NAC- N272 & NAP250DR Speaker Choice
Posted by: Steve GTX on 23 October 2015
For those of you who have not been following my various ramblings, here's a quick overview.
My old kit was a Musical Fidelity A3.2 pre amp with 2 x A3.2 power amps connected to Monitor Audio GR60's. Got very disillusioned with the sound. I asked around and was pointed towards Naim and after a home demo and excellent advice from "those in the know" on this forum, I settled on a N272 and a 250DR.
The improvement has been better than I could have imagined - Even with music that I know intimately, I'm hearing things that I never knew were there - You can almost hear the drummer scratching his "dangling bits" between tracks. (For a full description, read my opening comment about "Sonic Slippers") Helped by the fact that I left the system running quietly in the background whilst I was away on business last week and should now be well on the way to being run in!
Now then, there is every chance that (now the kids have left home), we will downsize and my GR60's will probably be too big, especially as they are rear ported and have to be placed a good distance from the wall.
I know that eventually the only way to tell will be a home demo but there are so many speakers out there, I'd like to narrow down the choice - So, the criteria is not too big, not rear ported, have a natural sound and will complement my new Naim kit.
Feedback, as always, gratefully received.
Steve
Posted on: 23 October 2015 by Andrewh
I got my 272 about 8 weeks ago and now that it's run in it sounds great with my 250.2 and PMC Twenty 23s. I have also tried it with the Twenty 21s (I have a pair for rear surrounds) and, while good, they don't quite have the same presence as the 23s.
Posted on: 23 October 2015 by David02
Smaller speakers: heard the Sonus Faber Olympica i once, and I was very impressed...
And it is kind of "side-ported"...
Posted on: 23 October 2015 by Steve GTX
Originally Posted by Andrewh:
I got my 272 about 8 weeks ago and now that it's run in it sounds great with my 250.2 and PMC Twenty 23s. I have also tried it with the Twenty 21s (I have a pair for rear surrounds) and, while good, they don't quite have the same presence as the 23s.
I thought that these would come in sooner or later - they've had very good reviews
Posted on: 23 October 2015 by Steve GTX
Originally Posted by David02:
Smaller speakers: heard the Sonus Faber Olympica i once, and I was very impressed...
And it is kind of "side-ported"...
Interesting thought David but I think I'm still in favour of floor standing speakers - would have to be convinced.
Posted on: 23 October 2015 by Karl
Steve GTX
I use Naim Allae with my 250DR they sound great,it may be a little difficult to hear a pair, but they are available second hand and if you didn't like them you could sell them on without making a loss.
Not too big and no rear port as well.
Karl
Posted on: 23 October 2015 by Dan43
Posted on: 23 October 2015 by RikkieB
I went for a set Focal Electra 1038 BE2. At first with SN2/NDX and now with 272/250DR, just wonderful 
Posted on: 23 October 2015 by hungryhalibut
Not too big, not rear ported, and most definitely work well with a 272/250DR. Cheaper than many alternatives, which will help towards the XPS....
Posted on: 23 October 2015 by rackkit
Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:
Not too big, not rear ported, and most definitely work well with a 272/250DR. Cheaper than many alternatives, which will help towards the XPS....
And almost impossible to find especially if OP is outside the UK. Great speakers though (biased).
Posted on: 23 October 2015 by Dan43
How are these for you RikkieB? I am growing fond of Focal and liked the Aria 926s, the Electra 1038 BE looks great. I am looking for well driven full bass and the 926s were on that how did the 1038 respond for you?
Originally Posted by RikkieB:
I went for a set Focal Electra 1038 BE2. At first with SN2/NDX and now with 272/250DR, just wonderful
Posted on: 23 October 2015 by RikkieB
For me, they did the trick. Be careful though with big bass, depending on your room/music. They don't have front or back ports, but a hole in the ' bottom'. I find them easy to position in my room. You can't bi-amp them, but that is something I do not miss. It was totally different coming from B&W CM10. Try to get a demo pair, that's what I did and of course demo them (or the 1028) with your gear. They are easy to drive (93 dB) and I am really enjoying their sound right now
Originally Posted by Dan43:
How are these for you RikkieB? I am growing fond of Focal and liked the Aria 926s, the Electra 1038 BE looks great. I am looking for well driven full bass and the 926s were on that how did the 1038 respond for you?
Originally Posted by RikkieB:
I went for a set Focal Electra 1038 BE2. At first with SN2/NDX and now with 272/250DR, just wonderful
Posted on: 24 October 2015 by Mr Fjeld
Another vey suitable design with the bass port facing down is the Audiovector SR3 Avantgarde. I listened to the 272/250 DR through the Audiovectors demoed by my dealer and I was amazed to say the least. They are also easy to place and can be upgraded to better performance. And if you wish to go active later on, Naim will make the crossover after Audiovectors specifications. On the downside there are only four dealers in England according to Audiovector's website.
Posted on: 24 October 2015 by Jonas Olofsson
I would recommend Kudos Super 20, a very good speaker who just loves the Naim electronics.
//Jonas
Posted on: 24 October 2015 by Rob T
Steve I spend around 18 months checking different speakers out with my SU/250 setup now XPS/272/250-DR after a lot of deliberation and a few home demo`s I settled on a pair of PMC 20-26s and I couldn't be happier, they have taken a good few month to fully open out but are stunning floorstanders and they look good too, a really good match with Naim electronics and well worth a listen.
Good luck with your search.
Posted on: 24 October 2015 by David02
Originally Posted by Steve GTX:
Originally Posted by David02:
Smaller speakers: heard the Sonus Faber Olympica i once, and I was very impressed...
And it is kind of "side-ported"...
Interesting thought David but I think I'm still in favour of floor standing speakers - would have to be convinced.
well, in that case I wouldn't advise the Olympica ii & iii, they really need a lot of space around them...
Posted on: 24 October 2015 by yorkslad
Just changed a pair of B&W 805 diamonds for a pair of Wilson benesch arc and will never have another wooden/mdf glue and screw speaker again in any of my systems
also changed a pair of 802 Diamonds for WB for same reason
await deluge of defences but stand by comment
Posted on: 24 October 2015 by 40 below
Yorkslad, which WB model replaced the 802 Diamonds? Did you audition Vectors?
Posted on: 24 October 2015 by yorkslad
Sat in front of a pair of Vectors now and loving it in my main system
Posted on: 24 October 2015 by 40 below
Thanks yorkslad
I have significant interest in these as a future replacement, a sort of spiritual successor to my current ES22s. Vectors have seemed a "sweet spot" in the WB range - their technology package; I like their petite size; and being hooked on the musical communication of "direct coupled" midrange drivers going back to a conventional crossover design would be very difficult. The first pair has recently landed in Australia and started doing the rounds, but I haven't experienced them yet.
Did you go as far as auditioning them against the latest ACTs?
What amp do you have behind your NDS/2x555DR to drive them?
Posted on: 24 October 2015 by yorkslad
40 below
i run a rega Osiris and have great involvement on all fronts. Attack, depth, openness, detail etc
i didn't try against the ATC so cannot comment
against the B&W though the are a completely different sonic signature. Completely devoid of cabinet input and really do give back what you put in
take some getting used to but once you realise this is what you are hearing then all makes perfect sense
to stop influencing this thread please do drop me a personal note and I will try to put my thoughts more succinctly on a personal level
Posted on: 24 October 2015 by 40 below
Thanks, will do, appreciate your offer.
WBs have had a few very committed followers over the past 10-15 years on this forum with top-end systems, but otherwise don't get a lot of visibility ... so a new replacement of 802Ds piqued my interest.
Posted on: 24 October 2015 by TOBYJUG
Anyone heard the new KEF Reference series ?
Posted on: 25 October 2015 by Steve GTX
Hi Guys (& Girls)
Some interesting views here but has anyone any experience of Monitor Audio GR60's compared to what is being proposed?
Steve
Posted on: 26 October 2015 by Steve GTX
Originally Posted by Rob T:
Steve I spend around 18 months checking different speakers out with my SU/250 setup now XPS/272/250-DR after a lot of deliberation and a few home demo`s I settled on a pair of PMC 20-26s and I couldn't be happier, they have taken a good few month to fully open out but are stunning floorstanders and they look good too, a really good match with Naim electronics and well worth a listen.
Good luck with your search.
Like many of the suggestions here, I like the look of these and have heard some very positive reviews but I think they may be a big too big -. Off to see the my Hi-Fi dealer next week - Watch this space!
Posted on: 26 October 2015 by MangoMonkey
The super 20s work well with the 272/250, but are good enough that you should go for a xps-dr too.
