Bookshelf speaker recommendations for DAC V1 and NAP-100

badlands posted:

So many of the recommendations are well above the price point of 500 British Pounds or roughly $600 US dollars, some are even DOUBLE what the OP wants to spend. The best speakers to date I have heard at the actual price the OP wants to spend would be the Dynaudio Emit M10 or M20.

Nothing at that price point, and actually other speaker brands costing quite a bit more, that can touch them. IMO of course, I had to put that in their, but in reality, nothing can touch them at their respective price points!!

What you get for your hard earned money, speakers that are made totally in house in Denmark, not China, like other brands at that price, excellent drivers, quality build and finish, and sound that quite literally puts more expensive speakers to shame.

+1

To add to that, dynaudio can supply any spare driver needed for one of their older speakers should it be required. They still have all of the original tooling equipment.

Now honestly how many speaker companies can do this for you? 

That almost sounds like an advert for Dynaudio! 

Quite a few suggestions here, though now OP has to try to decide which might sound right to him/her while giving the desired increase in bass, and given that I don't think anyone has commented from a direct comparison.

If I were buying, with the money available I'd be looking secondhand to maximise the choice. The limitation with that is hearing them,  which may well be limited to the seller's location, especially with private sales - take your speakers to give a fair chance of assessing the difference, and amp as well if seller is agreeable (even a source if easy), and make sure the physical positioning is as close as possible to at home.

I'm amazed noone has come up with ATC SCM7 or larger SCM11 (second hand) - ATC constantly come out on top in group tests and are very highly regarded in both hifi and pro audio. Worth an audition or saving that little more for.

I'll second ATC, after all I have 3 pairs. Didn't really want to speak up, as many people say ATC's need a more powerful amplifier. ATC's may loose you a couple of dB's in efficiency, but you get a very musical, neutral, dynamic, truthful and revealing speaker. My Qutes will drive SCM7 and 11 to unsociable levels. You will be fine with a NAP 100.

I would absolutely love to hear the Blumsteins, even though they could be the very antithesis of ATC.

Halloween Man posted:

I'm amazed noone has come up with ATC SCM7 or larger SCM11 (second hand) - ATC constantly come out on top in group tests and are very highly regarded in both hifi and pro audio. Worth an audition or saving that little more for.

+1 For the money, the ATC SCM7's are bloomin' superb. Strongly recommended.

(An unbiased view - I'm actually a PMC man ). The PMC DB1's can still be bought I believe and would be another speaker you should consider. 

Bart posted:

I'm a big fan of Dynaudio bookshelf speakers.  I own the X12's and based on that can certainly recommend the X14's.  I've not heard the M20's but should borrow a pair from my dealer.

I heard the M10, M20 and X14 back-to-back (but this was not with Naim amplification). Not that much difference between M10 and M20, but a significant step up when using the X14. Very fine speakers at this price point in my view. 

Innocent Bystander posted:

That almost sounds like an advert for Dynaudio! 

Quite a few suggestions here, though now OP has to try to decide which might sound right to him/her while giving the desired increase in bass, and given that I don't think anyone has commented from a direct comparison.

If I were buying, with the money available I'd be looking secondhand to maximise the choice. The limitation with that is hearing them,  which may well be limited to the seller's location, especially with private sales - take your speakers to give a fair chance of assessing the difference, and amp as well if seller is agreeable (even a source if easy), and make sure the physical positioning is as close as possible to at home.

I don't work for Dynaudio.

I like to know though, that a company will stand by its products.

Naim also can service/repair any amplifier it has made.

I don't work for Naim either.

Brubacca posted:

Dali has a good synergy with Naim, as does Dynaudio, ProAc, Totem, NEAT and others. 

My recommendation would be to listen to any option available in your price range.  I use Dali Zensor 3 with a Qute and find it to be a good combo.

If totem rainmakers are in your price range they would be excellent.

or the smaller Dreamcatchers. I use these with UQ2/NAP100. £600 list price, but a pair for half that on that auction site right now.

Neat iota.

blown away with Devore 3XL...

...and very cool as well: Boenicke Audio W5....

@ HIFIMAN 301 is a very strong candidate. I think they look very smart in white. I bought them almost untested after your recomendation. But they where unfortunately already sold ( ex dem for half the price) .

Thanks for the offer btw but I unfortunately live too far away.

@ DOMTOMLONDON I've completely forgotten about those speakers. With a little luck I might find a used pair. Very good sound, just heard that they are not that easy to set up. Do you know if they can stand barely 10 inches away from the back wall?

@ BADLANDS I will look for Dynaudio Emit M10 or M20. Hoping to visit a dealer this weekend and have listen.

@ BRUBACCA Totem Rainmaker would be nice to. I remember them from a hi-fi show. Maybe possible to find a used pair.

@ Kjetil E Thanks for the information I put even Focal 906 on the list to.

@ BRILLIANT I've also read some good reviews of PSB in Stereophile, but where I live they are not offered..

@ INNOCENT BYSTANDER Yep, leaning towards trying to find something used. But it's a jungle out there. But I got many good suggestions and have some more ideas on what to look for now.

@ HALLOWEEN MAN They look very pretty. However, a sensitivity of 84 dB scares me a little.

Anyhow, someone is likely to pick my Dali:s tomorrow. So soon the hunt begins....

I must still say that the Dalis sound very good for the money. The soundstage is stable and large, the dynamics is there, the voices sound just fine. and most importantly, it is fun to listen to music. I think they are very affordable because they are built in China. I may have to significantly go up in price to be able to hear a clear improvement?

Thanks anyhow for all your suggestions. Very helpful. 

I feel duty bound to follow the time honoured forum tradition of recommending speakers that I own....which were made in Salisbury, not China....and sound great. I'm talking, of course, about N-Sats - if you can find a used pair they should be within your budget. There is a dedicated stand, or, if you're short on space, a wall bracket. Finding a pair may require a little patience, though, and I'm not selling mine.

BOB123

Check out this video.

https://youtu.be/vJIhEPB7wso

ATC are notoriuosly conservative when it comes to specs. There are forum members who drive the SCM7 with a qute so my guess would be that a nap100 would be even better. If it's easy for you to arrange a demo then it's worth comparing.

Another suggestion would be KEF LS50. Many people, including my brother, drive these with a qute and they sound terrific. These are no easier to drive than the ATCs.

Halloween Man posted:

ATC are notoriuosly conservative when it comes to specs. There are forum members who drive the SCM7 with a qute so my guess would be that a nap100 would be even better. 

Totally agree. A mate of mine has a pair of SCM7's powered by an old 35 wpc  Rega Elex amp and they sound excellent. 

The 50 wpc (special Salisbury watts ) NAP100 would have no problems powering them. I strongly urge you to try them

Bob123 posted:

 

@ DOMTOMLONDON I've completely forgotten about those speakers. With a little luck I might find a used pair. Very good sound, just heard that they are not that easy to set up. Do you know if they can stand barely 10 inches away from the back wall?

 

 

Bob, They do need a bit of space yes. I have my LS50s about 25cm from the rear wall, and one is only 5cm from a side wall. Not a lot I can do about it, without getting into major arguments with the other half. Still I'm getting awesome soundstage and the bass boom is not a real issue.

10 inches from the back wall would also favour the ATCs as they are a sealed design firing from the front - no rear bass port firing into the back wall.

No idea if this would be of interest, but theres a pair of PMC LB1 speakers on a well known auction site, finishing early this eve, current price well within budget. I believe  were well renowned when in production. Twice height of DB1, said to be good bass.

Just bought a pair of AE 301. Got a new pair for a decent price. I hope that I can live with them for a while now.

The speakers in white was one of the few speakers that my partner thought looked pretty. Just hope that they sound good enough to (in my livingroom and with my stuff).

Cheers

dayjay posted:

Joppe posted:

I usually don't recommend stuff I haven't acually heard but recommending an auditon can't hurt, so what about the smaller Guru's? (and I have heard the Ino audio siblings)

+1 on Guru Juniors which work brilliantly on a Qute 2, Nap100 and SN2, but you will do well to find a set for sale.  Well worth trying if you can and if you don't like them you will easily get your money back because they remain in demand

I asked Erik Ring from STHLM AUDIO in Sweden in January re. the Guru Juniors and dealers in the UK.

This was his response:

>>We will be shipping to UK dealers shortly. You can get in touch with Tom Tom Audio or Stone Audio or you can buy directly from us.

We have Junior Oak in stock (new, updated version of the Junior Plus).

The price is £xxxx incl. VAT.

Cheers,

Erik<<

Bob123 posted:

Just bought a pair of AE 301. Got a new pair for a decent price. I hope that I can live with them for a while now.

The speakers in white was one of the few speakers that my partner thought looked pretty. Just hope that they sound good enough to (in my livingroom and with my stuff).

Cheers

Hope you enjoy the AE301s, they take a few weeks to bed in but after that they sound more expensive then they should given their price.

I've just posted a pic of my setup with the AE301 in white on display and sounding marvellous