Naim Nait XS3 is the latest iteration with significant improvements in its sonic performance thus providing its users with excellent sound quality. With the years of research and development, and with all these upgrades being implemented, the Nait XS3 probably outperforms its predecessors which are also highly regarded by audiophiles. If you are currently in search of a pair of speakers with outstanding performance and are worthy enough to pair with the award-winning Naim Nait XS3 then please continue to read on.
We are preparing a list of the best speakers which are compatible and will match the Naim Nait XS3 integrated amplifier with complementary effects. Researching and gathering more data about this stereo amplifier is important so as to allow us to find the right pair of speakers.
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Sonic Characteristics and Important Specifications of Naim Nait XS3
One of the more notable upgrades of the Naim Nait XS3 will be the newly added phono stage and we believe it will be a delightful addition for turntable users. The phono stage is designed for moving magnet cartridges and there is a total of 3 stages to reduce noise thus improving the sound quality when playing vinyl recordings. For an integrated amplifier with this asking price, you will expect a built-in DAC but the Nait XS3 is short of that. This could be an opportunity for listeners to fine-tune the sound quality and sonic signatures by integrating a dedicated D/A converter. Separates tend to do better since they only need to focus on one job, and the drawbacks will be higher cost as well as more space is needed to place them in your listening room.
The Naim Nait XS3 does have decent power outputs for an integrated amp at this price point. It is rated at 70 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms and 100 Watts per channel into 4 Ohms which is not high and not low either. With this level of output power, Naim Nait XS3 can efficiently drive most bookshelf speakers and some efficient floor-standing speakers or floor-standers which are not power demanding. This is where the dedicated subwoofer output and preamp output comes into play, you can choose to add a sub to supplement the bass performance of your stand-mounters or connect a power amp to drive larger speakers.
This is an energetic performer, the Naim Nait XS3 is rhythmic driven and whatever music you feed to this integrated amplifier, it is able to organize and deliver to its listeners with an engaging music presentation. The alacrity sonic performance is partly due to how agile the Nait XS3 is, not to mention, its impeccable music timing. It is like the integrated amplifier is smart enough to only bring out the right energy and emotions of the music so as to not sound all over the place while giving us an emotional ride where we can simply be entertained by our favorite music. The nimbleness also enables the amp not to get choke during busy music passages.
There are plenty of music details been dug out by the Naim Nait XS3 including the subtle nuances and intricacies which make it so involving. It may not be enough to please analytical audio enthusiasts but there’s a high chance they will still enjoy listening to this amplifier. The bass performance of the Nait XS3 is impressive as well, it can hit hard when the music calls for it. More importantly, it is tightly delivered and detailed, able to blend in nicely with the upper frequencies without trying to muddle the mids or overwhelm the treble. We do think a larger pair of loudspeakers or a dedicated subwoofer will really help bring out the full potential of the Naim Nait XS3 bass performance though.
The overall sound reproduction is clear and clean, the background is quiet with low noise, and is great for playing back analog sources like the turntable. The speed and class-leading music handling are really enticing, it is easy to enjoy hours-long music listening sessions with the Naim Nait XS3. Still, a bit more power and a built-in DAC would be nice. We have prepared a list of the best speakers which you can choose to go for, they are compatible and will match well with the Naim Nait XS3 integrated amplifier. Whether to integrate an active subwoofer into your stereo system is entirely up to you.
Naim Nait XS3 Specifications
- Power Output: 70 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms, 100 Watts per channel into 4 Ohms
- Inputs: MM Phono input, 4 RCA inputs, DIN
- Outputs: Subwoofer output, Preamp output, Headphone output
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 70mm x 432mm x 314mm | 2.8″ x 17″ x 12.4″
- Weight: 8.5kg (18.7lbs)
Best Speakers to match with Naim Nait XS3
The Dynaudio Special Forty may not look like an energetic bunch but its music delivery begs to differ. There’s a level of boldness in its music presentation and we mean it in a good way. Furthermore, the confidence in the speakers’ sonic delivery will fit well with the enthusiasm of the Naim Nait XS3, giving us an exciting musical performance. The powerful bass performance of the Dynaudio Special Forty that belies their size has finesse and is agile as well. These bookshelf speakers are also capable of bringing out music details and producing them out in spades. You probably wouldn’t need a subwoofer to supplement the bass performance of the Special Forty.
More Details at Amazon – Dynaudio Special 40 – Pair (Ebony Wave High Gloss)
ProAc Response DB1 is another pair of amazing bookshelf speakers to go with your Naim Nait XS3 and should be paired with high-quality speaker stands to really bring out their best sound quality. These speakers are neutral sounding and we hardly detect any colorations. This allows the Nait XS3 sound signatures to shine through and provide an energetic performance. The high-resolution music presentation is filled with details and intricacies, and it doesn’t sound clinical in the slightest. ProAc Response DB1 speakers are able to project an open and spacious soundstage which will complement the Naim Nait XS3 integrated amplifier.
The Wharfedale Denton 85 is an excellent choice for listeners who want to add more warmth to their stereo sound system. When paired with the Denton 85 bookshelf speakers, the music delivery gets a bit more laid-back and this helps to give you a more relaxed listening experience. The Naim Nait XS3 is powerful enough to drive these bookshelf speakers with ease and the pleasing sound quality of the Wharfedale Denton 85s will provide a smoother music delivery. There is weight in the speaker’s bass reproduction and the Naim Nait XS3 integrated amp will add a bit more punch to it.
More Details at Amazon – Wharfedale Denton 85 (Red Mahogany)
PMC Twenty5 23 is one of the best floor-standing speakers to pair with your Naim Nait XS3 integrated amplifier. These award-winning floor-standers have the sonic characteristics to match really well with the Nait XS3. Their articulate musical performance and powerful bass delivery complement the amplifier, giving us an impactful crescendo with impeccable timing. The stereo imaging of the PMC Twenty5 23 is simply amazing and projects a spacious soundstage that remains stable at all times. The music presentation is also filled with details and subtleties which are clearly produced.
Q Acoustics Concept 20 are outstanding bookshelf speakers due to their modest price points and the level of sonic performance you can get is simply phenomenal. This is why the Concept 20s are getting awards left and right throughout the years. They are a worthy speaker partner for the Naim Nait XS3 and the integrated amplifier has the means to drive them efficiently. The Q Acoustics Concept 20 possesses sonic traits which the Naim Nait XS3 can make full use of such as a high level of clarity, refinement, transparency, and more. These bookshelf speakers will be great for listeners who do not wish to invest much but still want high-quality stereo speakers.
More Details at Amazon – Q Acoustics Concept 20 Speaker Pair (Black)
Integrating a powered subwoofer will help to provide a more impactful bass performance with more rumble in the subsonic sound department. It also needs to be articulate and agile enough to keep pace with the Naim Nait XS3. This is why we should aim for sealed subwoofers such as the award-winning Rythmik Audio F12SE. It is a powerful sealed subwoofer designed and made for discerning audiophiles, capable of delivering well-textured and richly detailed bass. If you prefer to not spend too much on an active sub then perhaps you should check out SVS SB-1000 Pro. It is a high-performance entry-level sealed subwoofer made by the renowned SVS and is certainly worth your time to take a look.
More Info at Amazon – SVS SB-1000 Pro Sealed Subwoofer
To Sum It Up
For large listening rooms, it is better to pair the Naim Nait XS3 with a pair of floor-standing speakers, and you can connect to a power amplifier to drive the more demanding floor-standers. Whether you’ll be adding an active subwoofer or not, it is best to audition them all together with the chosen speakers and your Naim Nait XS3 integrated amplifier. This is to ensure you get an accurate result and to determine if you like the sound quality delivered by this combination.
