Kudos S20s

the implementation of active speakers in the Muso-QB is really good, now I'm getting motivated to go active on my main rig.

difficult to accept passive speakers once you heard what improvements there are in active speakers....(especially in bass control and articulation) 

Kudos are partnering with Linn Exakt, so why not for Naim Snaxo..... Unless Focal has speakers that have active options?

analogmusic posted:

Badlands, you bought the X38, but you have said (if I may ask) that proacs were maybe the finest speaker you heard.

is there any reason you didn't buy proac speakers? What do you think of the  proac D20 compared to your X38? 

I have heard the D20, and it is very good sounding, one of my friends has it and I will be testing them again. I have no chance of auditioning Kudos where I live.

I don't have any problem with my focus 260, other than my room may be too small for them,  Whenever I have heard Dyna's sounding excellent at Dynaudio dealers, they are well away from the wall, in fact sometimes in the middle of the room.

But the option of going active with Kudos is attractive, has anyone tried to use A Naim SNAXO crossover with Kudos S20?

Analog,

Good to see you back again, it seems you were away for a while.

The reason I didn't purchase Proac's is my dealer stopped selling them. Also, as of now, there is only one Proac retailer in the whole state. 

My current dealer has this upgrade policy that if you buy new speakers within a year you get full value, and since I purchased my previous speakers from him I opted to stay with this dealer and receive full value on my trade in. I chose the Dyns after listening to the other brands he carries, Sonus faber, Focal, and Dynaudio.

I like what the D20's are capable of, and yes I do prefer them to my current speakers, but they also cost a couple of thousand dollars more. The things that are more important to me, transparent sounding, three dimensional, excellent imaging, the Proacs do very well, the Dyns probably do the scale and bass power stuff better, may even be a little more refined in the upper frequencies, but I prefer the presentation of the Proac's.

I am in the same boat you are with my Dyn's, in that they are overpowering my  smaller listening room. I feel the Proac D18's or D20's would be a better fit, that and the fact they just have great synergy with Naim.

analogmusic posted:

At launch, the Focus 260 was a 4900 Dollar speaker. You did previously tell me that focus 260 needs at least a NAP 300?

 

 

Not long after they were launched, retail prices were reduced by quite a bit, I know my X38's were reduced from 4600.00 to 3900.00. Which I believe the Focus 260's were before being discontinued.

Yes, Dyn's definitely sound better with more power, not that it's absolutely necessary, but at 86 db's sensitivity and a not so friendly load, the Focus 260's would benefit from the better amp.

ok, that clarifies a lot.  I will be auditioning the proacs again, when I heard them in my friends apartment the bass boom from the D20 quite uncontrolled (but clearly it was the room at fault rather than the speakers). That was with a bare 272/250DR.

I have heard the Proac studio 140 with a supernait 1/HC, I did like that combination a lot.

Also heard D40R with 272/250DR in a big living room, it sounded great.

I do wish I had kept the smaller X32, as it was a better fit and sound in my room than the bigger Focus 260.

 Apologies to the strat for discussing other speakers, I wish I could audition Kudos S20 where I live.

analogmusic posted:

I do wish I had kept the smaller X32, as it was a better fit and sound in my room than the bigger Focus 260.

 

 

I do remember telling you that I thought  going from the Excite line to the Focus line, after comparing them at my dealer, in my opinion, wasn't worth it , and moving  up to the then Contour line you would only then  realize any noticeable improvement.

I haven't heard the new Contour line myself, but from what some have told me that have actually heard them, they are something very special. 

You were right, some other people also heard X34 and focus 260 and bought the newer X34.

I am hoping my Dynaudio dealer is able to get a demo pair of the new contour, but they are quite expensive.

Back to Kudos : how does the Kudos S20 handle rock, metal and dance music?

That is one area my previous Dynaudio excite X32 was quite remarkable, the bass never lost control, and was never boomy.  No boxiness either. 

The Contour 30 retails for less than the S20's if that matters. Just an FYI.

Analogue,

The ability of a system to handle all genres to me is fundamental. Therefore having an extensive home trial was crucial.  Whilst I don't really do  dance/techno I can say that they have so far handled everything from Corelli to the White Stripes with absolute ease. We have also thrown in  some Massive Attack for good measure.    

Regards,

Lindsay. 

thanks, is the treble "hot" in any way? or it is just due to running in?

Welll so far - about 40 hours - I can't say the treble is in anyway hot.   In fact a couple of recordings where there is an absolute what I would call digital glare are an improvement over the Dynas. 

Congratulations Strat on a great pair of speakers that work so well in your room.

Having auditioned, loved and bought them, now is certainly the time to sit back & enjoy your music collection on your best ever music system. Probably best to avoid ill-timed suggestions to try other speakers too!

Merry Christmas to you, FT

Thanks FT - yes I'm enjoying Xmas

2 weeks in now probably about 100 hours.  I'll post some comprehensive comments when we've done a month but in a word stunning.

Regards,

Lindsay

Glad to hear they are working well for you - they do look good. I've heard the C20's and liked them so these are on my list to take a listen to at home this year.

James

They are are Tricky they are.  The C30 was the weak link in the Kudos arsenal.

Regards,

Lindsay

I've been listening to Hotel California for 40 years and itt's always been one great album but it's never sounded this good

I think that it will get even better Lindsay