IBL Grilles
Posted by: Andrew L. Weekes on 15 January 2004
Having been told recently by Jason Gould that Naim had some new IBL grilles available, I placed my order for some.
I collected my 'new' IBL grilles from my dealer today, but have to say they look as if they've been languishing in a box in the corner of the Naim factory since the IBL's were last made, 'cos they certainly don't look new. In fact they look worse (greyer and more faded) than the ones I had already!
Where's the shiny black ones you said you had Jason? Have you guys pinched them for yourselves
Anyway, I shall keep them as spares if they're cheap enough, but there's certainly no musical revelation from fitting them and now my speakers look old and grey (in keeping with how they're owner feels most days)
I've no idea yet how much these are going to cost, since I bought them solely on trust, but unless anyone's IBL's are particularly tatty, I'd recommend buying some CD's instead.
Andy.
I collected my 'new' IBL grilles from my dealer today, but have to say they look as if they've been languishing in a box in the corner of the Naim factory since the IBL's were last made, 'cos they certainly don't look new. In fact they look worse (greyer and more faded) than the ones I had already!
Where's the shiny black ones you said you had Jason? Have you guys pinched them for yourselves
Anyway, I shall keep them as spares if they're cheap enough, but there's certainly no musical revelation from fitting them and now my speakers look old and grey (in keeping with how they're owner feels most days)
I've no idea yet how much these are going to cost, since I bought them solely on trust, but unless anyone's IBL's are particularly tatty, I'd recommend buying some CD's instead.
Andy.
quote:
Surely it would be better to contact Naim direct in the first instance.
Why?
The purpose behind my post was simply to prevent others spending any money on what they might hope would be a worthwhile upgrade, when in my view it isn't.
They are IBL grilles, in a Naim-sealed box, so there's nothing wrong with them, just the sales pitch wasn't quite accurate
Maybe they need to burn in
As I said I'll keep them just in order to ensure I can keep the IBL's going in years to come, because I adore them!
Andy.
Hi Richard,
I don't have a problem with them being NOS, although Jason's sales pitch was misleading - that's sales rep's for you
They're £19 the pair, so they don't break the bank and are worth me squirreling away for a few years time, but in terms of the sonic upgrade promised, I'd encourage anyone else to buy some CD's.
What would be the best way to preserve them Richard, plastic bag in a dark cupboard, with some Silica Gel?
Andy.
Andy.
I don't have a problem with them being NOS, although Jason's sales pitch was misleading - that's sales rep's for you
They're £19 the pair, so they don't break the bank and are worth me squirreling away for a few years time, but in terms of the sonic upgrade promised, I'd encourage anyone else to buy some CD's.
What would be the best way to preserve them Richard, plastic bag in a dark cupboard, with some Silica Gel?
Andy.
Andy.
Andrew
Really disapointed with you're comments about Jason's sales pitch regarding the IBL grills!Brilliant that he was up to date wiith our "obsolete" stock holding. There was no agenda for him or anyone at Naim to mislead you. The grills that you received were "new" unused AND astonishingly inexpensive. There was no mention that these grills were an "upgrade" as they are made from the same material as your original pair. It is quite possible that this batch came from a different source hence the subtle colour presentation. Having had a look at these grills it seems to us that you've over reacted a tad.If there is really an issue with what we sent you then please return to us for inspection and we will take the appropriate action. In our opinion they look absolutely fine. Anyone needing a pair should contact their dealer.
Don't you think that it's commendable that we can still supply parts for IBL that we discontinued 7 years ago?
Like Mick said. A simple phone call could have sorted this out.
Furthermore, a bargain was had because we should have charged £39.00 for the pair!. No matter. Buy yourself a CD
Later
Doug
Really disapointed with you're comments about Jason's sales pitch regarding the IBL grills!Brilliant that he was up to date wiith our "obsolete" stock holding. There was no agenda for him or anyone at Naim to mislead you. The grills that you received were "new" unused AND astonishingly inexpensive. There was no mention that these grills were an "upgrade" as they are made from the same material as your original pair. It is quite possible that this batch came from a different source hence the subtle colour presentation. Having had a look at these grills it seems to us that you've over reacted a tad.If there is really an issue with what we sent you then please return to us for inspection and we will take the appropriate action. In our opinion they look absolutely fine. Anyone needing a pair should contact their dealer.
Don't you think that it's commendable that we can still supply parts for IBL that we discontinued 7 years ago?
Like Mick said. A simple phone call could have sorted this out.
Furthermore, a bargain was had because we should have charged £39.00 for the pair!. No matter. Buy yourself a CD
Later
Doug
Thought that Briks sounded better with the grilles off 
Doug
Doug
Tell me first if you find an old NAT01 in a cupboard, won't you
Ok, let's wrap this up!
I popped into my dealer tonight and explained the situation (as I had already done previously on the 'phone).
I think he interpreted the price as being for a pair, so I've asked him to confirm, but since he quoted me half the price you mentioned this is obviously an error on his part and it would not be fair on him for me to take advantage.
Whilst there we checked the black ash SL2's he has, and the foam grilles on these also look quite grey compared to the cabinets so the colour difference between my sets may simply be a batch issue. I suspect therefore that these do look 'new' to you, I must be lucky to have such a dark set already.
My wife's first comment BTW on seeing the new ones last night was 'They are more faded than the old ones, they look grey"!
This is all very simply a case of expectations not being met, I hold no personal grudge against Naim or Jason, I suspect a little over-enthusiasm on his part led me to have far greater expectations than I should have had.
If you found my comments 'disappointing' Doug, imagine how I felt yesterday evening
The grilles will be winging their way back to you next week, via my dealer.
All the best,
Andy.
I popped into my dealer tonight and explained the situation (as I had already done previously on the 'phone).
I think he interpreted the price as being for a pair, so I've asked him to confirm, but since he quoted me half the price you mentioned this is obviously an error on his part and it would not be fair on him for me to take advantage.
Whilst there we checked the black ash SL2's he has, and the foam grilles on these also look quite grey compared to the cabinets so the colour difference between my sets may simply be a batch issue. I suspect therefore that these do look 'new' to you, I must be lucky to have such a dark set already.
My wife's first comment BTW on seeing the new ones last night was 'They are more faded than the old ones, they look grey"!
This is all very simply a case of expectations not being met, I hold no personal grudge against Naim or Jason, I suspect a little over-enthusiasm on his part led me to have far greater expectations than I should have had.
If you found my comments 'disappointing' Doug, imagine how I felt yesterday evening
The grilles will be winging their way back to you next week, via my dealer.
All the best,
Andy.