Speaker Upgrade

I'd be looking at the Russell K Red 150 to compare to the Neat Motive speakers  

If you are looking at those Neats, I'd suggest you should swap the 200 for a 250DR to give the drive they need and to keep them under control. I'd also look secondhand - my speakers were just over £2,000 and you'd need to spend £8,000 or more to better them significantly. 

Mike - source first. Repeat after me - source first. So get an XPS for your 272.

Mike Woodcock posted:

I have a 272 STreaming Pre Amp, with NAP 200, which were both an upgrade to my UQ2/NAP100 combo.  I still have the same speakers, DALI Mentor Menuet - very pleased with them, but I know that there are better speakers out there that will optimise my electronics.

So - I am currently considering NEAT Momentum SX5i, which may be too much in the speaker front, but, as I often listen to music at lower volumes, I like the bass on the SX5is versus the NEAT Motives - And I can get a keen deal with my dealer right now.

Before I take the plunge, are there any other speakers I should audition?  Does anyone else have the same combo?

And yes, I know I need to update my signature,...

Mike

I presume your listening room is small since you have the Dali Mentor Menuet? I have the Mentor Menuets too and occasionally put them into the main system when I feel like listening to a different presentation. If your listening can accommodate larger speakers, I would certainly suggest going that route. Although the scale and bass are admirable for such diminutive speakers, larger speakers which are able to pump out more bass and scale in larger listening space would be an "upgrade". Otherwise, your motive of seeking "better speakers" may just be a desire to explore something different, in other words a lateral move which may or may not  work for you since you mentioned you are very pleased with the Dalis.

The Dali Mentor Menuets are surely nice musical speakers which sound very balanced for a mini-monitor, and similarly I feel your current electronics have outshone the Dalis. Other than the Neats, you might want to explore the ATC SCM11 or SCM19. I have shortlisted these speakers for a 2nd system at the moment. Your choice of having some "better speakers" will be dependent on your listening preferences, so only you could decide with your ears which speaker would be an upgrade to the Dali Mentor Menuet. As mentioned earlier, if your room can accommodate larger speakers, do consider them.

Adam Zielinski posted:

Mike - source first. Repeat after me - source first. So get an XPS for your 272.

+1 to that..

Hungryhalibut posted:

 my speakers were just over £2,000 and you'd need to spend £8,000 or more to better them significantly. 

Where do you come up with this stuff? 

Mike Woodcock posted:

.....I like the bass on the SX5is versus the NEAT Motives - And I can get a keen deal with my dealer right now.

Mike, Please forget about the deal. Work out what you want instead, be it speakers or power supply, or both. This will take so much customer service on the part of the dealer(s) involved that I would be surprised if you subsequently have the cojones to ask for a deal.

Best, Chris

'Deals' can often be too influential in the decision making process.

Thanks all for the advice.  

@ Adam "Source first!" Will a power supply really be a better investment than speakers?  

@ Ryder - I have moved since I bought the Dali's - I now have a large L shaped lounge, diner, kitchen, so yes, listening room can accommodate bigger speakers and better bass at low levels is what attracted me to the Momentums when I listed to them versus the NEAT motives

I think on balance I will wait for a bit - It should like I should at least to an SPX and a 250DR first and decide what gives me most improvement in the sound

Mike

Although a source firster at heart, I think getting more ambitious speakers is the first thing to do. The Dalis are, I'm sure, very good, but they are only a small £800 speaker and don't really live up to the 272/200. You could try a few options at home and see what you like. And if you  find nothing, at least you know that the Dalis are being well driven. 

The thing now is to have speakers that perform way over their -."marque" with a system that confuses everyone. Those £14 k Focal Speakers need that 200 right now, pronto.

Mike - if you have a chance test the XPS DR before you order new speakers. If you like what the XPS does to your system, only then start thinking about new speakers. 

I too have a mullet at home - driving Monitor Audio GX300 with a NDS / 252 / 250

Adam Zielinski posted:

I too have a mullet at home - driving Monitor Audio GX300 with a NDS / 252 / 250

No you don't. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

Adam Zielinski posted:

I too have a mullet at home - driving Monitor Audio GX300 with a NDS / 252 / 250

No you don't. 

A reverse mullet then? Actually doesn't matter - they sound good

If you want new speakers, get new speakers.  I need a new laptop, I'm getting a new laptop.  Just because someone on a BB says "get a new modem" does not mean I should get a new modem.  I mean, you had to see this coming.

When you come here asking about speakers it is like asking a politician if they like fish.  They are not going to tell you whether they like fish or not, they are going to tell you why the other party hates puppies and why they should be re-elected

Adam Zielinski posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

Adam Zielinski posted:

I too have a mullet at home - driving Monitor Audio GX300 with a NDS / 252 / 250

No you don't. 

A reverse mullet then? Actually doesn't matter - they sound good

I believe the official Forum name for a reverse mullet is a Monkfish. I'd have a Monkfish over a Mullet any day, but that is just me.