Ovator s-400 Issues

@ Nick, I have had both 400 (replacing Allae at that time) and 600 later on  

1. They take ages to run in

2. Do ensure that the transit bolts for the tweeter are removed

3. They can work great +50 cm from the back wall. 

4. Yes, they are way more sterile then Allae. Don’t now they signature sound of Nova but maybe not a good match from that view point?

//Jonas

Dalmatian, Ovator plugs do optimise their performance and are cheap.

All of the above + one point: do check the speakers polarity.
Ovators should not sound flat and one-dimensional....

Checked the phase of the speakers and they are correct, I’m using NACA5 but I haven’t soldered the Ovator plugs at the moment I’m using the standard Naim plugs without the plastic part as the spacing is different until I decide if they are staying or not. Ovator 400s don’t have transit screws so that’s not the issue, trying different positions at the moment.

Thanks for all of your replies.

Nick

Another point: don't use the regular streaming services to test. Spotify can sound very flat on Ovators (because they are so ... good). Use cd quality or better.

On my B&W's everything sounds ok, nothing really special - but on the Ovators I can now and then feel myself hanging like a Mic in a hall.

I mainly use Tidal HiFi and a upnp server, they both sound similar.

Nick

Sat here listening now, playing favourites that I know well, tried the speakers from 3” to 12” from the rear wall, various degrees of toe-in, they’re about 7ft apart and 2.5 feet from the side wall, tried adjusting my listening position also still the same issue.

They sound one dimensional, flat, no sparkle, no magic my foot hasn’t tapped once, Norah Jones is “in the room” on my Allaes with the Ovators she’s in another room!

Really frustrated.

Nick

The worse case scenario is you have to sell them again.  As long as you didn't pay over the odds and assuming that they are just not your cup of tea, rather than faulty, then you move them on.

Its very odd. I've been listening too a lot of singer song writer music like Norah Jones and I always considered this one of the strenghts of the Ovators. Katie Melua was whispering in my ear for sure!

There must be something silly wrong.

That’s what I’m thinking but can’t fathom out what it is?

Nick

Ovator speaker plugs may 'optimise' performance, but in no way would change the way a speaker performs to anything like the degree required in this case.

Nick - could you possibly try different speaker speaker cables, just to verify that NACA5 hasn’t developed a fault (cold solder for example)?

Adam

Just took a rather rubbish photo to give you an idea of the placement.

I think the speaker cables are fine as when I swap to the Allaes they sound good.

[IMG]http://i64.tinypic.com/dom3xl.jpg[/IMG]

Without reading every reply on here, they look a little closed in, in terms of placement for me. I know others use them close to the wall but IMO they don't work that well like that. Also the large  cabinet in between is not great, but then it would not be ideal for Allaes too. Move them forward 1 mtr from the back wall, and see if they improve, you could then try a bit closer until they fall apart in performance. (If you have not already done so). I appreciate you may not want them there long term, but at least you may hear them improve.

They look cool indeed.

They are about 12” from the wall, I’ve had them about 2ft out with no change in quality, the bass is ok it’s the lack of detail etc I’m struggling with.

Nick

Try them further out, at least 3ft, then add a small amount of toe in, and keep adding toe in until they snap into focus.

Sorry to hear this mate. Sounds like the S400 are perhaps not for you then as it looks like you have tried everything short of getting a tech to break them down to see if they are damaged somehow.

I don’t wish to wee over existing S400 owners here, because their strengths are:

Great tight, rhythmic, impactful bass, PRaT is off the charts good, WIDE soundstage way past the edge of the speakers etc.

But I do get what you say about lacking “sparkle”, because that is why I ultimately moved mine on.

crackie posted:

Sorry to hear this mate. Sounds like the S400 are perhaps not for you then as it looks like you have tried everything short of getting a tech to break them down to see if they are damaged somehow.

I don’t wish to wee over existing S400 owners here, because their strengths are:

Great tight, rhythmic, impactful bass, PRaT is off the charts good, WIDE soundstage way past the edge of the speakers etc.

But I do get what you say about lacking “sparkle”, because that is why I ultimately moved mine on.

What speakers have you ended up with?

Nick

Right then, two days of different positions I’ve reinstated my Allaes and it’s like a breath of fresh air, they’re staying.

Gutted I couldn’t get the Ovators to work in my room but nothing ventured nothing gained, I’m going to move them on and hopefully not lose too much money.

Thanks for all of you suggestions and help, it’s appreciated.

Nick

dalmatian posted:

Just took a rather rubbish photo to give you an idea of the placement.

I think the speaker cables are fine as when I swap to the Allaes they sound good.

 

[IMG]http://i64.tinypic.com/dom3xl.jpg[/IMG]

 

What about their vintage ? Me and Max B found that earlier generation 400s had a different presentation and less involving than latest one. He is with his second pair  and told me that are more open and brilliant than previous one.

Regards

Roberto

I so wanted these S400s to work for you. What about some of the Focals with the flax drivers that came out around the same time as the Unitys? I'd totally get it though, if you just wanted to stick with the Allaes.

Christopher_M posted:

I so wanted these S400s to work for you. What about some of the Focals with the flax drivers that came out around the same time as the Unitys? I'd totally get it though, if you just wanted to stick with the Allaes.

I think that would be Focal Kanta 2s which use the flax drivers of the Arias plus the superb beryllium tweeter for the Electra and Sopra range.  

Christopher_M posted:

I so wanted these S400s to work for you. What about some of the Focals with the flax drivers that came out around the same time as the Unitys? I'd totally get it though, if you just wanted to stick with the Allaes.

I’ll have to sell the Ovators and then think about alternatives, the Focals are a possibility I heard the 926 once and liked them.

Nick

Nick, I went with ProAc D48R. Very , very happy with them and they certainly fixed my lack of treble “sparkle” issue with the S400.