Should I hang on to my SBL's

No-one can really answer your question but my perspective is that I first owned SBLs with a very simple system all the way up to a pretty high end active system and along the way I felt they kept delivering more and more performance. Fundamentally I loved what they did and I loved that they could be close to the wall as well. Most speakers are not designed to work close to the wall so smaller speakers may take up more space!

If you upgraded source and pre-amp etc I think you'd discover your SBLs have more to give, plus there is always the active route.

I finally switched to SL2s with no regrets but the SBLs are in my office system and I'd never sell them.

Bruce

100% with Bruce on this - my SBLs have been with me from 52/250 to 52/135s to the current 552DR/500 and they keep giving with every amp and source upgrade - amazing speaker. You may find that you prefer a different presentation in the small room but keep in mind that once on proper stands both speakers you have mentioned will take up as much space as the SBLs or even more if they can't go right up against the wall.

Although they may well now be the weakest link in my system, they are never short of enjoyable and I know I will have to spend a considerable sum to better them.

Johnny M posted:

  In my real world, speakers stand either side of a radiator in a room my wife has decided is too small to serve any useful purpose and has designated it  "the study".  With several bookcases my 250, 72, NAT 03 and CDX and of course the SBL's you could possibly manage to swing a very small cat around the room !

Sorry to ramble on, basically what I need to know from more knowledgable members is should I invest in a new pair of smaller speakers ?

i think a lot depends upon if your present room arrangement benefits from the boundary speaker SBL capability that perform so well when close-up to a wall.

Going to a small stand-mount speaker is usually a safe enough move, however even small stand-mounts may require more awkward placement [than SBLs] if they need more space from walls, and they will cost far more than pre-owned SBLs are worth, plus the cost of the stands. You may end up spending money to gain a system that merely sounds 'different' rather than better. Will depend it you prefer what those differences are (?)

Debs

???? JOHNNY M,....Keep your SBL,and look through your installation of your music system instead.
I get the feeling when I read your post that there is a lot to do with your installation.
An example,Just where you place your rack on the floor has great significance,I could easily demonstrate to you if we lived close to each other.

With the right "intuning" and optimization,as well as separate electricity from the fuse cabinet,so I think you'll be amazed how your system can play.
And..you maybee also need something in your system sent on Recapp.

Do not forget what I call "room tuning", work systematically with small changes to the room's décor on floors, walls and furnishings.
This has more importance than most people realize, just to skew the couch, table a little bit in relation to the speakers can affect the music quality.

But then you do this,it is best to use the old methodology "tune-them, tune-Method".
Get in touch with any older trader who has been for a long time, and ask if they can that method, or can refer you to someone who can.

Add any money there,that someone will give you an introduction in that method,then you can gradually work your way to an optimal system installation in your room.
There I think you should add any money and focus,....and I promise.If you do this systematically correct,you will be amazed at the musical result......with the products you have now in your system ????.

Speaker technology has not made so much progress in the last decades,as manufacturers, traders want to make us believe.

Example: A friend of mine in Stockholm,who is financially independent.
In other words,he can buy exactly what he wants,....he still plays on his small 80-century stand-mounts Linn Kan.These drives he actively with Naim 135-amps.

That is,to be honest...one of the better music systems I heard if we talk musicality,..And I have listened,poked at much during my life.

But this friend has worked incredibly much with his installation.
This is where the secret sits,...the installation,.. Not to "change stuff".
Optimize the system you have first,.....A question for you.....
◾ Have you torque-drawn the speaker elements in your SBL.!

Just..Don't think you made it,but it makes a big difference musically for your music-reproduction.

Contact Naim,..they can give you the correct torque (Nm) for your particular SBL.
Also the tripods for your SBL should be drawn with the correct torque (Nm).
Here too,you will be amazed what a difference it makes in musicality from your SBL.

So my,...maybe for you a little different advice is this I've written above.
This will take time to work with,I usually say that if you work systematically with all the small details (and already can Tune-Dem,Tune-Method), then it will take 1 year.

But you hear every improvement all the time, and take new hands based on the new level........and the most important thing,you have fun all the time when the musical presentation improves.

And think of,..A savvy Hifi dealer can install your system in a day so that it plays "well".
But then it has only achieved about 65-70% of its capacity,the rest is up to you as I described above.
Most people stay at these 65-70%,and are happy for they don't know better....that you can get out 30-35% more from your system.
It is these 30-35% that takes time,and makes your system play magically good ????.

Good luck with your decision,whichever way you take....

Ps: Hope my English goes to understand.

/Peder ????

A nice s/h 52/52PS (or supercap) would have great system synergy with SBL's. Not silly money either.

I agree with earlier comments on SBLs capacity to deliver at a much higher level. I’ve gone through multiple changes over the years,arriving at 552 active set up. They just get better. I would invest in another 250 to see what active set ups do for SBLs.

As above, I echo the sentiments of the other guys....I've tried loads of 'more expensive and superior' speakers over the years and the SBL's are still very special.  Upgrade the amplification and source if you want tangible improvements.  Unless you are not happy with their presentation as this will remain largely unchanged. 

What colour are yours out of interest?  Surely an appreciating asset these days too, a piece of classic Naim engineering.

Keep SBLs. Upgrade your CD player and if it comes to it, your NAC instead.

C.

Nice to see all this love for SBLs, and with good reason. I have heard a small selection of more modern designs. None have made me doubt keeping them.

Stu

Having owned SBLs and Proac Response D2s both, you cannot go wrong either way.

I went to a stand mount because of wanting to save space, and as others have said, it is not really the case, so don't put much stock in that aspect.

Keep your SBLs! Simple. 

Genuine thanks to all responders. Amazed just how much regard there is for SBL's. It's pretty obvious, from all replies how highly rated the old speakers are, and based on such sound advice, I intend to replace them - with Mk2's and only for aesthetic reasons. Thanks again to all who took the time to provide such useful information and of course, for saving me lots of money.

Regards

Johnny M

The true Mk 2 SBL has, in addition to the in house bass units, all over veneered cabinets. That’s the one to go for if you do change. 

Unfortunately it seems that only the earlier mk1's in black ash come up for sale and not all that regularly. Thanks for the advice.

It’s worth biding your time to find the ones that are right for you. The Mk2 does sound better but not earth shatteringly so, which means there is no rush. Any changes to electronics can be done in the meantime. 

You're right and while I'm waiting I shall be on the lookout for an olive XPS to compliment my CDX.

On a grammatical note, an apostrophe is not needed for a plural. Just putting it out there as the young people say. Surprised one of the moderators has not chimed in yet on this point.

Johnny M posted:

You're right and while I'm waiting I shall be on the lookout for an olive XPS to compliment my CDX.

Might be able to help you there...

More details please,