SBL versus ALLAES

Hi Paul.

I use SBLs with a non DR 300. Love the combination to bits. It has everything I want from a sound system. If you like Allaes you are likely to love SBLs. All the usual caveats about your room, ears etc apply.

I recently got a more recent pair (2000), new Paxo and grills to replace my original ‘89 Mk1s. I also had my dealer do a professional instal even though I consider myself competent to set them up. I paid 250 for the SBLs, 200 for the Paxos and 170 fo the grills. IMHO nothing under 5k that I have heard can touch them. But I am biased....

Stu.

Where is Chris when we need him?

Sorry - what is a Paxo?

Just to get your juices flowing... 

Passive crossover

Paxo is the passive crossover needed. They usually come with the SBLs, normally attached on the rear of each ‘speaker. My pair had been used active so came without. I was lucky that a new pair were available.

Stu

stuart.ashen posted:

Hi Paul.

I use SBLs with a non DR 300. Love the combination to bits. It has everything I want from a sound system. If you like Allaes you are likely to love SBLs. All the usual caveats about your room, ears etc apply.

I recently got a more recent pair (2000), new Paxo and grills to replace my original ‘89 Mk1s. I also had my dealer do a professional instal even though I consider myself competent to set them up. I paid 250 for the SBLs, 200 for the Paxos and 170 fo the grills. IMHO nothing under 5k that I have heard can touch them. But I am biased....

Stu.

 

250 for mk2 SBL is a downright bargain !

170 for grills..hmm I wouldn't - but guess its a personal thing

Imo sbl are much better than Allae but take care setting up.

Sbl need placement straight up against rear wall, Allaes not.

Hi Perol,

there are cheaper grills on the Bay. However, grills from Tom Tom are top quality and probably a touch cheaper than if Naim still sold them.

Given how cheap this top class speaker was in total I was happy to pay top dollar. YMMV of course.

Stu

Then get yerself a SNAXO, SCap and another PwrAmp to take the SBLs active and you’ll hear what they can really do!

I had Allaes at home for a while before I got SBLs, and I've heard them active at a dealer demo. They're definitely a level below SBLs in both configurations.

Bear in mind though as a ported design the Allaes put out a lot more bass. If, as often stated, you don't have a solid wall to put the SBLs up against they could be a disaster.

SBLs are superb and superior to Allaes. I ran them active with 300s for years until I was lucky enough to find a pair of mint SL2s on ebay.

Max_B posted:

Where is Chris when we need him?

;-)

I owned SBLs before my Allaes. Assuming your sources are commensurate with your NAP, then go for SBLs. The later the better otherwise you will be forever fretting about whether crossovers or tweeters need replacing. At first you will probably wonder where the bass has gone. But then you will come to understand what timing is. Some might say, what music is. (I did say 'some' ).

C.

m.paul taylor posted:

I have read good things about SBLs . I use Allaes at the end of a strong set up, driven by 300 DR . Room is narrowish and speakers need to be placed near back and side walls. Please let me have your views on whether replacing the Allaes with SBLs (I thought about SL2s but cannot find any)

The comments here are making me impatient to fire up my SBL's that are in storage - I hope I can find all the bits and bobs - the foam grilles have been damaged by poor storage on my part.

I've run them active and passive and they are a great speaker.  Currently using ancient early 90's Epos ES14's which I've always loved with a Uniti Nova.

stuart.ashen posted:

Paxo is the passive crossover needed. They usually come with the SBLs, normally attached on the rear of each ‘speaker. My pair had been used active so came without. I was lucky that a new pair were available.

Stu

My PAXO was secondhand as was the NAXO - I assume the NAXO can still  be serviced, anyone know if the PAXOs need servicing too????