Since a long time of calmness I was bitten again.
But not for main system. thought about better speakers for my bedroom-system. I currently use the uq2 with my old energy point 1e. These Canadian speakers are a 90s legend - they were really cheap and offer a lot of nice sound and bass.
The setup of the speakers there is far from optimal - they are under the tv a bit above floor level. But nevertheless it works fine with naim magic.
But… is there something new to better it? As I use the tv (a kuro 5090) a lot - why not new speakers?
So I have gone through the net… I need a less power hungry speaker because of the uq2. And the need to be not too big as the need to fit into the shelf under the tv.
…
ATC7 … I must have ATC someday! But they need power and might lack bass. Bass is nice to have with streaming movies and tv shows
Epos 7n … the reviews are damn good. This is my top candidate.
Naim nsat … have a pair in my other system … easy to check them in the TV system.
nsats into tv system.
Ok - bass is less. But when it’s there it is tough and kicking. There is a lot more going on in the mids. Sounding a bit less upfront but very nice textured. More stereo effects - more soundstage … nice … even for tv.
Miss the bass a bit (no space for a woofer) but like the natural presentation a lot.
2… today I got Epos 7n for demo.
What a nicely done speaker. Very compact - and heavy. There is a switch on the back where you can adjust from standing free to „put into bookshelf“.
To test the Epos I initially today ignored the purpose (tv system). I tested them in my second (music) system: Nd5xs2 (3.11)-ndac-xps-nait50. Here nsats had normally their place!
Easy to install - but heavy they are. Switch to bookshelf, as they are near the wall…
First impression:
there is a lot of bass… need to pull them of the wall. But bass is not as defined as it is in my other music system (ok, not fair). Bass with 500 system into 606 is sooo much better. Definition, punch and texture.
Epos is coming really short here - but this is not a surprise.
Epos can really do room and soundstage. Much clarity and air.
Nice… or?
… put the nsat back in …
ok… bass is light. But there is bass in the mix. Less wheight as the Epos but when it’s there it’s more defined. Less blooming than Epos.
And … after a few seconds. There it is - the naim magic. The mids are silky and textured. HF are never hard and detailed. All is less airy but wonderful coherent.
From first listen:
main system is best
Epos is nice and very modern sounding (brought back the feeling I had with 3.10 and 3.11 fw - compared to 3.8). But missing the magic.
Nsat … are king here. They are fast and detailed. Textured and not hard.
Wow - I have forgotten how damn good these nsats are. There will be a Stephen having a smile now .
Good that I just bought a second pair in Cherry from a Forumnite. Now I got the cherry ones with black stands from Italy. And I will love them a lot. Promise!
Nevertheless… will give Epos a chance in the tv system. Maybe they will excel with tv sound. Could be.
Tbc
Ps: my missus replied very short: „you are a vintage hifi guy“. She could have hit the nail. I like this „old organic signature“ really a lot.
I seem to recall a thread about AE1 and similar electronics for a BR system. If I am mistaken I apologize. It’ might have discussed the AE2. I don’t remember.
I am not suggesting anyone is overlooking this but it may be worth just restating that usually a larger speaker is easier to drive than a smaller speaker. An N50 with small speakers in a small room is likely a good option but if the room is normal to large, a larger speaker will work better with a 25w amp than a small one.
Small long throw bass units need a fair bit of power at realistic volumes, whereas shallow throw bass units at 8” and up cope at higher volumes and less power. I use a UQ2 with very small speakers for nearfield listening but a puny 10w amp with large speakers for a bigger space.
Thanks a lot. I have not known this a few days back. Was surprised on the sensitivity of the small ones.
Room is not big and it’s nearfield but nevertheless look a bit to have not the poorest sensitivity.
Just checking the „speakers for nait 50“ thread for other candidates.
Had extended listening today.
The Epos is fine.
They have very good bass wheight. And air and punch. But they lack the upper mid texture of nasat.
They are more hifi. This was proven be my girlfriend (who has a max wo sec concentration window and tend to do something else while listening ) says that Epos were better.
Yes they are - initially … but the upfront and fast presentation of nsat is very addictive…
I’m listening at them as I write this. It’s low volume and they sound incredible. Definitely worth a demo, they are little gems. I demoed extensively and my favourite by far was the Menuet SE. They knocked the Neat Petites into a cocked hat to my ears.
Funnily I bought them with an Atom too and never had a low volume issue. I’m currently using an ND5XS2 through a Nait 50 and honestly it sounds wonderful. We’re all different though so I suppose it all depends on what you class as good low volume quality. If it’s detail and separation then it ticks those boxes beautifully in my opinion.
What do you think?
Will a small rel subwoofer be an option to add to the nsats?
Found the REL T-Zero MKIII.
This one is small enough to fit in the room. Would it work with uq2?
.
) says that Epos were better.