advices for Naim and BW nautilus

Posted by: alexandre Taithe on 10 October 2000

Hello, I look for opinions and counsels on the compatibilité between the enceintes BW nautilus 805 and my system (Nait 3 R/cd 3.5/flat cap).

I hope the result should not be too much too analytical. It is difficult to hear the 805 with a naim system in a naim dealer's shop because it is a second hand 805.

Thank you and please excuse my english

Alexandre Taithe from Paris

Posted on: 10 October 2000 by John Channing

Personally I am not keen on the B&W Nautilus speakers attached to a Naim system. They have many merits in the hifi sense, very clear detailed midrange, excellent stereo image, silky treble etc. But as far as I can tell they seem to miss the point entirely when it comes to actually playing music. So if you like what Naim gear can do I'd look elsewhere, at what exactly would depend on your room and other preferences.
John

Music is the answer.

Posted on: 10 October 2000 by alexandre Taithe

Thank you john,

I have heard of Proac (like the studio 125) Naim's dealers in Paris recommand this speakers with naim (like BW), and they are not really proud of naim's speakers.
Actually, i have a french speakers (Triangle Antal XS) and there is some troubles withe my nait 3R. The sensibility of my speakers is 93 db, then, i hear a very high noise in my tweeter ("souffle" in french), usual for a naim, but disturbing in a small room (<20m2) and high sensibility of the speakers.
And the two voices (or channel right and left) do not begin at the same time.

I like the music in my system, but it is no easy to use. It is why i want to change my speakers to an other with less "rendement" or sensibility.

Thank you

Alexandre Taithe

Posted on: 10 October 2000 by Former member

Alexandre said

quote:
It is difficult to hear the 805 with a naim system in a naim dealer's shop because it is a second hand 805.

I thought second-hand speakers are more suitable for demo purposes as they should be fully run in and hence more revealing of their long-term nature. Unless, of course, they have been thrashed in which case there is no telling.

How can a Naim dealer not take pride in Naim speakers and still keep his agency?

James

Posted on: 10 October 2000 by Former member

I'm with John on this. B&W speakers miss the point completely and I also find them to produce a plasticky sort of colouration.

Don't do it!

Vuk.

Posted on: 10 October 2000 by mr saucisson

Don't do it

I once spent a whole afternoon listening to Nautilus 805s with a large range of kit from 3.5/92/90 to CDX/102/250 and many points in between. Lots of air, incredibly clear treble and smooooooth bass. No bloody tune though. Bought IBLs instead.

Alexandre, most Naim speakers hiss very slightly as they are very sensitive. Nothing to worry about, you really do get used to it, even if they are in your bed room as mine are.

However, I agree that Intros and Credos are not up to scratch. Get a pair of IBLs or SBLs instead - depending on how big your room is. Worth the hisssssing pain...!

Salutations

Ben

Posted on: 10 October 2000 by Former member

Alexandre,

Are you otherwise happy with the Triangles ? How are they ? if you really like them, and the only problem is sensitivity, isn't there a simple solution of reducing a speaker's sensitivity ? maybe you can ask Triangle ?

Don't Naim make a less sensitive volume pot to help the balance-at-low-volumes problem ? that's a famous problem with many naits and pre's.

Otherwise, maybe an attenuated (with constant resistance built-in) interconnect can help you with it ?

Omer.

Posted on: 10 October 2000 by alexandre Taithe

To James Jong : may be naim dealers Paris do not recommand naim speakers in first choice, but they trust all the rest of the products range. They are really professionals (especially Pascal, who is working with A. Choukroun : lp12...)
For exemple, I have heard that Audio Synthèse (Paris) sells less than one pair of naim speakers for a year.

To omer : it's a good idea. I will phone to triangle tomorow. Triangle is one of the biggest french speakers makers. It looks like very natural ( real?), a lot of air, very fast, for about £7500 and yes i like this sound.

Posted on: 11 October 2000 by Former member

WOW! I hear plenty of wonderful music with my 250/HI/72 driving a pair of B&W 805 matrix speakers. I also have a pair of Martin Logan CLS, Original Saras, and LS3/5as. The B&Ws are absolutely my preference. Granted, these are not the new N series, but are probably somewhat representative of the sonic merits or virtues offered by the new 805s.

Lance

Posted on: 23 October 2000 by Tuan

I have a Naim CD3, Exposure Super 20 and the 805 speakers. They work very well together. I also have a Krell integrated and they also work well together. B&W 805 speakers are great, detailed, and neutral (with minimum of coloration). May be that is why some people dont like them. However, if you use Naim amplifier, you should use the 250 model. the Nait (old or new) just can't perform well with 805 because of the lack of power (30 - 35W). B&W 805 need arounr 65W and up to run well (they sound amazing with the Krell integrated).

Posted on: 24 October 2000 by Former member

Alexandre,

I am quite surprised that you mentioned Alain Choukroun as a LP12 specialist nowadays; actually A. choukroun is no more a Linn dealer since the release of the Xerxes by Roksan!!
how can he be a LP12 expert after such a long time?

as far as Audio synthèse is concerned, I am ready to believe you when you say that they don't sell any naim speakers. I on't know why, but they are very keen on the latest Linn speakers (especially AV5140), and their taste is more Linn oriented than naim oriented.
I have also listened to Proac response 2.5 at audio synthese , and felt thay are great speakers. If the studio 125 are of the same vein, go for it... but try to have a comparison with the intros/credos and the latest linn katan/ninkas

regards
jean-christophe

Posted on: 24 October 2000 by alexandre Taithe

Hello Jean-christophe,

Of course, A. Choukroun does not sell Linn products, but analogical sources have a lot of importance for him. Then, every kind of "reglages" is made in his shop (That's why i have spoken of the Lp12).

And thank you for your advice.

Alexandre

Posted on: 25 October 2000 by Colin Lorenson

I've auditioned the N805's, and had N803's in my system for 2 days last weekend. I think they are truly excellent speakers and am completly baffled by the "accurate but not musical" line that is constantly punted about them.

To my ears they time well, are smooth and musical, extremely revealing (without being clinical) and as dynamic as buggery with the right amps. They need 52&135's (which I have) to really work well and more power would be even better. Listening to everything from Piano jazz to Leftfield on these was an absoute revelation.

I must admit that I've never really got on with Naim speakers but anyone that's in the market for this class/value of speaker (SBL/NBL) should listen them, make up their own mind and not believe the accepted wisdom.

Looking forward to getting N802's next weekend for a thrash - that should exercise the 135 cooling fans.

Colin Lorenson

Posted on: 25 October 2000 by Former member

Alexandre, I had replied that I have been using B&W 805 matrix speakers with my 250/hicap/72 for a number of years with very good results. I have recently been looking to purchase another pair of speakers which would allow me to keep my 805s for use in my new theater room. I had plans to purchase a pair of n805s until I brought home a pair of Revel M20s for audition. They offer a clarity and dynamic presentation that makes my B&W 805s sound as if they were asleep.

Lance