Speaker upgrade for Naim Nova
Discussion
I upgraded my amp last year from a cheap Yamaha and while my Monitor Audio silver 6 floor standers are OK, they are definitely not getting the best out of my Naim Nova.
I'm looking to audition some speakers but not sure what to shortlist. Budget wise I could throw £3k at them which I know isn't a lot. My room measures 9M by 4M and they would be positioned at the back of the room with not much space around. My sound preference is more musical, forward sounding, and punchy rather than neutral, laid back or as the artist intended. I listen to a wide range so looking for something that will sound good with jazz but mainly guitar indie/rock, electronic chill out, synth, etc.
I'm looking for something that sounds lively at low to normal volumes rather than having to be blasting to really sing. (My Monitor Audio's do sound good at high volume.) I hear NEAT are a good match to Naim, but my local suppliers don't stock any. I know Focal now own Naim so maybe they match well but I'm just not sure what to shortlist for a demo.
Has anyone had any experience of an Atom/Star or Nova with some punchy sounding speakers that they have really enjoyed?
I'm looking to audition some speakers but not sure what to shortlist. Budget wise I could throw £3k at them which I know isn't a lot. My room measures 9M by 4M and they would be positioned at the back of the room with not much space around. My sound preference is more musical, forward sounding, and punchy rather than neutral, laid back or as the artist intended. I listen to a wide range so looking for something that will sound good with jazz but mainly guitar indie/rock, electronic chill out, synth, etc.
I'm looking for something that sounds lively at low to normal volumes rather than having to be blasting to really sing. (My Monitor Audio's do sound good at high volume.) I hear NEAT are a good match to Naim, but my local suppliers don't stock any. I know Focal now own Naim so maybe they match well but I'm just not sure what to shortlist for a demo.
Has anyone had any experience of an Atom/Star or Nova with some punchy sounding speakers that they have really enjoyed?
Every Focal floorstander I’ve heard has made me wince. I’m a Naim fan, but to me they just don’t go well together. It seems to me that Naim dealers don’t appreciate being told to demo Naim with Focal by the current owners/investors.
It sounds like you don’t need to rush, so take your time and enjoy it all.
Just for info, I’ve gone with PMC, but that’s just because my dealer had a good used pair at a good price, and was on the road with them when I called! SWMBO liked the look, they sound good, job done! They’re six or eight inches from the wall.
It sounds like you don’t need to rush, so take your time and enjoy it all.
Just for info, I’ve gone with PMC, but that’s just because my dealer had a good used pair at a good price, and was on the road with them when I called! SWMBO liked the look, they sound good, job done! They’re six or eight inches from the wall.
I paired my Atom with a set of Dali Oberon 5s. I think they’re a bit of a bargain for the cost. Maybe a little lower end than you were planning though.
Richer Sounds paired them in the shop for me, and compared to other offerings at the time they hit the spot for me.
Crystal clear with just enough bass at low volume and can handle the Atom’s performance nicely through to about 90% volume.
Richer Sounds paired them in the shop for me, and compared to other offerings at the time they hit the spot for me.
Crystal clear with just enough bass at low volume and can handle the Atom’s performance nicely through to about 90% volume.
The Dali and MA Silvers will sound very similar, the MAs better for bass (but need those bass reflex ports stuffed with various things to eliminate the boomyness, I use a pair of socks!)
I'd suggest finding a local independent hifi shop who's willing to give a home demo. It's all about tuning the speakers to the room, rather than the amp IMO. Failing that, Richer Sounds is probably the first port of call.
I'd suggest finding a local independent hifi shop who's willing to give a home demo. It's all about tuning the speakers to the room, rather than the amp IMO. Failing that, Richer Sounds is probably the first port of call.
The thing with people into their music, is they often chop and change quite regularly. There's some great second hand bargains to be had, and if you don't like them you can often shift them on for similar money. I get bored of my speakers and change them every year or so. Something pops up in my Facebook Marketplace feed that I like the look of, and I can't help myself! Higher end stuff is usually very well cared for too.
It's an option at least.
It's an option at least.
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