monitor speakers for nap 300

Keler Pierre posted:

cdboy posted:

Given what you don't like, see if you can hear some Totem speakers in your price range.

my goal is to find big monitors, in the 10k/15 k range, that can accommodate a room of 15 feet and nap 300 dr amp. My favorite sound is between kharma and sonus faber speakers, a sonus faber sound with more speed and reactivity. The look is also important to me.

 

My apertura are nice and the sound is near kharma and sonus faber, but the bigger ones may be too much.  I don't know how can sound raido d1 with naim.  For totem, sorry, but i find them not very elegant. But i know totem works well with naim. 

Living voice maybe...but not so nice.  Entry level kharma or raido d1 for nnow, maybe....but naim, focal, proac, dynaudio, bw: not my sound.

I know, the best choice would be a bigger room....

KP, Have you/

would it be possible for you to try PMC Fact.8 ?

I think they would work in your room and given the list of brands you highlight above as not to your taste ( my taste similar to yours on this basis) I think worth listening to if you possibly can. Lean sound, but lightning fast and just seem to bring every detail to the fore in a musically enlightening manner. I was seriously impressed when auditioning last week.

Shahinian +1 from me too, though they are very love or hate for different folk. Having owned both Hawk and now Obelisk2, I think Hawk could be too much for you room. Try Obelisks maybe.

kevin J Carden posted:

Shahinian +1 from me too, though they are very love or hate for different folk. Having owned both Hawk and now Obelisk2, I think Hawk could be too much for you room. Try Obelisks maybe.

The Hawks can excite bass less than the Obelisks because there are less floor reflections from the bass unit which is mounted higher in the cabinet...

Devore 3XL or Boenicke Audio

Hello,

I think this thread is usless, if you don't demo speakers at this level is sad, i don't know what are your expectations, i see you don't like some bookshelf speakers but the others you don't know about them. If i say go for focal diablos (in my opinion are the  best bookshelf speakers in 10k euros) you go for them? Just try to set your hi fi goals and  then go to dealers to listen thats the shortest path to fins what you want.

Adi

Migico S1.5 high end enough for you? I've no idea what they sound like but the should leave a satisfying dent in your bank account.

By the way I run Naim NBLs in a room 4.1m by 4.8m (there's a bay window and alcoves around a chimeny breast in this dimension) with very acceptable bass control.

TOBYJUG posted:

TAD. Compact Evolution One, or the more spendy Compact Reference One looks very tasty.

Heard these at last years Warsaw Audio show. Sorry can't remember the source/amp, but all I can say is that they sounded bl@@dy darned good 

And believe me, I'm a really hard guy to impress 

I strongly recommend an audition if it is possible.

Adi Stefan posted:

Hello,

I think this thread is usless, if you don't demo speakers at this level is sad, i don't know what are your expectations, i see you don't like some bookshelf speakers but the others you don't know about them. If i say go for focal diablos (in my opinion are the  best bookshelf speakers in 10k euros) you go for them? Just try to set your hi fi goals and  then go to dealers to listen thats the shortest path to fins what you want.

Adi

 

With respect, the OP is possibly trying to get some advice on what speakers he should consider for audition if possible. He cannot audition every monitor there is.

Forumites here are just giving him suggestions what to consider.

ok good luck.

Richard Choong posted:

The TAD is really yum....

yum?  what it means ?

Adi Stefan posted:

Hello,

I think this thread is usless, if you don't demo speakers at this level is sad, i don't know what are your expectations, i see you don't like some bookshelf speakers but the others you don't know about them. If i say go for focal diablos (in my opinion are the  best bookshelf speakers in 10k euros) you go for them? Just try to set your hi fi goals and  then go to dealers to listen thats the shortest path to fins what you want.

Adi

 

yes you are right, it is difficult without hearing them. But for Focal , i don't like the sound with naim. But Focal with lamm electronics, yes.

Naim dealer, in France , have Proac, Focal, Totem, Bw, and i don't like the association with naim.  Apertura, Kharma, Sonus Faber, is my sound. But Kharma with naim, i did not heard. And Sonus Faber are not dynamic and fast enough, but they are near the sound i am searching for.

yeti42 posted:

Migico S1.5 high end enough for you? I've no idea what they sound like but the should leave a satisfying dent in your bank account.

By the way I run Naim NBLs in a room 4.1m by 4.8m (there's a bay window and alcoves around a chimeny breast in this dimension) with very acceptable bass control.

too cold for me, the magico. And too expensive also( more than 20k i think..).

Joseph Audio Pulsar's seem to be what you are describing....and they are pretty.

Not sure if available near you but worth a Google search.

ATB,

Mark

another vote or advice for the tad?  or Devore 3 xl or Pmc fact 6 in 15 feet room and nap 300?

spacey posted:

From my experiences with monitors, there's no need to go to such expense. The likes of ATC 20SLs ProAc D2's, Kudos C10s and so on will relish being on the end of a NAP300. The trick is to find an 88-91db speaker your amp will drive to its limits with ease, then you'll find the speaker disappears. 

Why do you believe that the speaker sensitivity is relevant to a 90W amplifier in a 14/15ft room?

Just shortlist the brands you like and go audition them, anything other than that is a waste of time and money. 

Moussa posted:

Just shortlist the brands you like and go audition them, anything other than that is a waste of time and money. 

yes, i will do that.  But i got some advices and directions...

Huge posted:

spacey posted:

From my experiences with monitors, there's no need to go to such expense. The likes of ATC 20SLs ProAc D2's, Kudos C10s and so on will relish being on the end of a NAP300. The trick is to find an 88-91db speaker your amp will drive to its limits with ease, then you'll find the speaker disappears. 

Why do you believe that the speaker sensitivity is relevant to a 90W amplifier in a 14/15ft room?

Because smaller cabs require higher pressure, starting and stopping the driver quickly and firmly makes all the difference  

You seem to reference the Kharma sound a lot. Why not try the Elegance S7? Whilst a floorstander, they seem room friendly for your space (I'm assuming about 4m x 4m. I tried out the equivalent Kharma Ceramique about 6 years ago in a similar room driven by a 250 - while their timbral accuracy and transparency suited acoustic music (no-electronic jazz and classical) I found them a touch off the mark for electronic music - particularly EDM, lacking a bit in the pace/forwardness area. Given your tastes, this may not be an issue for you.

My current set-up has a 300 running into Neat XL6 floorstanders - you may also wish to consider their XLS standmounters. These lack some of the transparency of the Kharma, but make up for it in PRAT.

regards,

Giles

Bluebeard posted:

You seem to reference the Kharma sound a lot. Why not try the Elegance S7? Whilst a floorstander, they seem room friendly for your space (I'm assuming about 4m x 4m. I tried out the equivalent Kharma Ceramique about 6 years ago in a similar room driven by a 250 - while their timbral accuracy and transparency suited acoustic music (no-electronic jazz and classical) I found them a touch off the mark for electronic music - particularly EDM, lacking a bit in the pace/forwardness area. Given your tastes, this may not be an issue for you.

My current set-up has a 300 running into Neat XL6 floorstanders - you may also wish to consider their XLS standmounters. These lack some of the transparency of the Kharma, but make up for it in PRAT.

regards,

Giles

very happy with your advice. You have heard kharma with naim and found them a bit slow, not so much involving. So i will consider your point of view strongly. Thanks.

Keler Pierre posted:

Bluebeard posted:

You seem to reference the Kharma sound a lot. Why not try the Elegance S7? Whilst a floorstander, they seem room friendly for your space (I'm assuming about 4m x 4m. I tried out the equivalent Kharma Ceramique about 6 years ago in a similar room driven by a 250 - while their timbral accuracy and transparency suited acoustic music (no-electronic jazz and classical) I found them a touch off the mark for electronic music - particularly EDM, lacking a bit in the pace/forwardness area. Given your tastes, this may not be an issue for you.

My current set-up has a 300 running into Neat XL6 floorstanders - you may also wish to consider their XLS standmounters. These lack some of the transparency of the Kharma, but make up for it in PRAT.

regards,

Giles

very happy with your advice. You have heard kharma with naim and found them a bit slow, not so much involving. So i will consider your point of view strongly. Thanks.

i found positive reviews of the neat xl6 and they seem to accommodate a 15 feet room as mine. But no longer sold in France.  I think it would be difficult for me to live Apertura... I will try to hear tad evolution one , but a bit too expensive, and raidho d1. Or wait to have another home to take bigger Apertura . 

Keler Pierre posted:

Bluebeard posted:

You seem to reference the Kharma sound a lot. Why not try the Elegance S7? Whilst a floorstander, they seem room friendly for your space (I'm assuming about 4m x 4m. I tried out the equivalent Kharma Ceramique about 6 years ago in a similar room driven by a 250 - while their timbral accuracy and transparency suited acoustic music (no-electronic jazz and classical) I found them a touch off the mark for electronic music - particularly EDM, lacking a bit in the pace/forwardness area. Given your tastes, this may not be an issue for you.

My current set-up has a 300 running into Neat XL6 floorstanders - you may also wish to consider their XLS standmounters. These lack some of the transparency of the Kharma, but make up for it in PRAT.

regards,

Giles

very happy with your advice. You have heard kharma with naim and found them a bit slow, not so much involving. So i will consider your point of view strongly. Thanks.

Not saying the Kharma were slow, rather they weren't quite "pacey" enough for me. Subtle but important difference.

regards,

Giles

Bluebeard posted:

Keler Pierre posted:

Bluebeard posted:

You seem to reference the Kharma sound a lot. Why not try the Elegance S7? Whilst a floorstander, they seem room friendly for your space (I'm assuming about 4m x 4m. I tried out the equivalent Kharma Ceramique about 6 years ago in a similar room driven by a 250 - while their timbral accuracy and transparency suited acoustic music (no-electronic jazz and classical) I found them a touch off the mark for electronic music - particularly EDM, lacking a bit in the pace/forwardness area. Given your tastes, this may not be an issue for you.

My current set-up has a 300 running into Neat XL6 floorstanders - you may also wish to consider their XLS standmounters. These lack some of the transparency of the Kharma, but make up for it in PRAT.

regards,

Giles

very happy with your advice. You have heard kharma with naim and found them a bit slow, not so much involving. So i will consider your point of view strongly. Thanks.

Not saying the Kharma were slow, rather they weren't quite "pacey" enough for me. Subtle but important difference.

regards,

Giles

so not enough involving ....not enough foot taping.

Hi Giles,

How is your Nap300DR driving the Neat XL6? these isobariks are not easy to drive I guess. Do you think the XL6 can placed in a 4x5 meter room?

Thanks

Moussa

Moussa posted:

Hi Giles,

How is your Nap300DR driving the Neat XL6? these isobariks are not easy to drive I guess. Do you think the XL6 can placed in a 4x5 meter room?

Thanks

Moussa

Hi Moussa,

Glorious, transcendent, sublime.

And my xl6's are in a 4.5m x5m room 35-40cm from the rear wall (brick) floor is concrete and rugged, one solid brick wall, one windowed brick wall, one set of heavily curtained double windows (4m across) and one open wall. Very little ringing in the room and no real prominent resonant nodes. So yes I think they can be, though occasionally (very occassionally) I am tempted to demo the standmounter XLS to see if they are a better fit.

Whilst they area  load, I rarely need to go over 9.30 on the 552, 10:30 and you're struggling to breathe as the air is driven out of the room. TBH the only real problem with the combo is that it is so clean that even at very loud volumes there is no distortion - so often the only real sign of loudness is my partner screaming down the stairs to down it down! The previous 250.2 tended to get a touch plummy at the same volumes.

regards,

Giles

Keler Pierre posted:

Bluebeard posted:

Keler Pierre posted:

Bluebeard posted:

You seem to reference the Kharma sound a lot. Why not try the Elegance S7? Whilst a floorstander, they seem room friendly for your space (I'm assuming about 4m x 4m. I tried out the equivalent Kharma Ceramique about 6 years ago in a similar room driven by a 250 - while their timbral accuracy and transparency suited acoustic music (no-electronic jazz and classical) I found them a touch off the mark for electronic music - particularly EDM, lacking a bit in the pace/forwardness area. Given your tastes, this may not be an issue for you.

My current set-up has a 300 running into Neat XL6 floorstanders - you may also wish to consider their XLS standmounters. These lack some of the transparency of the Kharma, but make up for it in PRAT.

regards,

Giles

very happy with your advice. You have heard kharma with naim and found them a bit slow, not so much involving. So i will consider your point of view strongly. Thanks.

Not saying the Kharma were slow, rather they weren't quite "pacey" enough for me. Subtle but important difference.

regards,

Giles

so not enough involving ....not enough foot taping.

I'm clearly being oblique here...With the Kharmas for classical - orchestral, chamber, choral, operatic, polyphony, etc, jazz up to 1968 (ie pre Miles electric), folk and simple 1960's pop, they are more than adequate and quite involving. In these genres one is clearly listening to real instruments played in a real acoustic, capturing all the nuances and subltle dynamics those instruments bring to the table. If this was my musical diet, I'd have very little problem in buying them. For this music the Kharmas and the big Quad electrostatics would be my only choice.

But it isn't my complete musical diet. When you add music which is  a) abrasive and deliberately distorted (say Miles On the Corner) or b) has bucket loads of polyrhythms (say Talking Heads Remain in Light) or is sample heavy with all the attendent hiss/low-fi production (say the Avalanches Since I met you), then the Kharmas do not fare so well, becoming as it were, disinterested in the outcome. The music is replayed adequately, it just sounds like a facsimile without any propulsion or drive. It was this lack of engagement on a significant portion of my musical tastes that made me look elsewhere. 

regards,

Giles