New to n-VI: Advice on speaker packages please

soleau, a few people seem to like the naim n-system, have not heard it myself though, also i quite like some of the mk speakers with the n-vi although some people on here don't

The n-Vi's crossover frequency (when small speakers are specified) is around 80hz. This is, unlike many other surround amps, a fixed value. Probably because n-sats are the expected minimum speaker package for the n-vi and they can cope with bass down to 80hz (and below!).

With your Bose, or some MK systems the ideal crossover point is 120hz.

Thus using an n-Vi with speakers that are too small, you'll get an effing great hole in the bass between 80 & 120HZ.

This is known as "bad".

Whilst n-sats may not be to your budget or taste, they're certainly a good indicator of the minimum sized speakers that'd do justice to the n-Vi

In the Eighties, IIRC, the first satellite + subwoofer loudspeaker setups that appeared in the States were based around small bookshelf models (AR, Advent, etc.) coupled with primitive subwoofers designed to handle all frequencies below 250 Hz–needless to say, the performance of these was pretty poor, as the crossover frequency was WAY too high for the majority of musical information.

It is important that the principal loudspeakers in a 5.1 system perform well on their own, i.e., that they can handle the full musical spectrum as a decent pair of stereo loudspeakers would.

The Bose systems you mention are largely voiced to operate in tandem with built-in TV loudspeakers, as it happens that many people in their target market leave (intentionally or otherwise) the TV sound on (as explained to me by one of their outlet store employees)....

mike, i understand what you are saying, but all i know is my n-vi with my k17s k4s and vx100 sub, sound far better than they did with a denon 3805, even in stereo they sound ok ?

K17 frequency response is quoted on M&K's site as 80Hz-20kHz

K4 likewise as 87Hz-20kHz

Basically your combination has a hole in the bass on the rear channels from 80-87Hz, which you won't hear on 2 channel music, and are probably too caught up in the action of movies to be bothered by.

Your fronts match up nicely to the n-Vi's x-over frequency... although you may be getting a slight dip due to fall-off, it shouldn't be too bad. Hence you enjoy what you're hearing.

However, smaller speakers in the M&K range will give a bigger hole in the bass on all channels.

Hope that helps explain it

We often use the nVi with small M&Ks - either Xenons or K5/K4s. Provided you're careful with how you setup the sub, there is no noticeable hole in the bass. The M&Ks are very good solutions if small satellites are preferred. They're not as musical as full range speakers such as Naim's own n-System, but they're the best of the sat/sub brigade that I've found.

Another suggestion to add as I was recently looking for some decent satellite speakers. I toyed with the idea of M&K K speakers but what put me off slightly was that the tripole rear K4 speakers need a highish 100hz crossover and, given few amps can provide different crossovers for front and rears, I would have had to use this for the fronts as well - which I didn't want to do.

Anyway - I then had a look at what Quad had to offer and found their excellent L-ite speakers at reduced prices at Superfi. I picked up a 2 pairs for front/rear left right and a centre speaker for £450! I then added BK's awesome Monolith sub for £400 (I didn't think the L-ite sub would load my fairly large room). So, £850 for a pretty damn decent set up.

I've yet to fire them up (still chasing out plaster) but reviews of the L-ites have been excellent and they are very nicely finished and not too big at all.

Matt.

You may want to look at the Monitor Audio Radius series. I'm using the 90's as my rears due to not having space to get more Neat 2's behind the sofa. Nice little speakers.

rgds

James