Naim Nova Speaker Change

Posted by: DiscoVolante on 23 November 2018

So having moved from a Naim Atom with Spendor A6Rs, upgrading to Spendor D7s and then buying a Nova I now find myself in our new house but with a much smaller room. I'm finding the D7s a bit dominating both visually and from the closer listening position (room is now  4m x 5m.  I've considered going back to A6Rs but haven't heard them with the Nova (they were great with Atom) so am now thinking stand mount as an option.

As always I know speaker choice is very personal but would appreciate opinions.  I auditioned the Atom originally with Spendor & PMC and chose Spendor. Budget would be up to £4k I suppose for something visually appealing as well as sonically and ideally would need to occupy less space than the D7s which are now only 15cm from the wall. I have 450mm from the wall to the front of whatever speaker I choose at 2m centres against a 4m wall.

Posted on: 26 November 2018 by DiscoVolante

Any love for the C20 or Super 20s?

Posted on: 27 November 2018 by John L F

I’d definitely listen to the C20. I run Special 40s with a Nova which produces a brilliant sound.

It was only after listening to other speakers and going back to the 40s that I realised how good they were.

Posted on: 27 November 2018 by DiscoVolante

Well I auditioned PMC twenty5.23s and was disappointed. Slightly muddied and bass-dominant compared to the 24s which are similar to my D7s but not as detailed.

I also listened to some B&W 704s which were quite musical but at the cost of detail and separation.  They would be fine for an Atom I suspect in a second system.

Will see if I can get a home demo of Kudos / Totem.

Posted on: 27 November 2018 by leni v

The S20 and the FOREST will occupy the same space the d7 does. They are about the same size. I suspect you will have to position them almost like you did with the D7.Also i think the FOREST are way overpriced in the UK.

Posted on: 27 November 2018 by DiscoVolante

The S20 is quite a bit smaller if wider.  It's mainly the height and depth that's a concern so in that respect they'd be fine.

I agree, however, that both Kudos & Totem are overpriced for what you get compared to other brands.