Floorstanding speakers for Nait 5i-2

Posted by: tiggers55 on 01 April 2018

Hi all,

Trying to put together a small system for my second home. Room is 7m x 4m, speakers will need to fire along the length. I have a Nait5i-2 and a Naim CD2 CD player, also have a V90 DAC for iTunes usage. Budget for speakers is a max of £750 and looking at secondhand. Want floorstanders and they need to be simple one box designs as have kids running around that don't understand the concept of boxes sat on pips etc. Also need to be able to move them out of the way occasionally without hassle hence the one box requirement.

I listen to rock, trance, club and some pop.

Credos were my first thought, bit the two box design precludes them. Was thinking of PMC GB1 or Neat Motive 2, but keep reading that they are difficult to drive and get decent sound levels from. I don't need stupid loud so maybe these would be OK. Also looking at Linn Ninkas, but never heard a pair. Or Spendor S6e's maybe.

I like the good old PRaT so what would people recommend?

Thanks in advance.

Posted on: 01 April 2018 by hungryhalibut

Friends of mine have GB1s with a Nait 5i and it’s totally gutless. You want speakers that are really easy. I’d have thought Credos would be fine - it would be easier to knock GB1s over than knock the top box off a Credo.

Posted on: 01 April 2018 by MangoMonkey

Kudos X2, Neat SX2 come to mind.

Rega RS5s, if you like your music lean, super engaging and blazing fast...

Posted on: 04 April 2018 by john kent

I don't know which floorstanders to recommend, but I have focus 160s hooked with the same Naim integrated as you and the sound is exceptional.

Also - your system deserves better than that VDAC...just sayin'....

Posted on: 04 April 2018 by thebigfredc

I too like the idea of something that is fast and easy to drive with a 5i-2.

I used nSats with mine back in the day which was fun.

As for floor standers, I like the Credos and Rega RS5s suggestions. RS7s too maybe.

Ray

Posted on: 04 April 2018 by Chag...

Totem Arro may be an option just like entry level floorstanders of Tannoy, Monitor Audio, Audiovector, Focal, Epos and Q Acoustics. I however tend to believe that you might be better off selecting standmounters of higher quality with Proac, PMC, KEF, B&W and the same MA and Focal that will be easier to drive and control for the 5i . Enjoy the testing.. ????

Chag -

Posted on: 05 April 2018 by joerand

For a 7m x 4m room I'd consider looking at more powerful amplification than the 5i-2, especially when you say you listen to rock, trance, club and pop. Otherwise limit your quest to notably high-efficiency speakers rated at ≥8 ohms and ≥90 dBs or you may be compromising bottom-end heft and grip.

Posted on: 05 April 2018 by tiggers55

Thanks for the replies, thinking of a set of Linn Ninkas for now as they tick the boxes of easy to move and don't have grilles that might get damaged. I know they're not as good as some speakers, but I want to keep the system within expectations and not get into upgrading it over and over.

I have a full Olive active system at my other place and can see if I start heading up the ladder with this it will not end well... financially. Hence the V90 DAC ... would have loved another DAC-V1, but ... well as said where does it end.

So CD2/5i2/Ninkas for now.... if I don't like them I will move them on.

Posted on: 05 April 2018 by Yetizone

TIGGERS55,

You could possibly consider a pair of vintage Monitor Audio R352s. Cheap-ish on the used market, very easy to drive at 91db efficiency, even by a Nait2 to high db levels. A Nait5i2 will have no issues driving them and the room. Not strictly floorstanders as they are very large hefty stand mounts, but they have their own dedicated bolt on stands for stability. When I had my set, my children pinballed around them without any issues. Designed by Robin Marshall of Epos fame so they have that tight fast Epos like midband, although not quite as cohesive at the frequency extremes (if being picky), plus being front ported their bass response is not as tight as the infinite baffle R252 (still own) little sibling. Well worth looking at as an alternative to the Ninka, for pennies too comparatively.

Posted on: 05 April 2018 by john kent

tiggers55 posted:.
I have a full Olive active system at my other place and can see if I start heading up the ladder with this it will not end well... financially. Hence the V90 DAC ... would have loved another DAC-V1, but ... well as said where does it end.

To be totally honest, I was blown away by the quality of the DAC in my $35 google chromecast audio...I actually use it in my secondary system in place of a perfectly good V90 which is now collecting dust...Another inexpensive option is Schiit modi 2 - it's awesome! Good luck with your system!