Speakers home test > hmmm....

Adam Zielinski posted:

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Adam - do you have access to Neat, Kudos, Dynaudio, Harbeth?

My dealer can access Neat and Dynaudio quite easily - which models would you recommend I try?

Kudos and Harbeth have a bit of a challenging distribution - available, but I would have to go via a completely unknown (to me) dealer. 

At the Chester show earlier this year, I had the chance to hear the new Dynaudio Contour (with Naim electronics). The room was awful (a small hotel bedroom...), but still the Contour impressed — very fine speakers and certainly worth an audition... Sadly, beyond my budget...

Harbeth — I only heard those on two occassions. Ready for retirement? Rather dull, especially when compared to those fine Contour...

Adam Zielinski posted:

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Adam - do you have access to Neat, Kudos, Dynaudio, Harbeth?

My dealer can access Neat and Dynaudio quite easily - which models would you recommend I try?

Kudos and Harbeth have a bit of a challenging distribution - available, but I would have to go via a completely unknown (to me) dealer. 

Adam, just had a thought.

I have been to two hi fi demos recently and at both I heard the new Kudos Titan 707s with very capable Naim sources and amplification in both passive and active modes.

The first was 272/555DR with 300DR passive and then with 2 x 250DR active ( SNAXO powered by a HicapDR as the Supercap DR was blown up!). Here I had a clear preference for the active set up but the passive was also very impressive.

The second hearing was at a smallish HiFi show and the system was LP12/NDS/555DR/552DR and 500DR passive vs 2 x 300DR active (SNAXO powered by a SuperCapDR). Here, I too preferred the active version but by a far smaller margin.

In both cases the 707s were very impressive and the beauty is that you can start with a passive set up and progress to an active one should you wish and should funds permit.

I am more interested in the soon-to-be launched Kudos 606s as they will fit my living room and budget a little better. They are of the same design as the 707s but are a little smaller. Think Focal Sopra 3 vs Sopra 2. Unfortunately I have not had a chance to listen to the 606s yet but they too will be available passive or active.

I know you have a problem sourcing Kudos in Poland but it might be worth a search around.

Oh yeah — the Kudos 707 were at the Chester show as well. In a much bigger room — powerful speakers. After the show, a few forum members shared their impressions, by and large very positive impressions... Worth a forum search.

There is the new neat iota explorer coming out. Looks a very intresting design.

Timo posted:

At the Chester show earlier this year, I had the chance to hear the new Dynaudio Contour (with Naim electronics). The room was awful (a small hotel bedroom...), but still the Contour impressed — very fine speakers and certainly worth an audition... Sadly, beyond my budget...

 

I think they were the Contour 30's and i would agree they were amazing. Sound of the show for me. 

Adam - room and budget are the critical issues obviously.  I would suggest Neat XL6, Kudos 606 and 707.   

I absolutely love the Neats and tried the XLS in my room but they just didn’t work - so ended with the S20s which I just love.  

Regards,

Lindsay

Thanks Lindsay - I like the ‘look’ of the Neat Ultimatum XL6. Will try to add it to my audition list.

Adam the XL6 is surprisingly easy to drive actually heard them sounding really good with a 202/HC/200 but as I said they just didn’t work in my room. But they need space

Adam, your profile content indicate that you have Quad ESL-63 in another room. You would probably like Harbeth 40.2s as for dynamic loudspeakers.

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Adam the XL6 is surprisingly easy to drive actually heard them sounding really good with a 202/HC/200 but as I said they just didn’t work in my room. But they need space

I remember your post about auditioning C20s - they sre actually very good speakers. I heard them ones on a back of an Olive set.

Come to think of it.... I might actually give them a try.

cat345 posted:

Adam, your profile content indicate that you have Quad ESL-63 in another room. You would probably like Harbeth 40.2s as for dynamic loudspeakers.

Indeed - I use the Quads as my office set at work Harbeth - showed a picture to my wife. She wasn’t impressed with the looks of them. As it’s a living room she has a final say - the speakers must sound good and look good - she insists on both.

Adam Zielinski posted:

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Adam the XL6 is surprisingly easy to drive actually heard them sounding really good with a 202/HC/200 but as I said they just didn’t work in my room. But they need space

I remember your post about auditioning C20s - they sre actually very good speakers. I heard them ones on a back of an Olive set.

Come to think of it.... I might actually give them a try.

Adam,

If you are referring to Kudos, I would audition the S20s rather than the C20s. They are similar but the S20s are more capable and the latest version can be driven passive or active.

I too was considering S20s but am waiting to hear what the new Titan 606s sound like.

S20s completely different design.  Can they be active with Naim?  Not sure.  

Looks like I mixed up the designstions - meant Kudos Super 20A

The Strat (Fender) posted:

S20s completely different design.  Can they be active with Naim?  Not sure.  

Yes, the Naim SNAXO is just now being signed off for use with the Kudos Super 20A. Having heard the 707 passive and active, I am expecting great things from the S20 A in active mode. Kudos speakers with Naim active are veeerrry good.

Lindsay, looks like you might need to save up for a SNAXO, another 250DR and a bit more speaker cable. 

Sorry Lindsay, you will also need a power supply for that SNAXO but you could start with a HiCapDR.

This advice is provided with my compliments. 

Adam, as you know I love the sound of Dynaudio and Naim together.

Dynaudio pairs very well that leading edge and rhythmic ability of Naim 

If you can get a Confidence C1 bookshelf pre-loved, but whenever they come up, they get snapped up instantly. At one time, the founder of Dynaudio said it was his favourite speaker.

have a look at the reviews of the C1 online.

I love very much the Bigger Confidence C2 speaker. It's my aspirational one, and will buy soon.

But the entry level Excite bookshelf X16 (now X18) sounds very fine to me. 

Dynaudio also is used in many recording studios around the world Adam, and it's a fairly neutral speaker without any coloration. 

Ok - but I need floorstnding speakers.....

Adam Zielinski posted:

Ok - but I need floorstnding speakers.....

Well, Dynaudio Confidence C2 then... 

Timo posted:

Adam Zielinski posted:

Ok - but I need floorstnding speakers.....

Well, Dynaudio Confidence C2 then... 

What about Contour 60? never heard Dynaudio speakers, so I’ll be relying on your recommendations to narrow down the choice

It has the esotar 2 tweeter (one of the best around), so yes that could be an endgame speaker too.

It's a big speaker, needs a big room.

Coming from a SN2 owner and a Dynaudio owner, you would need something like a 300DR to do justice to the C60, and possibly the 500DR would be required to get the best out of the speaker. For the Confidence line of speakers, a 500DR would be the minimum I would use.

The C 30's rather than the C60's would be a much better match with your particular system. I really think the Atohm GT2 speakers rather than the GT3 would really make an impression, be a great match with your system and will blow you away! Trust me on this one please!

while badlands is entitled to her opinion, I've heard the Confidence C2 speaker with a Nap 250.2 and it sounded fine to me.

Dynaudio (even the higher end ones) certainly easier to drive than Focal, B&W or Sonus Faber !

Like Naim, Dynaudio have certain beliefs : no bi-wiring terminals on any dynaudio speakers

And No dynaudio speaker shall present a nasty load to the partnering amplifier, 4 ohms really means a 4 ohm load - the impedance does not dip below that.

Here's a review from a owner of a contour 60 (you can see this on the audio t website, so no issues with a NAP 250)

There are no negatives. This speaker simply produces the most balanced, neutral and natural sound I've ever heard. I had Sopra 2's before and, though exciting due to a very forward nature, leading edges and female vocals were harsh and painful by comparison; and the Contour's absolutely trounce them for delicacy, detail and texture. Bass is phenomenal but very controlled - I've sold most of my acoustic panels. These are my end game speakers - fed by a Mirus DAC, Naim 252/250. They look great and, with grilles on, disappear in my room, which is also a family sitting room, despite their tall dimensions.

I've also heard the 5si drive the C20's and they sounded fine, But to really get the best out of the Contour line and the Confidence line of speakers, and hear what they are capable of, I stand by my recommendations.

I don't agree. I'd have no hesitation purchasing the Confidence C2 with my NAP 250DR.