Price Paid:  $1200.00 from Naim dealer

Summary:
I have owned many hi-fi products but never posted a review. I bought the Intro2 with a Nait 5 and a used CD1, set them up and - uck. Changed back to Rega Planet - improved, but still unbalanced. The detail is exceptional but I felt too much. The dealer recommended more power so we switched to 2 Musical Fidelity 100w pwr amps with pre - better sound balance but still not right for me. I'm lokking for a pair of Epos22 which I replaced.

Strengths:
Great detail.

Weaknesses:
Not a balanced sound.

Similar Products Used:
Epos 22, NHT, Castle Severn

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
First of all: I liked this speaker! But I don''t give any stars, because I don''t like the quantification of emotions! I''m looking for a new loudspeaker for my all Rega System (Planar3+RB300+Elys/Planet/RadioR/Mira - all old style). At the moment I''m using Rega Ara, an astonishing bookshelf loudspeaker. But I need low frequencies to enjoy grand orchestral works and sometimes techno music. Yep, my musical taste goes very far. As all of you, the loudspeaker market is very confusing. There are far more brands which are selling their products than in any other sort of hifi equipment. I have a preference to british speakers, and I have owned i order of appearence Linn Index II, Rega Ela (Mk 1), Royd Doublet(Improved) and now the the Rega Ara. Yesterday I found a hifi-dealer who had the last exdemo Rega Radio R tuner. By the way I heard the Naim Intro 2 (1400 Euro/pair). I have to say, that I never liked Naim speakers. There are many fans who loved their SBLs, but I found the sound a kind of obstrusive. The Naim Intro 2 (!) is in my opinion one of the very few "vanishing" loudspeaker in this price category. It sounds to my ears spetacular unspectacular - the music just flows. The sound is sweet, coherent and very dynamic - but strictly not "obstrusive". The soundstage seems to be not so wide and deep as for example as i heard it from a Rega Jura. But I suppose, you I will hear music for hours without getting tired. To my big surprise, this speaker sounds in a "not naim system" very well. I heard it with a Rega Planet 2000 and Rega Brio 2000 and I think, I could live very long with this combination. Conclusion: The Naim Intro 2 is definitly a recommendation for the open minded music lover, who doesn''t believe in the meanings of "self-styled" HiFi-critics.

Strengths:
- Simply good sound - no big problem for an amplifier (89 dB/W/m; impedance = 6 Ohm) - you don''t need to be a "naim devotee" to like this speaker - wonderful real wood finishes

Weaknesses:
If you want to now the weaknesses of the little Intro than you have to hear a Naim NBL. In this price class I can''t really find a weakness. Perhaps the soundstage could be wider and deeper.

Similar Products Used:
Rega Jura, Kef Q 32.5 (?), Linn Keilidh, Dynaudio Audience 62, Royd Doublet

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
At the hi-fi store, the Intro 2 driven by Niam CD5 (with external power supply, Niam Intergrated amp, on Niam racks costing the as much as the CD5), it sounds sweet, open, good soundstage, dynamic, very detailed, revealing and enjoyable. Bass as extended, tight and well controlled, but more would be welcomed. Vocals sounded a little dry and thin, lacking in body and warmth; but it was ... sweet and detailed that you could forgive it. Home audition a real disappointment with non Niam components. Using Micromega as the source, the Intro 2 sounded very thin, very dry and just didn''t come together. Maybe it''s too revealing and extreme on one side of the scale for its own good. Buyers beware, insist on a home audition before buying, especially if you''re not partnering it with Niam components!

Strengths:
Open, good soundstage, dynamic, very detailed, revealing and enjoyable. A good buy with Niam components.

Weaknesses:
Too revealing, a little dry and thin, only sounds good with Niam components!

Similar Products Used:
Niam CD5

Price Paid:  $1100.00

Summary:
A very articulate, very fast speaker. Forward in its presentation, the Intros are in-you-face and, when driven by good electronics, are very exciting.

This speaker is very revealing which is a good and bad thing. Put poor electronics on this thing and it may sound very hard and glassy, with thin bass. But mate it to Naim gear and these things sing, with great authority and slam. Timing is very good, bass is articulate and has excellent attack.

Better than its replacement, the Intro II, I think. But clearly inferior to next speakers up the Naim hierarchy - in comparison to the Credos, the Intros sound a bit out of control and harsh.

I give it 4 stars because the Credo is a much better speaker for...ok they're a bit more money (almost $2000?). But hey, source first! The Intro is very good and you should save your pennies for a good electronics (preferably Naim). After all, you can't polish a turd...

Strengths:
Very revealing

Weaknesses:
Very revealing

Summary:
I found that in my home the Intro 2 prototype (new model) did not perform as well as it had with NAIM components at the dealer's listening room. Obviously my room was a factor, but other speakers were far better in my environment. Take these to your intended listening room before you buy!!