is there life after SL2's..........

Sounsfaber posted:

 

Calling HH Mr trout was disrespectful and rather rude.  He Just challenged your statement, why the aggression?  While I can’t see eye to eye with him sometimes because he’s been rather abrupt and  condescending when he thought I was wrong (and I wasn’t, yes naim confirmed its 3.6nm for that bottom cross bar on the sl2????) you need to know that he would destroy you in any intellectual debate whether it’s about audio, fast food (well maybe) or rocket science. He’s had systems that make yours look pedestrian, but decided to drop the box count. Hes one of the most  knowledgeable members of forum and only wants to help other naim like people. I’m sure he takes the pressure off Richard and all for the hobby. Without doubt he doesn’t need or want me to defend him, but I’m just saying.

Its a funny old game isn’t it.

Cringe.

Richard Dane posted:

Stevek posted:

Hi.   A great speaker is the Ovator S400 a obvious replacement for the SL2 Naim would not have sold them in the were not

Steve

The S400 was more of an Allae replacement.  The S600 was the SL2 replacement.

Is there life after the SL2s?  When it happens for me, I'll tell you all about it.

Richard,

If an S400 able to support active I would surely do replace my Allae. Thinking of an SL2 which hardly to get now or Kudos S20A for active.

The S400 cannot be run active. The 600 and 800 have that option. 

Having at long last recently heard my first Naim speakers (Ovator 400 and SL2), I would definitely agree with those who prefer the SL2 sound.

However neither float my boat to the extent of wanting to own them. Not having noticed any mention of my preferred brand, I would suggest the OP might consider ProAc - the K6 might be of interest if within budget.

Thanks Timmo

Your profile pics of the K6 look great...they look to have good space around them...how are they nearer to a wall...

BR

is there life after SL2?

No.

But that doesn't mean you cant try (and enjoy) something else...

hungryhalibut posted:

The S400 cannot be run active. The 600 and 800 have that option. 

Have you had chance to listen to any S400s yet?

ameden posted:

Thanks Timmo

Your profile pics of the K6 look great...they look to have good space around them...how are they nearer to a wall...

 

BR

 

ameden posted:

Thanks Timmo

Your profile pics of the K6 look great...they look to have good space around them...how are they nearer to a wall...

 

BR

They are pretty tolerant in respect of ‘breathing room’. At the moment they’re both approx. 40cm from both side and rear walls, and sound wonderful. The fact they have a downward firing port onto the fixed plinth seems to give a fair degree of flexibility- I began with a gap of less than 20cm to the rear wall and the results were pretty good, but things definitely improve when moved out a little more. I haven’t tried bringing them further - my wife wouldn’t stand for any more incursion! Just one other point - the icing on the cake turned out to be the addition of Stillpoints. Without labouring the point, terrific became sublime - well worth at least a demo. Good luck in your quest, although it does sound as though you’re very attached to the SL2s, snd I can now understand why.

Yes, answering the OP, otherwise they  would not be popping up for sale every now and then. Previous owners seem to be quite happy passing them on. They must have found something  ”better” to replace them and, to my knowledge, no one has commited  suicide, yet, after selling their beloved speakers, SL2s or not!

Bob the Builder posted:

Sounsfaber posted:

 

Calling HH Mr trout was disrespectful and rather rude.  He Just challenged your statement, why the aggression?  While I can’t see eye to eye with him sometimes because he’s been rather abrupt and  condescending when he thought I was wrong (and I wasn’t, yes naim confirmed its 3.6nm for that bottom cross bar on the sl2????) you need to know that he would destroy you in any intellectual debate whether it’s about audio, fast food (well maybe) or rocket science. He’s had systems that make yours look pedestrian, but decided to drop the box count. Hes one of the most  knowledgeable members of forum and only wants to help other naim like people. I’m sure he takes the pressure off Richard and all for the hobby. Without doubt he doesn’t need or want me to defend him, but I’m just saying.

Its a funny old game isn’t it.

Cringe.

Lol Bob, mate as much as you cringe when somebody tries to support another member that “maybe” rubs you the wrong way, imo nobody deserves in your face insults.

 HH was cheesed off with me a while back when I gave him a tongue in cheek Chinese burn about DR and 272, since then hes at my every cock up post. However, I was correct for a change last time around. Amazing but I’m sure he or Richard will not  concede.????even if naim have confirmed it.

 I understand give some take some which HH is not so good about. Even thought I’m at the bottom of the food chain when it comes to systems and gramma, I won’t stand here and allow a drunken Australian give shit to a senior member. 

You Englishman are stupid polite, hoping it will sweep under the carpet when I know Australians. You need to give it back to them and they love it, but let them a have the last say which confirms what they are. 

I'm a great fan of the SL2 and I still own a pair of SBL's. Wonderful modern classics - but I've heard both models sound dire in the wrong room/system.

Add personal taste to the acoustic lottery of rooms and one has a recipe for passion or hatred.

Ovator 400 and 600 sound like a totally different kettle of fish (see what I did there!) compared to the SL2; so I suppose Naim did at least cover all the bases before they ceased loudspeaker manufacture.

John.

hungryhalibut posted:

The S400 cannot be run active. The 600 and 800 have that option. 

Yes HH, the only option is to have S600. 

J.N. posted:

I'm a great fan of the SL2 and I still own a pair of SBL's. Wonderful modern classics - but I've heard both models sound dire in the wrong room/system.

Add personal taste to the acoustic lottery of rooms and one has a recipe for passion or hatred.

Ovator 400 and 600 sound like a totally different kettle of fish (see what I did there!) compared to the SL2; so I suppose Naim did at least cover all the bases before they ceased loudspeaker manufacture.

John.

One of the biggest mistakes people make with SL2/SBL installation is placing them too close together, which can amongst other things also affect the bass...

I owned SL2 for 4 years, S400 for 3 years and S600 for a week.  In order of preference the SL2 is an 8.5/10, the S400 a 6/10 and the S600 a 4/10. My SL2 worked magnificently in my tiny office, and the S400 worked very well in my living room. My S600 worked better when they went back to my dealer....

i have nothing but good things to say about the SL2. Pure class.

gary yeowell posted:

I owned SL2 for 4 years, S400 for 3 years and S600 for a week.  In order of preference the SL2 is an 8.5/10, the S400 a 6/10 and the S600 a 4/10. My SL2 worked magnificently in my tiny office, and the S400 worked very well in my living room. My S600 worked better when they went back to my dealer....

i have nothing but good things to say about the SL2. Pure class.

 

 

Hear, hear! :-)

Michael_B. posted:

J.N. posted:

I'm a great fan of the SL2 and I still own a pair of SBL's. Wonderful modern classics - but I've heard both models sound dire in the wrong room/system.

Add personal taste to the acoustic lottery of rooms and one has a recipe for passion or hatred.

Ovator 400 and 600 sound like a totally different kettle of fish (see what I did there!) compared to the SL2; so I suppose Naim did at least cover all the bases before they ceased loudspeaker manufacture.

John.

One of the biggest mistakes people make with SL2/SBL installation is placing them too close together, which can amongst other things also affect the bass...

Aye, Michael. And sometimes the complaint is 'no bass'. Some rooms suck it - as opposed to 'suck'.

John.

gary yeowell posted:

I owned SL2 for 4 years, S400 for 3 years and S600 for a week.  In order of preference the SL2 is an 8.5/10, the S400 a 6/10 and the S600 a 4/10. My SL2 worked magnificently in my tiny office, and the S400 worked very well in my living room. My S600 worked better when they went back to my dealer....

i have nothing but good things to say about the SL2. Pure class.

 

 

Which aspects did you not like with S400 and S600?

Nothing wrong with the S600 having owned them in a large listening room. I can see why the wouldn’t work in a small office

Again, it’s all down to personal preferences and listening rooms. I’d never take a Forum recommendation for speakers for this very reason. I traded my loyal 600s for Focal Sopra 2s and let’s face it both have been trashed by various outspoken individuals on this Forum. Yet, listening to the latter this evening I know my personal decision was right and that’s on R3 with a NAT 01 - sublime.

Be bold, use you ears, have a home demo, have your ears syringed and take it from there.....

Neither the S400 or S600 were used in my office. In terms of what i didn't like, well actually as i said i liked the S400 plenty. Unfortunately they just imparted a little too much of a glassy character compared to SL2. In terms of tunefulness in the bass, the SL2 won by a huge margin. Where i did like the S400 was in the open window midrange, but the SL2 was no slouch in that area, and never suffered from the glassy bright top end of the Ovator. The S600 never seemed to have the joy of the S400, and  veered towards the analytical. The SL2 was never less than enthralling and seductive. In defence of the S400s they did have moments of brilliance, and i've yet to hear some of my favourite Radiohead albums sound better than the S400 played them.

I bought a pair of s600 1.5 year ago. I was mostly interested in them since my kids did kill my other loudspeakers more than one times (throwing them over, pushing tweeters - been there all). So, I was looking for loudspeakers which would not move an inch if even a kid would climb in it. They have steel grills, and I did not want to have dented tweeters again.

Ovators it is. Rocksolid pillars in my home office.

I knew beforehand that it was a bit gambling, since they are controversial loudspeakers. I have a pretty well sized house and three rooms were candidates to have them, was lucky that they worked well in the second room where I tried them - they worked well in our living as well, but my wife veto'ed them out. Too dominant.

Maybe good to know that they are in general recognized more / better when driven active.

They are picky on music. They have a precise bass, the only loudspeakers I've auditioned doing better were having an isobarik design. They have a smooth treble. They convey complex music well - I listen to quite some organ music - and this is sounding extremely well. Bach cantata's very good. Singer / Songwriter music e.g. ms. Krall very good. Never listen to modern rock music - can't comment on that. Unfortunately, symphonic music is sounding perfect, but liveless as a stone, I don't know why. And this is the issue with Ovators. Sometimes its utterly fantastic, other music liveless.

I still have the itch to try s400's in my livingroom. They are more decent sized.

Maybe something what helps you: they are the best second system loudspeakers I have. If they had to be the only couple, I would miss too much on certain music types - like symphonies.

Be aware: I drive them in a silly way: Macbook optically in the dac of my Supernait 1, acting as dac / pre into the hicapped snaxo into 2xNap200 into the ovators.

Thanks to all contributing, great thread this one.

Ditto.  As an SL2 owner I’m interested to hear where the next step lies.

I'm back, long live the Ovator, sound great to me, even when I am not wearing my hearing aid?

steve

enough bate

Interim update following some great feedback..

listened today at the Dealer (the most local one)….Arc 2's. Focal Kanto 2's, and ATC SCM50 (passive)

in no partic order..and all comments are IMHO..and using Tidal thro NDX2, 272, 250.2

Focal...these were much better than previous Focals I have auditioned..a little smoother..not a bad sound, however lacked a little excitement and a little boxy for me..

Arc 2..interesting..good sound from a relatively small enclosure,  liked them..

ATC..very engaging sound, excellent bass, very detailed, liked them a lot...listened to them twice...first and last..The Rover (Led Zep) had me captivated..

When I got home played the same tracks thro the SL2's, Tidal and CD rips, the ATC challenges them......home Demo to follow later next week..

Kudos, Kef, and B & W to follow...

Thanks

Have a great evening.

Surprised nobody has mentioned ProAcs.  Have listened to the 30, 48, and k6 at my dealer and they are really amazing.  K6 may want a 500 amp.  30s worked fine with a 250.  Not sure what the 48s want for power.  All had the ribbon tweeter.