New album from Taylor Swift
All beautiful things, on the floor and on the walls… any system risks being inelegant in such a place. Why not swap the Focal for some Davones ?
Whilst not a great fan of focal speakers, I would choose them over these on looks alone.
I have auditioned both and prefer the ls3/5a in my room.
I know, it’s a matter of taste. While I was considering the rest of James’s furniture, I’ve never heard Davones and just think they’re visually involving albeit idiosyncratic… As for Focal, the only reason why I’d buy some is if the other option, gun at temple, was B&Ws.
Thank you for sharing. I am very curious to hear why the sound of the new NSC222-trio sounded better for you than the NDX2-trio. And what kind of music you are listening to.
Subs (kc62’s) now in tandem in system 3 with the Ls50 metas and the R3 metas going solo now and repositioned.
Also just swapped out the At540ml for its big brother the At740ml I had, sounding very juicy but probably more due to more precise setup.
Hello! I wonder if my reasons might be quite complex for this topic thread, but I’ll answer as simply as I can. BTW, my first ever Naim system was a Supernait 1 using the internal DAC with an expensive USB SPDIF interface attached to a Mac - it’s a wonderful amp . I listen to pop, rock, folk, metal, classical and electronic - very eclectic. Favourites include Goldfrapp, Radiohead, Björk, Kraftwerk, I am Kloot, B-52s - classical, I’m not that discerning, but enjoy a lot of the more mainstream, usual suspects.
I loved the Supernait 3 / NDX2 / XPS DR combo and I could have stayed right there - 90% of the time I found it more enjoyable / accessible than my previous system, but never better. If I’d not heard what the DAC / XPS DR / NDX and 282/HiCap DR/250DR could do with some of my favourite tracks, particularly in regards to scale, that may have been 100% of the time. That was fine, though - I made a conscious compromise to reduce box count and was always happy with that. Of course, I also tried to close the gap; Powerlines, HiCap DR, EE 8switch, interconnects and speaker cables but they were all compromises in some way and did not last - mostly, I felt the Supernait 3 lost some of it’s verve and rhythm with most of them.
When the New Classic came out, I was fairly excited; a chance to stick at 3 boxes and get back to 282/HCDR/250/NDX2 territory? Yes please! So there’s a part of my rationale. My listening priority has always been excitement and emotion, but I’m very sensitive to treble fatigue, so it’s often a balancing act. To my ears, the NSC222 / NPX300 / NAP250 has a larger, more refined, open, detailed and rhythmic sound (than the SN3 combo) - like the one I remember from my time with the 282/HCDR/250 system - but absolutely none of the edge in the treble or slightly over-zealous bass (at times). With NSC222 / NPX300 / NAP250, I’m enjoying music even more, and that’s my biggest reason for buying. I don’t feel like anything is added or taken away (treble / bass), but everything is just more engaging. My guess is that Naim have created the best synergy by designing these products as a complete system - there’s absolutely no imbalance, I feel like I’m hearing what’s on the recording, but in the most flattering rendering. Placement of elements in the mix is also improved, but not at the expense of the musicality. I also have to admit that I love the newer design and technology - digital volume control (even from Roon), generally slicker operation, lack of silly antennae, which for me was another driver.
Hope that answers your question!
Lovely set up. did you get the vinyl storage units built? looking for similar but cant see many suitable on the market.
They are beautiful speakers. Has anyone heard them?
Interested to learn what distance from the rear wall you settled on for the R3 Metas after repositioning them?
Hi, ended up with the following:
All measurements to the front of the speaker from the wall behind.
66.5 cm inner most edge
70 cm outer edge
63cm rear of speaker to side wall
68 cm front of speaker to side wall
Left speaker is a bit further away from left side wall.
Speakers are 192 cm apart from centre of drivers.
The cabin is approx 3.6m wide and 5.5 long, ceiling varies from about 210 cm high to 186cm due to the roof slope from front of cabin to back.
So they aren’t really deployed in line with Kef straight ahead advice.
They are placed higher than standard on Target R2 stands which have them 62cm off the ground.
But in this position they sound phenomenal, especially happy that whilst there is a sweet spot it isn’t to the detriment of great sound as you move round the cabin.
The taller stands also help as a lot of listening done standing or using gym equipment.
Not using the bung ports at all.
Hope that helps, oh and also using the top speaker terminals instead of the advice to use the bottom. Much more cohesive to me, I might invest in some kudos ks1 jumper cables but it’s a cracking sound right now.
These R3 metas have some serious headroom with dynamics.
Build quality like their smaller cousin the Ls50 metas is exemplary.
And whilst I’ve been really enjoying the latest addition of the Kef R3 metas have to give a shout out for the only slightly older Guru Q12’s.
So easy to accommodate their positioning and they just hold on to a tune. Really cracking speakers.
Thanks for your informative response. Its interesting to compare setups. ’m currently using R3’s (non meta’s) and have ended up with positioning results very similar to yours, but mine are positioned almost straight ahead with minimal toe-in. Our room sizes are similar although from your picture its likely more lively than mine. I’ve been using the bottom speaker terminals but will try the top and see what difference that makes; I use a SN2 and NACA5 speaker cable. Also, have a KEF KC62 subwoofer with mine that I currently crossover around 58-60hz with the R3’s.
I’ve got a pair of Kc62’s but took them off to get the positioning of the main speakers dialled in.
Have moved them onto the Densen / Ls50 meta system which is along the long wall and the subs seem to work better there with more space either side of the drivers.
I’ve found both pairs of Kefs take some real time to position, in complete contrast to my Gurus which are just follow the designers advice and they work. Close to wall, toe in and you are done.
I think the cabin construction really helps with the acoustics as the wood staves interlock so you have the length of the walls broken up with protruding locking joints, and the ceiling has beams, so there is quite a bit of break up in straight surfaces.
I found quite a marked difference using the upper terminals and it was my experience of B&w 805s that made me give it a go.
Quite a few threads on here with all sorts of combinations on bi wire terminals when single wiring them.
Yep; upper terminals, lower terminals, diagonal hookup, stock jumpers, speaker wire f-connection or various aftermarket jumpers; the many available options one can choose. I wish all speakers were just single wired, one less variable to deal with.