I cannot find any reference to it in the manual, but are n-Sats designed to sound best with or without the grills fitted? Conventional wisdom with speakers in general used to be to remove the grills for best results. However, when I owned IBL's the manual stated that the grills needed to be left in place for the correct sound, as they were an integral part of the design. I believe the same applied to SBL's and DBL's. Any thoughts anyone? Thanks.

Regards,

Peter

Peter,

My n-Sats have theirs on, not because I think they sound better (I've never tried them without) but because I think they look better. And they sound brilliant anyway.

Regards, Chris

Here's my view:

I think removing grills makes the treble more apparent. I always take mine off!

Kind regard,

Jon

Thanks both. I must say I prefer the way the n-Sats look with the grills in place, and they also provide a measure of protection. I agree that from past experience with non-Naim speakers I have found improvements in treble detail and imaging with the grills removed. It would be nice to hear the official Naim view if Adam has the time and inclination to comment!

Regards,

Peter

I haven't noticed any sonic differences yet, with or without the grills in place.

If I'd have cherry or maple N-Sats I'd probably prefer them visually withouth the (black cloth) grill.

With my black/metallic grey N-Sat I prefer them with the grey metal grill in place.

(there's about 1cm space between the metal grill and the front of the speaker)

regards,
Alco

Alco,

That raises more questions. Is there any difference in sound between the cloth and metal grills? Also any difference between the lacquered and veneered versions? I seem to remember some comments from the past that the veneered speakers in the range sounded better than the lacquered ones as the veneer provided extra cabinet rigidity (not specific to n-Sats). Over to you Adam.

Regards,

Peter

quote:

Any thoughts anyone?

I suppose the question here is 'which do you prefer?' I like my speakers to be as discreet as possible, and really don't like exposed drive units. Certainly SBLs were designed to be used with the grilles in place. However nSats have a hard plastic grid behind the fabric so 'logically' they should sound better without them as the plastic could affect the soundwaves. But frankly I don't care, as they look so much better with the grilles in place.

Nigel

Yes Nigel, I agree. By the same logic I would think that the metal grills would sound worse than the cloth ones.

Regards,

Peter

I wouldn't go along with your reasoning vis-a-vis the rest of the range and plain veneer against piano finish as we take a standard speaker cabinet, rub off the lacquer and apply the piano finish to the veneer.

In the case of the n-SATs, I think it comes down to which you like the look of. The cabinet is so small and inert that finishes applied externally should have very little effect.

As to grilles - I use mine on as I do not trust children and prefer the look (when used as rears in an AV system).

When (as I may soon try) I use them as front speakers for a while, I will try the options and see what I prefer.

Which, I suspect, is what you will do.

Thanks for the clarification Adam. I have not tried my n-Sats without the grills yet, as I am still waiting for the proper stands and for the intallation of a Hiline and Powerline. When set-up is complete, I will experiment.

Regards,

Peter

quote:

and for the intallation of a Hiline and Powerline

Peter

You are supposed to be downsizing - not wasting cash on unneccessary wires! For the price of a hiline and a Nait 5i you can have a 122x/150x, and I know which would be better!!

Nigel

Hi Nigel,

Yes I know! In fact I had already bought the Hiline before I downsized, but simply never got around to fitting it! At present, it's still in the un-opened box. As for the Powerline, I reasoned that although I have an entry-level system, I would at least be able to stretch its performance to the limit. Also I reasoned that money invested in cables was well spent as they (I hope) do not deteriorate with time and so will never need replacing. I really wanted to avoid more expensive black boxes as I simply will not be able to afford the servicing costs in years to come. So I've got entry level boxes, but on Fraim and with the best cables, so making the absolute most out of them. That's my reasonong anyway. I'll fit the Hiline when I get the n-Sat stands and the Powerline.

Regards,

Peter

quote:

In fact I had already bought the Hiline before I downsized

I used to have a hiline, which I sold when I downsized. I've not tried one with my CD5x, but may do so next year, if I can find a used one for the price I sold mine for. When I had a Nait5i, I found very little difference between the Fraim and Quadraspire, but once I had a 122/150 I got a big improvement by changing from QS to Isoblue. So who knows! It could be interesting to compare CD5i/Nait 5i with Fraim, hiline and powerline against CD5x, 122x, 150x with standard leads and Isoblue - both of which cost about the same. The best thing is that either of these systems will be just as enjoyable as the top stuff, and for so much less.

Nigel

Hi Nigel,

I simply kept a few levels of Fraim when I downsized but if I hadn't already got it then I would proabably have gone for QS or Isoblue. I actually think that Isoblue looks nicer than Fraim. It has a very clean look whereas I've always felt Fraim tends to look a bit messy and over-complex. It's also a pig to dust! You're absolutely spot-on about the enjoyment factor. Even as it stands (and the n-Sats are on some make of loan stand at present) this little system is rediculously musical. I'd thought that I would need to go through a period of adjustment after my other system, before I could enjoy such a lowly set-up. Nothing could be further from the truth and I now seriously wonder why I ever felt it necessary to spend such large amounts of cash when the system I have now is much fun.

All the best,

Peter

Nigel,
Wood, you try a nice rose wood pair of SBLs next year?
Munch