advices for Naim and BW nautilus

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.

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

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

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.

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).

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

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