Correct, they sound balanced on low volume already. I’ve compared a Nap 140 to a Nap 200 on the BMR, and at high volume the nap 140 is quicker distorted though - as expected.
The BMR’s can have some juice.
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Same here with my Allaes, which is great as my wife is next door!
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Well Mr Tate,
I have S400s AND N-sats. They are both great.
I am in the process of upgrading my 172/200 to a NDX/252/250ish combo, give or take the odd XPS. I take delivery of the NDX in a few weeks, and expect to take a while to find the rest of my bits.
Currently the N-sats are driven by a Harmon Kardon receiver thingie, but as I build up the replacement electronics I will use the 172/200 for them in my office.
But to the point I am circling to… I have of course done the direct comparison between the S400s and N-sats several times over the last 6 years that I have owned both.
They both share the fast, immediate and tuneful aspects which Naim do so well, but there is a world of difference in their sound.
I concur with you in that Naim don’t do flat, lifeless speakers.
I have lived with SBLs, IBLs, the S400s and the N-sats. They are all very much in the PRaT camp, although all different in so many ways. Unfortunately I had an extended break from Naim speakers, so haven’t heard Credos or SL2s et al, but I imagine they have different aspects too. But getting back to S400 - N-sat comparisons…
Obviously the N-sats don’t have the bass extension of the S400s, but to my ears it’s the N-sats treble roll off which is most obvious.
And whilst the N-sats have pretty good, fast bass, they are a smidge woolly compared to the S400s.
Many moons ago I was told by Mr Verekler that a lack of decent top end made bass sound flat, in the context of what was being fed into the speaker. And certainly I can vouch for the idea that in an active system the amp driving the tweeter is as important, if not more important, than the mid and bass amps.
Also a lack of high frequency extension in the speaker design makes the bass appear muddy.
The Linn guys used to say the same thing sort of, just in a different way.
The N-sats are much more forgiving of mediocre sources, like FM and the audio feed from my TV. The S400s are vastly clearer.
I could live with either, but if I had to choose it would be the S400s any day.
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Naim speakers have always been a bit marmite. If you like Credo’s then you are likely to enjoy SL2s or SBLs. They have the advantage of being discreet while producing wonderful music. Other brands may or may not float your boat. I see more risk in changing brands personally so it will be interesting to see which way you go. Good luck!
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts here Steve, that’s very enlightening indeed. 
I have to admit here that i’ve always hankered after a pair of S-400 speakers myself (in looks alone). If the right pair come up in all the usual places i feel adamant i will take a punt on a pair. For me, in this moment in time, my n-Sat’s are singing their little hearts out. They appear to suit a SN3 very well indeed, much more so than i ever expected. By the way i agree with you in that their bass can sound a little ‘woolly’ but only when severely pushed outside of their comfort zone, and with certain genres of music. I can’t find fault in their treble/midrange though, very addictive, detailed, open and silky to these ears.
I can’t complain so far, it’s all good fun.
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I found them really boring tbh. Lots of people obviously love them but for me they lost that classic Naim speaker sound that is so addictive. As ever the OP really must listen for himself and if possible at home.
Thanks Stuart. Sticking with Naim seems the obvious choice for me, so if the SL2’s work out, then I’m done. I realise that does mean I haven’t even listened to what’s out there, but that sound like such a monumental task, I hardly know where to begin. Before the SL2’s come for a visit, I am also expecting a visit from my dealer to check that I setuo my new NDX2 correctly (no issues, just a service they offer), so it’s a great chance to get his views on what is possible for my specific environment.
I’ve really enjoyed the upgrades I have done so far, but I would like to see an end to it soon, then I can concentrate on other hobbies
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It’s always a tough one GadgetMan when it comes to speakers. I have only listened to Linn and Kudos in recent years. To my ears they are bright, detailed, but horrid. There is something in those early JV designs that really work in my view. I hope you find what you are looking for, but I would hang on to your old speakers for a bit just in case…
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Will certainly be keeping them for at least 6 months. Thanks
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I second that. I had a Nait 2 driving my Ovator 400s and they sounded great in my 4x8m room. Lots of fun.
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I only have experience with the 400 along with the 135, and they sound great
Yes i have a pair of n-SATs here and they most certainly hit all of the right musical buttons also - they partner very well with the SN3.
Good to know - I might want a good solid state amp…
M.
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Having owned the Credo, 82/HicapDR/Olive 250 combination and heard the S400 a few times in a friend’s setup, I consider the S400 a big step up. However they sound completely different. Both still have the speed, prat and bass of a sealed box though. If looking for a similar sound to the Credos, imo the SL2 would be the ideal choice, it improves on everything the Credo does.
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What is the Naim sound? Hasn’t the definition of the Naim sound been redefined by Naim itself over the decades many times depending on its product line, R&D and who it’s in financial partnership with? Now it’s with Focal, surely it’s the Naim sound. If Julian was resurrected, would he say the current sound is the Naim sound he’d invented? Many use the bigger and more revealing B&W speakers and swear they hear the Naim sound more. When I was on the forum years ago many here didn’t like Naim speakers so was that the Naim sound or not?
I’m not good at explaining sound, but what I do know is when I was looking for speakers back in 1999, the Naim Credos just resonated with me over all the other more popular manufacturers that I listen too.
I think all the speakers around that time (Credo/SBL/DBL/SL2/Allae) had a Naim Sound, which perhaps we should call perhaps “Naim Julian” sound, then the Ovator’s were probably “Naim Ovo’s”, then now we have “Naim Focal”.
Is one better that the other? Well not an answer anyone on this Forum would ever agree on 
My Ovators sound fantastic at the moment. I wonder if I have a hearing problem.
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Just go for the sound you like. Everything else and all opinions are highly subjective.
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Update: Well the Naim dealer who was supposed to come around and check the installation of the new NDX2 that I purchased from them, and check if the SL2’s that they had would be suitable, didn’t turn up, or even call to apologise.
Today I had a listening morning at a different Naim dealer, who were very helpful. I started with ATC SCM 40 which I though were quite similar to the Credo, but not a lot of difference. I then tried the DALI Rubicon 6’s, and they had a great treble, which particularly suited the music I like (Female singers mostly), but unfortunately didn’t have a great soundstage, and lacked in other frequencies. I then tried the Spender 7.2, and the good bits of the ATC and Dali’s were merged into one. Really liked them, so now waiting on a home demo when there is a gap of them not being booked. For the in-house demo, they were using a NDX2/SN2/HCDR, so in my system, they should be even better. Fingers crossed
That’s interesting. When I idly discussed it with my dealer he mentioned the ATCs as a possible replacement for my SBLs.