Thinking about acquiring a pair of Allae

Bouba, in spite of appearances, Allaes are a big step up from Intros.  For a start the drive units are different - essentially the same as those used in the SBL, albeit not as finely matched.  You have the very effective sprung base and spring decoupled HF driver, better crossover, much better cabinet with that lovely (and expensive to do) curved top.  Just make sure that the PIPs are all there - they're expensive to replace.  It's also worthwhile ensuring the bass driver bolts are properly torqued (3.6Nm). 

The Allaes aren't particularly difficult to drive - indeed, they work pretty well on even a NAIT 5, but they may well punish a less than very good source.  Being a reflex design (albeit with a superior port arrangement) they can exacerbate any looseness of flabbiness in the bass.  Apart from at shows, I haven't yet had any more than a short demo of the Atom, most memorably when I visited the factory last December with some forum members. It sounded very good, even when asked to drive much more costly speakers, so I'd say the omens are looking good.

As ever with Naim speakers,  getting the Allaes set up right is the key.  Use NACA5 cable - at least 5m per side - terminated with proper Naim speaker connectors at the speaker end (and whatever is supplied with the Atom at amp end). Experiment a bit with distance from the back wall, and also distance apart.  Take your time - days or weeks if need be. Invest in a spirit level and use the technique described in the SL2 setup guide in the FAQ to get the spikes on the sprung base done right - if you don't get this right, you'll have no idea what you're missing.  Good luck.

Many thanks for that very informative feedback Richard.

Apologize my ignorance but what are the PIPs you referred to ?

I'll take a look at the FAQ as regarding the installation and set up

Bouba, Ive had 2 pairs of allae and loved them both, you put them up close to the rear wall and as Richard said they aren't particularly difficult to drive but like many speakers do get better with an additional power amp.

hopefully its a decent price your getting them for, as I think they are a bargain and especially if still in good condition. as Richard mentioned make sure al the little pips are there and all the drivers are in good condition, make sure you have a listen before you pay.

enjoy

The PIPs (Precision Interface Piece) are the small black aluminium pieces that fit between top and bottom box.  They define the gap which is the reflex port.

Yes thank you Richard, they are all there as per the seller.

I auditioned them when looking for speakers and found they sounded lovely with jazz and acoustic music but didn't have the balls for Grateful Dead and dub reggae etc. That's just my ears and my taste in music but it's a risk to buy spealers unheard. They are very good in their way and may be perfect for you but they just didn't do it for me.

I used a pair of Allaes for around 12 years great speakers and a bargain at today's second hand prices.

Bouba, did you buy the Allaes?

I'm looking to replace my BW CM5's by speakers which can be positioned close to a rear wall. CM5's need too much space unfortunately. I've moved my greedy eyes in the direction of Allaes too ...

And as Richard mentioned ... I already have a Nait 5 :-)

Chuffed to the PIPs with my Allaes.

PIP are implants too on loudspeakers apparently.

Richard Dane posted:

Bouba, in spite of appearances, Allaes are a big step up from Intros.  For a start the drive units are different - essentially the same as those used in the SBL, albeit not as finely matched.  You have the very effective sprung base and spring decoupled HF driver, better crossover, much better cabinet with that lovely (and expensive to do) curved top.  Just make sure that the PIPs are all there - they're expensive to replace.  It's also worthwhile ensuring the bass driver bolts are properly torqued (3.6Nm). 

The Allaes aren't particularly difficult to drive - indeed, they work pretty well on even a NAIT 5, but they may well punish a less than very good source.  Being a reflex design (albeit with a superior port arrangement) they can exacerbate any looseness of flabbiness in the bass.  Apart from at shows, I haven't yet had any more than a short demo of the Atom, most memorably when I visited the factory last December with some forum members. It sounded very good, even when asked to drive much more costly speakers, so I'd say the omens are looking good.

As ever with Naim speakers,  getting the Allaes set up right is the key.  Use NACA5 cable - at least 5m per side - terminated with proper Naim speaker connectors at the speaker end (and whatever is supplied with the Atom at amp end). Experiment a bit with distance from the back wall, and also distance apart.  Take your time - days or weeks if need be. Invest in a spirit level and use the technique described in the SL2 setup guide in the FAQ to get the spikes on the sprung base done right - if you don't get this right, you'll have no idea what you're missing.  Good luck.

I have a pair of Allae's which are run with a 4m length with Naim Plugs.  Do you think this would compromise the sound?  Also I have read somewhere before on the forum that age can be factor with NACA5. Do you have opinion on this? (I brought the cables second hand and reckon they could be 20 years old) 

Moog, 5m or more is my own preference, as I prefer the sound.  I'm sure 4m is just fine.  

As for very old NACA5, I have seen a couple of examples that have gone green at the ends. And if they have been moved around a lot, sometimes strands can break.  In this case it's probably worth chopping back a few inches and having new Naim Speaker connectors properly soldered into place.

Richard - or others,

How close can Allaes stand to the wall? And, do they need a solid wall behind them, or would work bookshelves also fine?

Thanks

I'm pretty sure the manual says 10-40cm. Mine are at 12cm with a solid wall behind.

The Allaes are a reflex design and while a solid wall can be desirable, it's not absolutely necessary of them to work well.

Thanks. My Ovators have learned me how a precise bass can sound. BW's too close to the walls starts to be annoying for me. They boom and sound muffled when music is played with low tones. Will keep an eye on availabe Allaes in the next year or so.

I bought a pair specifically for the spare room which has a Rega system in it so I don't need more than 2m of A5. They cost about as much as a pair of new Dreamcatchers and stands  (which were great fun but not for solo piano). The Allaes are sensitive to the distance from the wall behind them giving a 1 note bass at 10.5cm and a nice even one at 11cm (or is it the other way round?) in my 11' square room so play around with placement until it sounds right (if slightly coloured).

I use mine either side of a bay window about 5cm from the wall with no toe in, approx 2m apart in a room 3.5 m X 5.00m, fed by 4m either side of NAC A5, in a previous house used 10m either side in a similar room both with excellent results.

You can't really go wrong if they are cheap as you should be able to move them on if they don't suit.

Karl