Allaes, PIPs, Katans

Posted by: yaman on 13 November 2003

I currently audition a demo pair of Allaes from the dealer. The PIPs are installed in the lower cabinet and have a flat surface facing up. In the online manual of the Allae the picture of the PIP is like that the upper side of the PIP has some kind of a pin which presumably fits the small holes in the upper cabinet. Can anyone let me know if the ones I have are the real thing or not. I will try to insert a picture.

By the way I am auditioning a pair of Katans as well. Though the Katans have a smaller presentation they seem to have very good and tight bass definition. The Allaes on the other hand seemed vey warm and bass heavy at the dealers but coming home they showed a very cold and bassless presentation. I guess I have to toy with the placement before doing a prober evaluation.

Cheers
Posted on: 14 November 2003 by Frank Abela
yaman,

Those are NOT pips. They look to me like rubber feet. They will definitely have a different effect since they are made from a different material. The pips are made from a hard substance. I think they're made from metal, but they could be plastic, and yes, they have a pin which locates them on the surface of the speaker. Below each of those rubber feet you'll find a small hole for this purpose. the worst thing about the rubber feet is the fact they can move, so the top box can vibrate giving a messier sounding midrange. If the rubber feet are taller than the pips, you will also lose bass, which is very possibly what you're experiencing.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.
Posted on: 14 November 2003 by Greg Beatty
Frank is correct - those are NOT the original Naim PIPs unless Naim have changed the design at some point. And beware a dealer who tells you these are his "new and improved" version Wink

The PIPs are plastic and look like small, black discs with pins coming out of the center on either side. The pins go into holes in the base and top cabinets of the speaker with the disk providing the proper spacing of the cabinets.

Oh, Allae bass depends on what's upstream, including your mains supply. My Allaes gain in bass quantity and, more importantly, clarity when it rains (!).

- GregB Nait5/FC2/Allae <-who needs sources?

Insert Witty Signature Line Here
Posted on: 14 November 2003 by David Patterson
yaman, your pips should look like this.

Regards
David
Posted on: 14 November 2003 by David Patterson
Dear all, these are actually spare .
If anyone is desperate for a set drop me a note.

David
Donations towards my next upgrade gladly accepted.

Just joking of course!!!
Posted on: 14 November 2003 by yaman
Thanks to all for your kind replies and to David for the photo.

David is it easy for you to measure thickness of the center of the pips?

Thanks
Posted on: 16 November 2003 by J.N.
Yaman

Why don't you or your nearest Naim dealer get Naim to post you the genuine articles?

I doubt if they will charge you.
Posted on: 22 November 2003 by yaman
After spending some time with the Allaes, I wanted to make a few comments and ask Allae owners their view.

Allaes have plenty of bass, not bassless as I first thought. They can go very very deep. But if it is not in the recording you get zero. Not even a hint of it. So this makes them a bit of a choosy speaker.

On the timing and detail side all I can say is just amazing. Never heard a better speaker.

If I were to listen to electronic music or Bob Marley all the time I would not hesitate to buy these speakers. But I have some miserable recordings in the vault that I still cherish. Seems I have to spend a little more time with them to decide.

By the way they have at most played 150 hours. I guess this is not enough for burn in. Will there be any improvements in the general presentation.

Cheers

Yaman