Neat Iota Alpha

[novak]

Neat Iota Alpha - Anyone heard them yet?

Would be good to hear first impressions. They look like a clever design, although I really dislike the white. In oak or cherry the would look the part.

Apparently they can come with grilles too, so in a wood finish they'd look like some mini Shahinian Arcs!

https://andreweverard.com/2016/02/2...w-into-the-wtf-sensation-of-the-bristol-show/

 

[hifi_dave]

They look interesting.

 

[John Channing]

Yes, I have heard them and they are excellent, like the Iota, but with a bigger, weightier sound

 

[peter bj]

Heard them at the Bristol show sounded very good as above an iota with more bass only negative price looks to be a bit higher than I was hoping for

 

[novak]

Haven't heard the existing Iotas but the Alphas look like they could be a 'neat' solution in a normal domestic setting. Personally I think many speakers stand too tall or are too visually dominant to be able to blend in, so always been keen on unusual designs like Arcs, Larcs, and smaller monitor speakers.

I have read that the planar tweeter works well and integrates better with the driver than many ribbon types. I'm no expert with this type of speaker, but certainly keen to hear.

 

[Rocketride]

Neat Iota Alpha

https://andreweverard.com/2016/02/2...w-into-the-wtf-sensation-of-the-bristol-show/

It's a high price for such a small speakers IMO.

 

[keith1962]

Bit of a rip off of the Naim logo in that badge at the bottom! Convenient brand positioning now that Naim are not producing speakers? I could just be overly cynical!

 

[Darkagesound]

I heard these at the Bristol Show too and thought they sounded very good. However, I think they look like a dehumidifier - not to my taste.

 

[Alex S]

Price seems reasonable to me. All speakers cost 7-10 times more than the cost of parts. That's just how it is.

 

[TimF]

Keith, Neat has had that logo for quite some time now, not as long as Naim since they changed logos though(I don't believe). But I can see where one might think....

 

[Strictly Stereo]

The ALPHAs really have to be heard to be believed. Nothing else out there I know of produces such a big sound from such a small package. It is not just the physics-bending big sound/small box trickery which impresses though. They are also a supremely enjoyable listen, even better than I remember from the Bristol show. They have an immersive quality which draws you in like few others at this price point.

I get to listen to considerably more exotic speakers on a daily basis, but I could happily live with a pair of these. At £1,385 a pair they are an absolute bargain.

 

[gary yeowell]

As much as i like the design of Shahinian speakers, i think these are odd looking and do indeed look like dehumidifiers. I have heard them, and thought they were good, but a lot of competition at that price.

 

[Strictly Stereo]

Granted they are a bit unconventional looking but their shape does serve a purpose. When I walked into the Neat room at the Bristol show, my first thought was that there must be a pair of "proper" speakers secreted away behind the curtain (see Andrew Everard's show report for a photo). My brain had real difficulty accepting that the sound filling the room was coming from 18" off the floor.

We had a customer here yesterday to demo a Plato integrated amplifier/music server. Most of our demos start off with a cup of tea (other hot and cold beverages are available) and a chat, with the kit playing in the background to warm up. I had been listening to the Plato with the ALPHAs before he arrived. When we eventually switched from casual to critical listening, it became apparent that the customer thought that we had been listening to the big Neat XL10 floorstanders (shown in the background of my photos).

 

[novak]

Thanks for the info, and they do look tiny indeed! Great photos, too.

I have read a few mixed opinions which made me pause for a few weeks. Hopefully I can gain a bit more information, and most importantly, find somewhere to have a listen.

Still on the hunt for some tiny floorstanders for our back room, so these are on the list to try out, and the SX2 perhaps. Any other recommendations much appreciated.

 

[Strictly Stereo]

If you would like a home demo of either model then that can certainly be arranged.

 

[novak]

Just returning back to this topic. I see they have received a great review in stereophile. Would really like to hear some. Anyone had any further experience?

 

[BlueYeti]

Interesting, would dearly like to compare these new little Neat's to a pair of Russell K 50 or 100's.

 

[gary yeowell]

Alphas didn't do much for me at home. Not bad, just i've had much better.

 

[Bangaio]

The idea is brilliant except the lack of grills and being prime toddler height they are a total non starter - would love to hear some though.

 

[novak]

Alphas didn't do much for me at home. Not bad, just i've had much better.

Hi Gary, how did they compare with the Arcs, Linn Kans or others? Can describe them at all?