Are s/hand SBL's a good buy?

Posted by: starbuck on 12 February 2004

Hi there

I'm pretty new here so please be gentle with me if I'm asking a question that's been asked before - I did do a quick search through the archives but couldn't find what I'm looking for.

Anyway....as the title suggests, would a secondhand pair of SBL's represent a good investment? I've heard a couple of pairs of these now - one on the end of a pair of 135's and the other running from a single 250(I think - I could only see one) - and they sounded great on both occasions, but I'm uncertain of a couple of things:

1. - I've been doing a fair bit of reading about them and noticed several references to gasket kits and refurbishments - what are the pitfalls to look out for if considering some?
2. I have a fairly small room and, whilst I like to go loud on the odd occasion, I'm uncertain as to whether SBL's really deserve a bigger space to perform in(mine is about 12'6" x 14')?
3. What would be the minimum level of amplification to be considered to drive them adequately(in the Naim range of amps, new or old)?
4. For the money - circa £900.00 -, are there any 'better' speakers(replace 'better' with 'more suitable' if you like) around and, if so, what?

Cheers,

Starbuck

Posted on: 12 February 2004 by --duncan--

Bought a pair of the very same recently, I've been very happy with them.

1.You will need to re-seal the gasket when you reassemble the SBLs. The mastic is a bit of a faff but not really difficult. garyi, of this parish, has a great set-up guide here

2. A 12 x 14 room should be fine regarding size, but obviously you can never tell how a speaker will sound in any specific room until it's there. However, you should always be able to sell on SBLs if they turn out to vehemently disagree with your acoustics.

3. I've heard them sound very good on the end of a 180 and I'm sure people have driven them with less. They are not hard to drive. Obviously they will really sing with a 250, but the quality of the source and pre- are more significant factors in how they will sound.

4. If you like the type of sound SBLs make, their particular set of compromises, they are unbeatable for the money and an absolute bargain.

duncan

Email: djcritchley at hotmail.com

Posted on: 12 February 2004 by J.N.

Hi Starbuck

Later cabinets are better (veneered back - older ones are painted black).

They need re-sealing in situ. There is a skill in getting this right, and it's well worth paying a dealer to get a sealing kit and do it properly.

SBL's are ideal in small rooms, due to their boundary placement and tight bass.

Older ones are still OK (mine are 1992) but might need the later Naim manufactured bass/mid driver. It's also worth replacing the tweeters if over about 8 years old.

The serial number will tell you the age.

Serial numbers

They are an easy load for an amplifier. A Nait 1/2/3/5 will do the job, but they really need a 250 to shine.

I love my SBL's but have to concede that they do now sound a bit old-fashioned and two-dimensional (if that bothers you?)

Allaes certainly produce a better soundstage, but do not have the precise sound of SBL's.

Good luck.

Posted on: 12 February 2004 by greeny

SBL's are an excellent 2nd hand buy, but need a bit more care than some speakers w.r.t setup.

A 140 is probably the minimum amp you should drive them with and will work well in a smallish room like yours as long as you aren't really wellying it.

As Duncan Said the source and Preamp are more important as they are VERY revealing speakers and do not sound good on the end of cheap CD players (for example).

Note there was a revision around 1997 (not sure of the serial number) where extra veneer was added on the cabinet backs etc. These later models will cost slightly more but are worth it.

Note the Base Drive units changed In the Early ninties (I think)

Posted on: 12 February 2004 by starbuck

Many thanks for all the responses and advice contained therein - it sounds like SBL's may be suitable for me, then, although I've taken careful note of the caveats for consideration when auditioning.

Thanks again.

Posted on: 12 February 2004 by Rasher

SBL's are fantastic. I had mine on the end of a 160 (upgraded to 180), and they really worked well. You won't be disappointed

Posted on: 13 February 2004 by Noel

Starbuck,
I'm a former SBL owner and a big fan of those speakers. IMHO they're incredible VFM. I have used Naim 140, 180 and 250 amps with. The better the signal the better they get. If you like the sound balance they are hard to beat. Set up just requires care. Do it patiently using Garyi's instructions and you'll be rewarded with an insightful, musical and revealing speaker.

Noel.

Posted on: 13 February 2004 by Rockingdoc

My favourite Naim purchase was the s/h SBLs
(I use a pair of 250s with them)