Living Voice Auditorium vs. Linn Espek vs. Naim Allae

Posted by: kentonious on 04 May 2002

These speakers are about the same price. Has
anyone compared all 3 or at least 2 of the 3?
Opinions appreciated, especially with regard
to brightness and tonal balance in whatever situations you have heard them in.

[This message was edited by kentonious on SUNDAY 05 May 2002 at 04:52.]

Posted on: 04 May 2002 by Andrew Randle

Congratulations, those are three of the finest and most musical loudspeakers at their pricebands! I've heard the Allaes and the Auditoriums and they are fantastic, you may have a hard time coming to a decision

I haven't heard the Espeks yet, but people have said very good things about them - they're definitely worth auditioning.

I've just read the rest of your message. Firstly it may be in your best interest to improve the source and amplifiers before splashing so much on a pair of loudspeakers. I would look at buying Linn Katans (which are superb quality) or Intros/Credos. Then consider a NAC112/NAP150 to drive them with. That way you would have a better sounding system.

Or (even better), sell the CD5 and buy a CDX and a pair of Naim Intros or Linn Katans.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"

Posted on: 04 May 2002 by Steve Toy

I agree with Andrew.

2k speakers would be too revealing of the relative weaknesses of your current electronics.

I wouldn't consider running Allaes, for example, until I had a minimum of a CDX/XPS as my front end.

You'd be better considering speakers below £1000 and use the rest of the money to upgrade your source components and/or amps.

The 112/150 would be the next obvious step.

Alternatively, I sold my FC2/CD5 for £1100, so I only had another £1300 to add to pay for my CDX.

The remaining £700 of this £2000 budget would get you a pair of Rega ELA 2000s.

This would be a far more effective way of spending the 2k that you may have set aside for speakers, imho.

Regards,

Steve.

The proof of the pudding...

Posted on: 31 July 2003 by kentonious

well, I only heard the Espeks with Naim 112/150 combo---sounded very boxy and shut in, perhaps not enough power, even though I listen at only moderate levels. The Ninka is what I went with---sounding very open
and real. My dealer doesn't even carry the Allae believing the Ninka to be the superior speaker at about half the price. Also
try to listen to the new line of Von Schweikert
speakers.