Royd The Minstrel SE Vs Neat Motive SX2 ?

Royd have recently introduced a revised update of the Minstrel called The Troubadour , could be interesting comparing this against the Neat SX2 and the old Minstrel.

On looks alone the Royd gets my vote.

I think those new Royds look great and would love to hear if they retained the magic of the originals. Motives are very nice little speakers, but i'd take a cooking Royd in preference.

A dealer friend of mine in the UK has heard the Royds and told me that sadly, they miss the mark......

I actually suspected that may be the case...... sometimes it's just best to leave classic's alone.

Dear Blythe,

I know the Minstrel well, and you will know why! I got my pair from you ...

A strange thing occurred when I took them to the house of a former forum member, and we replaced his SBLs with the diminutive Minstrels. We set off - three of us choosing music in turn - listening with the Minstrels for a rather pleasant evening. We forgot to put the SBLs back on, and I think this is because they were so right that nothing drew attention to the fact that they are quite small or in any way less than lovely.

Only at the end did we notice the Minstrels had stayed in place!

If your Minstrels are still fine, I’d be tempted to keep using them! Of their style I still do not think you will find anything to comprehensively eclipse them. You would be right to note that I am using an ESL these days, but that is a quite different sort of speaker that shares a lot of the good points of the Minstrel, but also shares a similar limitation. Not a disco-loud loud speaker!

Very best wishes from George

Hello George,
Good to hear from you!
Yes, I am aware of the special qualities of the Minstrel SE but as it's approaching Christmas and all that stuff, I'm pondering the possible change - but not just for change sake. I will only change if there's a sensibly priced, real-world upgrade.
I know Neat get a good reception on this forum and I was really wondering if they might be "so much better" than my 16+ year old designed speakers.

I'm in Australia and the choice may be  somewhat limited by UK standards, hence my original post. I will of course plan a visit to my dealer. Sadly there's only one in dealer Sydney that I'll visit, which reduces the choice further.

I still clearly remember the difference between the standard Minstrel and the "SE" version. I think we were both more than a little surprised when I demoed them to you. It was the first time I could recall actually doing a back-to-back comparison between the two!

I have heard many times the ELS57 belonging to an old friend (who bought them new) and they are a wonderful sounding speaker, if a little difficult for some people to live with. (looking somewhat like 1960s electric radiators)
ATB, Martin.

Dear Martin,

The difference between the standard Minstrel and the SE version was clear to me! I was surprised, and you did not show it! 

That is a few years ago now! Where does the time go! I still live in Worcester, but not in the same house. Nicer - if smaller - place now. I remember visiting you in my ancient Volvo car - long since scrapped!

Best wishes from George

I live part time in Sydney and have also moved from the house you visited to a larger one in the Cotswolds. Still have the NBL's etc. but now streaming using my HDX.
I remember telling you that the "SE" used a slightly different mid/woofer and that the cabinet construction was "better" but if I didn't show it, I was certainly surprised at how much better the "SE" was, as I'd never done a back-to-back before!
Re the Volvo, nothing lasts forever!!

I remember your NBLs! 

The best set-up of NBLs I have ever heard. And I have heard them at Salisbury with three 500s in the old dem room at the factory when the 500 was not quite released to the public. 

If you are ever in the mood you are most welcome to visit me in Worcester and try out an optimised mono system on only one ESL. One ESL is easier to live with than two!

And the quality is needle sharp in musical communication. Slightly lighter toned than the pair of Minstrel SEs but not fierce. Better for Bach than Rachmaninov!

Very best wishes from George

Thank you for your kind words :-)

Well, having spoken to Harry at Audio Genesis in Sydney this morning, his view was that the Neat Motive SX would be a side-step rather than an upgrade to the Royd Minstrel SE.
Anyway, I thought I'd go and audition them for myself, so headed into the city for an audition, armed with a memory stick with a few of my favourites including Annie Lennox "Diva", London Grammar "If You Wait", Talk Talk - "Colour of Spring" and Elbow - "Seldom Seen Kid" plus a few others.
In my view, Harry was spot on and I thought the presentation was very similar to my existing Royds. Not really an upgrade and a real pat on the back for those great old Royds!
Harry then suggested I try the Neat Elite SX as he felt it would offer the upgrade that I was seeking.
Once again, Harry was spot on and I thoroughly enjoyed the Elite SX, larger scale, sweeter treble, controlled deeper bass and I strongly suspect in my room (approx 9mx9m or 27'x27') will give me a "larger" or fuller sound.
Although the room is quite large, I can't crank it up too loud due to it being an apartment - have to consider the neighbours!
This evening I'll be having the Elite SX dropped off for the all important home demo, connected to my SuperUniti and I can't wait to hear how they fit in, both in terms of sound quality and visual impact.
My QNAP feeds the SU with FLAC rips from my UK based HDX, transcoded by Asset to WAV on playback.

Elites are wonderfull, older ones could be a bit bright 

Downfiring port take care of neigbours downstairs

b_lund posted:

Elites are wonderfull, older ones could be a bit bright 

Downfiring port take care of neigbours downstairs

Thankfully, there is none downstairs ;-)

Also, the apartments seems to be pretty well sound isolated - I've just had a reasonable blast and apologised to my next door neighbours about the noise and they asked "what noise" - which is good news!

Please post your findings Blythe, would be interested to hear.

I have Motive 2's which I know are probably the weak point in my system. The Elite SX might be worth a look (along with others...).

I will share my findings and thoughts once I've sat and listened a little more :-)

A full 24 hours later and having listened to various types of music through the SU and Neat Elite Sx speakers at home, my thoughts are as follows:

The Elite SX are a considerable improvement over the Motive SX2's I initially went to listen to.

To my ears, the Elites have a clearer top end, the bass seems more solid and in general, the presentation sounds as though it's coming from a larger speaker (no surprise as it is larger).

Initially, I felt the Elites were possibly a little "too polite" and vocals restrained. However, I now realise this is not the case - their presentation is simply more refined than my old Royds. Switching back to the Royds this morning has proved that whilst the Royd Minstrel SE is a very capable speaker, particularly given its diminutive size, the refinement of the tweeter and depth and scale of bass of the Elite and depth & scale of sound of the Elite is a considerable improvement to my ears.

Female vocals are beautifully articulate and clear, the mid range not at all "shouty" and the bass is deep but controlled.
With Jazz and Rock music, the excitement that I've always loved with Naim kit is there.
An old favourite "Colour Of Spring" by Talk Talk is almost scary with its dynamics.

Pianos sound gorgeous and orchestral music is a joy.

Listening to Helga Dernesc singing Mild Und Leise from Wagner's Tristan un Isolde had shivers running down my spine. Even "the big note" she sings towards the end of that track sounded clear and effortless.

I've experimented a little with their positioning.
I have to have my speakers either side of a fireplace which means I have two options:
1. Either side of the chimney breast
2. Either side of the fire surround

In both positions I have not suffered from any noticeable bass boom or annoying colouration, even with them close to the back wall (solid concrete construction) and standing on solid timber flooring which is laid on top of a concrete floor.
Their final position will probably take me a while to decide, once I've bought them.

Yes, I'm so happy with them that I will be buying a pair of Neat Elite SX.

As an aside, I must admit that I was very tempted by the Neat Momentum SX5i which I also heard at the Audio Genesis Pyrmont shop but ultimately, whilst I thought they sounded sublime with their clear sound and brilliant isobaric bass configuration, I think it would be the beginning of the old familiar slippery slope into separate Naim boxes to drive them. This is, after all, a second system and not my main one, so restraint is in order!

Thanks for your insights Blythe, much appreciated.

I had never considered the Elite SX until you mentioned them.

Now, the Elite SX along with Kudos and others I have some decent compact upgrade alternatives for consideration.

Enjoy them when you get them!

You're welcome  I'm sure I will enjoy them