Anyone with S400s have good surround suggestions?

Posted by: Sublimation on 06 February 2012

Dear Forum,

I shall take delivery of my S400s tomorrow and have asked a similar question on the Home Theatre forum with no success...so here goes:

I am moving from 5.1 (B&W 6-series) to 4.0/4.1 (willing to give a phantom centre a go for a while). The S400s will be my two main speakers, but I don't want to completely give up on two rear channels. While I am waiting and hoping for S200s to be made available, what can I do in the meantime? I am assuming the BMR absence won't be a real issue for surrounds, but would like to get something that gels (or at least is not disruptive) with the sound coming from the front. The solution needs to be bookshelf/stand-mount compatible.

I am open for any and all suggestions, and would really like to hear from someone who has already solved this one. Ideally, would be max. 1000 GBP for the surrounds. Who's up for the challenge;-).

Many Thanx,

Posted on: 06 February 2012 by Engelbert

Originally Posted by Sublimation:

Dear Forum,

Who's up for the challenge;-).

Many Thanx,

Can't understand the essence of the issue - seems very complex to me.

Therefore, I'll pass on this one.

Engelbert

Posted on: 06 February 2012 by Richard Dane

How about n-Sats? They have worked fine as surrounds on SL2s for me in the past and I don't see why they shouldn't work on S400s.

Oh, topic moved to the HT forum.

Posted on: 06 February 2012 by Sublimation

n-Sat is definitely something I am entertaining, but I haven't been able to hear them anywhere. If I could find a pair, I'd certainly give them a go. Some of the forum posts on the net seem to indicate that they are some how special and that one would need to get used to them...must admit I have a hard time understanding that...and it adds to my uncertainties (not having the chance to hear them).

Interesting that this got moved back to this forum...wasn't trying to pester you guys again...

Posted on: 07 February 2012 by Richard Dane

n-Sats are very, very good - indeed, probably too good just to be relegated to AV use, but what works well for stereo works just as well in AV.

Recently a friend was trying to decide on which speakers to keep on his 2nd system (Unitiqute, Nait 2, LP12/Aro/Prefix/Hicap). He had been listening to it with n-Sats, IBLs (late updated), and Kan2s. His girlfriend was adamant that the n-Sats were her favourites. On CD or digital I concurred, but I did find I preferred the IBLs on vinyl. The Kans were everything that Kans should be, albeit with a bit more bass than I'm used to - must be the Mk2 then. However, they sounded pretty crude against the n-Sats. A tough choice really...

Posted on: 07 February 2012 by tonym

Originally Posted by Richard Dane:

n-Sats are very, very good - indeed, probably too good just to be relegated to AV use, but what works well for stereo works just as well in AV.

I agree Richard - I do wish Naim had called them something that truly reflected their capabilities! (although I understand how their title came about at the time).

I've used nSats for surround speakers wit hSBLs, SL2s and now with DBLs. They're an excellent speaker and will no doubt serve equally well with the Ovators.

You'd be very welcome to come and have a listen Mr Sublimation!

Posted on: 07 February 2012 by Sublimation

Richard, Tonym...many thanx. This was the kind of positive, convincing message I needed. I have located a pair of n-sats (demo units) at a reasonable price and shall now make arrangements to take delivery. I have the feeling this maybe the beginning of a naim infection in my system ;-).

@Tonym: I'd love to listen and thanx for the offer...but I'm in Germany:-(. Great feedback though and nice sense of community with offers like that.

Cheers,