RE: Speaker Reco's-SBL's vs Neat Elite

Posted by: greger on 05 January 2003

Have been using Naim gear for the last five years and have decided to upgrade the speakers--Monitor14's (floorstanding, sealed)--driven by CDS/XPS/32.5/Hi-Cap/250. I'm demoing a pair of SBL's (set up by dealer in my house) and a pair of Neat Elites (dual ported towers).

My dificulty is this: No matter what we tried, we couldn't get a good, warm, upper base response from the SBL's, especially at lower listing volumes. The Elites do upper base very well, from low volume to performance level volumes. The SBL's had plenty of punch, but little sustaining tonality.

On the other hand, the SBL's seem to have a much more dramatic 'presence' and timing. THe Elites are very good in the upper ranges, just not as good as the SBL's.

Is this a trade off I will need to choose from? Can the SBL's be tweeked? I'm anticipating upgrading to a 52/supercap within the year. Will this help rectify the SBL's base?
Posted on: 05 January 2003 by Peter C
I would suggest you upgrade to the 52/supercap which a big leap over your 32/hicap.

The question of the SBL's sound will become irrelevant once you have made the upgrade.

I use CDs1/CDPS/52/supercap/250 through SBL's and wouldn't change anything, its superb
Posted on: 05 January 2003 by Manu
To start, both are excellent speakers.
They have different bass loading technics, so different bass response, different usage.

SBLs are close boxes, bass is apparently lower in volume but goes deeper, bass is tighter, they must be placed very close to the rear wall, this wall is better to be solid (concrete, massonery). SBL have more PRaT, they swing more and are more dynamic.
ELITEs are of a bass-reflex type. Bass is more boomy than SBL's. As they are partly rear ported, they must be located further in the room (10 to 20" from the rear wall), the type of rear wall is of lesser importance than SBLs. They need more air on the sides than SBL (4' to the side walls is a minimum IMO).

And, both like to be powered by 2 amps: active for SBL, passive for Elite.

So, it is a matter of taste, and more, a matter of room. You should try them in your room. If you can't try, go for the SBL, they sound well in any room.


Emmanuel

All opinions are my own, and reflect those of the organisation i work for, even if not stipulated.

[This message was edited by Manu on MONDAY 06 January 2003 at 05:38.]
Posted on: 19 January 2003 by greger
Well, after a few days of testing both the SBL's and the Elites in my living room, we opted to go with the Elites.

I agree, the SBL's are tighter, over all, actually and I loved listening to them but in our room with only an 18" wall topped by rather large windows behind the speakers, the bass was not very full. It could be loud, but not very tonal.

The Elites are excellent in our space. Yes, we move them out from the back wall/window and keep them away from the side walls (also w/windows). The result has been wonderful vocals, instrumentals, and orchestral music.

Maybe will try the SBL's if we move the system to a different room or house.

Thanks for the information!