What I thought was an upgrade wasn’t. My NBL’s don’t sound nearly as good as the Active SBL’s. I’ve moved my kit around to three different places in my music room. They don’t have quite the snap as the SBL’s. Any advice on speaker placement?
1 Like
Whats driving them, I am guessing not a single 180.
3 Likes
The NBL is an incredibly demanding speaker and will show every shortfall with source and amplification. I’m not saying the SBL is any less demanding but it will be an easier load and therefore probably sounds okay. I know it sounds daft, particularly when you are using a dedicated amp to drive each channel but unfortunately ‘active’ is a double edged sword and doesn’t tolerate lesser equipment well! What PS are you using on the X-over? Is it the right X-over for NBL’s. What’s your source equipment? What preamp are you using? Have the pots been messed with? Are you using Naim cables of the correct length? Lots of questions!
Is there anyway you can use a couple of good amps (250/135’s) and go back to ‘passive’ operation just to get a baseline on where the sound should be with the passive crossovers? I messed with the standard Naim active crossover points when I had an active system and it completely screwed the sound. I had to send the X-over back to Naim to be reset.
2 Likes
The nbls are a way easier load than sbls as I understand it.
I never heard the SBL but the NBL sounds great if properly set up. As Geko said, they will magnify everything else in your system and identify weak links. I use 3 Nap 250-2s with Nac 52 and 3-6-2 crossover. All Naim bits have been serviced and sound excellent. Passive system with on Nap 250 sounds good but no comparison. Next to wall placement is crucial for best performance.
On paper they may be but, as an example, my DBL’s are a far easier load than my old Linn Isobariks ever were but the window into music and the levels of resolution the DBL’s have far exceeds the levels of the Isobariks.
Some people describe DBL’s as sounding just like big PA speakers! Of course they are anything but this and can sound simply exquisite, producing some of the most realistic sounds I’ve ever heard, but that’s giving them the right feed! In fact I’ll bet all the people that hear DBL’s like big PA speakers are listening through fairly midrange kit! It’s a classic mistake when you get the front end balance slightly wrong. The problem is that an ‘active’ feed just exaggerates this effect.
1 Like
Three NAP 250’s. Along with NAC52/supercap,Snaxos 3-6-3/supercap,Stageline/Hicap, CDSII/Supercap. Rega Streamer.
3 Likes
What you may be hearing is more tightly controlled bass? How are you getting active to the speakers snaxo?
Interesting comment Samo.
The NBL’s are an upgrade, they are bigger, better, more musical and technically better.
However, they don’t have the speed and openness of the SL2 and if the snap you mention is what I think it is, ie the crack of a snare drum, then no, sorry the NBL’s don’t match the SL2’s in that department.
It doesn’t matter where you put the NBL’s.
2 Likes
I’ve never heard how different the sound can be by moving the NBL’s back close to the walls. I thought because the two bass drivers are perpendicular to the front of the speaker. Great advice that I thought I knew but didn’t think it would make the difference it has. A whole new sound. I have a set of Platinum Solos that I have moved closer to the wall but they are rear ported. Thanks again for the advice.
2 Likes
I’m surprised to hear that they don’t have the snap.
When I upgraded from SBL‘s to NBL‘s, I felt it was an improvement all round, but I did find that the degree of tow-in made quite a difference to the overall sound, even down to a few millimetres made a huge difference to my ears.
A very similar to your set up, I was using a 252 super cap, SNAXO Supercap, 3x250’s and NACA5 speaker cables.
2 Likes
You may want to listen to IBL’s 
2 Likes
I have done many times 
2 Likes
Well having had/have ibls/sbls/nbls/dbls, I can say that passive dbls with custom cross overs is where it is at.
3 Likes
Which active configurations did you have with those speakers,my experience is that all of them are vastly better with Naim active crossovers.
I have not used active in any of my configurations. However you have not heard my crossovers
I have heard many naim configurations at length in active. However the best I have heard at length was NBLs on the end of a 500 passive. I am not convinced by active. But if someone wants to lend me a 6 pack I’ll have go.
3 Likes
I see.
Well I prefer my DBL’s active with both 3xNap250 or 6xNap135 over passive with Nap 500 or Nap 500 DR.
2 Likes
Excellent. You have demonstrated what makes this hobby so much fun, options for everyone!
1 Like
Do DBL’s come on the market without the passive crossovers installed. I picked up the NBL’s sans crossovers. Grabbed them for a song. Price ranges?
Yes ,passive crossovers for DBL’s were optional.