New Neat Iota Xplorer speakers

Posted by: Yetizone on 06 October 2017

New speakers from Neat Acoustics to add to their expanding Iota family. They look like they could have potential! I’m only recently new to the Neat Iota party and was quite (very) impressed at the sheer scale of sound coming from such tiny boxes when I recently heard them, so this new addition to the range looks promising. Quite large in comparison to the rest of the range - A pumped Iota Alpha on steroids - woof (er) ! Dimensions are 74cm including spikes. Width 30cm, depth 22cm. From their Facebook feed...

"Introducing the Iota XPLORER!

We've taken the concept of the groundbreaking Iota ALPHA loudspeaker to a new level with this intriguing additional model to the Iota range. The Iota Xplorer uses the same basic configuration as the Alpha, in an enlarged form.

An AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter, here employed for the first time in a Neat loudspeaker, delivers an uncompressed, musical performance and offers excellent integration with Neat's own main drive unit.

The lower, ported, section of the Xplorer houses not one, but two of Neat's P1-R2 bass drive units in a sealed iso-baric arrangement, acting as an integral subwoofer system.

Combining these elements ensures that the Iota Xplorer delivers a compelling portrayal of all types of music. Like the Alpha, the Xplorer belies its small stature with a full-range agile presentation and huge soundstage, which projects far beyond the modest confines of the cabinet.

Shipping will commence in late November. Pricing TBC."

Moderated Post: Link removed.

Posted on: 06 October 2017 by Obsydian

Seriously fugly looking.

That said Naim and neat always are a good match.

Posted on: 06 October 2017 by Clive B

Obsydian posted:
Seriously fugly looking.

Mmm...if ever there was a speaker in need of a grille cloth!

Posted on: 06 October 2017 by Pcd

Clive B posted:
Obsydian posted:
Seriously fugly looking.
Mmm...if ever there was a speaker in need of a grille cloth!

They do a grille cloth for the Iota Alpha so I assume they will do so for the new model I have grilles on mine and they look much better for them.

Posted on: 06 October 2017 by Singlespeed

Pcd posted:
Clive B posted:
Obsydian posted:
Seriously fugly looking.
Mmm...if ever there was a speaker in need of a grille cloth!
They do a grille cloth for the Iota Alpha so I assume they will do so for the new model I have grilles on mine and they look much better for them.

Can you post a pic of yours Pcd...?

Posted on: 07 October 2017 by Yetizone

Not the greatest image, but gives an idea. Not many snaps of them online dressed in their grilles.

Posted on: 07 October 2017 by Pcd

Singlespeed posted:
Pcd posted:
Clive B posted:
Obsydian posted:
Seriously fugly looking.
Mmm...if ever there was a speaker in need of a grille cloth!
They do a grille cloth for the Iota Alpha so I assume they will do so for the new model I have grilles on mine and they look much better for them.

Can you post a pic of yours Pcd...?

Will do

Posted on: 07 October 2017 by Robiwan

Obsydian posted:
Seriously fugly looking.
That said Naim and neat always are a good match.

not if you don't like the Neat sound that much, but they look very nice.

Posted on: 07 October 2017 by Dev B

Looks like a fantastic new product. Neats always have sounded excellent to my ears - can't wait to hear them

Posted on: 07 October 2017 by Pcd

Singlespeed posted:
Pcd posted:
Clive B posted:
Obsydian posted:
Seriously fugly looking.
Mmm...if ever there was a speaker in need of a grille cloth!
They do a grille cloth for the Iota Alpha so I assume they will do so for the new model I have grilles on mine and they look much better for them.

Can you post a pic of yours Pcd...?

With and without the grilles are magnetic

Posted on: 07 October 2017 by Dave***t

I don't think they look too bad. Would be interesting to hear them.

Also can't help but be reminded of these Shahinians:

Posted on: 07 October 2017 by Perol

I have allways like the little Iota and heard good reports about the Alpha

Many of Neats larger models can be stunning but need to be placed away from backwall, sometime bas is difficult to control

Posted on: 07 October 2017 by Obsydian

Remind me of old industrial dehumidfiers

Posted on: 07 October 2017 by Perol

Bet it sound much better than five times higher priced Focals

Posted on: 08 October 2017 by Singlespeed

Yetizone posted:
Not the greatest image, but gives an idea. Not many snaps of them online dressed in their grilles.

Yes I did do a quick search - cheers

Posted on: 08 October 2017 by Singlespeed

Pcd posted:
Singlespeed posted:
Pcd posted:
Clive B posted:
Obsydian posted:
Seriously fugly looking.
Mmm...if ever there was a speaker in need of a grille cloth!
They do a grille cloth for the Iota Alpha so I assume they will do so for the new model I have grilles on mine and they look much better for them.

Can you post a pic of yours Pcd...?
With and without the grilles are magnetic

thanks mate

Posted on: 09 October 2017 by Michael_B.

Dave***t posted:
I don't think they look too bad. Would be interesting to hear them.
Also can't help but be reminded of these Shahinians:

And the Shahinians aren't ported....

Posted on: 15 October 2017 by Yetizone

It seems the bods at What Hi-Fi Towers have taken the little Alpha to their hearts with an enthusiastic review ...

"These Neats are surprising speakers. If you’re after fuss-free floorstanders that don’t dominate your listening room there are few better alternatives.

They sound way bigger than they look, and deliver a combination of detail, dynamics and rhythmic integrity that competes with the best of the traditional competition.

They’re not about analysing the recording, more about having fun. That’s just fine with us."

Posted on: 15 October 2017 by Perol

Cant be arsenend wat hifi think this month

Posted on: 16 November 2017 by Yetizone

Courtesy of the Hi-Fi+ newsletter, a report from the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest...

Quite intrigued now as I thought the Neat Iota and Alpha's sounded rather good when I heard them. also mentioned in the report are the new Focal Kanta, their appearance seems to be dividing opinion. Personally, I like their progressive design.

"Neat Iota Xplorer: Neat extended its Iota series with the squat, floorstanding, three-way Xplorer (£3,500). This interesting speaker combines the legendary Hiel AMT tweeter with their super-fast 170mm paper-coned bass-mid unit, housed in an upper, sealed chamber. Below that (in every sense), a pair of downward firing bass drivers is arranged in an isobaric loading, the “rear” unit in a ported enclosure. The sound was relaxed, open and inviting, with good rhythmic coherence and no obvious discontinuity between the mid and treble – itself quite an achievement. Available from November, the Iota Xplorer should be well worth seeking out."

Moderated Post: Yetizone, please don't post unauthorised links in the Hifi Corner. Thank you.

Posted on: 16 November 2017 by Christopher_M

"No reps!" ;-)

Posted on: 16 November 2017 by Wugged Woy

They look awful both with grilles and without IMHO

Neither SWMBO or myself would allow them within a light year of our living room. No matter how wonderful they sounded. There is a limit ................................. eek

Posted on: 16 November 2017 by blythe

Might be the perfect partner to a Nova

Posted on: 16 November 2017 by blythe

They remind me, for some reason, of SBL's

Posted on: 16 November 2017 by Dave***t

blythe posted:
They remind me, for some reason, of SBL's

Same here. Extend the angled part and move the tweeter up there and they'd look virtually the same I think. Hard to judge from pictures, but I reckon they'd be approx the same size too.

Posted on: 16 November 2017 by james n

Their size makes them slightly awkward looking next to the undoubtedly cute Alpha. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but i'm sure in a domestic setting they'll look fine. I'd certainly give them house room.

Good on Neat for doing things differently anyway cool