Current gear Naim Nait 5i-2 & CD5i-2 pushing JM Labs Focal 907 Be SE with Naca cables.

My music taste is very diverse and I'm now looking to find a speaker that presents a more synergistic match to my Naim gear. I'm looking to further improve the detail, clarity and sooundstage from the current speakers.

If I sell my Focals, I would be looking at a budget of $2500. Ok everyone the floor is open. Help me spend some money and get some new speakers to match my Naim gear.

Scorpio,

Can you elaborate a little more on the presentation you are looking for, genres enjoyed, room limitations etc....

Many here will be great resources for helping you come up with a short list to HOME DEMO, with your room, electronics, and most importantly EARS, if you can give them a little more to go on.


in terms of synergy alone, a few brands that are VERY popular here would include: Naim, PMC, Kudos, Neat, Spendor, Zu, Epos, Totem etc...

All of which bring something different to the party. And most differ amongst their own product lines.

thanks,
Patrick

I don't see what's wrong with the speakers; Focal always seem to work very well with Naim. I'd be making sure of a decent stand, and then if that was not enough, thinking about a better CD player, such as CD5x/flatcap2x, or CDX2.

If you want ultimate speaker synergy, you could try Naim's own range.

Nigel

I can only vote for the ones I left the shop with.

I went in to demo the Rega R5s and R7s, also listent to the naim arrivas, and I left the shop having ordered the Spendor S5e. I also demoed the Neat motive range, that are popular here, but I could not get on with them.

The spendors seemed underwhelming for the first couple of bars, but then the album finishes and you think oops, have I just sat here for an hour?

I find that that are so easy to listen to, no harshens, plenty of tidy bass, but the gripon the midrange is what realy does it. Vocals take on a new dimension, and you just dont get impatiant, and want to change the record.

End of my rant, but make sure you at least demo some Spendors.

Simon

I have a system based on a CD5, 112, 150, NACA5. About 18 months ago, and after much listening I exchanged my Focal 906 speakers for Piega TS5. Happiness!
Of the others mentioned for example, by pcstockton the ones I have heard most often are Zu Druids and very fine speakers they are. But at between UK£2500 and UK£3000 they might be outside your budget and might make for a rather unbalanced system (if that matters). The Swiss made Piega TS5 sells for about UK£1600 here. Simon's suggestion of Spendors also seems a good one.
Ken

quote:

Originally posted by hungryhalibut:
I don't see what's wrong with the speakers; Focal always seem to work very well with Naim. I'd be making sure of a decent stand, and then if that was not enough, thinking about a better CD player, such as CD5x/flatcap2x, or CDX2.

If you want ultimate speaker synergy, you could try Naim's own range.

Nigel

I was using a Target MR24 stand. I'm very interested in the Naim n-SATS, but price of the sub is the killer for me. My dealer is also trying to locate a second hand pair of Arivas.

I was also afraid that my CD player was somehow holding the speakers back. The detial & clarity is there but I seem to be missing the weight behind the music and larger presence. Now is that a limitation of bookshleves? Maybe a floorstander would work better in my room.

My musical taste ranges from jazz, gospel, reggae R&B and even hip-hop and to dance music. I know there will be compromises to any speaker. I would like to find on that does well with all genres I listen to even if it means using a speaker that is "lesser" than my Focals.

The original plan of moving up to a CD5X w/FC2X by then end of this year is just not possible. So I plan to audition some Regas (heard with first kit), Spendor, Totem Dynaudio, PMC & ATC providing what I can find to demo. I'm well aware that it is unwise to buy speakers unheard online. So if that route must be explored, hopefully the members here can point me in the general direction fo 2-3 highly recommend matches for Naim kits.

I (or you) may be confused. In your first post you say that you want more detail and clarity. But now you say you have those, but seek weight and presence. Whichever, something is not making you happy. If you want to try alternative speakers, PMC GB1s are a very good match. I own nsats and nsub, and would not recommend the sats alone for reggae. Their bass is excellently rendered, and very articulate, but you won't get the weight you seek. But with the sub it's a different matter. But whatever you do, make sure you try speakers at home for a few days before deciding. Others may recommend this and that, but only you can decide, based on listening.

Nigel

Nigel,

I know compromises will have to be made, but is there a speaker that would work well with all genres of music.

The PMC's are on my list to audition as suggest a home demo for a few days is warranted.

Thanks
Ed

Rega R series floor standers....

great for jazz, blues, easy listening, instrumental.

not so good for metal, thrash, hard rock, you get the point....

rega1

quote:

Originally posted by rega1:
Rega R series floor standers....

great for jazz, blues, easy listening, instrumental.

not so good for metal, thrash, hard rock, you get the point....

rega1

Thanks, I'm heading to my dealer this Saturday to check on the R7/R5/R3 with my kit.

If my goal is the CD5X & FC2X with my Nait 5i.2, would it be advisable to purchase something used like a Totem Rainmaker?

After my kit is finalized, then try to find a speaker that represents a more synergized system. Is my thinking correct?

You really need to demo that system with speakers you want to try. Wazza69 has a thread started and is making adjustments on his totems because there was too much bass, then he used dampening acoustic foam to tone down the bass, but now he has taken away from the stereo imaging. He is in the process of moving things around to optimize his sound, but he has considered new speakers, new additions to equipment, etc. to get his imaging back. He has a GREAT kit, it is just the difficulty of his room and limitations to place equipment. He will find a nice placement for his speakers and ge that sound he likes, but my point is he has totems that have a rear firing bass port, and it is difficult for him to get that sound, so take EVERYTHING into consideration when you listen and demo, and set your room up.

Don'tbuy a speaker and then find one that suits you, buy what you want the first time. Be sure you buy a speaker that can be driven by the 5i. Some speakers are hard to drive, and there are threads out there stating those concerns. I love the R7's due to the side bass port, I can set them right on the rear wall with no issues, the ports can face in or out, great speaker. My R7's worked well with my Nait5i/CD5i, and there are no "driving" issues, 6 ohm speakers, 89db, great mid range drivers, no metallic tweeter. Dig in and do the research before spending money, otherwise you are wasting cash, be patient and make wise, calculated choices.

rega1

Try to get a listen to a CD5x at home to hear if it will do the trick in your current system, if it does live with what you have until you can afford it. If you really don't want to wait why not get home demos on a few likely speakers until you find one that works. since your in the states try the home grown variety. Maybe Thiel 1.6 (may be room dependent but they time well in mine), Devore, Zu and Klipsch have all been used with Naim. Shahinian?

Should the Naim Ariva be my first choice for the complete kit as far as synergy is concerned?

There's divided Ariva opinions, so first choice may only vote for yourself ?
I believe the Ariva is now discontinued and there's no longer a Naim choice between n-Sat and Allae.
S/H Intro or Credo if you want Naim complete might be a cheaper solution...otherwise Linn (Keilidh, Ninka) might do the trick ?

quote:

sooundstage

On second thoughts I trust your own speakers might do above better, while Naim amo has other strong sides..