What speakers with NAD C326 BEE

[admin_exported]

Hi all,

I currently run a C326BEE and C515BEE setup, with Yamaha bookshelf speakers and a Wharfedale subwoofer. My Yamaha speakers only go down to 65Hz per spec, and I have found that I have a dead frequency range around 90-120Hz where none of my 2.1 speakers deliver enough sound.My Yamahas "boomers" are 5" only.

Hence I am looking to replace the speakers. I am looking at medium sized bookshelf speakers with a good 6/6.5" boomer. I intend to keep the sub for the low frequencies any bookshelf speakers in my price bracket won't achieve.

This setup is in a small room. I listen to dynamic stuff like dance music. 90% of the music comes from a Cambridge Audio Dac Magic, the source being a PC with 192/256+ kbps mp3 format files. I like bass, and dislike aggresive treble. In other words I like warm sound opposed to bright.

I have a budget of about 450£.

I saw B&W 685 and Monitor Audio Silver RX1 that could fit the bill. Would you have a suggestion for me at this stage?

Thanks

 

[ear]

do you have the model number on your yamahas? wich is it that you like and dislike about them with the current set up?

 

[jaxwired]

You like bass and want smooth treble. That sounds like Dynaudio to me. Try DM 2/7s or if you can stretch, Excite X16s. The Monitor Audio's are also fantastic, but the treble is not as smoth as the Dyns.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks jaxwired, I just gave the Dynaudio's a look, and I like what I read about the DM2/7. However it is 4 ohm, and my amp might not follow properly, even if I normally listen at lower volumes... The 6 ohm DM2/6 could be the one to track down?

Ear, I the Yamahas I have are NS333. While I think they are very good for the money, they are not on par with my setup and find they lack bottom end range, especially with my kind of music. For exemple, I need to push the treble down and the volume higher to get a decent sound, with correct overlap with the sub.

Thanks again and please post any ideas.

 

[AL13N]

I know it is well below your budget, but I'd add Alesis Monitor One Mk2 to your audition list.

 

[ear]

yey finally someone who has the same NS-333 as me. They can go deep on bass..especially at higher volume levels.but on normal they can seem a bi low on bass and to much on treble.now I am finding their treble not to be very stable, I notice some vibrancy to it I am disliking. what country are you from?

 

[Anonymous]

I run 685's with a 326 in similar sized room, not boomy, not too bassy and really clear - I love them

 

[stumpy66]

I find the Rega R3's to sound great with my NAD system, i had MIssion 760i's and Tannoy Mercury Floorstanders before and the Rega's by far sound the best.

 

[ear]

I have yet to hear rega speakers.Have a demo room not far away.just dont think i have the courage.

 

[peterpan]

Don't buy NAD! Bad quality. My dealer stopp with NAD, because from the very bad quality.

 

[jaxwired]

peterpan:Don't buy NAD! Bad quality. My dealer stopp with NAD, because from the very bad quality.

Well, it official then. NAD is rubbish. Can't argue with incontrovertable facts like these.

This always happens with these johnny-come-lately fly-by-night new-comers like NAD. Just in it for a quick buck. Sure they put in 40 years to lull us all into a false sense of security and then BAM, they switch to shoddy production and cheap low grade parts. Those $#@%^!@#s!

 

[peterpan]

Look around on internet, or by the reviews on this site, that NAD is rubbish. Soundquality very good, building qualitaty a disaster.

That's why here in Holland more and more dealers will stopp with NAD.

 

[Blackdawn]

You should be able to pick up some Dali Ikon 2's for that money because the MK2 versions are going to be out, if not already. I've got the Lektor 2's and they are great speakers. So i expect the Ikon 2's to be even better.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the replies.

I am still unsure whether the B&W 685 or Dynaudio DM 2/6 or 2/7 would be the best for me? The setup will be in a 10x12 feet room on 4 feet stands, at about 4 inches from back wall/ 12 inches from side walls...

B&W appear to have a front firing vent and the Dyns rear vents, but reading the WHF review the Dyns could accept better being close to walls?

Thanks for your help.

 

[jaxwired]

Most speakers placed 4" from a wall will sound boomy. It's always best to move speakers away from room boundaries. Room interaction can seriously degrade sound quality. However, some speakers do better than others when placed close to a rear wall. The Dyns are not one of them. In fact, they need more space behind them than most speakers. I would not buy Dyns in this situation.

The new EB Acoustics EB2 is a sealed box design in your price range. That is the speaker I would recommend for your situation.

The B&W 685 would be better than the Dyns, but would not be as good as a sealed box speaker.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks. I share your theoretical point of view, but I am confused with the contradiction with WHF comment about the 685 "don't position them too close to a wall or else you run the risk of them sounding a tad 'boomy'", and the DM 2/6 "These speakers are relatively unfussy about positioning - just place them around 15cm from a rear wall and they'll sound fine" would logically lead me to the opposite conclusion...

 

[Anonymous]

robby - I have tried positioning my 685's from 4" all the way to about 15" - B&W recommend an optimum of 20cm I think, and elsewhere on this forum someone reckons the sweet spot is about 10" - I cannot get the speakers to boom at any position - and in fact one of the units is almost in the corner !!

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your comment iggle... The manual actually says about 20in/50cm away. So you did not need to fit foam plugs?