Muchachos

the weakest link in my system is probably my speakers - late model Kabers. Very good vfm, but I think that they are reaching the limit of exploitation, to coin a phrase.

Has anyone compared SBLs with Allaes? Or just have thoughts about the Allaes. SL2s are a budgetary nyet right now...

Regards

Mike

Spending money I don't have on things I don't need.

Hi Mike

I have 1992 vintage SBL's and am considering trying some Allaes in place of them.

The SL2 is also not for me, for reasons I have stated here in the past. A friend has just installed a brand new pair of Allaes in his system, and I love 'em.

E-mail me (johnnobbs@btinternet.com) to discuss this matter in detail if you wish.

John.

Hi Mike

If you remember I asked a similar question to this earlier in the year over the other side, to where you replied that I should keep my Kabers. I did love them, but felt I wanted to move on.

I ended up changing to a late set of SBL's, which was initially a bit of a sidegrade to the Kabers. I found I missed the Kabers at times, but was impressed with the other things the SBL's do.

It took adding another 250 and a Snaxo (I already had a spare Hicap) to make the SBL's significantly better than the Kabers.

Adding a Supercap to the Snaxo was as bigger jump as going active again.

Now I'm happy and I think my amplification and speakers will stay for a few years without changes.

To answer you question, knowing the rest of your system I really feel getting Allaes would not be worth it. Regarding the SBL's, do what I did and buy a pair in the knowledge I could sell them easily if I needed to.


You really need SL2's though and in the meantime get a Supercap for your Prefix!!!

Julian

Mick,
if your room size is small/medium and you can position the speakers close to the rear wall try some kans (late MK2 with dedicated stands).
I had kabers, and bought kans for a 2nd system... but as soon as I got them, that's the kabers that went for the 2nd system - I didn't expect that. (yes they are latest spec kabers).
the kabers are hiding a lot of information, compared to kans.
already told you so if I remember correctly.

cheers and good luck
JC

Mike

You may recall that I changed up from Keilidhs to SBLs earlier this year.

Although the Keilidhs are no doubt no patch on the Kabers I thought my experiences may be of interest.

At first, if I am to be totally honest, I guess that I was a little underwhelmed by the SBLs. I guess that was simply getting used to them. I have heard/seen many people describing the Keilidhs as sounding a bit "shut in" and/or "nasally" and obviously I was used to their presentation. Or was it simply a case of the speakers "bedding" in after their initial set up.

By comparison the SBLs are a much more open speaker. Difficult to describe but I suppose there is a more open/wider presentation of the music.

Detail - I have discovered all sorts of subtleties in many different recordings via the SBLs.

Bass - I have seen that this is often a topic of conversation here on this forum. Well, they do not do earth shattering deep lows. Having said that they do go low but in a sort of bass lite way. Having said that you can really follow bass lines with the SBLs following the flow of a bass player with real clarity and following the shape of a note.

I also believe that my SBLs are capable of far more ... only to be discovered upon upgrading my sources.

Although I am not usually a volume creak I can say that they go loud without losing the plot.

Good luck in your quest.

Mike

Mike (L)

Neat Ultimatums.

Regards

ag

Hmmmm....

Thanks for taking the time to reply, muchachos.... I don't have the money so it looks like a home dem.....if I can be brave.....eeeeeek

Regards

Mike

Spending money I don't have on things I don't need.

SBL's are miles ahead of Allaes. If you can afford to buy, I would not hesitate.

Chris Bell

quote:

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Originally posted by Chris Bell:
SBL's are miles ahead of Allaes. If you can afford to buy, I would not hesitate.

Chris Bell

---

???

If I recall correctly, SBLs are only around s/h and are extremly cheap! Cost less than a Intro 2 cost new!

I own the Allaes and must say, they are the best speakers I have ever heard. If you can afford them, I would give them a proper dem. As far as I know, if you are looking for best VFM, then probably the SBLs mainly due to their cheap s/h prices would probably be a good choice too.

I'd say the Allaes have better detail and are faster and they definitly looks much better!!! If you can, home demo either both, or give the Allaes a nice long demo and especially be carefull about the bass. Depending on the room, the Allaes can be fussy and lack bass, but if they are set up right, they are fantastic!

I've owned Into2's SBL's and Allaes. To rate them all I'd say.
Allaes
Intro2
SBL
For me the Allaes are way ahead of the SBL's in every department but not a huge jump over the Intro's which I think are the most underrated speaker around.
I greatly preferred the Intro's to SBL's which I personally think are one of the most overrated speaker around. I didn't find them particularly engaging and they didn't project as well as I would have expected.
I've lived with Intro's for nearly three years and they just get better with each hardware change.
I just purchased the Allaes and the similarities to the Intro's are greater than the differences.
Last night I just couldn't go to bed the Allaes are so good. Very fast wide open and highly detailed with a good degree of bass.
Plus they have that lovely arched top which I just can't resist running my hands over.

I never owned SBLs, but thought they were fine speakers which made music. When they were still being made I never had the cash. If I had I would probably be using them now.

After making my semi-annual pilgrimmage to my dealer, I bought a pair of Allaes a couple of weeks ago. Very excellent speakers. The only frustrating thing is they shipped from NANA Thursday afternoon and reached the UPS facility here in Syracuse about 2 am this morning. There they wait for a Monday delivery along with my new CD5x, about seven miles away with no way to get at them.

Regards
Matt

Too bad they are so close and yet so far away. I've been thinking of upgrading my 150 amp to a 250ii and just don't know if I should go thru with it all. I'ts becoming a semi annual uprgade process for me too. When will it ever stop?

I heard some Quad 898 at my dealers and two things stop me? they are very expensive and they are too big for my living room. I need regular uprights not wide ass electrostatics. Never heard Naim speakers. I have mid range Spendor 2/3's that do bass nicely I think and nice sound. I don't want it to be too sharp and fatiguing.

Life is analogue, enjoy it while you can.

One very valid point made to me by a dealer is that Naim had about 15 years to think about the design of the SBLs before making the Allaes...hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Regards

Mike

Spending money I don't have on things I don't need.

quote:

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Originally posted by mike lacey:
One very valid point made to me by a dealer is that Naim had about 15 years to think about the design of the SBLs before making the Allaes...hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Regards

Mike

Spending money I don't have on things I don't need.

---

Mike,

Allaes are really good, but for the sort of system you are envisaging you need SL2. I remember seeing a picture of your set up (was it yours?) with everything between the speakers - you may need to readjust before home demming Naim speakers as they prefer nothing between them,

regards

Dev

Hi Dev

SL2s are a bit beyond the budget I can justify right now.

You are correct in your recollection of the placing of my kit - (ever thought of a career in Scotland Yard? ). Everything is between the speakers - sadly, this is a non-negotiable issue with The Nagger.

Every now and again I have a self congratulatory soiree - for these occasions I am allowed to move the speakers into a far more amenable position. This usually costs me a nights hotel bill. If you fancy slumming it at some stage you are more than welcome to come down to the next one.

Regards

Mike

Spending money I don't have on things I don't need.

SBLs' are far better engineered, and more precise than Allaes. This precision however requires a more attentive set up. SBLs in the propper room, with the right gear are devistating and perform like speakers twice their size. When I compared the two speakers, I seem to recall the SBLs had significantly more (and better) bass output.

I have seen some very low prices on used SBLs recently... this represents an incredible value. They are worth the extra work. Alleas are decent but are more "plug and play".

Chris Bell

I went from being a long time Kan user to Allaes.

They are superb. Firmly recommended.

Mike--

I agree with Chris Bell. Completely. SBLs are simply a significant step up the quality ladder from Allaes. I don't mean to knock the Allaes--they ARE terrific! But SBLs take that essential step forward...

Best,

Bob

posted Sat 09 October 04 00:17
Mike--

I agree with Chris Bell. Completely. SBLs are simply a significant step up the quality ladder from Allaes. I don't mean to knock the Allaes--they ARE terrific! But SBLs take that essential step forward

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I have found that once the Allaes go active they go into a different class again, with none of the fussiness, room boundary issues, set-up procedures etc.
As Mike said naim had fifteen years of practice with the sbls before producing the Allaes - they pretty much are plug and play.Must admit to being totally biased though.

Regards Mike.

Well, the Allaes look far better too

Were the SBLs ever made in a different finish than black? Never seen a pair in maple or something "nice". Big plus for the Allaes. Sometimes, late at night, when watching TV, I just look at my Allaes and admire them....they are simply beautiful.