interim speakers for Supernait 2 on a budget
Posted by: Ben Williams on 01 May 2018
As way of a starting point, I thought I’d ask the forum for some audition suggestions.
It'll be 6 - 18 months before I can afford the speakers I want, in the meantime I have a budget of £200 - £400-ish to get a pair of relatively cheap speakers to enjoy(?) on the end of a Supernait 2.
I use to have some Monito Audio Bronze speakers on another system, which I loved the sound of but understand that Monitor Audio is a bit bright with Naim amplification. So was initially thinking something like the Dali Spektor 2’s or perhaps the Q Acoustics Concept 20 …or would it be more sensible to get something like the B&W 685 s2’s? Do any other “budget” speakers spring to mind?
The plan is to keep these speakers and eventually build a second system for the bedroom. I prefer book shelf speakers but would consider floor standing. I listen to all types of music.
I look forward to your suggestion.
The Elac Debut and Uni-Fi line of speakers I have heard sound excellent. I would give them an audition.
Rather than new cheap speakers, how about a used classic? For example there are some lovely looking Naim Credos on the bay at the moment for a bargain £350. Or if you want bookshelves, some Linn Kans would be great. Or maybe some Naim nSats. These are already depreciated and will hold their value should you want to sell them on in the future.
Or if you like the Monitor Audio sound, a pair of Robin Marshall era MA speakers would be an ideal match and can be had for little cash on the auction sites - MA R252 (most common), R352, R652 (least common) and R852 and units are the ones to look out for. Sing really well with Naim old and new. The pick is the 852 if you can find a pair but will be more expensive. Being infinite baffle, the 252 and 852 are easy to place as well.
If it’s interim (or even long term) I reckon the used market will be your best bet here. The Supernait is a very capable amplifier, so as long as you don’t want something that presents a particularly difficult load, you have a wide choice, and as HH says, if you buy wisely they’ll be fully depreciated and you’ll be able to recover your investment should you elect to sell later.
I've done the same as you but with a SuperNait 1. I chose Totem Mites. Mainly because I've owned Totem in the past and needed something small and cheap. These work for me and my needs for now.
Hi,
if you are going to buy the „speakers you want“ from a dealer you know, ask him for a longtime loaner from his inventory of used items. I did this once, we agreed on a small payment and a time frame for the following purchase. Completely stress free and easy to do.
Ditto Epos ES11s. Try to get them with the deadlicated stands.
I don’t know how the 2nd hand market looks were you live regarding Dali speakers.. But if you can find some of their floorstanders (Ikon or even below that series), go for them.. crazy VFM IMO
Hi,
If you hanker after something brand new and fresh into the market that are within your suggested budget, which have just had a rave review in a well known magazine, which are also floorstanders, then these may look interesting - Fyne Audio F302.
I bought a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 220 stand mount speakers for my mother. They are amazing for the price! I never thought such an inexpensive pair of speakers could be so good, and so fun to listen to.
They have a nice amount of detail without being harsh or bright. They have nice tight bass and a full sound, slightly on the warm side. They sound bigger than their physical size. If my budget was in your range, I would happily buy them for my system.
The Diamond 225 is also within your budget if you want a bigger speaker with more bass. It has the same drivers as the 220, but a bigger woofer and cabinet.
i think Rega standmounts or small floorstanders would be a nice choice -- particularly the RS1, 3, or 5.
If you want something really cheap, there is a steady supply of Royds on the used market, which are a great match with Naim amps, and were a popular choice in their day. Either Minstrels, if you want a small floorstander, or various bookshelf models. Some are a bit old and tatty now, but there are bargains to be had with a bit of care.
The Concept 20's are a great value little speaker as are the Royd Edens I've had both but the best value speaker I've owned by far were the Epos ES14's you will need some good stands but should get both for under 400.
Thanks for all the suggestions, it's given me plenty to think about.
I highley recommend Qacoustics 2050i or 3050, 3050i. Super speakers for the cost and they did out perform more expensive models when I auditioned them. I have 2050i but will likely upgrade to the 3050i later this year.
Look for used dynaudio emit 10 or 20.....
analogmusic posted:Look for used dynaudio emit 10 or 20.....
+1
Denton 80th Anniversary. They’re brand new for the money you’re talking on the auction site we dare not mention.
Thank me later. I bought 2 pairs and they even out-perform my ProAc 1sc’s and my Spendor S3/5se’s.
Speaker bargain of the Century.
Thought I'd report back that I went for the Q Acoustics Concept 20 speakers in the end.
These speakers have blown me away and many ways sound so much better than the Tannoy DC8's (which I had previously) which is mostly likely more down to a poor pairing of amp/speaker than anything else.
Right out of the box I was stunned by the clarity, imaging and presentation. They don't quite achieve the same level of sound dispersion throughout the room but they are helluva lot more engaging and exciting to listen to than what I had before (at less than 6 times the price!). They're a lot smaller than my DC8's but accompanied by a JL Audio subwoofer which provides an extremely quick bass extension, I'm not noticing anything missing in that department.
It is confusing, in terms of where to go from here? My ear has constantly been evolving throughout this journey and although the Tannoy DC8's sounded liked a clear upgrade over my KEF LS50's (previous speakers before the DC8's), I can't help wonder what the hell's going on. Is this rock/paper/scissors or have my listening preferences changed that much?
Hi Ben
Great that you have found speakers that are bringing you a lot of enjoyment and clearly a great match for your SN2 (great amp by the way). You are right, it is too simplistic to think that the more money you spend on a speaker the better the sound you will have. System synergy, a well balanced set up and the room itself all play their part in speaker choice.
I also agree that our hearing and listening preferences do change over time too.
Thank you for coming back to update us. Enjoy the music and try not to get too distracted by the upgrade itch.
Ben Williams posted:Thought I'd report back that I went for the Q Acoustics Concept 20 speakers in the end.
These speakers have blown me away and many ways sound so much better than the Tannoy DC8's (which I had previously) which is mostly likely more down to a poor pairing of amp/speaker than anything else.
Right out of the box I was stunned by the clarity, imaging and presentation. They don't quite achieve the same level of sound dispersion throughout the room but they are helluva lot more engaging and exciting to listen to than what I had before (at less than 6 times the price!). They're a lot smaller than my DC8's but accompanied by a JL Audio subwoofer which provides an extremely quick bass extension, I'm not noticing anything missing in that department.
It is confusing, in terms of where to go from here? My ear has constantly been evolving throughout this journey and although the Tannoy DC8's sounded liked a clear upgrade over my KEF LS50's (previous speakers before the DC8's), I can't help wonder what the hell's going on. Is this rock/paper/scissors or have my listening preferences changed that much?
Hi Ben
i used to own a Supernait 2,but my speakers at the time were Dynaudio focus 160s,I later traded those in to fund upgrading my home theatre speakers.That left me with my Dynaudio excite 12 s to use with the SN2.While this was a good combo,it wasn’t until I added one of my JL Audio Fathom 112s to them did my enjoyment really take a giant leap ahead.The SN2 with its Sub out and the JL set up mike,allowed me to integrate the sub seamlessly...and then,WOW,a whole different league of enjoyment.Just letting you know that I am well aware of how good the SN2/JL sub with a small moniter can be...enjoy!