I slum it with Tannoy Mansfields, which are not exactly small, it must be said.
12" or 15" version?
I have a pair of 12" Tannoy Mansfields on 5" stands, very good in a smallish medium sized room.
Bettered by Goodmans Tri-Axiom 1220s.
A little harsh? Maybe not.Naim speakers are frickin ugly, old and new. An ugly speaker’s as much good as blind taxi driver.
The price is silly. A Stereophile reference, it has to be.Refusing (and not affording) to be tempted, I have my References:
https://www.stereophile.com/content/pawelensemble-pa-1-amp-reference-loudspeakers
Naim speakers are frickin ugly, old and new. An ugly speaker’s as much good as blind taxi driver.
I've heard quite a few pairs of DBLs, in both active and passive configurations. They sound effortless, but unremarkable. Maybe they are like the NS-1000Ms to me from a different era, where I didn't get them, but now do.
SBLs are one of my favourite speakers but DBLs are just miles better. Mind you, I like far-field listening. DBLs would never be good close up. All of the Naim speakers from that era, including the IBLs have magic in them, despite their flaws.FWIW I do actually like SBLs. They are exceptionally easy to set up badly, but if you have a suitable room and a lot of care they can sound good.
In fairness I just don’t like ‘far field’ listening, so DBLs or NBLs were never going to be for me. Listened to in the mid-field or closer they just sound like three random drivers thrown at a wardrobe, they have none of the coherence of a Tannoy point source, let alone an ESL or BBC box.
Sorry, but a single snare drum strike at levels the K-horns would take in stride would have the Quads shooting sparks. There's no way anything using Quad 57s as a component could approach realistic dynamics.
Salut David !In absolute terms, fair point. But surely this is all about context? I'm talking about an average living room.
The occasional recitals and chamber concerts I relish (or will when Macron lets me back in) take place in a private house: if the performers don't make the appropriate adjustment in volume a treat becomes a test of endurance.
I don’t understand how SBLs can be considered ugly; they are a very discreet design.Each to their own Intro's/,credo have not aged well, SBLs still look ok I think the diminutive size and sloping front has a certain charm and went full circle the black ash looks better than I remembered
They look very 80’s to me. My taste would lean toward something either newer or older. I’m not a fan of the era.I don’t understand how SBLs can be considered ugly; they are a very discreet design.