Best speakers for 555/552/500

In a room that is 20x40 I would love to hear how the 500DR would grip a pair of Harbeth 40.2's or indeed the big brother to what i use ie a Vivid Audio G1Spirit's.

Skip posted:

Zackwater posted:

Michael_B. posted:

If you can find a pair of DBLs I don't think you will be dissapointed.

I have zero luck purchasing anything used.  Plus being in Arkansas, USA the choices are very slim.  I’m a year away from new speakers.  Adding the 555/500dr before Xmas this year, already on order.  I am planning on going to Denver next year for the consumer show in October to spend a few days looking/listening to the various speakers.  I just want a set of speakers that don’t require subs to give me the sound I like.  

Arkansas is not bad.  I am here after all.   We should get in touch.  

I live and work in central Arkansas.

tonym posted:

Dave J posted:

Gazza posted:

Not so sure on that, myself......I would take DBL,s any day. Big gap in the market for a DBL equivalent.....and with time you would hope it could be bettered.

I wouldn’t.

This may be the Naim forum but let’s not over glamourise things. The DBL’s in their day  were really great speakers but the 808’s move things on a bit. (Sorry Tony ????)....

No need to apologise, your opinion's perfectly valid. But in what way do 808s “Move things on a bit” over DBLs? They're certainly different, but DBLs do things the 808s can't, like working really close to the wall. My active DBLs are better sounding in my system, but I do enjoy 808s and, should something awful happen to the DBLs, like SWMBO accidentally dousing them in lighter fuel and then dropping the still- smouldering butt of one of her Regius Double Corona cigars on them, I'd be looking to active 808s as a candidate for their replacement. 

Its a dilemma there is no real replacement for DBLs in an active setting currently.  808s are fantastic speakers and I have experienced them a couple times, still  prefer my active DBLs.   And active 808s seem further away now than ever.

Zackwater posted:

As I set here on a rainy afternoon my thoughts are wandering  to what speakers you would consider for a nd555/552/500dr system?   I’m intrigued by ATC active speakers but good luck finding anything above a scm100 in the USA.  I’m considering Kudos and own Focal.  Magico are a lot of money. Just want to hear from some of you that may have already made this decision.  And please, don’t reply if your answer is “you have to listen for yourself”, I get that.  

Try  the Wilson Alexia’s perfect fit to the 552/500 , as good as it gets in mho

Timmo1341 posted:

BNN posted:

I upgraded my ProAc CP6 to Carbon Pro 8 (few years ago), and I enjoyed listening for few years and never thought want to change speaker and etc. My Naim were old 500 series (before DR), I upgraded my 555PS to DR and it all sound good so far. I just came back from HK Show, and I had listen to Naim & Kudos speaker (2018), and Naim Statement & Magico Q7 speaker (back to 2014). If you like the Naim strength/signature sound then I think ProAc Carbon Pro Series can give you all but not Magico or Kudos. For me the Magico more to clinical sound (typical US sounding), Kudos less punch/solid on the low frequency.

I listen to Naim 500 x 3 unit active driving Ovator 800 at HK show before, it was really good and I can say, only ProAc CP8 can have the similar presentation on smaller room. Especially when playing the Hunter Album Track 8.

Just for your info, the ProAc CP8 already obsolete, current ProAc K8 don't think can match the performance as good as CP8. So my recommendation sound like nothing, but just providing you an option. Try Chord Cables when you use Naim front end to match with ProAc speaker. ProAc only good sound on Carbon Pro Series but not the Response series (I mean to match with Naim 500 series).

Good Luck.

Out of interest, have you actually heard the K6 or K8? I’m trying to work out why Stewart Tyler would have replaced his flagship models with an inferior range. 

Yup, I did listened but at the dealer's room. Sound not convincing me. Actually I did wrote a email to Stewart but he never replied.