As the title says im looking people’s input on the s400’s I’ve read some limited thoughts on here before but not a lot, they seem to be coming up for sale often for good prices and the design and engineering really appeals to me. I’m currently slowly piecing together my first Naim system which will consist of NDX2 with XPS DR
Nac 252 with SC DR
Nap 300 dr
I only have the pre amp and SC so far but I like the idea of an all Naim system for ultimate synergy
Any input is much appreciated
I’ve had my Ovators for 12 years and love them. They are in a medium sized room about 4m apart and have a Linn Klimax DSM and NAP250DR powering them. I can see no reason to change them, they are that good. The 400s really appreciate extra power and the 300DR should be great at getting the most out of them.
Thankyou sir, that sounds quite promising to me
If and when you do buy them get the speaker cone bolts re- tensioned to optimise performance. This needs to be done every 5 years or so. Best of luck.
I agree IDAK I had the s400’s for a number of years and really liked them
Why I moved them on I’ll never know.
They seemed to get a bad rap which is unjustified imo
Ovators are lovely things and with your proposed system they will shine. Our 600s sound fab with a 250, but a 300 would be something above and beyond especially with 400s. I haven’t tensioned the bolts on mine as I thought that the tensioning thing was just in the early days of use and I bought mine preloved from a very reputable dealer who’d known them since new.
My understanding is if one of those BMR goes then its game over.
Same may be said for say a bass driver of an SBL, but bass tends to hold up better in my experience. One other speakers you can often find alternatives fro mids and trebles.
Short and short is, its a risk. And at the very least I would want to hear before buying.
…As is all second hand purchasing. The BMR thing seems to be a bit of a myth; according to my dealer he’s only known of one occasion on a very early pair where one BMR delaminated because it was sited in direct sunlight in a very hot environment; conservatory I think. He gave me a spare set of BMRs which he had been given by Naim back in 2009 as he had never had to replace or repair any others, (and he sold more Ovators than most other dealers) and had no further use for them. I admit I lucked out there. If the OP is worried, he could buy two pairs!
There has been reports of them failing in this very forum and it’s not the fact of all secondhand kit. The bmr is proprietary and there are no more! It’s worth pointing out to people thinking of purchase is all.
Indeed there have, caveat emptor as always, but we don’t want to overstate the case. Equipment fails. I’d be interested in some figures. I wonder how many haven’t failed?
I am not sure of the point you are making. I have made a legitimate point to op to be aware no replacements for the bmr ever. Same deal for nbls and dbls on the mid and if someone came here asking I would tell them about the risk there as well.
I really enjoyed the S400s when I had them on a roadshow for various Naim for Bentley events.
However, like any ageing speaker you need to approach with your eyes wide open; the drive units are long out of production, weren’t widely available in other makes or models, and Naim’s own spare supplies have been whittled down to almost nothing now. Naim closed down their speaker production facility to make way for the Statement, and that was over a decade ago, so no drive units have been made since then. So you are left with either finding someone who might be able to repair a driver, or else finding secondhand spares for sale on places such as eBay etc.. If you’re happy with that, then absolutely, go for it as they are an excellent speaker.
My view is that uf you can get a well maintained pair of 400s at a good price, go for it. If and when they die you have experienced a world class speaker in its class. There’s plenty of other more modern speakers of equivalent quality at a higher cost up the line. So you really can’t lose provided the price is right. And who knows, they may perform well for a decade or more.
Agree- wonderful speaker
I know my dealer here in Sydney had a pair for sale about 6 months ago and eventually someone came by and grabbed them , they were well priced . I look back on them with fond memories
I’m very seriously considering a pair for my NC 250 myself. I’ve always hankered after a pair over the years.
Here’s to hoping you find a nice pair and the best of luck 
I’ve had S400 for some years, and a very happy user, needed to get used to the top slope on the cabinet though.
TBH I didn’t expect much when buying them unheard.
Having listened to an early pair S600, they were overall not for me.
But these S400 were much better to my ears, works close to wall, no blown basnotes - just tight well articulated, open and coherent sound, that BMR is exceptional. Sure they will give a few so called “high end” loudspeakers a run for lot less money.
Ran them with various Naim, Exposure and Rega amps in a large room.
Its a pity BMR units no longer available for eventual repair, so take care with your volume etc.
I’ve had either S400 & S600 for ten years. I really appreciated the 600s with the 500 system. While i’ve always found the 400s vvmid/high range a little sterile and grey, driven by CDX2-2/202/HC/200
A total nightmare, talking from experience. I had mine for over 10 years and enjoyed them immensity until one of the BMR tweeters failed. Nobody could fix it or replace it including Naim and ended up tracking one down in Sweden which cost a fortune after P&P and taxes. Never again!
I bought a mint pair of S400s on ebay a couple of years ago for £800 and use them with NAC52/Supercap. I really like them and they are less fussy then my SBLs, not requiring placement against a solid wall. My previous SBLs needed TLC so I am passing them on to a friend.
…until the other BMR blows…