Hi,

Current system is: Naim CDX2, XPS2, 282 + Hi Cap2, 200 and Intro II's/NACA5 cable. Although I'm reasonably happy with what I get from my system I know I am less than pleased with my Intro II's and see these as the weakest link.

I recently aquired a pair of Linn Kans Mk 1's on their stands and I thought although these speakers are great in many respects (i.e. mid range and especially on vocals) I thought the Kans "light weight". No offence Kan owners.

I have demo'd Allaes and I just didn't get on with them - they sort of did what the Intro II's do, but a little better! I also demo'd the Cremona Auditors and these were okay, but added a littel too much "warmth" and were very polite with acoustic music, but struggled when I wanted them to rock.

I'm willing to consider stand mounts or floor standers. My room is 8 x 6 meters and I can place the speakers either close to a sold wall or in free space. I would also consider changing speaker cable - although I have all Naim cables I will try others. My budget is around £2.5k.

Speaker suggestions - please.

Thanks,

Dave

Neat, Living voice should work great

I would try Neat speakers too,along with the Totem model 1 sig,it's a absolutely superb standmount.

Thanks beud & adam69 - Neat is on my list, but not even thought of Living Voice or Totem - I'll have to find dealers in the North West.

Cheers,

Dave

Dave, you have a very large listening area. It is important therefore to get a speaker than can create decent sound pressure levels in order to get good bass extension wich is both taught and rhythmic.

The NAP 200 is a quality power amplifier of medium power. Look for a fairly sensitvie spekear which is easy to drive. This will help in your large room.

I would also recommend a home dem due to the large nature of your room.

I think a compact floorstanding speaker is the way to go. I love stand mounts, but you would need a sub in a room as large as yours. This is a good route, but integrating the sub perfectly is not always 100% guranteed.

I would look at the Ruark Talisman 3. This is easy to drive and is a superbly balanced speaker. Timing is one of it's talents. Bass is tuneful and nicely extended. Mids and trebble are clean and fairly detailed. I have heard Talismans on Naim equipment and they sing. About £1.5K.

Epos M22's are also worth looking at. Punch, timing and dynamic. Wonderful speakers. Excellent bass. 3 way floorstanders. Good value at £1K.

Totems, Living Voive and Neat are all excellent with Naim.

Dynaudio is also worth looking at. Do not be put off by the 4 Ohm impedance. The impedance does not swing a great deal which makes them fairly simple to drive. 2.5K would get you a stunning pair of Dyn's.

Brad.

I would suggest having a listen to the PMC range. The OB1's are at the top end of your budget and work well with the newer Naim stuff.

Rod

I agree with Rod. I demo'd PMCs recently (£1600 models) and they were good. Very clear, open.

However, If you like a very neutral but dynamic sound (nothing added: nothing taken away) the ATCs are great. I've just bought ATC12 standmounts but the 35s are well within your budget. Only problem is they are inefficient to drive and as I don't ow Naim amps not sure how powerful yours are. if they have some slam I'd say try these speakers. Spend money on decent speaker cable though. I've just upgraded from Linn K20 to Townsend Isolda and Electrofluidics Monolith and they are great (but expensive). No point spending a fortune on speakers though and giving the signal something basic to work with........

Nick

Dave,

you need a speaker that can fill your rather large space. That means you really need a speaker with a reasonably large woofer, I'd suggest 10" minimum, all the speakers with small woofers are gong to sound small in your room, especially if you want them to rock. But I'm afraid your power amp will find most large speakers a bit too much, so I'd suggest selling your power amp and finding a used pair of large speakers.

ATC actives from the 50 up might suit your room well, or a pair of DBLs if you can find them; Naim must bring out their DBL successor at some time, it was supposed to come to market last year but was apparently put on the backburner when they decided to bring out the 555 and Hiline, so some time next year there may be a few used DBLs on the market.

For a different take on music, how about a pair of good Briks and a used ECS EA2, if you can find one?

Wilson Benesch Arcs

Awesome

Koi,

Will the Wilson ARCs work in my size of room????

Dave

Koi,

Hang on a minute, I know you are smitten with your new speakers, but they wont be at their best in Daves room or with his amplification.

Dave,

You really need a big speaker for this room, and I would go along with Markus's suggestion of big active ATCs (and sell the power amp). You could also try a pair of ProAc D38s if you can find an ex dem or s/h pair, I suppose.

Dave,

I have a room that is similar in size to yours: 7mtrsX7mtrs. I replaced my Linn Espeks for SBL's passive with two 250 amps (125 mono) they certainly fill the room with a bass that is very articulate and I just love the involving and engaging sound. I will be going active next week and expect the sound to be improved. I got some vert recent sbl's SH for 950 GBP and the snaxo cost 300 pounds making a total od 1 250 pounds for a stunning sound in my big room.
Tim

Dave , Wilson Benesch Arcs , not in a million years , I had a pair at my house last week in place of my Linn Keilidhs , in a LP12/ekos.arkiv/82/Hicap/250 set up , they may be detailed but they are completely lacking bass and top end sparkle , they'll never work in your room size . I'd suggest a second hand pair of Linn Kabers , if you dont like them punt em out on E-bay at no loss. PMC OB1's have to be a good choice or Audio Physics Virgos £2800 and £3200 respectively. I've briefly heard both at separate shops and they are good.
PS timothygurneys route with SBLs is also worth considering

NO BASS

i wonder what i am lisening To

add a sub woofer neil likes them

My room is 5m by 4m

I must admit may be a bit small for you but give them a try


regards

Dynaudio Contour S3.4 - detailed and BAM bass
Proac D25 or older Response 3.5/4 - warm detailed and bassy
Audio Physic Virgos - if u like imaging
Totem Mani - better then Model 1
Dynaudio Special 25 - stunning standmount

personally for me its a tough call between the Proacs and Dyns...

Richard

All can be had within your budget in the used market

If you want big speakers, what about Epos ES30's?

ES30's in the right room, with the right amplification are stunning. Cheap second hand as well.

Brad.

I like the Totem sound, and think the Hawk or Forest would go well in your system.

Another vote for the totem forest. They do need about 18"+ behind them, & mine sounded much better (much tighter bass end) when they were loaded up with sand. Well worth a listen.
matt.

Monitor Audio GS60s might be worth a look at £2k.

Well it looks like I need to spend some serious time on the search for speakers.

Thanks to all those who have spent the time to reply.

Cheers,

Dave

Used pair of PMC IB1s.

Dave , Wilson Benesch Arcs , not in a million years , I had a pair at my house last week in place of my Linn Keilidhs , in a LP12/ekos.arkiv/82/Hicap/250 set up , they may be detailed but they are completely lacking bass and top end sparkle , they'll never work in your room size . I'd suggest a second hand pair of Linn Kabers , if you dont like them punt em out on E-bay at no loss. PMC OB1's have to be a good choice or Audio Physics Virgos £2800 and £3200 respectively. I've briefly heard both at separate shops and they are good.
PS timothygurneys route with SBLs is also worth considering

Something very wrong here. May have been a set up issue or there was something amiss elsewhere as the characteristics you describe are very much at odds with what I found. OK, I've got an Akiva, 52 and Supercap but essentially our systems are the same (LP12, Ekos, 250), and I moved from Isobariks.

Dave

I use ProAc D25 with CDX2, 202/HiCap and 200, my amp drive them well, and they do rock, good dynamics.

My room is two times smaller than yours (6x4x3m) and on certain recordings - especially on electronica - I have boomy bass ; this not likely to happen in your room.

D25 will fill your room quite well, I suppose.

V

Hi,

I'm getting all excited :-) I have a dem of the Dynaudio Contour S3.4 and some other Dynaudio speakers tomorrow, with hopefully a home demo over the weekend. The hunt for speaker utopia starts here!

Once agin thanks to all those who have taken time to suggest speakers to audition.

Cheers,

Dave

And, what was the end of the story?

Blimey Breeze,

So much has changed since I first posted this thread. I no longer have Naim amps, those were replaced by a Dave Berning ZH270. I moved house and my listening room changed. I replaced the Intro IIs with SF Cremona Auditors and my front end is a Mac into a Benchmark DAC1.

I still have not found my ideal speaker and have since posting tried the following:

* ART emotin signatures;
* Kudos C20s;
* PMC OB1s;
* Piega?
* Dynaudio - various including the S25

So no happy ending yet!

Dave