. The midrange was very detailed but a little harsh at the top end but I do feel that the cables were beginning to be the culprit. I think some decent Chord copper cables would sort this! Thease speakers gave me everything I wanted TBH; deep, solid and punchy bass, great midrange that loved deep male vocals and mellow female vocals, the treble was very good indeed and just needed a little calming.
Last but not least I demo'd the QUAD 22L2's; these blew me away in all honesty. Gorgeous looks, lovely size and finish (piano black but they had the 21L2's there as well in birdseye maple). The 22L2's really kicked out some welly; great bass that was tight and punchy but loved to be ushed IMO; very detailed and smooth midrange that gelled with all music thrown at them and their treble was precise and crisp.
I have to say that I'm mightly impressed with the NAD gear; the amps built like a tank and really drives speakers well. It's gutsy and certainly has some punch to it. The CDP is also superb; built solidly and delivers tracks with aplomb; great bass weight and detailed midrange. It doesnt drag the treble out at all but instead delivers it with ease and prowess!
I am having to go back as they didnt have the M/A RX6's in today so I'll demo them I think with the same gear and music but I really am stuck between the M/A RX2's, QUAD 22L2's and the B&W 683's. Today; these speakers sang to me very well indeed and I really liked them all!
Some thinking is called for now I feel; demo's next week may be put on hold!!!
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