Possibly a greater debate; NEAT Critique vs. Round-Earth Champion
Posted by: onlythat on 09 November 2002
Alright. I've had the Critiques on courteous demo/purchase from Whetstone audio-- NAIMGAIM's own venue. CDX/72/HI/140. Sound Org rack. Atacama speaker stands. My currently owned speakers are the much vaunted and prayed to and referenced (in roundville) by UHF Magazine etc.. Reference 3a MM De Capo i's.
In brief: (incidentally, Willie Nelson's Teatro album was used for like 2/3rds of the comparison cause I love this disc immensely). Fat italian men (and women) were used for the other 2/3rds. (OK--- with the exception of one swede and one fat italian man who's possibly a woman-- damned countertenors).
The Neats--- were quite a different animal on hook-up. I expected this. I had petite 3's a while back on dem though and with apologies to Top Cat, it was all boom and tizz for me. The critique is NOT a boom tizz speaker. It was instantly more fun than the Round Boys and the bass was quick and punchy (wow-- that was a switch). Voices are nice and clear-- and you get into the music. I mean, i am mainly a classical/opera guy and Pavarotti doesnt, sound as neutral as on a spendor, but then, I was still awake after a few tracks to continue evaluating, lucky for you. These Critiques can be used fairly (maybe 15 inches or so) close to a wall, but mine (err... Brian's) are like 24 inches or so out. Toe in is to your taste-- with minimal recommended. Mine are currently without it. In short, the Critiques got groove all over the Exalted Roundies and go lower and tighter in the bass and are not quite as "neutral" with big fat italian men.
The ROUNDIES-- Very Round. In many ways-- especially the bass. TONY L (and you know who you are) is RIGHT. I immediately heard-- the PORT after re-hooking up the Roundies. [That is why someone else will very soon be hooking up these same Roundies.... in their equally exalted Conrad-Johnson system or whatever after I take a huge monetary loss of course]. Also, they are softies with rim shots/guitar licks etc. Perfect for fat Conrad and Johnson roundies in their easy chairs. On the plus side-- they sound more neutral with opera and have a bigger soundstage and scale and they..... well that's about all, actually. They are not much fun after Neats. Even my girlfriend didnt feel like dancing to her favorite song when she came over and the Roundies were in session. And what the hell else do you need to know if your cutie wont dance?
Conclusion: Listen to Tony Lonorgan and to your mother. (oh-- and to your cutie)
I have a pair of older Rega Elas coming to the house this week (they were cheap-- i was young-- it was Paris...). And if I dont LOOOVE them, I will likely buy a pair of Mystiques from Brian to get away from speaker stand land. Hopefully it will stop there, but somehow......
In brief: (incidentally, Willie Nelson's Teatro album was used for like 2/3rds of the comparison cause I love this disc immensely). Fat italian men (and women) were used for the other 2/3rds. (OK--- with the exception of one swede and one fat italian man who's possibly a woman-- damned countertenors).
The Neats--- were quite a different animal on hook-up. I expected this. I had petite 3's a while back on dem though and with apologies to Top Cat, it was all boom and tizz for me. The critique is NOT a boom tizz speaker. It was instantly more fun than the Round Boys and the bass was quick and punchy (wow-- that was a switch). Voices are nice and clear-- and you get into the music. I mean, i am mainly a classical/opera guy and Pavarotti doesnt, sound as neutral as on a spendor, but then, I was still awake after a few tracks to continue evaluating, lucky for you. These Critiques can be used fairly (maybe 15 inches or so) close to a wall, but mine (err... Brian's) are like 24 inches or so out. Toe in is to your taste-- with minimal recommended. Mine are currently without it. In short, the Critiques got groove all over the Exalted Roundies and go lower and tighter in the bass and are not quite as "neutral" with big fat italian men.
The ROUNDIES-- Very Round. In many ways-- especially the bass. TONY L (and you know who you are) is RIGHT. I immediately heard-- the PORT after re-hooking up the Roundies. [That is why someone else will very soon be hooking up these same Roundies.... in their equally exalted Conrad-Johnson system or whatever after I take a huge monetary loss of course]. Also, they are softies with rim shots/guitar licks etc. Perfect for fat Conrad and Johnson roundies in their easy chairs. On the plus side-- they sound more neutral with opera and have a bigger soundstage and scale and they..... well that's about all, actually. They are not much fun after Neats. Even my girlfriend didnt feel like dancing to her favorite song when she came over and the Roundies were in session. And what the hell else do you need to know if your cutie wont dance?
Conclusion: Listen to Tony Lonorgan and to your mother. (oh-- and to your cutie)
I have a pair of older Rega Elas coming to the house this week (they were cheap-- i was young-- it was Paris...). And if I dont LOOOVE them, I will likely buy a pair of Mystiques from Brian to get away from speaker stand land. Hopefully it will stop there, but somehow......
David,
I tend to agree with you, as I listened to the Petites w/CDX/102/hi/250 @ HiFiFoFum and found the tweeters a bit "obvious", which is doubly confusing, as everyone says they're exceptionally natural. However, Steve (the proprietor) mentioned the possibilty that the M@n@ table needed resetting
Another interesting thing that was demonstrated to me was that the upper level Neats sound much better once you reach the CDX/102/180 level- otherwise it's better to stay with Critique/Mystique.
I was with Mike Hanson- any thoughts Mike?
I tend to agree with you, as I listened to the Petites w/CDX/102/hi/250 @ HiFiFoFum and found the tweeters a bit "obvious", which is doubly confusing, as everyone says they're exceptionally natural. However, Steve (the proprietor) mentioned the possibilty that the M@n@ table needed resetting
Another interesting thing that was demonstrated to me was that the upper level Neats sound much better once you reach the CDX/102/180 level- otherwise it's better to stay with Critique/Mystique.
I was with Mike Hanson- any thoughts Mike?
Sorry to hear about the Elas, David. I suppose Rega tech support has advised already, but if you decide to open them, be careful, as Rega likes to screw and glue.
Hope it's something simple, as old Elas are great.
Still, the Ouija seems to be pointing towards Neat
Hope it's something simple, as old Elas are great.
Still, the Ouija seems to be pointing towards Neat
Evan,
Aye, Rob is nice. I've bought my 72 and a pile of MA*ahem*NA from him. He seems to be doing a nice job with Naim, considering how often the Calgary crowd seem to upgrade
Aye, Rob is nice. I've bought my 72 and a pile of MA*ahem*NA from him. He seems to be doing a nice job with Naim, considering how often the Calgary crowd seem to upgrade