Finally Active Ovator 800

Posted by: Patrik on 07 July 2013

Finally recived my active Ovator 800. In summary :-)))
 
The Ovator 800 has a very clever packing (more on that later). There are reusable plastic locks to open the box and there was a ramp included  to roll of the loudspeakers from the pallet. Thanks to the ramp and wheels it was an easy installation. 
 
The problem with the clever package is if people who are not interested opens it, like the customs, they will probably trash the package. Of course on box was damaged by the customs during there inspection. When you have waited over six months for the Ovator 800, I can promise you that you're heart rushes before you can check the loudspeakers. Apart from a lot of fingerprints they were Ok. I think that Naim need to have clearer instructions on the outside of the box for when "dummies" open it and have to close it again.
 
Ovator 800 is huge loudspeaker. They will dominate most rooms and its the price you almost always have to pay to get to this level of performance. After some initial listening the Ovator 800 were placed 75cm from back wall and 53cm from sidewalls.  (Measured from edge of loudspeaker box. This will be revisited once they have been properly run in). A minor point is that the volume knob needs to be turned slightly higher to get same sound pressure as with active Ovator 600. I payed extra to have them in high gloss black with some silver sparkle. They look beautifully and are finished to a very high standard.
 
Now to the important part. How do they sound? They are just a week old so its still early impressions...  I once had active Linn Kan which sounded amazingly fast. Some of that speed was due to missing bass performance and to be honest a lot of other things was also missing. But they could play music. I also have had active DBL and the bass was amazing and they really could play music. You could also have amazing parties. When I moved to active Ovator 600 it was a very balanced system and the best system I ever heard judged on PRaT. But I missed the bass from the DBL, although everything else was better. The Ovator 800 are everything above: super fast,  amazing bass, loads of PRaT, and of top of that they can play "HiFi". Yes, they can party as well. The Ovator 800 is so balanced! When you close your eyes the system disappears and its all about the music. 
 
I don't miss anything, for now ;-)
 
Patrik
Posted on: 07 July 2013 by Engelbert

Congratulations, Patrik!

 

And thanks for your initial post. I look forward to more as your S-800's run in.

 

Now, go back and listen some more. And enjoy!

 

Engelbert

Posted on: 08 July 2013 by GerryMcg

I heard them at Salisbury and was mightily impressed. I will stick with the S-600's though as I could not accommodate the 800's.

 

Gerry

Posted on: 08 July 2013 by GraemeH

Pics...!!!  I want to see them in situ....please? G

Posted on: 08 July 2013 by Shanks

Patrik, congratulations on active Ovator 800's.

Look forward to hearing your comments on how they sound over time.

Some pics would be excellent.

 

I see your set-up includes an NDS powered by 2 555 DR's and 3 NAP 500's...thats quite some kit you have there (to put it mildly)

Posted on: 08 July 2013 by Darke Bear

Good to hear you are happy! I have active S600 at present and have heard a comparitive demo against the S800 at the Naim factory that was very impressive. I was struck by how agile the Bass was on the S800 and was surprised that it did not sound like the usual 'bass' I'd come to expect from a large speaker - they are large!

It is a path I'm also seriously considering - once I'm happy they would work in my room. How far from the front of the Speakers to you sit to listen - and how much room behind your head?

 

The demo pair I heard seemed to just do everything better in spades - but especially, for me, the musical coherence and stability - as I don't like things dynamically moving around modulated by the performance volume.

 

I'd look forward to your impressions on what they do over and above the S600 Active you had before.I'm also very envious!

 

DB.

Posted on: 08 July 2013 by Naimiac
Originally Posted by Patrik:
I don't miss anything, for now ;-)
 

Judging from the pic, a sum more or less equal to a small apartment perhaps..?

N

Posted on: 08 July 2013 by hungryhalibut

I heard the S800 system at the factory, and very good it was, as you'd expect. Though for £120,000 it jolly well should be good. It's great to see a UK manufacturer producing these statement products, as it can only benefit the whole range. I just hope you have a room large enough to do the speakers justice - but as Naim said to me, anyone buying the speakers should already have a large house!

 

Do enjoy the system, you are very fortunate. If I had that cash available, I'd buy a house in France.

Posted on: 08 July 2013 by Chris Bell

Pictures!

Posted on: 08 July 2013 by Patrik

Ovator Ramp

Posted on: 08 July 2013 by Patrik

Posted on: 08 July 2013 by Patrik

Active Naim System

Posted on: 08 July 2013 by AMA
S600 did not impress me.

 

They were driven by the same system 552/500 which has AMAZING performance with some other speakers.

 

As for S800 --  they have impressive look, luxury finish and huge size, but they were not set up at Naim factory at the time of my visit

Posted on: 08 July 2013 by Chris Bell

Impressive stack of Fraim Patrik.  Look forward to reading your thoughts on the S800's.  You must be one of the first to take delivery.  

Posted on: 08 July 2013 by analogmusic

Hi Patrick

 

Congrats on your new purchase. It looks amazing and I am sure it sounds more than sublime

 

How would you compare both your systems?

 

Going from your amazing 500 series to the superuniti?

 

could you live with the superuniti alone? does it do prat as well.

 

lots of people have said that musically, the NAITS are almost as fun (if not more) as their bigger brothers, is this so in your opinion?

Posted on: 09 July 2013 by Patrik
Originally Posted by Darke Bear:

Good to hear you are happy! I have active S600 at present and have heard a comparitive demo against the S800 at the Naim factory that was very impressive. I was struck by how agile the Bass was on the S800 and was surprised that it did not sound like the usual 'bass' I'd come to expect from a large speaker - they are large!

It is a path I'm also seriously considering - once I'm happy they would work in my room. How far from the front of the Speakers to you sit to listen - and how much room behind your head?

 

The demo pair I heard seemed to just do everything better in spades - but especially, for me, the musical coherence and stability - as I don't like things dynamically moving around modulated by the performance volume.

 

I'd look forward to your impressions on what they do over and above the S600 Active you had before.I'm also very envious!

 

DB.

I agree on the bass. When you hear a large/expensive systems you normally have a bass that is tuned to sound impressive in demo situations. In this respect the 800 are so neutral and balanced. I  just love this bass. Its very hard to describe but natural may be a word that describes it?

 

One thing that I like about them is that you can listen to lower volumes than I'm used to in other systems that I had or have heard. I guess that is what you talk about "dynamically moving around"?  

 

I sit 3m from the front of the speakers and have 3.5m to the back wall. Total length of room is about 7.3m. I have 6m to the ceiling. I also have three different wall materials to control reflections. 

 

Thanks for all the positive comments. I will try answer the other questions later on.

 

Patrik

Posted on: 09 July 2013 by hafler3o


I also have three different wall materials to control reflections. 

Hi Patrik, lovely system and photos. My question is surely you need some sort of floor covering to control reflections from the hard floor too? I see lots of expensive systems in rooms with tiled / flagged / parquet / laminate floors. Are these type of speakers designed to perform with those harder floor surfaces in mind?

Posted on: 09 July 2013 by Shanks
I had the same experience with the S600's after having them for close to a year.
Although brilliant in some aspects, they never really provided a cohesive enough sound for me.
The difference between the S600's and my current speakers is, in my mind, poles apart.
 
Would love to hear the S800's, whose design has certainly evolved since the S600.
As has the integration (supposedly) between the BMR and bass units, which was always an issue (and a point of frustration) for me.
 
Originally Posted by AMA:
S600 did not impress me.

 

They were driven by the same system 552/500 which has AMAZING performance with some other speakers.

 

As for S800 --  they have impressive look, luxury finish and huge size, but they were not set up at Naim factory at the time of my visit

 

Posted on: 09 July 2013 by Ikoun

Beau - ti - full !

I wish you endless listening sessions !

Impressive system as well !

Cheers

Posted on: 09 July 2013 by winkyincanada

Wow. Just Wow. Beautiful. I can only imagine how it sounds. I can't, actually. Can you show shots of the whole room?

 

You must be on Naim's Xmas card list, I would think. In fact, I'd not be surprised to find out that Paul has you 'round for turkey dinner.

Posted on: 09 July 2013 by Steve J

Enjoy Patrik.

 

I'm surprised the bass doesn't fly out of the windows behind them though.

Posted on: 09 July 2013 by Jonas Olofsson
Only one word to described it: Super-Cool!

Just have fun & of course...more pictures and in depth describtion of the sound.

//Jonas
Posted on: 09 July 2013 by Jonas Olofsson
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Posted on: 09 July 2013 by winkyincanada
Originally Posted by Jonas Olofsson:
"Discription"

"Description"?

Posted on: 09 July 2013 by mikapoh

Guys, are we seeing all reference or flagship components & speakers in above system? I wonder each & every part of this system is the best from Naim?

 

I think it will costs an arm & leg to own this mega bucks system

Anyway, I would love to hear more constructive reports from OP on this system performance. 

 

 

 

Posted on: 09 July 2013 by Patrik
Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:

I heard the S800 system at the factory, and very good it was, as you'd expect. Though for £120,000 it jolly well should be good. It's great to see a UK manufacturer producing these statement products, as it can only benefit the whole range. I just hope you have a room large enough to do the speakers justice - but as Naim said to me, anyone buying the speakers should already have a large house!

 

Do enjoy the system, you are very fortunate. If I had that cash available, I'd buy a house in France.

We are all lucky there is different tastes and spending habits. There is a good quote that has been assigned to different people and comes in slightly different variations.

 

"I spent my money on gambling, wine and women the rest I squandered away."

 

Patrik