Speakers for Naim Star.

What other speakers did you listen to and rule out?  This information may help determine the characteristics in speakers that you do and don't like.  Of the speakers you've shortlisted, the PMC Twenty5.23s are the only ones I've tried myself, and have to say they weren't for me, and would have thought they're qualities were quite different to the Neats for example.  Do you find the three all sound impressive, but in very different ways?  Sorry about the string of questions, but I find the speaker choices / preferences of others quite fascinating.  

I’m leaning towards the Neat Xplorer as they are very detailed with exceptional bass control.

The three all had different qualities. I would list them for preference as Neat then Dynaudio then PMC.

The problem I’ve found is that after two or three lengthy auditions things start merging into one big confused mess.

My wife has a good ear and she favoured Neat.

im back home listening to the Mu-so and realise that the additional expenditure is worth while.

If you don’t need the Star’s CD player you may want to consider the Nova, which is more powerful and better, even if it means getting slightly cheaper speakers. 

As for choosing them, it’s a horrible task that I find really hard. My only suggestion is that you try to find something that disappears into the room and enables you to engage wholly with the music, without thinking of hifi aspects. Whatever you do, borrow the pair you think you prefer for a few days at home, where they will sound very different to how they are at the dealer’s. And make sure they are run in. I home demoed some speakers once, thinking they were run in, and really liked them. As they ran in and the bass opened up, it overwhelmed the room and they had to go. At least I bought them ex dem, so selling them a few months later cost me very little. So do take care. 

If you're leaning toward the Neats, and this is only a guess based on stuff I've read as I've not actually heard them, it's probably because they have a more natural presentation, and generally easier on the ear, less hifi sounding, even though some details may stand out more with the others.  If that rings true at all, it's a pretty safe bet in my view that the Neat's would be the way to go.  If you can take them for a (or another) audition at home and you really enjoy listening to music, and not thinking about speakers then job done really.  Comparison is all very well, but all speakers sound different to each other, and often wildly so in my experience, so it really comes down simply to whether you enjoy listening, rather than any comparative analysis round detail, bass, texture, blah etc, as none of those things individually matters, the overall effect and ones enjoyment of music is the only true worthwhile measure in my view.

Hi,

I have just read a review in one of the hi-fi magazines regarding the Xplorer and in very high praise they're too. However, there was just one caveat with them according to the reviewer and that is that they need a bit volume to come alive. Just thought I would point this out although I have no direct experience with them myself but something to consider, maybe.

I went from a pair of Naim speakers to a pair of Neat Motive SX2s a year ago with no regrets at all, I really like the Naim & Neat synergy!

I can't add anything more to what others have already advised above other than to take your time, it's easy to go rushing in. 

Happy auditioning! 

I found the Xplorer more analytical than the PMC and not as restrained as the Dynaudio.

You could clearly pick up individual instruments on the explorer which wasn’t always the case with the others.

All three speakers unfortunately make my Mu-so sound like a radio so I’m going  to have to change. 

Only you will know and it sounds like you already do. Personally I think that both Kudos & Neat speakers tend to really sound connected with Naim, more so than with other makes, including Focal & Naim themselves! 

<running for cover>

I don’t know if my hearing is starting to go but I didn’t notice a great deal of difference between the Star and the Nova played through the Xplorers.

Stephen Tate posted:

Only you will know and it sounds like you already do. Personally I think that both Kudos & Neat speakers tend to really sound connected with Naim, more so than with other makes, including Focal & Naim themselves! 

<running for cover>

Big Neat fan here, and of course, whilst the current offerings from both Neat and Kudos may be quite different, both brands do share a certain historical symbiosis, which, as you say, makes either of them the perfect partner to Naim kit.

John L F posted:

I don’t know if my hearing is starting to go but I didn’t notice a great deal of difference between the Star and the Nova played through the Xplorers.

As a Star owner I like the sound of that!

I use Dynaudio with mine, love them combo. Never heard Neat but would be nice to some day. 

CALLAS01

I liked the Dynaudio 40 and thought the Emit 20 was amazing value for money.

However, I think the Neat Xplorer are exceptional speakers. Very detailed and musical with outstanding bass.

Auditioning speakers is a route to madness.  I went through that last year choosing new speakers for my Uniti2.  It's also very subjective.  For what it's worth, I really liked the Focal Electra 1008be, but having a manic dog and stand mounted speakers wouldn't work.  It came down to a choice between Neat Motive SX2 and PMC Twenty5.23.  To my ears the Neats were better for Rock music, the PMC were better for electronica.  I listen to more electronic music, so I bought the PMCs.  I still really like them.

PARLOW

I listened to both the SX2 and PMC twenty5.23. I preferred the PMC. If I’d not heard the Xplorer     I would have settled for the PMC. The only thing for certain is diminishing returns for increased cost!

Star + Xplorer's is an amazing combination!

Rather than picking speakers to suit the amplifier, how about picking speakers to suit the room in which they will reside?

The interaction of speaker and room is much more difficult to get right than the interaction of speakers and power amps.

I’m afraid the room will remain the same. however I’ve taken the wife with me to hear how good the Star and Xplorer sound so if there is a noticeable difference she’ll be agreeable to alterations. 

John L F posted:

I’m afraid the room will remain the same. however I’ve taken the wife with me to hear how good the Star and Xplorer sound so if there is a noticeable difference she’ll be agreeable to alterations. 

It sounds like you have made your mind up. I reckon it'll be an absolute cracking system.

John L F posted:

I’ve  been auditioning speakers for tha Star. My final three are the Neat Iota Xplorer, PMC Tenty5 23 and Dynaudio 40.

I must admit the sound from all three is very good which has made choosing a purchase very difficult. I’d be grateful for opinions. I play a wide range of music.

I’m also beginning to wonder if endless auditions are the road to madness!

 

Absolutely guaranteed John.  You need to get a grip of yourself and make a decision within a very short timescale... really.

Another risk you're facing in a prolonged speaker selection process is that of divorce... it was how I lost my first two wives... really.  Something about loving my hi-fi more than them (possibly true).

At this point I'd present my short list of candidates for you to audition,  however other forum members have given you much better information than I'd be able to do;  all I'd do would be to direct you toward the magnificent ATC range.  Number three wife rather likes these ATC speakers now they're here - she'll be around for quite a while longer, I'm sure.

Thanks to everybody for the information and just to update you.

After five three hour sessions with various suppliers I have settled for a Nova with Dynaudio special 40s. A brilliant sound which is too good for Spotify so I’m going to have to turn to either tidal or WAV files.

You can start with Qobuz HI-FI for 3 Months free now, before april 29

https://try.qobuz.com/special-...utm_campaign=rst2018

Congrats with the Nova 

John L F posted:

Thanks to everybody for the information and just to update you.

After five three hour sessions with various suppliers I have settled for a Nova with Dynaudio special 40s. A brilliant sound which is too good for Spotify so I’m going to have to turn to either tidal or WAV files.

Congrats on your choice,I owned the Special 40s for about six months,and loved them.Recently I switched to Sopra 1s,they work a little better for me in my room,but should for the price difference.Also,I own a pair of Dynaudio XD 600s,so wanted a little different flavour in addition to my XDs.It sounded like you were pretty certain that you wanted the explorers,what made you change your mind?

John L F posted:

Thanks to everybody for the information and just to update you.

After five three hour sessions with various suppliers I have settled for a Nova with Dynaudio special 40s. A brilliant sound which is too good for Spotify so I’m going to have to turn to either tidal or WAV files.

Congrats! 

I remember when I first heard Dynaudio speakers they were the 3rd best speaker I’d heard. But after 2 more auditions I knew I was taking them home. 

The speaker/amp/room interplay is critical .... and you were absolutely right to audition carefully..... well done enjoy!

SongStream posted:

What other speakers did you listen to and rule out?  This information may help determine the characteristics in speakers that you do and don't like.  Of the speakers you've shortlisted, the PMC Twenty5.23s are the only ones I've tried myself, and have to say they weren't for me, and would have thought they're qualities were quite different to the Neats for example.  Do you find the three all sound impressive, but in very different ways?  Sorry about the string of questions, but I find the speaker choices / preferences of others quite fascinating.  

Neat, Kef and B&W were the the main ranges I auditioned. I liked the Neat Xplorers but the Special 40 has that bit of extra clarity and control I liked. They were also very engaging. I thought for £600 the Dynaudio Emit 20s were outstanding value and better than some speakers I heard at double the price.

John L F posted:

Thanks to everybody for the information and just to update you.

After five three hour sessions with various suppliers I have settled for a Nova with Dynaudio special 40s. A brilliant sound which is too good for Spotify so I’m going to have to turn to either tidal or WAV files.

Well done John, I'm pleased you avoided divorce (you did avoid divorce, didn't you? )

I personally like Dynaudio, so it seems you've made a good choice of audio kit, and as for Spotify... you are absolutely right, just about everything is too good for Spotify, except of course those remaining 'transistor radios' or 'ghetto blasters' that some of us still own (mine is in my garage).