AudioNote speakers great with Nait-2 !

Posted by: Alco on 20 April 2002

Hi folks,

As some of you might know, I was looking for some good speakers to match my Nait-2.
Now, that wasn't an easy job!
Also my roomacoustics were not that kind to the speakers I had in mind first.
I had (read:still have) some Sonus Faber 'concertino's' and 3 days ago I demoed some Naim Intro II's in my livingroom on my Nait-2/CDX system.

Now, after this morning the search has finally ended...

And now ladies & gentleman, ...The winner in the "ideal musical partner for my nait-2" contest is: ....The AudioNote AX-two loudspeakers!

They look kinda cheap,with a fake cherry feneer (also in 5 other wood colours) light,thin cabinet walls,an ugly paper woofer,and some odd dimensions. (typical to AudioNote)
(kinda like the early Royd A7's)

I can't find any info/pics on the net,but I know they are quite sensitive (>90db) and very easy to drive.
They're fast as lightning, very open/transparent in the mids and higly detailed without ever getting harsh. They're extremely mercyless to recordings! (which can be positive as well al negative)
Anyway, even the Kan's didn't stand a chance against these AN's,imho (on a Nait-2 that is)

Compared to the SF's they look like sh.t,but boy,o boy, they sound sooo good at the end of a little Nait-2!

Now I only need to find me some 20" high stands and of we go!

anyone interested in some beautiful,handcrafted Italian speakers in walnut/leather ?

(btw:here's a quick pic I just made. Check the fake cherry feneer of the speaker,compared to the real wooden table underneath)

I wanna thank y'all for the advice that I received in my search to find the ideal speakers for my Nait lately!

Greetings,
Alco

[This message was edited by Alco on SATURDAY 20 April 2002 at 22:59.]

Posted on: 20 April 2002 by Alco

Here's another picture...

Hmm,can't wait to get me some decent stands.
(maybe them open frame Royd stands might be the thing. we'll see)

Alco

Posted on: 20 April 2002 by Justin

I've been very intrigued by the Audionote line of loudspeakers for a while. The designer is the guy from Snell (back when Snell was good--some of the most natural sounding and "fast" speakers I had ever heard with Naim gear). But Snell, went to shite and now Audionote has the goods.

My understanding is that Audionote (and Snell before them) viewed the cabinet more like a guitar body then a proper speaker cabinet. It resonates like hell, but in a sympathetic way. My impression was that this would make certain registers sound really good but maybe not so good on some others. Still, it worked with Snell.

I'm am very curious to hear how things shake out for you. Perhaps a bit more detail would be in order.

Judd

Posted on: 20 April 2002 by Andrew Randle

I would say that a pair of open-frame Epos stands will be even better. The Epos stands usually have a top-plate that is larger than the Royds and may fit your ANs much better.

Have you tried contacting AN? Maybe they have some stands in the pipeline. They may also offer some suggestions. Note that the AN-Es, AN-Ks and AN-Js are often partnered on heavy 4-pillered stands. So I'm not sure whether heavy or light stands will be the best for these models.

To me, they look good solid no-nonsense loudspeakers. AN kit does sound very tuneful, their loudspeakers particularly.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"

Posted on: 20 April 2002 by Andrew Randle

I've just checked the size of the Epos M12s and they have a depth of 25cm, which means the stands will be too big for your AX-twos (I got your dimensions in the other thread).

OK so go for the Royd stands, although you may find the Linn Kan stands are more readily available.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"

Posted on: 20 April 2002 by Alco

Thanks Andrew, for checking out the dimensions of the Epos stands.
The Kan stands have a too small topplate. That would look absolutely horrible,imho

I'll do some searching on the internet first.
Too bad Target is no more...

regards,
Alco

Posted on: 20 April 2002 by ejl

quote:
The Kan stands have a too small topplate.

How about Sara stands?

Posted on: 20 April 2002 by Alco

how about Sara stands?

Not a bad idea,ejl!
But I guess it's pretty hard to find a pair.

I saw some Atacama stands, which might be an option. The Atacama SE20
[IMG] [URL=http://www.electrades.com.sg/images/sound1.gif[/img]

They're the highly acclaimed sand/leadshot fillable 20" stands which have the same width as the AN's,so together it'd make a nice looking,and stable combo I guess.

Also,they're very affordable

regards,
Alco

[This message was edited by Alco on SATURDAY 20 April 2002 at 23:55.]

[This message was edited by Alco on SATURDAY 20 April 2002 at 23:55.]

Posted on: 20 April 2002 by Mike Sae

Congratulations on the new speakers,

I don't find them ugly at all; they look understated and purposeful to me, whereas the SFs were gaudy and pompous

.

Paper is good!!! And that looks like a Scanspeak tweet a la SBL and Ela.

Let's see the back end!

Looking forward to a full report,

mike

Posted on: 20 April 2002 by Andrew Randle

Partington might be the make of stands that do those heavy square-section columned stands.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"

Posted on: 20 April 2002 by Alco

Ah Thanks,Andrew

I'll try to find me some info 'bout those Partington stands on the internet and if there is a dealer in my area. (I'm afraid not...)

regards,
Alco

Posted on: 20 April 2002 by king

DOn't know if they work close to rear wall.

I find wall-mount works for some speakers like the Rega Kyte.

Inexpensive and good. Only downside is the immobility.

King

Posted on: 21 April 2002 by Alco

Hello King,

No, the AN speakers cannot be wall mounted or placed close against a wall. Especially in my room (with a fireplace in between) it would make the bass go wild (rear ported) and it would suffer on depth.
The AN's have a small 1,5" rear port and can be place about 16" from the back wall.
(most speakers need more space.)

regards,
Alco

Posted on: 22 April 2002 by king

Alco,

I will avoid them in these case.
No room for speakers that can't sit close to rear wall.

That's the reason why I'm still with my Rega.

I know Naim's speakers can be placed close to the rear wall, but they sound too edgy for the price.

I heard Dynaudio has a range that is front ported instead of back. I may consider them if time and money permits.

Cheers.

King

Posted on: 22 April 2002 by Frank Abela

Alco,

Typically, Audio Note speakers like heavy pillar stands. What do Audio Note themselves suggest? I wish I'd remembered this thread yesterday - I was talking to Peter Qvortrop in the afternoon and I'd have asked him.

Strange - the AX-2 isn't on their website (www.audionote.co.uk).
Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

Posted on: 22 April 2002 by Alco

You're right, Frank

AudioNote use heavy pillar stands.
i was thinking about buying some Atacama SE20 stands (20"high)

The AX-two is probably some brandnew speakerdesign. I also can't find anything on their site or anywehere else on the internet.
(the box didn't even include a manual with some technical specifications!)

The only thing I know is they come in 6 (fake)woodfeneers and they are very easy tt drive.

regards,
Alco

Posted on: 22 April 2002 by Frank Abela

Are you sure they shouldn't be 24" high? I would've thought that a 15" speaker would be better with a 24" stand, especially for scale.

I would email Audio Note and see if they have recommendations to make. Alternatively, you could go to Peter Partington and ask him for Dynaudio Masterstands with a special top plate the size of the speaker base. The Masterstands are 4-pillar items and they work very well under most speakers, being quite high mass (not very high, but more than usual) and having a fairly large base giving great location. I like them a lot.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

Posted on: 22 April 2002 by Bighead

Hello all,

To join your discussion, I've NAIT 2 connecting a pair of KEF Q35.2. What's your comment to this configuration? Also, what's the best matching spk cable for NAIT 2?

Thanks

Posted on: 22 April 2002 by Andrew Randle

Alco,

Before rushing out and buying a pair of heavy stands, I would definitely check with Audionote that the AX-twos work on heavy stands (as opposed to frame stands).

Get that information first from Audionote and then make your purchasing plans.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"

Posted on: 22 April 2002 by Alco

quote:
I've NAIT 2 connecting a pair of KEF Q35.2. What's your comment to this configuration? Also, what's the best matching spk cable for NAIT 2?

I'm sorry Bighead, I can't comment on this setup, I never tried the KEF Q35.2's on my Nait-2.
(thought about it though)
The most locical,safe bet on good matching speaker cable for a Nait-2 is Naim's own Nac-a5.
(I tried some Kimber 4PR though, and I like it much better than Nac-a5.)

Regarding proper stands for the AN speakers:
You're right. I better talk to some AN people first.

I'll let ya know what will happen

Whoops..got busted

Duty is calling (still at the office at this moment)

Greetings,
Alco