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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
reubent
6,978 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
ponnie
233 posts
 
I can speak for the Alon I Mk II's. This is an excellent speaker. Excellent depth and a wonderful soundstage. They do require solid state elecronics and I did get better performance in the bass region when I lifted the speakers off the floor with Vandersteen 2 Sound Anchor stands filled with sand. That's when they really came to live. I drove mine with an Odyssey Audio Stratos with several tube and solid state preamps and I wish I had never sold the Alons. My room is only 14x13 with a 14' ceiling and the bass was great. They gave me a better presentation than I could every imagine. I didn't realize this until I shipped them off to a new home. I could only imagine how the bigger units would sound. Check out Ferrari. He has the Alon I's. He turned me on to them. He sells records on AG all the time. Great guy. You won't be disapointed with them in a 2 channel system. I never used mine in my home theater so I could not comment.

The Kestrel's have a glorious midrange but not much bass.
I have a friend that has Joseph Audio RM 25's and he is using these over his Apogee Stages.
coolhand
58 posts
 
Some very good points raised above, and I haven't tried Naim amplification before, but without a doubt and receiving my highest recommendation with particular consideration for vanishing ability, boundless sound stage and totally benign impedance curve....
...the Meadowlark Kestrel 2, by any account are phenomenal at their price and in fact compete at a much higher level.
Ideal for your quite small space and quite stunning to admire, if exquisite hand made timber work is your thing !
I've tried them with numerous amps, both high and low power tube and solid state with consistent results, personally I'd be trying to audition either Gallo Ref 3's or the Kestrel 2's with my amp to make the final call, they are both top gunners !
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,975 posts
 
List looks like lots of small wee little buggers to me, wheres the big loudspeakers?
dog_or_man OP
68 posts
 
Bigger might not be better in my small and bass-heavy room. Even my Ninkas, if not carefully matched, can overpower the listener, and they aren't very big.
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