Naim Audio system owners - What speakers are you using with Naim?

Both the ATC and LS50 are pretty much the opposite of efficient. 

 

W e are a major naim dealer

 

You want a relatively efficient neutral loudspeaker

 

We have gotten amazing sound with atc and the kef ls50 and elaccarinas also sounded great

 

DAVEAND TROY

AUDIO INTELLECT NJ

naim atc elac kef dealers

 

 

naim speakers sound great with naim amps--i've owned the arrivas (which sounded very ordinary with other front ends) and the sbls and the synergy was really something to behold.

A Hugo TT2 will definitely help.  It is brighter than Naim’a DAC.  I have not had a chance to test this sort of setup with Chord.  

I have a Chord Hugo TT2 as a source. Perhaps that will negate the warmer Supernait 3 somewhat ?

Naim is designed to be paired with Focal which are brighter speakers.  it is warmer amplification.  Spendor is not a bright speaker.  Nor is the Audiovector.  I might look at a brighter amp as you are clearly leaning toward neutral to warm speakers.  

Oh really ? The 7.2 is dark with Naim, that’s not what I expected. Because the Kudos S20A is supposed to be a bit warmer than the 7.2 as well. I like neutral/slightly dark. But very warm is not my taste at all.

Another option was the Audiovector R3 Signature.

@rfc i have personally listened to Naim and the Spendor D7.2 and found it dark.  If you like a warmer, darker sound, great!

I’ll be building a new system.  I was just wondering if a Naim Supernait 3 (with a HiCapDR eventually) would work well with either a Spendor D7.2 or Kudos Super 20A ?

Both speakers are exactly the same price in my part of the world.

Hi All - I'm considering getting the Naim Uniti Atom for my office along with the Sonus Faber Sonetto II speakers. Would you all reco that pairing? If so, what speaker cables would you reco? I'm considering getting the Hifiman Ananda headphones to go with it. Curious if that's too much headphone for it. As I understand it, you cannot pair an external headphone amp with the atom which is unfortunate. Hope the headphone amp within is good enough.

Neat Petite monitors.

Spendor A7 with 10' of NAC A5.  

Sharing my experience :
Recently purchased the Uniti Atom..Pairing with Fine Audio F501..Subjectively I like the vocals being forward and imaging is excellent, with instrument separation..The bass is nothing to complain about(unlike others noted elsewhere ) it is "precise"..

I stream spotify  90% of the time .The speakers make it tiring after an hour or so.(For context I had a warm sounding Sonus Faber Bookshelf..)

So I am in the search for better floor standers at this point..and looking to a Focal Kanta 2 or Sonus faber Sonetto V..

@schubnel- you will love the 808's....Perfect match for 552/500.
Enjoy!

Running Naim 250 DR Poweramp w/ NAC 252/ DR Supercap/ NDX2 Streamer with Rega P8 in NAim Fraim with Nordost cables
and Naim interconnects with ProAc Response D48R’s. Speakers are a great match, terrific bass, articulated midrange and beautiful highs…and the cabinet’s are beautiful…

Others have said, Naim power ratings are super cinder…my 250 DR pweramosmis rated at 80 w/channel and they can bow the doors off of
my house and the system is crystal clear…

Am upgrading to 509/552 series and Kudos Tital 808’s with the new Naim Solstice TT in September…cannot wait…I am a Naim addict…haven’t heard myself, but dealer tells
me Focal’s are really bright with Naim, that Kudos or Borresen are the way to go….Borresen are much more expensive than ProAc or Kudos….

ProAc Response D48R

Thank you for the heads up. They look good.

I'm still thinking about coming back to Naim at some point.

Hi Joe

There are this in The Bronx
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649598483-kudos-super-20as-in-special-tineo-wood-finish-in-facto...

Naim/Kudos/Neat

Made for  each other

I recently upgraded from the Naim SuperUniti and Vandersteen 3A Signatures to the Naim Supernait 3 and Focal Sopra 2.  Since I did this simultaneously, I can only say that the sound from this new combination is vastly improved.  At first, the Sopra 2s sounded too harsh and bright as has been postulated earlier here.  However, I have run them through an extensive break-in period and the harshness has gone.  I upgraded the sound management treatments in my listening room, which also helped.  The SuperNait 3 took at least 5 months to break in (running it 24/7 for part of that time.) The Sopra 2s took much of this time to break in also.  I don't use the phono stage of the Supernait3 because I have MC cartridge and use a Naim Superline/HiCap DR combination. So I can't comment on the MM phono preamp. I recommend Naim/Focal heartily but you will have to be patient!

Hi! i use Wharfedale Diamond (4-th one here  https://www.bestadvisers.co.uk/bookshelf-speakers )

I am fan of Naim Uniti series. 
In my basement, I have Naim Uniti Nova with Aerial acoustics 7T: they sound phenomenal. Will not change anything there. The nova shamed my previous musical fidelity amp. 
In my living room, I have Naim Uniti Atom paired with B/W 702 S2 and they sound awesome too.. Will not change anything here either. 
The thing with all Naim, is that they rate their watts very conservatively. It is the quality of those watts that matters and any Naim amps (especially nova) can power most speakers (even power hungry speakers) to sing to their full potential. 

How will ML Ethos (my ESL speakers) do with the Naim Uniti Nova?

Naim is owned by Focal's parent company. Presumably some Naim-Focal tuning must take place, don't you think? So Focal speakers would be contenders here.

Supernait3 with Spatial X2's. 

Uniti Star with Dynaudio Emit M10 in a 8 x 12 ft Dutch study. Already had these paired with a way more modest TEAC amp before buying the Uniti. Works great for a small room. Dynamics, Rhythm is great. Everything in the area of Jazz/Funk/HipHop/African music stands out making me realize what high end audio could provide (being a newbie with a pair of 50yr old ears), For rock songs less difference compared to my old amp. I have no other speaker pairing to compare them to, but I feel that the Naim is now finally running in these little speakers for real.

Just before the Covid19 quarantine hell, I was in a shop helping a retailer setup my Verdant Blackthorn 1 speakers which are a standmount.  We had them paired with Naim Nait XS3 and sounded great.  We switched between the Nait and a pair of MC275s bridged mono and it was very good sound.  

I would definitely recommend Naim gear with my Blackthorn speaker.  

I have NAC 282, Hicap DR, NAP 250DR with Harbeth Super HL5+ and Marten Duke 2.

I also use NAC 202 and NAP 200 driving Dali Mentor Menuet in the second system.

I’m using a pair of Wharfedale Linton on  Supernait2 + HiCap with wonderful results. 

In England Kudos and Neat speakers are very often paired with Naim amplification. 

Thank you very much for your thoughts.

I’m running a Supernait2 with HiCap in a second system for myself and love it. I have been thinking about moving up the line. It’s a wonderful sound.

I know, old thread, but just ran across it so I’ll add my 2¢ if it’s still relevant...

I have Naim 252/SuperCap-DR/300-DR, with NDX2/XPS-DR plus analog front end. I’m using Dynaudio Confidence C2 Platinum and a pair of REL R-328. It’s a heavenly match. Dynaudios are very synergistic with Naim and play well with whatever music you throw at them. They’re great with everything. In the past I’ve also had Contour S1.4 and S3.4 with 282/HiCap/250. Also great stuff. 

Not sure of your budget, but I have a 202/hicap/Ndac/Xps/250 system, I use Guru Audio Q10 bookshelf speakers.  

These are made to go near the wall (if that's your case) and they rock and sing.  Best bookshelves I found after demo'ing about 10 different ones.  If I didn't buy these, the Harbeth 30.1's would have been my next choice.  

Naim Ovator S-600 playing in my system, with Superline>552DR>250DR and I can absolutely recommend these speakers: sounds like the musicians are playing in my room! 

I have top olive Naim system-01/cds2/52/135s- previously had Focal 1038be’s- I gradually realized that they had harsh high frequencies and lacked what I replaced them with: Kudos Titan T88s.
The titans are much more organic, gave fuller bass and are much more musical than the Focal’s.
only one distributor in USA so not very available- I purchased mine second hand from this distributor- they are fantastic 

I agree caphill. I’m looking at it almost daily and weekly at a minimum. I have nothing but respect and love for Naim. I’ve converted a few friends to Naim. One friend in particular came from Burmester and Dartzeel. He’s ecstatic with his Supernait2 and HiCap ps. I still love mine but will eventually move up the line. 

You should actively get on Naim UK based own forum community. I am as well. I'm always on Naim's own community forum (UK based). Not everyone here on Agon love Naim and some here think that Naim isn't for music lovers. I remembered seeing that kind of comment here before (I think he knows what I'm talking about) and people like him had no idea what they are up to.
Naim is nothing but for music lovers or music enthusiasts. 

Please keep your Naim stories coming. The responses here are great, certainly a different perspective from the Naim forum which seems primarily UK based.

I’m a long-time Naim owner (252/SC/300DR); have Thiel CS3.6 speakers and Thiel CS2.4s. Naim/Thiel was a great sounding combination UNTIL I had my 300 upgraded to DR
about a year ago. Now there’s an upper-mid hardness in my System that’s driving me crazy. Regretfully I’ll probably have to consider other speakers because Naim DR/Thiel is no longer a match for me. 

That's what I like about Naim electronics they sounded very natural musical smooth with a touch of warmth (intoxicated warmth) punchy full rhythmic sound. They excel really well in PRAT yet maintain its relaxed quality without sounding strain or anything. Music simply blossoms to the fullest with all Naim electronics in the system. 

I have Naim NDS/555PSDR / 252/Supercap2DR with ATC SCM40A active speakers.

I honestly could not be happier. YMMV.

Dynaudio, I have the Special 40 with Naim SN2, ProAc would be a good choice too

I have a full Naim 500's rig (500 amp, 552 preamp, 555 CD with 2 power supplies).  All of the aforementioned are DRed.  I also have the new Kuzma Stabi XL DC turntable, with the Kuzma 14" 4 Point arm, with a Koetsu Rosewood Platinum Signature cartridge.  The cables are all Luna Black.  This system pushes a pair (currently the only ones in the world) of Grandinote Mach 36 speakers from Italy (retail is $150,000.)  They are pretty large, at over 6 feet tall and 440 pounds each.  I have never heard any system which sounds as naturally musical.  I have heard the pairing of Naim with Focal speakers and agree with those who already said that they sounded too bright, harsh or glaring.
I live in the NYC area, if anyone would like to come by for a listen.  I'll even supply a  dram or two of some fine single malt whisky!

I use my SuperNait 2 with Sonus Faber Amati Future. I love it. Pairs well.

Hello caphill
 I suspect the new Evo Utopia variant has been revoiced, given what you say. Previous impressions were in line with duckworp's
Best wishes 
Gavin

I am sorry ... Basil Audio is in Los GAtos, CA!!!

You may also consider one of Naim speaker Ovator series: Ovator S-400, S-600 or even S-800 (!). I listened a few times those speakers at BASILAUDIO in Los ALtos CA (NAIM dealer and only official repair center of Naim in US), with NAP-250 and NAP-500. The sound was magical. It was one of the best balanced and detailed sounds that I have ever heard so far.

After purchasing FOCAL, Naim decided to discontinue those speakers. Once a while you may find one of those for sale at 1/3 of its retail price tag.

The best system I have ever heard anywhere ever is my friend's Statement NAC S1 with three NAP 300s driving active Naim Ovator S-800 speakers.  These speakers were launched not long before Focal got involved with Naim so unfortunately were soon discontinued, but they are astonishing in this set up.

After demoing a few pairs I ended up with B&W 804 Diamonds through my Naim system (which was a NAC 552/ NAP 250 but is now NAC 82/NAP 180) and find the combo a brilliant pairing.  The 804 Ds are an especially good floorstander for smaller rooms with any bass issues.  

I find the Naim/Focal pairing unsatisfying when I hear it at shows: harsh and with glare.

Ultimately though a speaker is room dependent.  Please home demo speakers before buying as their character can vary massively by room. 

Thank you all so far for your responses. 

I am jealous of the Statement owners here. So happy for you guys. I absolutely love what I hear from my Supernait2 and aspire to go higher. 

My friends are still deciding where to land.

@gavman1 

I've heard the Naim Statement preamp & monoblock amps paired with the Focal Utopia Grande Evo iii at last year RMAF (Rocky Mountain Audio Fest) with Naim ND 555 streamer/DAC + 555 PS DR power supply unit served as digital front end source component and did not sound bright at all. 

I myself own a Naim Statement NAC S1 linestage preamp and Naim Statement NAP S1 monoblock amps driving my Magico M6 speakers and the overall tonality is on the warmer side of neutral but I would characterize it as intoxicated warmth, nothing like tubey syrupy liquidy type of warmth. I know I have different speakers (Magico M6) not the Focal Utopia Stella like the one you have.
My front end source components are also slightly on the warmer side as well. My analog front end source components : Clearaudio Statement v2 turntable w/ Statement TT-1 tonearm, Statement Goldfinger cartridge and D'Agostino Momentum phonostage pre. My digital front end source components : MSB Select ll DAC w/ upgraded Femto 33 clock & two mono powerbases (two separate mono power supply units). And all my cablings are slightly on the warmer side of neutral. I'm using Transparent Magnum Opus cablings.