Dilemma: SuperUniti paired with PMC Twenty 23 or Totem Arro

Posted by: TigerJWW on 02 December 2013

I'm hoping to invest in a Superuniti and having taken advice from the Forum recently, I auditioned the SU with Totem Arro as a 'space saving' alternative to the PMC Twenty 23. Positioning in my living room is restricted to either side of a fireplace and basically, the Twenty 23's just don't fit the surroundings. 

 

The Arro is a great speaker, but the audition with the 20 23's was far more pleasing and delivered the more complete sound I'm looking for. So the dilemma; do I compromise on the speaker, accepting that I will still have a good solution or hold out until I can accommodate the Twenty 23's? A steer from anyone who has faced a similar situation would be greatly appreciated  My fall back is converting a 'box 3M x 3M bedroom' to a listening room, but sense here that the Twenty 23 would be totally inappropriate? Thanks in advance.

Posted on: 02 December 2013 by hungryhalibut

I suggest you seek out a pair of PMC's GB1i. They are smaller than the 23, and will work happily 8" from the wall. I use them with my SuperUniti and they are excellent.

Posted on: 02 December 2013 by Iver van de Zand

Hey Tiger,

 

considering both the quality of the PMC23 and your requirement for sizing/looks, why not audition the Totem Hawk's ? They are in a similar price range as the 23's and are another class above the Arro's but do fit your sizing requirements.

 

also Neat has some very good speakers with reasonable size/dimensions

 

ivet

Posted on: 03 December 2013 by nick2413

I have been auditioning the SU with a variety of different speakers. The ones I found best (in my price range) were the NEAT Motive SX1, which are pretty compact floor standers, they also have a younger (smaller) brother, the Motive 2, I haven't heard these but would give them an audition if possible. 

 

Nick 

Posted on: 03 December 2013 by Ingenius

Hi there Tiger,

I run the Superuniti and after auditioning various speakers in the studio then home, i settled with the PMC twenty 23`s. I have to say as each day goes by I love them more, I have the sound I wanted that makes me want to play music and enjoy it and the system is sounding better each day as they both bed in from new.

That said it really is a decision of what works in your domestic environment and set up restrictions. I looked for a pair of GB1i and i would guess that these are superb too.. as all the other reccomendations here. The dificulty is finding somebody who has access to the speakers of choice and letting you trial them at home. Take your time and try as many as possible, your ears and a big smile will let you know when you have chosen the right ones.

Hope this helps in some way

Regards

Keith

Posted on: 03 December 2013 by nick2413

Just got back from an impromptu visit to another dealer. I auditioned the SU with the 23's and both the NEAT SX1 and 2's. Whilst the 23's sounded great for electronic music, I found them lacking in mid range for more traditional 'band like' music (radiohead, foo fighters, ben howard etc) and even more so for heavier rock.  The SX2 stole the show by a long shot, I couldn't believe the sound that this tiny speaker made.  Thats by no means to say that the 23 is not an excellent speaker and depending on the room and file format you through at it (trentmoller, into your skin FLAC was incredible), you couldn't be disappointed, but I'll be going with the NEATS.

Posted on: 04 December 2013 by GraemeH
Originally Posted by nick2413:

Just got back from an impromptu visit to another dealer. I auditioned the SU with the 23's and both the NEAT SX1 and 2's. Whilst the 23's sounded great for electronic music, I found them lacking in mid range for more traditional 'band like' music (radiohead, foo fighters, ben howard etc) and even more so for heavier rock.  The SX2 stole the show by a long shot, I couldn't believe the sound that this tiny speaker made.  Thats by no means to say that the 23 is not an excellent speaker and depending on the room and file format you through at it (trentmoller, into your skin FLAC was incredible), you couldn't be disappointed, but I'll be going with the NEATS.

In my experience - Recessed mid's in the Twenty.23 are a sign of the speaker either not being fully run-in or lacking the current to drive them - or a combination of both of course.

 

G

Posted on: 11 January 2014 by John132

You may already have chosen your speakers to partner the SuperUniti but if not I thoroughly recommend Neat Motive 2. I upgraded to these together with the CD5si a few months ago and am delighted with the sheer musicality of the combination.

Posted on: 11 January 2014 by Zipperheadbanjo

Try the Hawks. I'm running them from my SuperUniti (upgraded from Arros 12 months ago). The Hawks are a very pleasing full range speaker and like most Totem products pairs very well with Naim electronics. They also aren't terribly physically imposing... so good WAF.

Posted on: 11 January 2014 by Hanover33

I have a similar issue with a fireplace - My solution is a superuniti with Goldenear Triton 2s and I love the system.  They are powered speakers and easy to drive and seem to match really well with the SU and sounds much better than their modest price tag.  I play vinyl, use the SU for internet radio and also stream high res from an macmini (headless) through an audiophilleo 1 (USB to BNC S/PDIF input) and to my ears its fantastic.  I'm in the US so not sure if you can audition Goldenear where you are, they are based out of Baltimore, MD, I did not compare them to the Totems but they stand up to B&W very well.