History of the SBL

Posted by: Matt worlock on 26 September 2002

Hello all,

Can you SBL fans out there.........Yes YOU!! Please explain the history of the SBL, from when it was born to its last production run & the differences in between.

In short what model is the best to go for second-hand in a price to performance ratio??

wink smile

Mad Boy Matt
Posted on: 26 September 2002 by David Hobbs-Mallyon
Matt,

I don't have any dates, but the two key changes that I'm aware of are:

1) Change of the mid-drivers - this is a significant change.

2) At some point reasonably recently Naim changed their cabinet maker. The general consensus seems to be the later model is better.

If you think SBLs are the speaker for you, I would try and seek out a very new pair - there seem to be some very good bargains available at the moment.

David
Posted on: 26 September 2002 by Matt worlock
Hi david,

Where are these said bargins are you refering to? Are they private sales in general... or have you seen some at dealers going for a good price?


smile

Mad Boy Matt
Posted on: 26 September 2002 by bornwina
I bought my latest spec SBL's 2nd hand immaculate in Cherry a while back for about a grand - maybe a bit more. Try the usual magazine's or ebay or loot.com.

They don't travel too well because of the gasket between main and tweeter cainet so if you go to pick some up ready assembled make sure you've got a flat area to rest them on in your motor and a mate to give you a hand.
Posted on: 26 September 2002 by johno
quote:
Originally posted by bornwina:


They don't travel too well because of the gasket between main and tweeter cainet so if you go to pick some up ready assembled make sure you've got a flat area to rest them on in your motor and a mate to give you a hand.


I would make sure you have the original boxes and transport them disassembled else the area where the spikes sit will be wrecked during transit

John
Shore
Posted on: 27 September 2002 by Rockingdoc
You don't need the boxes if you accept that moved SBLs will have to be resealed. This allows you to disassemble (10 mins maximum) before transporting, much more practical and you might save the ally plates into the bargain. Just have a tube of silicon sealant ready and waiting at home so there is no "can't play with new toy" frustration on arrival.
Posted on: 27 September 2002 by johno
quote:
Originally posted by Rockingdoc:
You don't need the boxes...



Yes but.. trying to keep 6 separate boxes and metal legs etc away from each other is far easier in OE boxes... definitely spliting them is required...

John
Shore
Posted on: 30 September 2002 by Rico
quote:
You don't need the boxes if you accept that moved SBLs will have to be resealed.


This is incorrect. If you are talking about transporting SBL's (as opposed to a careful carry to the next room, which still ultimately demands a re-seal if one is pursuing perfection), consider it mandatory to disassemble - or damage will most likely occur to the mid-bass driver box atop the spikes. Julian posted as much on the old forum.

No need to "save pads" - a new set is inlcuded in the SBL Gasket kit, available from your friendly local Naim dealer - and includes the correct silicon sealant, too.

Happy SBL'ing. smile

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio