Living Voice Auditorium

They get a good write up in Hi-Fi +

When I brought some s/h Naim from Kevin at Defintive Audio he tried to get me to listen to the Living Voice speakers, but my mind was more closed then, so I didn't take him up on the offer. I wish I had, out of curiosity.

Has anyone esle tried Naim / LV speakers

DS

ITC - Peaches - Set it off

They get a good write up in Hi-Fi +

When I brought some s/h Naim from Kevin at Defintive Audio he tried to get me to listen to the Living Voice speakers, but my mind was more closed then, so I didn't take him up on the offer. I wish I had, out of curiosity.

Has anyone else tried Naim / LV speakers

DS

ITC - Peaches - Set it off

Hi Guys,

Why do you think too much sensitivity is a bad thing for Naim amps? I would have thought that it puts much less strain on them, which should be positive-shouldn't it? Note the DBL & NBL are also pretty sensitive speakers.

Cheers, Jens

I agree that extra sensitivity is no bad thing when coupled with more power. I use a 100 wpc amp into 92 db/w/m speakers in a small room, and if I want to preserve my hearing, I just keep the volume at or below 9 o'clock on my Densen B200. Occasionally I do push the volume above that, but not for extended periods.

More power provides more grip as well as extra headroom.

The maximum recommended power handling of the Avatars is more of an issue than their sensitivity, and I don't know what it is.

What I do know is that the stated maximum output for my Rega Naos speakers is 100wpc, but Rega recommend these speakers for use with their Exon monoblocks which are rated at considerably more than 100wpc into 8 ohms.

If the speaker is unbearably loud at the 8 o'clock position, then you definitely have a problem!

Regards,

Steve.

The proof of the pudding...

quote:

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The maximum recommended power handling of the Avatars is more of an issue than their sensitivity, and I don't know what it is.

If the speaker is unbearably loud at the 8 o'clock position, then you definitely have a problem!
_ The proof of the pudding..._

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They're rated at 100 watts max ... And 8 o'clock is still soft, with the 135s ... Progressive Audio did state that they're fast to keep up with both Densen and Naim ! And I believe it after hearing them yesterday ....

Provided they don't need huge amounts of space around them, I'd love a pair of Avatars in my system as they really are fantastically fast and musical speakers.

I heard them with DNM amps - can't remember which, but going from say, 40 wpc to 120 is only an increase of about 5 dB. (Jeez, I can't do logorithms... )

Regards,

Steve.

The proof of the pudding...

quote:

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So unfortunately I left the shop empty handed and bought a washing machine

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I take it that the washing machine sounds better then.

Regards,

Steve.

The proof of the pudding...

quote:

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Originally posted by Barryr:
Unfortunatley as mentioned above they sounded shite to me. Female vocals and acoustic tracks sounded excellent, but once I tried to play some Pixies/Hip-Hop/RnR everything started to sound high-pitched, shrill, and quite horrible. I tried out some other speakers in the shop and my system sounded fine with them, so I was utterly bemused how the LVs sounded so bad.

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Which system was driving the LV ? I am describing the LVs in the context of being driven by Naim amplification.

Below are the software we played, all passed with flying colors. No boom, no rear-port noise, no harshness - just like a souped-up SBL :

CD:
Chuck Loeb - 2nd track from DMP sampler disc (very dynamic, one commented on how good the kick-drum was)

Norah Jones - Come Away With Me (female vocals)

Carol Kidd - When I Dream

Brent Lewis - Pulse Where the Rhythm Begins - percussion, drums, congas - track 7, layers of soundstage


LP:
Harold Faltermeyer - Axel F Extended version, 12" - here the SBLs fail miserably, woofers bottoming out even before the kick-ass volume is reached. Proacs, no problem. LV - super!

Limp Bizkit - Take A Look Around, 12" album version

Stevie Ray Vaughan - Little Wing

Eminem - 12" - forgot the title, some rap

Pink - 12", something with "I'm Coming Up", superb bass

Hands & Feet - from M&K's Flamenco Fever - punishing dynamics, LV never faltering, drivers pumping like crazy, "scary" ... Proac/NAP 500 however had more weight and even "scarier"

James Newton Howard & Friends - Track 8, Slipping Away

Carmen - Gounod - Classic Records 45rpm version


However, SBLs actively driven by 2 NAP500s with CDS2 is another matter. Not as hard-kicking as the LVs with only a pair of 135s, however. Anyway, I'm convinced the SBLs have to go in favor of the LVs ... anyone wants a pair of SBLs ... make that 2 pairs ?

[This message was edited by JosephR on FRIDAY 12 July 2002 at 15:59.]

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Originally posted by Barryr:

Just one of those things that proves you have have to always listen with your own system before you buy???

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Yes, I guess ... anyway, am just wondering why it was like that in your experience, maybe something faulty with those speakers ... 'coz when we listened to them, there were 2 other Naimies besides me in attendance ... and next day Krell and tube guys, who were all amazed. One guy with Rogue Audio gear couldn't believe it, approached the speakers, looked behind, then to the rack, and remarked that I was unfairly driving them with 4 power amps !! I told him the other 2 were 2 Supercaps, one for the Prefix, one for the preamp, and that Naims all look alike

Anyway, just reporting some findings, to anyone who is interested. If anyone gets a chance, maybe they can go to Definitive Audio to try out, at least the manufacturer will be there to anwer questions, or Progressive Audio, Naim and LV dealer I think ...

[This message was edited by JosephR on FRIDAY 12 July 2002 at 16:50.]