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finalists in the big speaker search

Looking for a pair of speakers for under two-k, new or used, that have an unusually good soundstage, are a relatively easy load to drive using my little Naim Nait5i, and (obviously) sound great across the full spectrum -- but most important is the soundstage. I'm running Linn Ninkas right now and they sound great: agile, full, well-controlled, no complaints except for the image, so anything that succeeds them will have to do this one thing better than they do.

Other forums have led to a narrowing of the field to the following candidates, in no particular order:

The Joseph Audio RM-7si Mk-II or RM-22si
The Salk Song Tower
The Meadowlark Kestrel-2
Something by Totem
The Alon One Mk-I
The Audio Physic Virgo-II

Primary listening taste is Jazz, but rock and roll does have a place in my collection, and besides that the winning speaker would also be part of an eventual 5.1 home theater rig.

The room is eight feet across by fifteen-feet-six-inches deep, made of poured concrete and cindar blocks, and treated with d-i-y bass traps. Source is an Arcam FMJ-CD23, preamp is a Naim AV2, power is a gain-matched Naim Nait5i, interconnects are Belden 95259 coax with Cardas plugs, made by Blue Jeans, and speaker wire is cross-connected coaxial made by Element.

The Nait was hooked to my friend's Linn Katans (85db, 4ohm) in that room, and didn't move them worth a crud -- which I know is a power shortage because I ususally like the Katans very much.

Any thoughts that would help me narrow that list would be greatly appreciated. Plan now is to buy three pair (give or take) and audition them H-2-H.
dog_or_man

Showing 2 responses by reubent

reubent
6,935 posts
 
If you don't get many responses, you might want to re-post with a subject line of something like "what speakers for Naim Nait5i?". The speaker/amp interface or synergy is going to be the most important factor. There are lots of Naim fanatics that may skip over your post because they don't recognize that it is an opportunity for them to share their speaker experiences with you because Naim is specifically mentioned in the visible title of the post.

Good luck in your hunt.

TIC
reubent
6,935 posts
 
D or M,

My only point is that Naim is a somewhat unique brand and there is a very enthusiast base of owners out there. Since the Naim has somewhat of a unique sound according to my readings (I've personally not spent much time listening to Naim), I would think that the most important consideration is getting speakers that are a good match for the Naim.

I could offer plenty of suggestions of speakers I like, but I have no idea how they would synergize with the unique attributes of the Naim amp.

Not sure about the Mirage or Ohm recommendation. I have no idea if they are a good match with the Naim, but they certainly would produce an interesting image as they are omni directional speakers. Lots of people like Omni-directional speakers and many do not. It's a matter of personal preference.

TIC
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