SL2s revisited
Posted by: hungryhalibut on 16 September 2015
Years ago I had a very nice Naim setup, which used SL2s, driven by a 552/300. It remains the best sounding system I have heard. When I downsized, the speakers were the thing I was saddest to see go, though the nSats that followed them were a big consolation. Since that time I've had a few speakers and recently ended up with PMC's excellent twenty.23s, driven by my much loved SuperUniti.
A few weeks ago, I swapped the SU for the new 272/250DR, which gave a massive improvement over the SU through the PMCs. This was going to be my setup for the foreseeable future.
However, following a post from someone on here that mentioned that a dealer had some maple SL2s in stock, a new option hoved into view. I'd always missed those speakers, they are incredibly rare, and I'd never expected to own them again. I thought they'd already be sold, but surprisingly they weren't, and after a conversation with the dealer to check that my system was up to the task, which they assured me it was, they are now living in my sitting room.
Apart from looking lovely, and taking up less space because they are against the wall, it's been fascinating to hear how they contrast with the 23s. Of course, the SL2 cost about £6,000 when it was discontinued, and the 23 costs £2,300 new. One of the 23s' strong points is their ability to set up a very solid sound stage, which portrays depth as well as width and height. I was listening to a album by the Hilliard, recorded in a church, and you could visualise them standing in the middle, the acoustics were so well captured.
The SL2s do not do this, presenting more of a wall of sound with less emphasis on sound stage. But what they do do has been unfolding over the last few days. They are not an impressive speaker. They don't make you think about where the artists are positioned. When the music is on, you don't even consider them. But what they do is just let you into the music. You find yourself totally engrossed, the music just flows effortlessly.
I did also rediscover their big downside, and it's the thing that I believe stopped them selling well, and that's the trickiness setting them up. But following Richard's excellent setup FAQ means that I have them set up perfectly. They are an amazing feat of engineering what with the leaf spring suspension, isolated tweeter, metal plates separated by tiny spacers and so on.
I was somewhat nervous about using them with a more modest system, but there is no indication of mulletness, and I'm sure that I have a very solid room, with brick walls and a concrete floor helps no end in enabling them to work so well. And they even seem happy with my TQ Black speaker cables!
So overall they have been a very successful purchase. I never expected to own another pair, which makes things even better. They are truly wonderful speakers.
Hi Nigel,
Congratulation for your return on a proper Naim chain.
Mine have proven to be really good and easy to drive even with Nait XS/HC, apparently easier than Sats,
but with the arrival of the CD555 and especially the 250 they really shine now.
About sound stage my impression is that some days are better than others probably for mains quality.
However the addition of Powerline on the HC-DR was really really noticeable on this aspect & the rest.
Richard,
What do you mean for "bay between them" ?
Regards
Roberto
I'm guessing a 'Bay Window'. I have the PMC .23 either side of our bay and it creates a great sense of depth, separation and so on. Not at the expense of sheer musicality I would add.
I don't see why you can't have 'both and'.
G
I have a huge bay window and tried positioning my 802's in front of them. It didn't work, the bass 'flew' out of the window. 
And I'm a little nervous about saying this, but now I'm back with Naim speakers, I've ditched something else too....
.......... ohhh no !!! .......... not the ......... gasp ..........
A "STIFF" drink? 