The Naim Supernait 3 is a high-end integrated amplifier and has won many awards within a few short years. It is not feature-rich but it has exceptional sound quality. The Supernait series has more than a decade of success and we can certainly expect the latest iteration to have at least a slight improvement in sonic performance. Naim Supernait 3 will need equally remarkable speakers to match them, if you are looking for a pair then please continue to read on.
We are working on a list of the best speakers which you can choose to go for and pair them with the Naim Supernait 3 integrated amp. These speakers will need to be compatible and match well with the Supernait 3, this is why we need to find out more about this premium integrated amplifier.
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Sonic Characteristics and Important Specifications of Naim Supernait 3
For an integrated amplifier at this price point, the Naim Supernait 3 doesn’t really have high power output, it is rated at 80 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms and 130 Watts per channel into 4 Ohms. The Supernait 3 is definitely powerful enough to drive bookshelf speakers but for floor-standers and loudspeakers which are power demanding, the Naim Audio amp may not be ideal. If you are worried that the stand-mounters are not proficient enough in the bass department or unable to deliver very deep low-ends then you might want to add an active subwoofer into the mix. There is a dedicated subwoofer output that you can use and with the support of the powered sub, the overall bass performance should significantly be improved.
As mentioned earlier, the Naim Supernait 3 doesn’t come with a lot of features when compared with other integrated amplifiers in the same price range. What it has is a high-quality Moving Magnet Phono stage and this will be ideal for turntable users. There is also a headphone output (Class A amplification) for listeners who want to have some private music listening sessions. It would be better if the Supernait 3 amp comes with a built-in DAC though.
The power output may not be as high as we have expected but the Naim Supernait 3 is still able to dish out a powerful sonic performance with plenty of punch. It has impeccable music timing and is rather fast-paced as well. Along with the hefty bass delivery, we got ourselves a very entertaining integrated amplifier to listen to. The bass response is fast and agile which matches up with the higher registers really well, giving us satisfying and impactful crescendos. This led us to keep wanting to feed more of our favorite music into the Naim Supernait 3 so as to enjoy its rhythmic driven and energetic musical performance.
Its punchy performance and fast music pacing are not without control, the overall sound reproduction is cohesive and the music presentation is well-organized which is really impressive as the Naim Supernait 3 doesn’t have the most spacious soundstage. The stereo imaging and separation are simply amazing, each musician is precise and highly defined. We are able to hear and pinpoint each musician playing on a well-focused soundstage with convincing depth. The musical performance is vivid and rich with details. Supernait 3’s delivery is well-orchestrated and it has an innate ability to bring out the emotion of the music.
It is quite easy to fall for the charm and confidence of the Naim Supernait 3, and this is a good thing. To enjoy listening to your music will always be the top priority and this is what the Supernait 3 can do for you. Even when we kept pushing the integrated amp, its soundstage still remains stable and focused. It can be bright at times and fortunately, the Naim Supernait 3 doesn’t sound harsh. The iconic modern design of the Supernait 3 will enable it to match aesthetically well with most speakers. With that said, it is time to take a look at the list of the best speakers to pair with this outstanding integrated amplifier.
Naim Supernait 3 Specifications
- Power Output: 80 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms and 130 Watts per channel into 4 Ohms
- Inputs: 5 Line inputs, MM Phono input
- Outputs: AV, Stream, Subwoofer, Bi-amp, Preamp, Headphone
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 87mm x 432mm x 314mm | 3.4″ x 17″ x 12.4″
- Weight: 13.9kg (30.6lbs)
Best Speakers to pair with Naim Supernait 3
The PMC twenty5 24 is a pair of beautiful and slim floor-standing speakers which will match really well with the Naim Supernait 3. They may look compact but the twenty5 24 can produce powerful sound reproduction. Their frequency response is 27Hz to 25kHz which is incredible for floor-standers of their size. They could deliver very deep and clear-sounding bass effortlessly. The speed of these speakers is well-matched with the Naim Supernait 3 too, keeping pace with the amp no matter how complex the music is, and also without losing focus. PMC twenty5 24 is a very neutral speaker and allows the sonic characteristics of the amplifier to shine through.
The Dynaudio Evoke 50 is another outstanding floor-standing speaker for your consideration and will be a suitable match for your Naim Supernait 3 integrated amplifier. This is a pair of powerful floor-standers and could deliver deep bass frequencies with prominence. The bass responses are delivered with agility and are well textured, complementing the subsonic prowess of the Supernait 3 amplifier. Along with the speakers’ fantastic midrange reproduction, the musical instruments sound realistically rendered and with a sense of tangibility. Vocal reproductions are clear and natural-sounding too.
More Details at Amazon – Dynaudio Evoke 50 – Each (White Gloss)
KEF R3 is an amazing pair of bookshelf speakers with award-winning sound quality, not to mention, they are modestly priced as well. The R3 stand-mounters will be an ideal match with the Naim Supernait 3 integrated amplifiers thanks to their similar sonic characteristics. Overall, the KEF R3 speakers are well balanced and could also deliver large-scale sound quality with authority. It is a 3-way speaker with a bass driver and the KEF R3 sure makes use of it to deliver deep taut bass. There is a high level of music details been produced and can be clearly heard without the need to strain our ears.
More Details at Amazon – KEF R3 Speakers (Black)
Spendor D7.2 will be one of the best speakers to go with the Naim Supernait 3. The D7.2 are efficient floor-standing speakers where the Supernait 3 can drive them with ease. They are large floor-standing speakers and yet still sound very agile which suits the Naim integrated amplifier’s sonic characteristic. The Spendor D7.2 has an astounding level of clarity where subtle details and nuances can be heard with pristine clear sound quality. These floor-standing speakers are capable of projecting a large and expansive soundstage with impeccable stereo imaging. The music handling of the D7.2s is tight and controlled as well.
Neat Acoustics Momentum SX5i is one of the top choices to pair up with the Naim Supernait 3 integrated amplifier. Furthermore, both of them have similar sonic characteristics, producing very entertaining music presentations when combined. The level of agility that the Momentum SX5i possesses is impressive and could deliver fast punching bass responses without sounding out of control. The bass reproductions have weight and the Momentum SX5i floor-standers can dig deep into the low-end extension to produce very deep bass with authority. If you are interested in an energetic musical performance then you should really hear them out.
If you prefer stand-mounters that have exceptional sonic performance and high sound quality, the Dynaudio Contour 20 will be a fantastic speaker choice to go for and partner with the Naim Supernait 3 integrated amplifier. The Contour 20s have a wide dynamic range and excellent music handling, delivering an insightful presentation. It is musically refined and has a rich authoritative bass performance. The low-end delivery is articulate as well and has ample depth. Dynaudio Contour 20 can be quite an enthusiastic performer and combined with the energetic performance of the Naim Supernait 3, you got an engaging and entertaining music presentation.
To Sum It Up
These speakers on our list are some of the absolute best in their price range and have brilliant bass performance but will be a bit lacking when it comes to subterranean low-frequency reproduction. To solve this issue, we will suggest adding a high-quality sealed cabinet subwoofer into the mix. Before making any final decision, you might want to have a listen to the sound reproduction of the shortlisted speakers when partnered with your Naim Supernait 3 to see if you like the sound quality that you are hearing.
