Which speakers for Naim amplifiers?
Posted by: William101 on 24 September 2015
I would like to change speakers and improve my system :
Naim Supernait 2 with Hicap
Naim NDS/XPSDR (soon…I have for now Naim CD5 XS and Naim Dac/XPSDR)
Naim Powerlines
Loudspeakers Sonus Faber Liuto tower with Naca5 cables
I would change my Sonus Faber Liuto and would have selected these choices:
Proac Response D48 Ribbon
Spendor A9
B&W 804 D3
B&W 803 D3 (but the SUPERNAIT is able to drive them?)
B&W 804 Diamond (previous series)
Wilson Benesch A.C.T. One Evolution
What is better?
What is best for my SUPERNAIT?
Tips also of other speakers?
Tips also of other speakers?
William101, I am very happy with SN2 and S-400. As I reported in another thread, I have demoed a number of speakers (but none of those in your list) and my general observation was that I tended to prefer sealed designs to ported solutions. I would also consider Manger speakers which I have casually heard recently and found very interesting. It goes without saying that very much depends on your room, taste, kind of music you mainly listen to, volume level, etc. Have fun with home demos and let us know your findings! Best, nbpf
I recently switched to Naim S600s after years experimenting with various speakers and they really sing driven my 300DR. I also like Marmite which probably explains why I like the 600s!
Love my Credos, and I would say that if the Naim speakers seem "dead" then it could be the music itself (source). I find the Credos relaxing, but not boring...I don't want my speakers to blow my hair back (I'm bald anyway).
My Credos expose my worst recordings...but man when I get a *good* vinyl the Credos deliver me to a new reality...time becomes relative (which Einstein already says it is, but you know what I mean)...seems like only a few moments and I have to flip the record over.
That said I will consider my system to be Vinyl focused now...and the only speaker I would consider in place of the current ones are Allae and S400, but only after some listening.
Really like the sound and they are back against the wall out of the way...not F configurations, etc. Many people report a more analog sounding system since I moved to Credo. Love how they sound at low volumes.
Don't forget to spend several days with each speaker, and move them around some to try different positions. Switching back and forth quickly to listen doesn't work...you want to find the ones that sound best overall given a week of averaging different music through the system; this ensures your current disposition is not coloring your music listening. Some days I'm in a funk and I can't make any music sound good though my system...its because of me. Give me a day of rest and the system magically sounds good again.
P.S. Most of the more wise folks on here have suggested over many threads to not pick a speaker on how hard it is to drive...but find the one which his easiest to drive in which you enjoy the most. Maybe someone at one point decided Hi-Fi was about making the most difficult to drive speaker possible, therefore requiring the most powerful amps? "Your puny amp can't drive these, time to upgrade."
Budget?
Hello Wat,
Do you have sufficient space behind the .7 Maggies, please? Unfortunately, in our lounge this would be impossible (I'd have to place them just in front of a bookshelf and wall, respectively), and having heard what difference placement makes, I've given up on them (unless we move to a different house).
Thanks,
Stefan
I have a ProAc D40R and it sucks down all the power a 500 can put out. It sounds great at my house, but I don't think I would buy another ProAc, particularly a bigger one with a smaller amp. I have had B&W 804's years ago and would not go back to that family. Don't know Spendor. Visit more dealers within your budget. I would not confine myself to your choices. Try to avoid thick and slow even if you have the power. The Naim idea is a good one. We love our nSats.
If I were looking today, I would look at Dynaudio, small Magico and Kudos if you can find them.
What do you dislike about the Sonus Faber?
Do you think the Proac D48R are inadequate with my SUPERNAIT 2 / Hicap?
Should I take a Proac smaller?
Dynaudio which you recommend?
The Sonus Faber is aesthetically pleasing.
It is a good speaker of class but I would like something higher now.
William,
What kind of music do you listen to? If you like acoustic instruments (jazz, classical), you should listen to Harbeth loudspeakers.
The Harbeth see them as speakers of the highest class, but I do not like aesthetically for my environment.
ClaudeP asks a critical question. I listen to mostly jazz and love the Spendor and Harbeth sound signature, very accurate timbre, fast and luscious midrange for vocals. Recently I auditioned ProAc Response D Two and was very impressed. All the qualities of my Spendors but a little faster with a deeper more powerful bass.
If if you don't like your Sonus Fabers, I would stay away from B&W. To me they both share an exaggerated high end and upper midrange.
At the time I focused my attention on Proac D48R.
I would understand if my SUPERNAIT 2 / Hicap / NDS / XPS is adequate.
And I would understand if it is better version with Ribbon tweeter or not! :-(
William
You have a very impressive amplifier and with the NDS the system should sound sublime. I personally run Ovator 400s on the end of a superuniti/250Dr combination with Naim A5 cables. In my 4x4m room they sound wonderful. They have a neutral tone and present very accurately and quickly the music fed into them. They need to be away from a wall and should you ever upgrade to a more powerful amp there will no need to upgrade the speakers as they just keep getting better with better kit. I have not heard the other speakers you suggest, but the Ovators are designed with naim kit in mind and match well, so get a demo if you can.
I'm in love aesthetically Ovator of S-400.
But I would understand if for example the Proac D48R are higher.
The passion for the HiFi is very expensive and I would not want to make mistakes for purchase.
I would love to buy the Naim Ovator S-400.
But they are better or worse than the ones I mentioned?
They are perfect to my ears. I have sn2+ndx in a fairly large space. I have added a REL G2 sub.
I would understand if the Proac D48R are better.
I also have a subwoofer SVS SB13 Ultra.
I would be keen to have a listen to the B&W D3 speakers , as they are hot off the press as such.
The 803 D3 could have a change of voice from the last version that might be in more align with broader appeal.
also the mighty Focal 1028 be' floorstanders are popular with Naim owners, and I'm sure the SN2 and Hicap would easily drive them.
cheers
The Focal Electra 1028 Be are interesting.
As you put them in comparison to Proac D48R and Naim S-400 / S-600?
Magnepan MG .7 will sound fantastic: once you have heard them you'll forget the list.
The Magnepan .7 coupled to the panel to enhance bass DWM are interesting ( I have SVS SB13 plus subwoofer too)
The problem is that they need powerful amplifiers able to pilot 4 ohm.
The SUPERNAIT 2 would be capable of this?
Or I would get a weak sound?
Who wins the comparison Magnepan .7 DWM VS Proac D48 R?
William
Naim is about musical communication and not about "hi fi". If you stick with a Naim speaker with your wonderful streamer and amplifier will you not go wrong. It is just about getting the right Naim speaker fo match your system. Don't stuff around with other brands, just get the right Naim speaker for your room. Verily, I have spoken. Nice Tuscan cab/ Merlot to go with my listening session tonight, Italian wine gives very well with Naim as well. Just my 0.02 cents.
I love Naim Ovator S-400 and even more Ovator S-600.
But it will be better than Proac D48R or Magnepan 0.7?
ClaudeP asks a critical question. I listen to mostly jazz and love the Spendor and Harbeth sound signature, very accurate timbre, fast and luscious midrange for vocals. Recently I auditioned ProAc Response D Two and was very impressed. All the qualities of my Spendors but a little faster with a deeper more powerful bass.
If if you don't like your Sonus Fabers, I would stay away from B&W. To me they both share an exaggerated high end and upper midrange.
Don't know which sonus fabers you've heard, but they don't have much in common with the B&W sound signature i have in mind.
All SF speakers I have heard (quite a few new and old) were all about seamless driver integration, specificaly in de midband which results in a perfect rendition of the midrage, especially the human voice.
If anything the serblin designed models could be described somewhat romantic with a pleasant but not over the top warm and intimate sound.
May i suggest you listen to a pair of Floorstanding Cremona's or Cremona M's (which are a litte more forward and responsive than the originals)
Another great speaker (though i haven't heard them yet) aught to be the Spendor D7 which will be on my shortlist when i ever get to it.
Do you think Spendor D7 is better than Spendor A9?
First thing's first. Why do you feel you need to replace your Liuto's, in the first place?
I personally find your current speakers as good or better than most of the other choices mentionned in your original post.
Do you think the Sonus Faber Liuto Tower are better than Proac D48R, Naim S-600, Magnplan .7, D7 or Spendor Spendor A9?
Why?
I'd change the SF Liuto because I want something better .
Hello Wat,
Do you have sufficient space behind the .7 Maggies, please? Unfortunately, in our lounge this would be impossible (I'd have to place them just in front of a bookshelf and wall, respectively), and having heard what difference placement makes, I've given up on them (unless we move to a different house).
Thanks,
Stefan
Hello Stefan
I use my Maggies about 1 metre from the rear French Doors. They are light & easy to move so when not in use they reside either side of the TV on a different wall, It is possible to use my Maggies nearer the wall if applying appropriate room correction. but bringing them in to the centre seems to give best results. You can get Maggies suitable for hanging on a wall (MMGW) or Mini Maggies which may be suitable though you may need a sub for best results,
All the best, Wat
Regret the dynamics and impact of normal speakers cone?
I would love to buy the Naim Ovator S-400.
But they are better or worse than the ones I mentioned?
Straight question, personal opinion: better. S-400s suffer from a sort of mistrust by many: for die-hard Naim users they are not enough 'Naim' any more, for mainstream audiophiles they are Naim... and so Nobody is happy!
S-400s are excellent speakers and look beautiful.
Best
N
I'd change the SF Liuto because I want something better .
If that is the case, it won't be very difficult.
N
Have a listen to S-400s and buy yourself some peace of mind..
Proac's are the best speakers, Sonus fabers do not exaggerate the high's, Naim Ovator are the worst speakers I have ever heard, they sound horrible especially the S-400's.
I'd have a listen to the Linn Majik 140. I have them with my NaitXS, Flatcap and like them (a lot). I auditioned them amongst PMC 23, Kef IQ9, B&W CM9, Neat motive 2 and found the Majik to be more fun and sounding much more mature and balanced.
Hi William
I've held off to let others post their views and by now you have quite a selection.
Selecting the right speaker for you is an intensely personal choice that only you can make for 2 reasons:
- We all have a unique interpretation of what good or correct or natural sounds like.
- Speaker to room matching is make or break for any speaker, and it has to work in your room
Hence the rest of us are really guessing when it comes to what you will like and will work in your room.
The Supernait is an excellent amplifier but even it has its limitations, so I would avoid going for a really top end loudspeaker that will highlight its limitations, e.g. a WB ACT, Naim Ovator 600, Sonus Faber Amati, PMC Fact 12 etc..
Hence, I'd look for speakers in the £3-5k price range. The better ones will be a real step up from the Liuto Towers.
I've heard the B&W 804d and would not place these at the top of my list but the new 3rd generation is an unknown quantity, so I would have this on the list. Others that I've heard and rated include:
Kudos S10 & S20
Proac D30 (I wouldn't go higher than this with a Supernait)
Neat xls
Naim Ovator S400
PMC 20.23
SF Olympica II
Naim SBL (a used bargain and will go against a wall)
All of these should work well with your Supernait and should be better speakers than your current ones. However, I have no idea which will work well in your room.
Hope this helps, FT
Proac's are the best speakers, Sonus fabers do not exaggerate the high's, Naim Ovator are the worst speakers I have ever heard, they sound horrible especially the S-400's.
How can anyone possibly say that speaker X is the best, period? There is so much personal taste involved. The only advice is to go to a dealer and listen.
Proac's are the best speakers, Sonus fabers do not exaggerate the high's, Naim Ovator are the worst speakers I have ever heard, they sound horrible especially the S-400's.
"do not exaggerate the high's" is one of the best reviews i had the pleasure to read ever.
Ops i said "best".