Well... I've decided that after almost twenty years of living with my Naim Credo's it is now time for me to change to something new, something more modern, compact and match (sonically) well with my 5si components aswell as being more visually discreet in the living space too.
I'm lucky in that I can demo most speakers at my local retailer and they tend to stock most brands but I just thought i'd cheat abit and come here first for some armoury before trundling off to be emptied of my hard earned cash...
I'm not looking at upgrading the electronics as what I already have is good enough for me, I've done all the usual stuff like dedicated mains, HiLine, Power-LineLite, NAC A5, rack ect.....
I just want to change the speakers, no more than that really.
My budget is around £1,500.
My listening room is 10ft x 15ft - Seakers are firing across as it's a odd shape (boat shaped) room and the long wall where my speakers go is solid brick and not plaster board, floor and ceiling are both solid concrete.
My Credos work well but they're getting old and to be honest they're just too big and I don't listen at high volume levels anymore.
So, what do you reckon with regards to makes/ models that give great synergy with 5si components in this here modern world?
Many thanks for any suggestions,
Steve
Posted on: 21 April 2017 by Stephen Tate
Thanks all.
Third day in and things do seem to be improving (at last) with the Neat SX2.
I have changed the Naim speaker plugs for good quality gold plated ones with heat shrink. At first this seemed a mistake because the sound went dull and bloated. I then decided to power down the system, do the wiggle thing with the cables, and then power back up again. The system cleared it's throat!!
I then played around with their position somewhat and i am still trying to nail the bass/mid-bass problems i was having but they're getting better and the bass is improving as well as in over areas too.
The foot is starting to tap, so to speak.
The SX2s obviously do not have the slam or the speed of the Credos but i am starting warm to their presentation.. I'm certainly finding the SX2s more forgiving than the Credos and i do seem to be turning the volume up more, is this a good thing?
My Credos are nearly twenty years old now and i guess they're in need of an overhaul, i shall see about sorting the crossovers. In the mean time.. i have three more days with the Neats and things are already sounding more positive, hopefully they will get even better over the weekend.
Happy listening folks 
Posted on: 21 April 2017 by Huge
The only things in crossovers that are likely to deteriorate significantly are electrolytic capacitors (the non-polarised types).
If you have plastic film capacitors they're unlikely to change unless they've been badly abused (thermally, physically, chemically or electrically), and this applies to resistors and inductors also.
Posted on: 23 April 2017 by Stephen Tate
Thanks Huge.
My Credos have been in running active mode for most of their working lifetime and the passive crossovers were just stored away over many years at that time. I've only been using them (passive) for the last three years and at very low volume levels. AFAIK my passive Credo crossovers have never been abused and both the speakers sound the same but I can hear that they are not what they really were (from memory) in terms of effortless sound.
I'm starting to become very impressed by the Neat SX2s, they really are musical and fun, in fact I might go with them!
The Nait 5si drives the SX2s effortlessly with plenty of power and with infectious enthusiasm to boot, in fact that's how i'm going to describe these speakers on the end of the 5si - infectious. I am finding the Neats sound amazing at low level with any music genre and this is great for me as I do a lot of late night listening too.
Yes there is still a slight upper mid-bass ringing? maybe my concrete floor and ceiling is not helping here? it is only 'slight' though.
One thing I know is for certain and that is i'm really enjoying the music more than ever and I have been going through all my usic collection again and again so the SX2s must be doing something right that's for sure!
Thanks all
Posted on: 23 April 2017 by Stephen Tate
Thanks James.
It's a funny old game because when I first got going a few days ago I really did have my doubts and I was already very eager to move on to another speaker, even plug the Credos back in and not bother!
A painful divorce coming on perhaps?
It's also funny how things have turned around after a few days, I wasn't really expecting such a transformation, not like this anyway. Maybe the speakers (SX2) needed running in a bit more and everything stabilizing, mucking about with position I don't know but since yesterday the Naim & Neat magic have certainly cast their spell on me. I was and still am hoping to have a short speaker journey as i'm not one for changing speakers or even demoing for that matter, this is my first for many years and I think it's already job done, signed and sealed. I know what I like pretty quickly. I also know that it would be foolish of me to just instantly discount trying any other speakers at this point such as the Kudos X2 ect.. The thing is, everything is sounding so balanced to me at this time that it's almost like these speakers were made for this system and l know how hard it can be to get 'any' system singing regardless of price or stature. Everything is just feeling so right and organic, not too big not too small and regardless of music genre, just plain fun and involving.
There you go, I think i have just talked myself into buying a pair of Neat Motive SX2s.
Happy listening!
Posted on: 24 April 2017 by Stephen Tate
Thanks Chris.
Yes, it all feels very right with my 5si series into Motive SX2s, I am definitely going with my heart on this one. When the music has one's feet tapping with a huge grin on their face surely it's time to pull the trigger even though my speaker journey has not been at all adventurous !!
Thanks to everyone for your input!
