Perception of Naim Loudspeakers

Dear all,

Below is a copy of a response I made in the "Perception is all there is" thread.

The initial post on the thread was commenting on the ratios of good vs. negative comments about the NBLs - which brings about a very important issue:

"variance of opinion beyond subjectivity"

I'd really value your own experiences on this one.
------The posting--------
NBLs are my number 1 favourite 'speaker on the market today.

They are definitely THE speaker for those who, like me, missed out on the Isobariks.

Under correct operating conditions, NBLs give scale, intimacy, communication, PRaT and separability of phrasing.

At the moment, my only experiences of Naim 'speakers are through various Hi-Fi shows. Many of the NBL impressions from this forum and other bulletin boards have originated from Hi-Fi show demos, several from dealer demos, and a few are from lucky owners.

What I have realised is that opinions on the NBLs (and other Naim 'speakers) are mainly moulded by the operating conditions:

1) During the 1998 London Hi-Fi Show, the vast majority of the comments on the NBLs were very positive
2) During the 1999 London Hi-Fi Show, the vast majority of the comments on the NBLs were even more positive (boosted by the active 500s).
3) During the 2000 Chester Hi-Fi Show most people knew how good the NBLs are and realised how rubbish the room was.

The other difference with 3 was that the NBLs were passive. So, what went wrong with the set-up in 3? Well, the sound was glassy and shut-in and was likely to be caused by:

1) The room acoustics
2) The mains supply
3) The passive crossover - I'll give Naim the benefit of the doubt on this one.

I doubt it was the mains supply either, because the 5 series next door with Credos was fantastic - much better than the vastly more expensive set-up on its bad day. This is interesting in itself... I've never previously liked the Credos, finding them weedy and congested - and here they were rocking like crazy.

Similarly with the SBLs, fantastic on a couple of occasions and not so good on others. All of them experienced at shows.

With the DBLs, I've heard them on 3 occasions and I'm still waiting to hear them "on-song"

So, what can I conclude? [Yes, you've guessed already]. Hi-Fi shows do not consistently guarantee a preferred level performance from a Naim system. To base an opinion from the comments of others at Hi-Fi shows is wrong.

The NBL gives you the chance to have a loudspeaker that just betters the Isobarik, providing your room is up to it.

My advice - demo at home.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
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