For many years now I've been using Naim IBL Mk1 speakers while my source and amplifiers have steadily improved. I love these speakers for the excitement and clarity they have provided. However just before christmas I popped into my local dealer to enquire about the cost and timing for the 250 DR upgrade. To be fair, it's not the first time they have suggested that I should look to upgrade my speakers before spending any more on the front end or amps. So we duly ended up spending half an hour in the listening room with a pair of Totem Hawks followed by Canalis Cambria. The front end was a Naim streamer and a class A amp that I'm not familiar with but the sounds coming out were impressive. On balance I felt the Canalis to be the more natural sounding speaker and so in due course my dealer dropped them round to my house for an extended christmas visit.
So now my time with the speakers is nearly up and it's time decide. I was very clear when my dealer insisted on the extended trial that a purchase would be dependant not just on liking the speakers but also the state of my finances after christmas (the jury is still out on that one!) However I think I'll really miss these when they go back.
IBLs of course are not about bass and I've grown used to that sound (I used to have Active Isobariks so I know what bass can sound like) but the bass from the Cambria is the best I have heard for a long time. Detailed; you can hear the notes develop and all of the nuances of the note, especially rewarding on bass guitar such as that on the Suzanne Vega album currently playing. But the main characteristic for me is the naturalness to the sound. I did wonder for a while if they lacked the urgency I'm more used to from the IBLs, more laid back? But I think now that I might find the IBLs a bit tiring when they go back in. I've had some all day sessions with the Cambrias without suffering any listening fatigue. Well, time will tell.
The other change is using Tellurium Black speaker cable instead of the A5, evidently the UK distributor for the TQ cables is the same as for the Canalis. I've not heard many opinions on these speakers before so would be interested to know if anyone else has experience of them and could comment on comparisons to similarly priced options. The Cambria retails at £5000 but I'm hoping for a reasonable discount on the shop dem pair currently gracing my lounge, should finances permit. Although I guess I'll be listening to other options before making up my mind. You can see from the photos that space is limited and they need to be fairly close to the rear wall. SWMBO isn't keen on these already because of the size so I certainly can't go any larger.
Happy new year to everyone.
Posted on: 04 January 2016 by Marksnaim
Max, popped the IBLs back on but brought them forward into the room. Sure, there's less bass, but... I think you may be right. HH too. I can probably get much more out of what I have by optimising positioning. Certainly sound better in this position than they did before. I'd always been told that IBLs work best hard up again the rear wall, they're probably 12" forward now compared to 5" before. They are plugged into the TQB cables though which may account for some/most of the change in SQ. Going to try the A5 back in then tinker with positioning a bit more before trying any more speakers.
Posted on: 04 January 2016 by hungryhalibut
In my experience the IBLs should be really close to the walls - about two inches. Without that there is no bass. Of course, if they are hard against the wall either side of the chimney breast there will be bass but no imaging.
Posted on: 04 January 2016 by Christopher_M
Mark, if you Google 'Vereker Chicago interview', the first item returned will contain comments by Julian Vereker as to IBL siting. IIRC these are towards the very end of the interview. Hope that helps.
Chris
Posted on: 04 January 2016 by Dave eyre
In your first post you say "" i love these speakers for there clarity and excitement
so why change
please dont think im having a go as im not im in the same situation or was with a pair off A&R 94s i love them to bits the sound the mellow tones the way the sound but like you i went and had a listen to some focal , pmc and others but not one matched wat i love about my speakers in sound or looks
so im putting the money to a better turntable later in the year
just a thought why not stick with wat you have and just enjoy the music it makes
Posted on: 04 January 2016 by gary yeowell
If you have a good set of IBL's and they suit the room, i'd never consider a pair of PMC23's as a replacement. The IBL's can take some serious front end before they become a bottleneck. I think IBL look great and sound even better, but if you want a bit more weight then SBL may provide it, but as you have already ruled them out due to room layout then i'd live with the IBL a little longer and see how you feel about it, especially if you are considering an amp change.
Posted on: 04 January 2016 by Marksnaim
The IBLs are back where they started, close up against the back wall. Normally I find the acid test of whether I like a new bit of kit on test is when I go back to the previous equipment. In this case I have no compunction to put the Canalis back in play. They were not better, just different. I liked some of what they did, mainly the bass, but can happily live without that. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the IBLs and they work well in the confined space that they have to live in, which was their key design factor. Interesting article by the way Chris.
Posted on: 04 January 2016 by Sloop John B
Have you considered a sub?
Recently I went for a n-sub which was meant to go with the superuniti attached to the TV but with the raised wooden floorboard arrangement in that room they sounded shite.
Even though I didn't think I needed any bass in my main system I tried them anyway and have been very pleasantly surprised by the effects, strangely it seemed to help the separation of instruments and voices as well as making all drums sounds more realistic (and it's great to be able to higher up the bass on bass light masterings).
SJB
Posted on: 07 January 2016 by Marksnaim
Ha ha Chris. As it happens I'm glad I didn't fall in love with the Canalis as the finances haven't been as kind as I'd hoped. I also tried the Tellurium Q speaker cables with the IBLs out of interest while I had them. Didn't work IMO. A degree of extra separation at the expense of a glassy coldness that was quite unpleasant. Not a good combination. Moving back to the NAC A5 was a blessed relief. I'm sure they are great cables with different speakers though.
I'll see how things go as the year progresses. I'm getting the active itch again. Seeing the prices that 2 year old 250.2s are going for as people go DR has got me thinking I could go active for under £3.5k. Oddly I sent Naim an email asking if the Snaxo 242 would be ok with the IBL or if I should stick to Snaxo 2-4 or even Naxo 2-4. The answer I got back was that if it was his system he'd leave the IBLs alone and enjoy it as is! Having heard IBLs active I can't quite understand the response. Of course if I had to rob a bank to fund it then it would be a sensible stance.
Then again...that new Linn cartridge looks nice 
BR Mark
Posted on: 07 January 2016 by Christopher_M
No need to sweat on the cart when you have the DV cart/ phonostage IMO!
Active looks interesting. Seems one has to start off with a top notch and balanced system. Well, that's yours isn't it? I'd be curious to know how active IBLs sound. Over the years, I've gathered that once you've gone active, reverting to passive is a struggle.
But I think your record player has the standard sub-chassis....
Best, C.
Posted on: 07 January 2016 by Marksnaim
Correct, Cirkus pressed steel subclasses. Kore is on the shopping list. I can't stomach the cost of the Keel. Daft I know when considering what's been spent on amps but the perceived value is a struggle for me. While the Kore feels better VFM. I could do with replacing the motor too which wouldn't be that expensive.
I was only joking about the cartridge. I'm very happy with the DV. XX2. And wouldn't want to have to change the Phono stage either. The change going active makes can't be overstated IMO. When I went active with Briks the change was astounding. Think of the all the cliches you've ever heard about removing veils etc etc. Passive Briks and speed are not synonymous either but once they're active they have the sort of speed you get from passive IBLs. Imagine then what going active does for IBLs.
No rush anyway. It does actually sound pretty fine to my ears at the moment.
BR, Mark
PS Did you sell your IBLs Chris?
Posted on: 07 January 2016 by Christopher_M
Kore on my list too, and for the same reasons.
Yup, sold the IBLs. Couldn't get on with them on CD. Have a had Neat Petite SX for around 18 months now. More even handed, just a pleasure to listen to.
C.
