A lot of us listen to music in small to medium sized rooms. Even if you have a big rig in a big room, many of us have a second system in a den or office so we can enjoy music without taking over the house. Truth is, many audiophiles spend more time in the Near Field than they do playing the heavy artillery.
By nature of the design brief of this system, it’s totally different from what the big guns need.
Invariably it doesn’t have to play real loud. It doesn’t need hoards of power. It usually just needs to deal with streaming, and MAYBE the ability to play silver discs. By these criterion, the speakers are by far the most important product of the system.
The name of the game in this system is QUALITY and not QUANTITY. We’ve had a few customers say, ya know, I would really like THE VERY BEST RESOLUTION in this room. I’m willing to go more money. But I can’t go BIGGER and I don’t need louder.
In THIS system we want goose bump inducing immediacy. You want to drink in every last attack and squeak of the guitar. You want to savor every last drop of piano technique and touch. You want a great singer to cut through the grill cloth.
Wharfedale EVO 4.1 Speakers, $700 Per Pair (13.4h. 8.4w, 11.4d)
Walnut, Black Ash, White Ash
My new favorite small ribbon based speaker is the mighty Wharfedale Evo 4.1. Sporting a 5” long throw Kevlar mid/bass driver, 4.1 can deliver a surprisingly big kick if you ask it to. Wharfedale employs a clever, slot loaded tuning portal to extend and control its bass response. It is internally braced and filled with mineral fiber to further prevent ringing.
Even more impressive is Wharfedale’s THREE INCH TALL RIBBON TWEETER! This ribbon
portrays exquisite detail without sounding the least bit bright. The combination makes for an attractive package of aesthetics and audio excellence!
NAD C-328 Integrated Amp $600 (50×2: 2 3/16h, 17 1/8w, 11 1/4d)
C-328 is the ideal integrated for a smallish system of quality sound. For openers, it’s small. While it is rated at 50×2, it will sound bigger than the other guys rated at 100×2!
Why? NAD has patented amplifier circuitry (PowerDrive & Soft Clipping) that leaves the main streamers in the dust. While the big names are spending your money on extra bells & whistles, NAD is spending your money on an amp with more control and smoothness. NAD’s unique Hybrid Digital design delivers a warmer, more musical sound compared to the mass marketers.
Inputs include MM, two analog RCAs, 2 Coax, 2 OPT, & Bluetooth. It has a sub out.
AND, don’t overlook NAD’s clever BASS EQ control, which ramps up bass a useful 7dB at 80Hz- JUST RIGHT for most small speakers and low level listening.
Run your Node 2i, CD or even computer with OPT into the C-328 and for reasonable money you’ve got a magnificently fun and refined Near Field system!