Speaker recommendations for NAP300

I really enjoyed the old Allison CD6 and remember feeling a certain sense of deja vu when I first saw the NVA Cubes reviewed in Hifi Review back in the late '80s (Adam, did you do the review or at least hear them?).  However, they'd have to really be something special to outperform something like the SL2s, let alone the sheer speed and agility of the IBLs in your avatar.

Ben Williams posted:

naim_nymph posted:

Ben Williams posted:

I'm budgeting up to £10k.  Hope to move early next year, so will room size is unknown. 

IMO it's very unwise to invest such a huge sum of money on speakers just before an intended house move to a property yet unseen.

Better to wait until after the move, then consider all audio upgrade options

Debs

I won't be upgrading until I move, don't worry.  I do want to take my time between now and then to explore my options so when the time comes I'll have my short list for a home auditions.

But speakers are very room dependant, you won't know what your best options are until after the move, and you've lived in the new place a while.

HH, not sure abort the looks, but they probably won't look like a pair of penguins. 

//Jonas

naim_nymph posted:

But speakers are very room dependant, you won't know what your best options are until after the move, and you've lived in the new place a while.

not sure why this very important point is being overlooked in the various responses. but hey...!

enjoy

ken

ken c posted:

naim_nymph posted:

But speakers are very room dependant, you won't know what your best options are until after the move, and you've lived in the new place a while.

not sure why this very important point is being overlooked in the various responses. but hey...!

enjoy

ken

In trying to be helpful people can't help themselves!!!

The Strat (Fender) posted:

In trying to be helpful people can't help themselves!!!

guess you are right ...  though i have to confess that when i bought my SL2s, it was a opportune purchase, with no chance to 'try before you buy'. i guess i am lucky as the SL2s work extremely well in my listening room, which is really my office -- but the hifi also lives there...

enjoy

ken

The cube 3 (2nd bottom in the range) couples the speed of my IBLs with a lot more bass.  It's the best of both worlds. They are a secret speaker and deserve to be heard by more people. They are incredible value and if you want to move up the range there is an unbeatable trade-in policy. My IBLs have served me well but no prizes for guessing what they will be replaced with.  When the cubes are positioned correctly they produce a huge soundstage which is the one area where the IBLs are poor in my room.  If I had not heard the cubes I would have either stuck with the IBLs or gone for a pair of SBLs which to my ears are wonderful when set up currectly.  One of the benefits of the cubes is that they are low cost so the op could try them in his new property and if they underperformed then not a huge loss of they have to be sold.  Set-up is straightforward; the speakers may need to be a few inches out from the wall and a slight toe-in and that's about it. No fancy stands necessary.

I would just add my (usual - sorry, everyone) plea to listen to some electrostatics/panels. At that price point you are well up the Martin Logan range, at Montis DBD level, although my Electromotions are 'only' £2500. They gave me the transparency which I was after - I was genuinely surprised to hear with my own ears how 'slow' the Harbeth speakers I demo'd were in comparison (and I auditioned expecting to buy Harbeth 30.1s).

(Otherwise, if it were me, I would try out something from the Magico range if I could afford it.)

naim_nymph posted:

Ben Williams posted:

naim_nymph posted:

Ben Williams posted:

I'm budgeting up to £10k.  Hope to move early next year, so will room size is unknown. 

IMO it's very unwise to invest such a huge sum of money on speakers just before an intended house move to a property yet unseen.

Better to wait until after the move, then consider all audio upgrade options

Debs

I won't be upgrading until I move, don't worry.  I do want to take my time between now and then to explore my options so when the time comes I'll have my short list for a home auditions.

But speakers are very room dependant, you won't know what your best options are until after the move, and you've lived in the new place a while.

It's not entirely implausible that we won't choose a place to move based on a suitable room for a certain pair of speakers... but let me worry about that.  I'm more interested in what sounds good with a NAP300 but do list the preriquisit room size/acoustics with your recommendations or feel free to comment on speakers above in relation to room requirements if you want to be more helpful. I would hope that anyone looking for a new set of speakers at this level is acutely aware of the limitations a room will place on your options. Maybe I'll be wasting my time going for an audition or two when I've found myself having to compromise on a smaller living room than I had hoped, or maybe I'll enjoy the thrill of listening to some new gear in the process just for the hell of it :-)

Once you're moved and settled, try a pair of KEF reference 3.

Previously not been a KEF fan, but these have something that grabs you!  The most refined, detailed and beautifully presented highs I've heard at this price point.  The rest ain't bad either!

Enjoy, exciting times ahead I'm sure.  But at the risk of repeating and being boring, make sure you get them home and in the music room for an extended listen before making any decisions.

The most exciting speaker I heard outside my home was the biggest disappointment when I tried it at home...life can be so cruel sometimes!

I'd certainly recommend you audition the Shahinian Obelisk and Hawk. The Shahinians have been a revelation to me, wreaking a greater transformation in my listening experience than any other upgrade or combination of upgrades in the past 40 years.

Michael, good to hear the Shahinian change was a success!

nickpeacock posted:

I would just add my (usual - sorry, everyone) plea to listen to some electrostatics/panels. At that price point you are well up the Martin Logan range, at Montis DBD level, although my Electromotions are 'only' £2500. They gave me the transparency which I was after - I was genuinely surprised to hear with my own ears how 'slow' the Harbeth a speakers I demo'd were in comparison (and I auditioned expecting to buy Harbeth 30.1s).

(Otherwise, if it were me, I would try out something from the Magico range if I could afford it.)

I almost got the Electromotions before I settled with the Tannoy DC8s.  I did like them a lot but was put off in the end by their narrow stereo sweet spot which seemed to drop off quite considerably if you weren't sitting in the right spot. The subwoofers weren't quite as accurate as I would have liked either but I'm guessing this is remedied further up the chain. Still a lovely speaker and something a bit different.

I have to say that I have enjoyed reading this thread.  We all have different tastes and hear music in different ways. What is "right" for me is "wrong" for somebody else and vice-versa.

Ben, I wish you all the best in the elusive search for "the" speakers.  My advice is take your time, ask for a home demo and don't be afraid to listen to something you would have previously discounted.

Ben Williams posted:

naim_nymph posted:

Ben Williams posted:

naim_nymph posted:

Ben Williams posted:

I'm budgeting up to £10k.  Hope to move early next year, so will room size is unknown. 

IMO it's very unwise to invest such a huge sum of money on speakers just before an intended house move to a property yet unseen.

Better to wait until after the move, then consider all audio upgrade options

Debs

I won't be upgrading until I move, don't worry.  I do want to take my time between now and then to explore my options so when the time comes I'll have my short list for a home auditions.

But speakers are very room dependant, you won't know what your best options are until after the move, and you've lived in the new place a while.

It's not entirely implausible that we won't choose a place to move based on a suitable room for a certain pair of speakers... but let me worry about that.  I'm more interested in what sounds good with a NAP300 but do list the preriquisit room size/acoustics with your recommendations or feel free to comment on speakers above in relation to room requirements if you want to be more helpful. I would hope that anyone looking for a new set of speakers at this level is acutely aware of the limitations a room will place on your options. Maybe I'll be wasting my time going for an audition or two when I've found myself having to compromise on a smaller living room than I had hoped, or maybe I'll enjoy the thrill of listening to some new gear in the process just for the hell of it :-)

The SN2 S-400 Ovator sounds much more balanced and better in my room than the 252/300 S-600 ever did...

G

I would consider Audio Physic virgo 25 plus. I very 'open' speakerset, that matches great (in my ears) with the drive and power of the 252 and the nap300.

Neat XL6. I'm running with 252/SC/300 (non DR). Currently enjoying the last listen of the year in my room, which is 5m x 4m with 4m high vaulted ceiling. Speakers are approx 30 cm from solid stone wall about 1.5m thick. Slight toe in approx 2.5m apart. Sounds sublime, wouldn't swap them for anything. 

Have fun listening and choosing!

Just audition the pmc twenty 26 at home and job done. Just make sure you point them straight down and not toed in. maybe a little toe in would be acceptable. this applies to all in twenty range. best of luck.