Naim SL2 vs Ovator S400?

International shipping of either of those speakers sounds risky. Especially if it’s a private sale, I’d want to be very sure the seller knew what they were doing with dismantling and packaging, and make sure the shipping is fully covered by insurance. 

I was in a similar position to you 4 years ago. Auditioned the 400's and didn't like them at all. Bought a pair of "pre loved" SL2's and in my opinion, they are in a different league, fabulous speakers.

John

SL2.

BP.

Greetings Khan. Your profile location states 'London'. Are you (and the listening room) still there?

If so .............. you can probably guess my next bit of advice.

John.

Your profile says you are located in London.  If this is still the case are you in a position to buy both and then sell on the pair you like the least?

Chances are that one of them will be suitable.

Hi Guys, yes I guess that would be ideal but I don’t think I can buy both at the moment as I’ve already spent a lot on the rest of the gear. I was planning on holding off on speaker purchase for a few months but this is a good opportunity to snag a classic I guess. 

'To buy cheap is to buy twice' a wise man once said.

If you're in London, get out there and listen. Listening rooms are an acoustic lottery and there's no telling what will 'work' and what will not - to your taste. SL2's are fabulous loudspeakers but can be very room dependent. Better to home-dem available loudspeakers without financial commitment.

Moreover; cultivating the help, advice and knowledge of a good dealer can pay dividends in the future.

Good luck.

John.

If you want a ‘classic’ then it’s the SL2. I’m a bit puzzled by your initial post, but it sounds as though you want to place the speakers in the corners and in front of a wardrobe. The SL2 needs a solid wall behind it, with room to breathe either side. You could possibly get away with them against any of the other three solid walls. They are complex speakers, and it is imperative that the seller knows exactly how to dismantle them and knows exactly how to pack them in the original packaging. In that size room I’d probably be looking at the latest ProAc Tablette 10. Or if I wanted a classic, Mk1 Kans on Mk 2 stands. 

"Or if I wanted a classic, Mk1 Kans on Mk 2 stands"

+1 to that

Get the SL2 while you can

Very few available and they will keep value

Not so with S400

Hard to say, had them both. Can sound fantastic in the right room. Or itching you like crazy. 

I ended up using my SL2 with a n-Sub. That was never a problem with 400. 

//Jonas

The SL2 will only work, as HH has said, up against a solid wall. If you can't do this there is little point in buying them.

I had to put mine in storage for a house renovation and needed help from my dealer to dismantle and pack them, don't underestimate the complexity and make sure you get guarantees that the seller has the capability to pack them correctly.

.sjb

I have my SL2s slightly out from the wall and slightly angled inwards, and they work brilliantly. I've heard the 400s on a couple of occasions and in my view they are completely outclassed by the SL2s. Unsurprisingly, they are also hugely sought after these days.

SL2 imho better than S400

Mike. That is exactly how I plan to set them up. The seller seems to know how to dismantle and package the speakers So that’s not an issue. The only worry is I don’t want the speakers sound thin if I’m not getting bass reproduction. 

I have considered Linn Kans but I don’t like to add a sub. And, I couldn’t do without the low end. Bedsides a NAC 552 and twin 135s without a speaker than can reproduce bass is a pointless exercise in my opinion. 

Previously I owned the Harbeth M30.1 with a 252/250DR setup and I wasn’t to displeased with that bass response. So I imagine I’ll be happy with what I get from the SL2

Are you still planning to have the speakers largely in front of a wardrobe? If so, they won’t work well. Mine are also slightly away from the wall and slightly angled in - 9cm from the wall on the insides and 10cm on the outsides. If that is your sort of slightly, and the wall is solid, you will be ok. SL2s that are not set up perfectly and placed correctly can sound really, really ???? 

Kahn, If you chose the SL2s which, if the set up arrangements are optimal as others have described, they will certainly outperform the s400s. Make sure you read Richard’s set up guide very thoroughly and are prepared to be patient and careful when you do it. It’s great fun and, when you get it all right, they are the most incredible speakers, particularly with the quality of front end you have.

We look forward to hearing how you get on and remember that there is a vast amount of know how here to help you as you do it. Enjoy....

David

I’m aspiring for SL2 myself but the complicated issues mentioned here make me doubtful I will be a happy owner of a Naim speaker one day.

My Dynaudios on the other hand sound great without any complications.

Good luck to Khan, very keen to read on his experience with Naim speakers.

Hungryhalibut posted:

Are you still planning to have the speakers largely in front of a wardrobe? If so, they won’t work well. Mine are also slightly away from the wall and slightly angled in - 9cm from the wall on the insides and 10cm on the outsides. If that is your sort of slightly, and the wall is solid, you will be ok. SL2s that are not set up perfectly and placed correctly can sound really, really ???? 

all Naim speakers sounds awfull when not set up correctly

Khan, Go for whichever speaker is least compromised by setup. Then just live the rest of your life happily  :-)

C.

Yes guys. Great risk can lead to a great reward. And the setup itself for the SL2 doesn’t put me off unless of course the layout of the room needs to be changed. 

Is the Ovator S400 any less fiddly with setup? Although I will be able to plant s400s out into open space I will be moving them after every listening session. I know I know it’s a chore. But I refuse to live without an audio system. And I cannot use the living room as it sounds very bad  and kids would tear the expensive gear apart. 

Having said that I feel if I can somehow get the SL2 to work in my room I will enjoy them far more as I will never have to love them and I want to take advantage of the revealing talents of the NAC 552

meant to ask Kahn, which colour are the SL2s you have in your sights?

why would you move them after every listening session?

I would have to mark the floor with masking tape once I decide upon the best position for them. I would have to move the. Because they will be I. The way of foot traffic. 

And the SL2s are in rosewood finish. Which I believe was at a premium. Also in beautiful condition. 

I apologise for the silly iPhone typo errors. The s400 speakers will have to be moved because I imagine that their ideal position will be out in the room. Which will be in the way of foot traffic.