n-Vi speakers

Posted by: JonathanP on 27 January 2007

With my CDS-2 needing to go in for cleaning (hopefully) or transport replacement (maybe more likely), I took the plunge and bought an n-Vi to use as a temporary replacement on the grounds that we are planning on an AV/second system anyway.

Now I am thinking of speakers for when the CDS-2 comes back and the n-Vi goes to the family room. Is everyone here using it with a full n-Sats set? Any other choices/recommendations for consideration? It really would be a dual-use system (DVD and less-serious CD listening).
n-Sats would be an obvious choice, except for a couple of observations:

Firstly, the n-Sub seems to cost almost as much as the other 5 speakers put together which suggests it would not be that well matched, but perhaps I am missing the point.

Secondly, should I be considering something a bit larger for front speakers to give a better sound when used for CD listening? Could the n-Vi actually drive something a bit larger (I did actually plug my Obelisks in directly and it sounded fine, but I did not live with that set-up)? I do not wish to go down the route of adding any extra amplification to this sytem.
Any thoughts much appreciated.
Posted on: 27 January 2007 by David Dever
ARIVAs for front LR / n-CENT / n-SATs for surround works as a nice combination, and, depending on the room, may not require a sub (turn bass mix on on the n-Vi and set the center and surrounds to small size).
Posted on: 27 January 2007 by JonathanP
munch,
Are you driving the SBLs directly from your n-Vi? How do they sound with CDs? I woul dhave thought the amplifier would not be quite up to driving that kind of load.
Posted on: 28 January 2007 by PJT
quote:
Originally posted by David Dever:
ARIVAs for front LR / n-CENT / n-SATs for surround works as a nice combination, and, depending on the room, may not require a sub (turn bass mix on on the n-Vi and set the center and surrounds to small size).

Caution with the Arriva's - I heard this combo (minus n-sub) at the local dealer, and the Arrivas were almost blown apart - they just didn't sem to be able to handle the heavy load thrown their way. But when a 202/200 was plugged in it was SWEET...
Posted on: 28 January 2007 by David Dever
?
Posted on: 29 January 2007 by JonathanP
PJT,
That is indeed a little conerning. Arrivas driven by the n-Vi do not make a good stereo system? Due to the heavy load? It seems abit odd. But supported by munch too. Seems like we should be considering alternatives. I was asking about SBLs more from a driving ability, not a realistic alternative, since they do need positioning accurately and are not exactly easy to find in China....
There must be some well matched speaker sets which would work well both for film and music and yet not be too room or positioning dependent...
Posted on: 29 January 2007 by dan scott
quote:
Originally posted by David Dever:
ARIVAs for front LR / n-CENT / n-SATs for surround works as a nice combination, and, depending on the room, may not require a sub (turn bass mix on on the n-Vi and set the center and surrounds to small size).


I can vouch for that setup as it's exactly what I use, superb performance! I don;t feel the need for a sub with my AV2 channeling the bass to the Ariva's (The people who live underneath me should be happy with that one!)
Posted on: 29 January 2007 by dan scott
I can't comment on how the n-Vi drives the Ariva's however as mine are driven at the moment by a Nait5i (Which handles them perfectly)