Active or passive speaker set up

[alolympic]

I stream music via Google chromecast, using my iPhone as my remote for Spotifyl/BBC Sounds app etc.

We have recently moved and have an extra room with new hi fi at the moment.
So, I'm on the hunt for a new set up.
Must be visually quite discreet, so large floorstanders out of the question. I am no audophile, and I will mostly be listening passively, rather than sat in a specific position purely for the music. I do like a room filling sound though, and like to crank it up occasionally. The set up in my other room is a pair of B&O 8000 speakers and B&W PV1 sub, and to my ears, this sounds great - just as reference.
I have been leaning towards a pair of active desktop speakers, such as the audioengine HD6, or KEF LSX, matched to a sub. The attraction there is at that I have less 'stuff'. But I have seen that you can now get some pretty tiny streamer amps (like the Acrylic A50) that would allow me to use passive speakers.
So, for a max of £1,500 for the whole set up, which way should I go?

[mgv8]

PS Audio sprout would also be good.
Active speakers have come a long way and are very good. Only real down side is upgrades will be very limited.

[toasty]

Have you considered a Naim Muso 2? I'd certainly recommend giving one a listen.

[craigjm]

Check out the Ruark range. Amazing sounding things for the price. I have them in every main room in my house. The R2i mk3 if you dont need physical media and the R4 or R5 if you do. You can link them together to play the same music in more than one room. The Spotify and internet radio integration is great.

[alolympic]

mgv8 said:

PS Audio sprout would also be good.
Active speakers have come a long way and are very good. Only real down side is upgrades will be very limited.

Thanks, I'll investigate the sprout!

[alolympic]

toasty said:

Have you considered a Naim Muso 2? I'd certainly recommend giving one a listen.

I've considered the Muso, yes. A friend has one and he loves it. I know the sound is big.
I'm not sure if it would be issue in my room or not, but I feel that it will always be compromised by being one unit. Not much chance of stereo separation.
If the Mu-so QB could have two running as a stereo pair, I think that would cover most bases.

[alolympic]

craigjm said:

Check out the Ruark range. Amazing sounding things for the price. I have them in every main room in my house. The R2i mk3 if you dont need physical media and the R4 or R5 if you do. You can link them together to play the same music in more than one room. The Spotify and internet radio integration is great.

I have heard the Ruark Mr2's and although impressed for the size, they didn't seem have enough presence to go up to room filling volumes. I've not triend their other stuff, but like the Naim, a bit worried it is just one box. I'm sure that they are very good, it is just something at the back of my mind that might linger, which is spending £££ on something that is a one box speaker. I should listen first though.....

[craigjm]

How big is the room?

[alolympic]

It’s not going to be a great room for acoustics.
Family room that opens on to kitchen....

[craigjm]

Most of the rooms where i have Ruark R2's are bigger than that although I do have an R5 for the biggest room but thats 18ft x 34ft. I think you should go and listen to a number of the options but passive speakers would definitely be a no.

[matjk]

Sonos are super convenient and a pair of Play5s sound decent , especially with a Sub. I personally this set up is much better than the Naim Muso

[Itsallicanafford]

Apologies, I know it’s always easier to spend more but your budget is really, really close to a 2nd hand Naim uniti Atom (£1600 ish on eBay)!. Add in a 2nd hand pair of neat iotas (£350 eBay) or demo a few different options for the speakers and purchase a sub at a later date (it has a dedicated sub out)

IMO, that would be a superb system. It would hold its value and be supported via the factory or independents for life.

[alolympic]

craigjm said:

Most of the rooms where i have Ruark R2's are bigger than that although I do have an R5 for the biggest room but thats 18ft x 34ft. I think you should go and listen to a number of the options but passive speakers would definitely be a no.

Interested why you would say passive speakers are definitely a no?

[alolympic]

matjk said:

Sonos are super convenient and a pair of Play5s sound decent , especially with a Sub. I personally this set up is much better than the Naim Muso

Not a fan of Sonos at all I’m afraid. A few friends have them and I don’t think their strengths play to my needs. I don’t ever need to play the same music in multi room and I don’t think the sound is all that detailed.

[alolympic]

Itsallicanafford said:

Apologies, I know it’s always easier to spend more but your budget is really, really close to a 2nd hand Naim uniti Atom (£1600 ish on eBay)!. Add in a 2nd hand pair of neat iotas (£350 eBay) or demo a few different options for the speakers and purchase a sub at a later date (it has a dedicated sub out)

IMO, that would be a superb system. It would hold its value and be supported via the factory or independents for life.

Mmm, interesting idea, thanks, although as you say, pushes the budget somewhat.
I’d not come across the Neats before, they sound interesting.

Another leftfield option I have started contemplating are a pair of Elipson Planet L’s, obviously to be set up with a suitable sub. I must admit, I think they look great and a lot of reviews talk to their insight and detail. No idea what to power them through, and those with the Naim would be too much money I fear.

[toasty]

Itsallicanafford said:

Apologies, I know it’s always easier to spend more but your budget is really, really close to a 2nd hand Naim uniti Atom (£1600 ish on eBay)!. Add in a 2nd hand pair of neat iotas (£350 eBay) or demo a few different options for the speakers and purchase a sub at a later date (it has a dedicated sub out)

IMO, that would be a superb system. It would hold its value and be supported via the factory or independents for life.

After being impressed with the Muso, I got a Naim Atom/Kef LS50 set up for my spare room. I love it and would certainly give the stereo separation the OP wants. I didn't mention it as it was double the mentioned budget and might give the main system a run for its money in some respects.

[Itsallicanafford]

Streaming pre-amp - £1200 - offer £1100?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Naim-NAC-N-172-XS-Strea...

Amp

Look for a nice clean naim nap 150 - great amp! - £350.00
call tomtom audio or similar to see if they have any stock, this amp will match the casework of the 172 streamer

Speakers £300.00

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEAT-Iota-Satin-Black-L...

TOTAL COST FOR SYSTEM - £1750.00 used - about half the price of when new....


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