I’ve had these on home loan from those nice Naim dealer folk at Image Audio in Leeds. I thought I might write a few comments about the Compass as there has been a fair bit of interest on the forum recently in their bigger brothers (sisters? – see later!) the Shahinian Arcs.
Setting up is a complete doddle as there is er.. no setting up to be done. They don’t seem to mind much where they are positioned, and there are no spikes to curse.
They are one of the most attractive looking speakers I have seen, they don’t even look like speakers. My wife Jane, who loathes the look of all things hi-fi, but loves music, said they were lovely, and that they were obviously designed by a woman. When I told her that a fat bloke with a big beard designed them, she said that he is clearly in touch with his feminine side and understands women (I think I’ll leave discussion on the sub text of that for another day ).
Straight from the box, they sounded ‘scratchy’ but this disappeared after an hour or so, and I left them to get acquainted with the 250 and Classic FM for the next 36 hours before the serious listening began.
Acoustic instruments and voice were beguiling, there was so much musical flow, and what I can only describe as ‘micro-dynamics’ – the rise and fall of the intensity within each note unmistakeably heard. The presentation is so unstrained, natural and ‘live’ sounding laid out within a credible musical space (and I don’t mean pan-pot ‘soundstage’), it is a bit of a cliché to say that I forgot I was listening to a hi-fi, it just played music, but that was the truth for much of the time. That brings me to the downside – the bass and the ‘weight’. There isn’t any, at least not compared to any other respectable £2K speaker.
Conclusions? If Mahler, rock, or full range organ and the like floats your boat you can safely pass on the Compass. If acoustic folk/roots music, small combo jazz, or chamber music is your main passion, and you are not in the market for mega £ do everything speakers, put them firmly on your must audition list. I wouldn’t be surprised if The Friends of Whigmore Hall were buying them wholesale.
So, not for me, but now I really must hear the bigger Arcs!
System: Linn Karik/Hi/72/250/Nac5
Posted on: 23 October 2001 by Allan Probin
I don't understand this. Everytime someone on the forum posts something about Shahinian speakers they invariably describe how un-HiFi and musical these speakers are, usually with the odd comment thrown in about forgetting all about the hardware etc. etc. I'm inclined to believe all this because its a very common theme that crops up time and time again.
Trouble is, I've only heard Shahinians on one occasion (Arcs) and they sounded like a total shambles. I'd really like to hear them properly as I'm sure they would be the speaker for me if I could actually hear them doing what you all talk about.
Allan
Posted on: 23 October 2001 by Jez Quigley
"Isn't is due to your source; your source is not a premium one, I mean compared with a good TT or a better CD player..."
Then how come the Karik can loosen your fillings when played through Epos or briks, at the same time remaining sweet and musical?
I think the later Kariks are the great overlooked gem of CD players, and IMHO just about rank with briks, Kan's and the LP12 as the very best of Linn's efforts.
As for positioning, it didn't seem to matter much (though I didn't try extreme positions) where the compass was - it sounded wonderful as I described in my original post, but there was no weight in the bass wherever they were, or with any of the 3 other sources I used (radio, digital TV, VCR).
Posted on: 24 October 2001 by Jez Quigley
Yes, it also has a new transport in, and I agree with you about it not competing with the LP12, but then what does this side of a lottery win?
Posted on: 24 October 2001 by max in hampshire
Hi Allan
Have you tried contacting John Burns the UK Shahinian importer? I have found him to be very helpful I am sure he would give you some guidance on where you might hear the speaker to best advantage if you are not happy with what you have heard so far.
I am almost certainly about to buy my first naim equipment I have heard the Shahinian Arcs and they were, in my opinion, everything you have quoted from other people - in two words - absolutely amazing! I am just holding back to give the Allaes a hearing.
You can e mail John at the following john@pearaudio.com.
Max
Posted on: 24 October 2001 by Jez Quigley
fair comment, but harshness is the last thing I would associate with the Karik, and I have heard it through 6 different speaker systems (briks,epos,shahinians,kef,wharfedale and some modern Linns, the name of which escapes me at the minute).
In fact the opposite is true, if I was pushed to criticise the Karik I would say that sometimes I wish it had a touch more edge to it and not be so damn smooth and polite, it is very un-cd like. If it was a composer it would be Mozart, not Stravinsky.
Posted on: 24 October 2001 by Allan Probin
Max,
I've spoken to John Burns in the past. It was just prior to auditioning the Arcs, I wanted to get a bit of background info about various models, revisions and so on. He was very helpful and informative. As he's in Northumberland he's not that far from me. Perhaps I'll call in one day.
I think the definitive way to hear these things properly is in my own system. The next best thing would be to hear them in somebody elses system who is happy with the way they are sounding. Jez, I drive past Leeds most days, if you do settle on Shahinians, I wouldn't mind a listen.
Allan
Posted on: 24 October 2001 by Jez Quigley
Yes I am used to/have a leaning towards speakers with powerful bass, this may not be as important to you. I did point out the real strengths of the compass and said that if these were of primary importance to you then the compass should be on your audition list. They also have the highest WAF factor of any speaker I know, and are room position tolerant.
Allan - they are now back at the dealers and I'm sure Andrew at Image Audio in Leeds (0113 2789374) would be delighted to dem them for you.
Posted on: 27 October 2001 by ebirah
...I suppose I might be in some very small way responsible for Arc mania after some of my previous postings earlier this year? In a nutshell I found my SBLs unlistenable after redecorating my room a la moderne - ie maple floors, steel blinds. I remembered hearing the Arcs years ago when I demmed the SBLs - to be honest I preferred the Arcs but 1. had never heard of them at the time, 2. they looked like pedalbins, 3. they weren't cheap, and 4. I had huge faith (still have) in Naim gear - anyway, I got the SBLs. In my present predicament I remembered the amazing airy presentation of the ARCs and so quickly bought a pair s/h; to this day they remain the single biggest upgrade I've ever made. Astonishingly musical and transparent but with a very deep, controlled bass (72/hi/250), far more extended than the SBL. Don't get me wrong - I was very, very happy with the SBLS but the arcs were from another planet and took my system to another plane altogether. Probably the best way I can sum them up (in my room) is like an electrostatic on steroids. My SBL system was a very good hi-fi (obviously impressive) but perhaps lacked a little visceral emotion if you know what I mean?
Interestingly but self-evidently, I took them around to a friends near Nottm., where they sounded very different in his room (he also uses SBLs/72/250/CDI/LP12 etc). Less clearly etched and rather 'plummier.' He has very low ceilings and we wondered if this might affect things - these babies fire uypeards remember! My friend subsequently heard the ARCs in my system and was completely blown away, to the extent that he immediately said he'd buy a pair if he could find a room with high enough ceilings!
Alan (I bought your Mana a while back), if you're in St. Albans I'd be happy for you to hear some ARCS working to their best advantage (or at least I think so).
Never heard the Compass though...
Steve
