Yes it’s time for the old chest nut, best floor standing speakers up to £1k new or second hand?
Naim amplification, FIIO K13 dac, Tascam cd transport.
Over to the massive….
Dependent on your taste and room the definite answer is Naim SBL or IBL.
2 Likes
Hard to give a meaningful answer without knowing which Naim amp you have. Also what size is your room?
Certainly agree with the first part of your answer, without knowing all that how could anyone possibly suggest anything. Can’t comment on Naim speakers but there are others.
1 Like
Nap200/202 Hicap
V small workshop 5m x 4m
Depends on your taste but seriously, Qacoustics 3050i are well under £1l but sound more like they are approaching £2k.
I guess a major issue with things like second hand SBLs is there aren’t many left in really good working condition with crossovers that don’t need work or deteriorated drivers. Any that are aren’t likely to stay in that good state for another decade. Ultimately they’ll cost more.
This is true for many speakers of that age. Good ones exist but the risks are high.
1 Like
Wilson Benesch ARC. Wonderful speakers. I used them for a long time with 202/200 and it was the best VFM system I have owned.
Never heard of them, but they are transmissioon line so if I were looking with this limitation I’d find out more: ZM Transmission line speakers £899 on eBay now, but in Italy so for someone in Britain a significant carriage cost ((plus cost of a quick trip over to audition, but that could be made into a holiday).
A quick search of eBay would also find you others such as Focal JM Lab Cobalt 826S at £896 or near offer (+£150 carriage if not collecting), or B&W DM70 on the nose at £1000 (collection only).
Speakers are really such a very personal thing that it’s fairly meaningless to ask what are the “best” at the price. If I were you I would just look at what’s available (easy) and read around some reviews of them. This will give you an idea of what to avoid at least. But you really must be able to try them preferably at home before committing to a purchase.
I agree with @feeling_zen that the risks of buying used older speakers such as SBL’s or IBL’s are high. Not worth the hassle IMO.
3 Likes
Present speakers Dali Oberon 5, they are maximum size for small workshop. Getting the feeling £1k speakers won’t make a massive difference.
I would look at second hand. I had a pair of Dynaudio Focus 140s with your set up. Seen them online for £600 second hand. Simple and bombproof. Great with Naim.
Ah, just realised you said floorstanders. Focus 220s then?
Period. Thread closed.
2 Likes
@N2Peach what is the outcome?
If still looking, there’s a pair of IMF TLS80 speakers on eBay at the moment, listed for fractionally over £1000 but inviting offers. Lovely speakers, sit between the first great speakers I had (TLS50ii) which are still going strong in my son’s system, and big brother RSPMs that replaced them, and which I still hear frequently in my brother-in-law’s system.
B&W DM4s £50 a pair and £950 on music and wine 
1 Like
Wilson Benesh Arc, + 1. 
2 Likes