Recommended: SuperNait 2 - HiCapD - NDX & Focal Kanta 2
Posted by: Iver van de Zand on 23 December 2017
Hi all,
For a number of months I have been thinking on replacing my beloved NAC152XS/NAP150XS/FlatCapXS/ND5XS system with one that delivers a bit more authority, detail and punch. The new system had to respecting the sound I learnt and love so much over the past few years. In the end I ended up purchasing a SuperNait2 with HiCap DR, and an NDX. The system does everything I was looking for and plays wonderfully nice. My previous system had Naim Allaes. I considered to replace those too so I took a day off and spent time for auditions.
On my short list were Q Acoustics Concept 500, Kef Reference One, Focal Kanta 2 and Sonus Faber Olympica II's. The dealer did have the SuperNait2/HiCapDr/NDX set up, so I could simulate as close as possible towards my situation at home. Maybe a surprise for some, but all of the 4 are remarkably good and very close towards each other in terms of performance. The difference is really not that big.
The Kef Reference One are monitor loudspeakers and sound very detailed and balanced. The bass production is very firm even though they are monitors. Compared to the others, I found the soundstage (especially the depth) slightly less. The Q Acoustic Concept 500 is a very, very good loudspeaker. Plenty of detail, superb definition and placing, and controlled bass. Compared to the others, it is the least performing but bear in mind their price is significantly lower. They are without doubt the best value for money of all "my contenders". The Q Acoustics were slightly down on authority and rhythm.
For me the two best performers were the Songs Faber Olympica II's and the Focal Kanta 2. Both amazing sounding speakers. Don't know how to describe it, but it is the ease of delivering the music that impresses. Also both ensure that you as a listener hardly "see" the loudspeakers. Build-quality is superb. It depends on your preferences, but also the Kanta's look very good in real life. The Kanta's have a more firm bass than the Olympica's.
It took me quite some coffees and listening to decide, but in the end I bought the Focal Kanta 2. They are new on the market, so I have to respect a delivery time of a month, but happy to wait.
I didn't purchase loudspeaker-cables yet and decide to start with my current NACA5.
Cheers & Merry Christmas
Iver
Posted on: 23 December 2017 by The Strat (Fender)
Nice upgrade - well done.
Posted on: 23 December 2017 by badlands
Sounds like a great system, good luck with the speakers, great choice on the new amp too!!! I haven't heard them yet, but I will very soon. Focal speakers have a very distinct sound to them, some like it very much, I personally have found one common denominator in the Focal line of speakers, and that is they have a very high quality of build, that you can't deny. Congrats!
Posted on: 23 December 2017 by Bert Schurink
Congratulations these Focals are a great choice, they bring a lot of pleasure....
Posted on: 23 December 2017 by marcusman
Congrats. I've gotta admit I do like the looks of the new Focal's. I haven't heard them though.
Posted on: 23 December 2017 by The Strat (Fender)
The new Focals have all clearly been spec’d to work with Naim.
Posted on: 23 December 2017 by marcusman
I wonder which Naim products they were primarily tested with. My guess would be SN2 and or the Uniti Nova.
Posted on: 23 December 2017 by Iver van de Zand
My dealer couldn’t tell if Naim equipment was used when Focal developed the Kanta’s. I can only confirm that they match very well with my SuperNait. I had the feeling the KEF’s matched a little less.
the Focal Kanta is a very big loudspeaker. Bigger than I initially thought when I saw them on pictures. They are also very heavy. No worries about bi-wiring since it is not even possible.
The moment I have them at home, I will write up a little more on the experience I have with them.
Cheers
Iver
Posted on: 23 December 2017 by Klout10
Congrats with your new system Iver!
Posted on: 23 December 2017 by marcusman
Excellent! Can't wait to read your comments once your new system is up and running.
Posted on: 23 December 2017 by Foot tapper
Congratulations Iver on a textbook audition and a lovely, balanced system. May it bring you many years of musical bliss.
Best regards, FT
Posted on: 23 December 2017 by analogmusic
indeed the Kanta is really very good. My Naim dealer stocks them and they are superb.
Posted on: 23 December 2017 by cat345
Congrats with your new system. These Focal's look tremendous and should sound as good as they look with their high sensitivity and serious construction. Kevin Deal from Upscale Audio is going crazy about them in one of his explicit videos!
Posted on: 23 December 2017 by marcusman
haha I just saw his video. I think he likes them
Posted on: 23 December 2017 by MDS
The Kanta 2s are impressive. I'm sure you won't regret getting them Iver.
Posted on: 23 December 2017 by seakayaker
Congratulations! It looks like it is a well balanced system. .....and thanks of the review on the speaker selection.
Did you look at staying with at a pre/power amp system (272/250DR) prior to deciding on the SuperNait2? If so, what was the deciding factors to go with the SuperNait?
Posted on: 23 December 2017 by Clemenza
Congratulations Iver! Please post your impressions when the Kantas arrive!
Posted on: 24 December 2017 by Iver van de Zand
[@mention:70553749506420292] .. yes, before looking at the speakers I did compare the SN2-HCdr- NDX versus the 272-250dr. I choose the former combination since to my ears it brought better detail, and placing of instruments & space was better defined. I had this conclusion with all speaker combinations. Differences are small though. I did not compare both combinations with the addition of an XPSdr. Adding that one might be somthing to consider for the future.
Just a point to add on speaker choices. The Q Acoustic Concept 500 are reamarkably good and could “hold their place” against the others. I seriously considered to buy them. They were slightly behind in performance but they are also way lower priced. Another reason is that I think that whenever I want to sell them on the 2nd hand market, they might do bad. Q Acoustic is not a brand that is known for the top end of the speaker-market, so I’d expect it is difficult to sell them. Not sure if I am right here, though :-)
Posted on: 24 December 2017 by Klout10
I think you're right about the Q Acoustic speakers. Many years ago I used to own a very good but unknown speaker which took me a very long time to sell. Eventually, I've sold them to someone in Germany while I'm living in the Netherlands. Hence my choice for the Neats now, and I'm certain to take this re-sell opportunity into acount when auditoning other speakers ...
Posted on: 24 December 2017 by Massimo Bertola
In the meantime my previous set is for sale.
Cheers & Merry Christmas
Iver
Good! And since your email address is public, you won't have issues in selling it..
Merry Christmas
Max
Posted on: 24 December 2017 by Richard Dane
Would members please not post personal email addresses either on the forums or on their public profile - they are viewable to all and it's not safe to do so. Wherever I see a publicly viewable personal email address on this forum I will remove it.
Posted on: 24 December 2017 by seakayaker
[@mention:70553749506420292] .. yes, before looking at the speakers I did compare the SN2-HCdr- NDX versus the 272-250dr. I choose the former combination since to my ears it brought better detail, and placing of instruments & space was better defined. I had this conclusion with all speaker combinations. Differences are small though. I did not compare both combinations with the addition of an XPSdr. Adding that one might be somthing to consider for the future.
Thanks for the response, I appreciate hearing your opinion & experience gained from your recent upgrade process.
Posted on: 24 December 2017 by badlands
[@mention:70553749506420292] .. yes, before looking at the speakers I did compare the SN2-HCdr- NDX versus the 272-250dr. I choose the former combination since to my ears it brought better detail, and placing of instruments & space was better defined. I had this conclusion with all speaker combinations. Differences are small though.
Those were my conclusions also when I did the demo, except I had the 282 instead of the 272, not only in the show room but also came to the same conclusion when they were both demoed at home. Great choice!
Posted on: 24 December 2017 by analogmusic
Hi Badlands what is your source
merry Christmas to you and your family
