Will abbreviate some of this…
10TH ANNIVERSARY LIVERY
If anything, this limited edition 50 tenth anniversary sets of tin-grey - are a rather diluted departure for Naim. I’m sorry to offend anyone for saying this. Hardly a 10th Anniversary commemoration with some serious thinking put into it. Fresh take for certain; somehow the feel isn’t befitting of a 10th Anniversary system. They could do much better.
Anything introduced by Naim the past five decades has always been carefully measured, and only released in keeping with their track record so far. This sand-grey if you will, seems… “freshly muted” but in a more adverse sort of way. No gravitas. Different is not necessarily always good, or better. A little dull. Forgettable, I’m afraid. If placed next to the classic blacks, they stand out for sure, but I’m not certain for the right reasons. They tried to match the finish for both components and the speakers as I understand it, a commendable effort, and while the tin-concrete finish of the Focal speakers do look nice, great on them, the components unfortunately did not get that appreciable uplift in this limited edition set to really commemorate something special in “yes, I’m gonna grab this, wow” manner. It has nothing to do with bling, but everything to do with styling and colour cues from an impeccable taste.
I trust these 50 sets will be sold out anyway, and I’m happy for Naim to be able to sell out - it’s all that matters perhaps.
Where is Naim headed for the future with this aesthetic introduction and dilution of sorts without some serious thought?
THAT BALANCE
If present customers are not getting their orders or repairs on time, with huge delays, introducing this limited edition set at this time seems out of place and just inflames how they already feel.
**LINEAGE **
As for blues, and oranges and the like being mooted by some friends here for Naim components, the taste of the new Design Director - and the present visual design team - and management, comes deeply into play.
Naim for me, is quintessentially British, and its essence, aesthetics and feel need to be preserved and adjusted very carefully if need be, so it does not alienate the present audience and at the same time will build a new audience base.
COLOUR FLAVOURS
I love orange, as I do a myriad of other colours, but can’t fathom orange-coloured or bright blue Naim extruded aluminium cases just to “invigorate the look”. Focal speakers are French and do look great and flamboyant in an assortment of colours as a sister company, but on Naim? It’s possible, just not quite aligned to the establishment it represents for its audience thus far. I’m all for improvement, just sensitively and carefully in natural progression and evolution. Radical departures are both enviable for innovation but also calculated risk pegged to market perceptions.
There is a theme, a history, and a respect for all things that are Naim built over the past 5 decades. I hope the company will continue to be quintessentially British as it continues to innovate.
Please don’t kill what is classic with just any colour alteration or “flamboyant take” for the sake of things.
I love and respect Naim and its staff too much, to see it diluted in any manner. I write this, despite my discomfort in sticking my neck out, with my heart’s hope that Naim continue to gradually find their way forward, in their British vein as they have been, regardless of their new management.
Stick to your roots, and what you stand for, while innovating as a business.
Most of us here I believe will support this.
Naim’s staff must be supported for their morale, to be at their best in manufacture. Reliability is a cornerstone of all Naim equipment so I was perturbed in hearing these stories of discrepancies which must be addressed concretely so that customer confidence is upheld. Slow things down some, and review all processes internally for repair and manufacture, and ensure QC is spot on with enough time accorded to get the work done. Slow down the rush! Apologise to customers immediately, communicate continually with them in a professional, neutral, prompt manner, and under-promise but over-deliver.
It’s one thing to expand the product range with other liveries, but another to fulfill present orders and repairs so that there are no more delays or discrepancies with QC issues. What are the new management’s priorities and how will these support Naim staff? As a long time customer, I do wonder because what I am hearing and learning are challenges that need to be addressed quickly before it spirals out of control.
None of my business but I wish Naim only well.
Pardon me, friends, if this didn’t come through correctly but these are my present sentiments after three decades in knowing Naim and reading the feedback shared here on this thread.