Speaker choice/match for 5si series.

The usual suspects. Kudos X2. Neat Motives. Rega RS5 (Not the RX - those are bland and boring). Left field - for a real change - and highly recommended - Harbeth C7s.

Thanks mango,

In fact the more I look around the more the Kudos X2 are ticking all right the boxes. I've heard them (only briefly) at the Bristol show and thought they sounded very nice indeed and this was with the new Brio R, not sure what the source was though...but even so, they didn't sound too dissimilar from my Credos (probably better) I thought at the time.

The new Spendor A2 is another speaker I thought sounded great at the show and I don't normally like the sound of Spendor speakers but 'hey ho' what do I know.

Mmm...I think I will take a visit to the dealer and be done with it, no point dithering about.

I'll report back.

Cheers

Proac Tablette 10 for a grand this leaves a few hundred quid for a quality stand, should be a nice pairing with your Nait.

If you do not have a beef with standmounters, Neat motive Sx3 should also be on your shortlist..

Thanks for the suggestions.

Yes, i'm not going to discount standmounts either as I think these will better suit the room and system although my Credos do a really remarkable job in any room I've tried them in. Shame I can't just buy 'NEW' crossovers for them!!

Anyway:

I've just come back from a quick audition with the Neat SX2 and Kudos X2 compact floorstanders at my local dealer. It was only a quick blast but I could quite clearly hear to my ears that the Kudos X2 were preferable if a little 'bright' compared to the Neat's. My dealer did say that the Kudos X2 were not fully run in so a little rough around the edges is to be expected, even so, I preferred them.

I am going to arrange for a home demo tomorrow to get them home for trial, I hope it doesn't turn into a long speaker journey, I hope I like them, pay the money and job done.

>dream on<

I'm a fan of Revel speakers. I own f206s and recently heard the M16s at the Bristol show. Brilliant little speakers that sound much bigger than they are. Dynamic, punchy and extremely well built. Just under £1k and worth every penny in my opinion. 

Hi I have a pair of Kudos X2 linked to my 172/200 combination and love them. I moved to them from a pair of older Pro-ac and the sound these little speakers can create is amazing.

Thanks Simon,

Did you have the speakers from new and if so, did they smooth out with use in the treble?

I thought they timed better than the Neat's too.

@Finkfan

I was reading up on the new Revel stand mount  (l have never heard Revel) recently and they certainly seem very well made and of very high quality for a grand, i'm not sure if my dealer stock those but I will ask. cheers.

Another stand mount I may try, if it goes awry with the floorstanders , is the Russell K Red 50.

cheers

Hi Stephen...no I bought them ex demo, so they had already been run in...sorry

Hello Stephen,

You may also like to consider the Totem Dreamcatchers. I purchased a pair a while ago to go with my CD5X,122X,150X and FC2X and I'm very happy with them on Atacama stands.

Good luck !

I've been using Kudos X2s for a while now, and at first, found the upper mid/lower treble a little harsh. This harshness steadily receded over a few months, during which I also steadily improved my rack, cabling etc. so I don't think the speakers were entirely to blame. I ran them with a Superuniti at the time. No plans to change them at the moment......I like their compact size, and any significant upgrade is likely to be much bigger. 

Evening Stephen,

I think you are on the right lines with Kudos X2s, Neat Motive SX2s and possibly Focal 906s if you are not adverse to standmounts. I will be interested to hear your thoughts after some dems.

You should know that Winchester Hi-fi serviced the crossovers of my one-time IBLs and I thought they did a great job. The speakers were deeper, tighter, clearer, and just more engaging afterwards.

Best, Chris

*averse*        C.

Thanks Chris.

I remember my Credos being harsh when new for quite a while and then slowly smooth out and became more fresh and dynamic over time. Now they're never harsh and the freshness is starting to go over the last few months, I guess the crossovers are reaching their lifespan.

I'm looking to replace them so the Kudos X2 seems a good place to start, I just hope my electronics are up to the job.

If the X2 do not work out then I will try the SX2 and then maybe a stand mount or two.

From memory when I demoed this amp/Cd pIayer ,I was told to avoid anything with metal tweeters and they tend to be a bit harsher

Finkfan posted:

I'm a fan of Revel speakers. I own f206s and recently heard the M16s at the Bristol show. Brilliant little speakers that sound much bigger than they are. Dynamic, punchy and extremely well built. Just under £1k and worth every penny in my opinion. 

+1 for the revel M16s, in my opinion they were in the top 3 speakers from the show, absolutely superb 

Hi all,

Well in a turn around of events and after trying the Kudos X2 and Neat SX2 'again' at my local dealer's I have now decided to try the SX2 in my listening space first.  Don't know what the change was from yesterday but the Neat's had the upper hand for me today with the Kudos being less smooth and coherent. I prefer the look of the X2s though.. so wanted them to win out but somehow the Neat's had my foot unwillingly tapping on my second round...so..

I shall be picking them up next week for home demo!

Thanks all

It's not so much what speakers will work with your electronics as which will work with your room. Keep an open mind. It's difficult (well, for me at times it is) but if you don't you may miss the perfect speaker. Ours came from left field. Wasn't interested, didn't want to waste time listening to them. A dealer who can twist your arm without pissing you off is a asset- albeit possibly an expensive one.

I'm going to listen to atc - maybe scm 7 / 11could be good for your room? 

Stephen Tate posted:

I shall be picking [Neat Motive SX2s] up next week for home demo!

 

Good stuff, Stephen. I'd be surprised if the sound was 'ugly', it's not as if you've neglected setup!

Stephen Tate posted:

Well in a turn around of events and after trying the Kudos X2 and Neat SX2 'again' at my local dealer's I have now decided to try the SX2 in my listening space first. 

The SX1 is a worthwhile step-up from the smaller brother, and Fanthorpes in Hull offer B Grade SX1 for £1,199, I think -- only with very minor cosmetic imperfections. A great deal -- ask for Dave, a very helpful guy!

Happy Easter!

Christopher_M posted:

Stephen Tate posted:

I shall be picking [Neat Motive SX2s] up next week for home demo!

 

Good stuff, Stephen. I'd be surprised if the sound was 'ugly', it's not as if you've neglected setup!

Yep, you got it Chris - the 'SX2' - doh!

Happy Easter everyone!

Timo posted:

 

Stephen Tate posted:

Well in a turn around of events and after trying the Kudos X2 and Neat SX2 'again' at my local dealer's I have now decided to try the SX2 in my listening space first. 

The SX1 is a worthwhile step-up from the smaller brother, and Fanthorpes in Hull offer B Grade SX1 for £1,199, I think -- only with very minor cosmetic imperfections. A great deal -- ask for Dave, a very helpful guy!

Happy Easter!

Thanks Timo.

I must say that as tempting as those SX1s maybe...I think that those extra drive units are not going to be needed - oddly, it's not scale i'm after. My room is small-ish and i'm not listening at high volume levels at all, not much past 8 0 clock i'd say, so even stand mounts are not off the short list.

Some here have put in some really good suggestions for some stand mounts, I've never really been a stand mount person myself but if the Neat's do not hit the spot (fingers crossed they do) then I may skip the Kudos X2's altogether and go a bit leftfield with the stand mounts.

Happy Easter!

I'd also ad the Russell K range to your shortlist.

You most try Dynaudio! Focus, Excite or maybe the new cheaper Emit?