FOCUS/LOUDSPEAKERS

Strange but true!

Naim Credo

PEAKS

VERDICT Quite unbelievable thrust and bottom-end shove from these unusual, modest-sized floorstanders. Lack nothing in refinement either. Must be sited against walls, though.

PRICE R?

SUPPLIED BY Extraordinary AV (021) 552-0014

WEBSITE www.extraordinaryav.co.za

Naim’s latest-generation Series 5 components are sonically delectable, despite their entry-level (in Naim terms) pricing and spartan facilities. More importantly, they can be interchanged with other components, making the incorporation of Naim kit into existing systems more than viable.

I’ve reviewed several Naim components recently, but easily one of the most intriguing tests was that of a pair of Naim Credo loudspeakers. I must confess that it’s my first experience of Naim speakers - and one I’m not likely to forget in a hurry.

I used them for part of my review of a Naim system a month or so ago, and have also been told that they are friendly enough to be matched to other, non-Naim brands, given that these are of similar sonic quality.

The Credos employ several of the technologies that rival marques would dub idiosyncratic. For instance, its so-called ‘separate box technology’ approach positions the mid/bass driver in one enclosure, and the tweeter in a completely separate cabinet.

Thus, Naim claims, each driver operates in its own mechanically matched environment, which also means that they interact less to external influences than conventional designs.

The Credo is a two-way floorstanding design, employing an inverted driver configuration. Thus, the mid/bass driver lives in its own, virtually square box, which fits snugly on top of the main cabinet with its soft-dome tweeter.

At face value, the resultant assembly appears to form a sealed, infinite baffle system, but this is not the case. The carefully spaced gap between the two cabinets acts as a subtle, non-turbulent bass port with none of the in-your-face response so often associated with ported designs.

The lower section of the cabinet not only includes the tweeter, but also the crossover network and generous lashings of sound insulation material. The entire assembly is floor-located via an integrated leaf spring, together with the obligatory coupling spikes.

A closer look at the drive units reveals that the tweeter is a classic 19 mm Scanspeak design, accompanied here by a 200 mm mid/bass unit manufactured by Naim itself. It employs an aluminium chassis and a split-mass aluminium phase corrector, which also serves to enhance head dissipation and overall efficiency.

Claimed frequency response is a very broad 35 Hz to 20 kHz at ±3 dB, while sensitivity comes to a fairly easy to drive 89 dB into a nominal 6 ohms. Continuous power handling capability is in the region of 90 watts RMS.

Employing Naim’s own cabling, the Credos were allowed sufficient running-in time before starting to listen more closely to their performance. Initial results were disappointing, with shaky focus, not much in the way of bass and an overall lack of sparkle permeating the performance.

Some experimentation revealed that this was due to the Credos being placed in a freestanding, toed-in set-up, and not against the wall as recommended by Naim. Once this had been sorted out, it was a case of back to the music - and this time, it sounded absolutely awesome.

Suddenly, the entire delivery had firmed up, now notably accompanied by a deep and solid bass, a textured but not overly rich midrange, and very sweet, clear treble. Staging appeared to have opened up at the first chord, with depth, in particular, well represented.

I’ve never heard such a big difference in tonal range, nor such an expansion of staging, as a result of repositioning speakers. And while Naim says the Credo should also be quite content in a freestanding position, it’s clear that this speaker needs to live close up against the rear wall.

There’s no booming, no overexaggeration of the bottom end. Nor does the treble sound edgy, providing a delivery that is both lucid and distinctive. But then, who cares - if the eventual music sounds brilliant, that performance is the only one that really matters.

That transparency, attention to fine detail and an overriding sense of believability are also elements that should not be ignored, adding to the magnetic appeal these Naims exude. Once you’ve heard them, there’s no turning back - these Credos have a sound all of their own, and a magnificent one at that.

Almost forgot that the Credo is available in a host of finishes, including ebony, beech, American cherry and santos rosewood. Thus, you get a speaker set that sounds great, and looks the upmarket part, too.

Hard to believe, we agree - but it’s true!
Deon Schoeman