Best speakers for 555/552/500

Ok, always like opening a can of worms but...I do believe there is some consensus here that Naim + Kudos = beautiful music. Titans 808 are SPECIAL in every sense and a mighty heir to the DBL.

Best out there? No clue (could b for sure) but to these ears, a fantastic combination. Itf the itch doesn’t stop there and you (like me) have some kind of OCD, Chord Music cables will be next perfect match....

//Jonas

Zackwater posted:

I’m intrigued by ATC active speakers but good luck finding anything above a scm100 in the USA.  

If active SCM100 are available where you are then that's where I would start my auditions. I own the humble SCM40 and am overwhelmed how good they are.

Jonas Olofsson posted:

Ok, always like opening a can of worms but...I do believe there is some consensus here that Naim + Kudos = beautiful music. Titans 808 are SPECIAL in every sense and a mighty heir to the DBL.

Best out there? No clue (could b for sure) but to these ears, a fantastic combination. Itf the itch doesn’t stop there and you (like me) have some kind of OCD, Chord Music cables will be next perfect match....

//Jonas

I heard them with the ND555 and Statement amps....yes very good, but the Statement needs something more special. But for us mere mortals, mighty fine.

I refuse to admit that the statement series even exists!  The 500 series is it for me.  I just have to rule out the atc active speakers before I add a 500dr amp to my current system.  In the USA I can’t even find a 100 in stock anywhere.  Then I would only be able to hear it at its location, not with my gear.  I just don’t see the ATC happening.  With that in mind,  Tyler with Kudos will do anything, unreal how good he is.  So, If I trade/upgrade speakers Kudos, 808’s are the leading candidate.  

Zackwater posted:

I refuse to admit that the statement series even exists!  The 500 series is it for me. 

I'm the same about the Classic series! The XS series is it for me.

I’m a bit biased here but Naim 500 series and Kudos 808 can’t go wrong together. IMHO. 

As you might know, Derek (Kudos founder) uses Naim when developing his speakers. I heard his pair 808 in his house a couple of years ago with Naim electronics. Unbelievably good! 

//Jonas

Zack- u are not happy with your Focal’s?

david 

Depends almost entirely on your room.  But add Neat to your list.  

+1 for room

With the kind of money you seem to want to spend, try out some JBL K2 S9900, or if you have really deep pockets the JBL Everest DD 67000.

I'm using the humble JBL 4429s, and I love them...

BBM

PMC MB2 SE; amazing 

Wilson audio speakers are tempting too.  Tad, Wilson Benesh, Sonus Faber....to be considered too.

davidf posted:

Zack- u are not happy with your Focal’s?

david 

In order to get the rich, full body sound I like I have a pair of rel subs (G1 Mark ll).  The only problem with the subs is they don’t handle medium to loud volume on lots of songs.  Already blown one on Adele’s “I miss you” or maybe it was Post Malone.  They are wonderful on low to medium volume.  I’m just exploring all options and I got excited when Kodos became an option.  Without the subs, the Focals are not what I like.  May not have enough amp to drive them.   They are the Maestro Uptopia’s.  I have full SuperLumina and a regular fraim stand.  Upgrading the NDS to the new 555 after first of year, I have the opportunity to test drive the Kudos 808 at that time.   Hopefully they will provide the added bottom end I like.   If not then I may consider upgrading/changing  the subs.  

Steve Crouch posted:

PMC MB2 SE; amazing 

I second that - the best speakers I’ve heard. 

But of course it all depends on budget...

With that level of amplification, a careful demo is going to be a must. I think the only thing the forum can do is out ideas in your head for shortlisting.

As well as the fine speakers mentioned, if I had  500 system, I would also be looking at PMC offerings like the Fact 12 or IB2se and MB2se.

The latter may still be too much speaker for a single NAP500 though.

Zackwater posted:

I refuse to admit that the statement series even exists!  The 500 series is it for me.  I just have to rule out the atc active speakers before I add a 500dr amp to my current system.  In the USA I can’t even find a 100 in stock anywhere.  Then I would only be able to hear it at its location, not with my gear.  I just don’t see the ATC happening.  With that in mind,  Tyler with Kudos will do anything, unreal how good he is.  So, If I trade/upgrade speakers Kudos, 808’s are the leading candidate.  

I heard active Kudos 707 about 1 1/2 years ago -- that was with a 300 series system. Marvellous! Active 808 with a 500 series system is probably very, very special indeed...

feeling_zen posted:

With that level of amplification, a careful demo is going to be a must. I think the only thing the forum can do is out ideas in your head for shortlisting.

As well as the fine speakers mentioned, if I had  500 system, I would also be looking at PMC offerings like the Fact 12 or IB2se and MB2se.

The latter may still be too much speaker for a single NAP500 though.

Do you think the 500dr is not enough amp for the MB2se?

I think I'd ask a dealer familiar with both the amp and speaker. Or even ping PMC. 

PMC speakers in the pro range are generalky driven by amps with a fair bit more power than a NAP500.

It might not be a problem at all. Or you might need to bi/triamp purely for power handling reasons. A bit of expert advice from a dealer or PMC would be key here.

Well im using a Rega Osiris with MB2se and getting excellent results , so im sure a NAP500 would have no problem.

Hi OP... I’m entirely with those who asked about the qualities of your room. And to that your listening habits. So here goes...

The 500 is a super amp; that said an active solution has very good potential. I would never upset the flavor of a properly set up Naim system. So I hope that which you use next doesn’t lose the mojo of the streamer and preamp.

HOW you listen is anybody’s guess: if you’ve Focals I hope it’s an Utopia 3; in which case it’s going to be tough for any of the other speakers mentioned here to match up in absolute speed; maybe have someone come dial them in... the Jbls mentioned here for one might not have that speed, but have great dispersion and a rawness that is somehow more authentic then an overtly clean sound which many modern speakers happen to be cursed with (as well as a small-scale sound). Genesis (Seattle) should give you a blend between the Focals and the JBLs. Neats are solid performers and are a reliable buy. Vivids too. 

At at the risk of sounding pedantic... this in cognizance of what your room can support acoustically and good setup. That Nd555 you have (congrats btw) will run in over 6 months just by leaving it on and with it the rest of your system as you play it.

Eithe the new dynaudio confidence range or hi end Sonus Fabers... of course the new focal Sopra must be auditioned also. 

and forget Magico. I’m very disappointed with them. 

I have no idea where in the US you can get Audiovector speakers, and no idea when the sr8 is beginning to ship to dealers, but according to my dealer they are very special. In his view they are in some ways better than the r11, witch is the best speakers I have heard, but also by far the most expensive! Previously Audiovector was the Danish Naim distributor so older models was for sure tested on Naim electronics, And as I understand it Naim gear is still used along other brands. The nice thing about the rs8 is that it is not possible to get them in an active version.

Claus

My thoughts are with speakers you are governed by the room. There is a tenancy to shove a big set of speakers in a relatively modest room .... obviously some are lucky enough to have very large spaces ....  My 500 system is in a smallish room driving ... wait for it pmc20.21's and they sound epic.... and they dig surprisingly deep. I have a thing for small speakers .... but hey that's just my personal choice. If I had the space I would like to listen to a decent set of magicos....

Richieroo posted:

My thoughts are with speakers you are governed by the room. There is a tenancy to shove a big set of speakers in a relatively modest room .... obviously some are lucky enough to have very large spaces ....  My 500 system is in a smallish room driving ... wait for it pmc20.21's and they sound epic.... and they dig surprisingly deep. I have a thing for small speakers .... but hey that's just my personal choice. If I had the space I would like to listen to a decent set of magicos....

My room is rectangular around 20’ by 40’ (around 6m by 12).  There’re is a hallway leading into it that one set of speakers sets near the wall with the open hallway beside it. On the other side is a standard corner with the speaker not in the corner but  few feet off it.  

Wow.....

It’s not just a listening room. It also has a projection tv and behind that area is the bar/kitchen.  I didn’t build the house, just bought it a year ago.