This is an exceptional streaming player with high sound quality and sonic performance. The Naim Uniti Atom has earned plenty of accolades ever since its debut and is highly revered by some of the most discerning critics. If you have the budget and are looking for a top-notch streaming player, the Uniti Atom is most certainly one of the finer choices to aim for.
Even though it is an award-winning streaming player, there are still limitations that we must address. This is a high-end all-in-one streaming player and there is an integrated amplifier to power your speakers but it is only at 40 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms. It would be enough to drive bookshelf speakers which are not difficult to drive, and if you are playing back your music within a small room then it should be fine. Small bookshelf speakers tend to have lower bass output when compared to floor-standing speakers. You can get very efficient floor-standers with very high speaker sensitivity but such loudspeakers can be very expensive and the Naim Uniti Atom might not be able to drive them efficiently.
You can choose to connect an additional power amplifier to the Uniti Atom streamer so as to enable it to drive more demanding floor-standing speakers. And if you want full-range sound reproduction, you will require an even more powerful amplifier to drive full-range loudspeakers which will cost you even more. For listeners who have deep pockets, this type of setup may not be an issue for you but what if you have a smaller budget or are unwilling to invest too much in additional HiFi components to achieve full-range sound quality. The solution will be to get yourself a high-quality powered subwoofer.
More Info at Amazon – Naim Uniti Atom All-In-One Streaming Device
Active subwoofers are built to supplement the bass performance of your sound system especially when it comes to delivering very deep low frequencies which usually bookshelf speakers are unable to produce prominently. Adding an active subwoofer into the mix is usually more cost-effective if it is just about improving the overall bass performance and delivering subsonic low-ends. We will be preparing a list of the best subwoofers which you can pick and pair with your Naim Uniti Atom. Before you start checking them out, you might want to work out your subwoofer requirements first.
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Your Subwoofer Requirements
There are plenty of subwoofers to choose from and to filter them down to a smaller number of choices, you should first work out a budget that you are comfortable in using to invest in an active subwoofer. Allocating space for your subwoofer will be important too. If you have limited space, you should get a subwoofer that is compact in size and would fit right into your listening room. The more space you have the merrier as this will allow you to do a subwoofer crawl and find the most optimal position for your sub. This will enable the subwoofer to perform its very best. For listeners who have ample space and have a large listening room, we will suggest getting a larger and more powerful subwoofer. As such subwoofers would be able to fill a large room efficiently with immense sonic energy.
The Naim Uniti Atom has articulate and detailed bass performance, so to make full use of its taut low-end delivery, we will suggest going with sealed subwoofers as they are usually more agile. Sealed subwoofers are tighter and faster which also makes them more suitable for music playbacks. Unless you prefer higher bass output and a more prominent subterranean low-end reproduction, then a ported subwoofer will be a better choice. Subwoofers tend to be bulky and will take up a permanent spot in your own home, you might want to seek your spouse or loved ones’ approval too or ask them for their requirements. It is wise to list out more subwoofer requirements on your own and add them to this checklist. This will help you to decide on which active sub to go for and partner up with your Naim Uniti Atom streaming player.
Best Subwoofers to partner with Naim Uniti Atom
The Rythmik Audio F12SE is an award-winning sealed subwoofer made for audiophiles who want bass quality over quantity and will be an ideal match with the Naim Uniti Atom. It has a modest price tag for a sealed subwoofer with such amazing and articulate bass performance. The F12 Signature Edition is a 12″ sealed subwoofer with 370 Watts (RMS) provided by its Class A/B amplifier. It could reach deep down to 14Hz bass extension and deliver a prominent subsonic low frequency. Rythmik Audio F12SE is also agile enough to keep up with the Naim Uniti Atom music timing.
SVS PB-2000 Pro is an excellent subwoofer choice for listeners who are unsure to go for either ported or sealed cabinet type. The PB-2000 Pro is a powerful ported subwoofer (Standard) and has an option for its user to switch it to “Sealed” mode. In both tuning modes, the SVS PB-2000 Pro is capable of reaching below 20Hz bass extension. This is a high-quality and high-powered subwoofer to match with the Naim Uniti Atom streaming player. The Sledge STA-550D amplifier provides the subwoofer with up to 1500+ Watts of peak power which is enough to handle almost all sorts of bass demands.
More Details at Amazon – SVS PB-2000 Pro Ported Subwoofer
For listeners who require a slim subwoofer and still have impeccable bass performance, the Ken Kreisel DXD-808 will be an exceptional choice for you and your Naim Uniti Atom streaming player. This is a compact and slim sealed subwoofer that enables it to fit in nicely into listening rooms with tight spaces. The DXD-808 has dual 8″ High-Velocity deep bass drivers with 2 Class D mono-block amplifiers driving a total peak power of 1500-2200 Watts. It is incredibly fast and agile, the Ken Kreisel DXD-808 has no issue with keeping pace with the Uniti Atom. The midbass has punch and it could deliver subsonic bass of down to 15Hz.
The JL Audio Fathom F113 v2 is a high-end sealed subwoofer and is well regarded by audiophiles, a definite worthy match to your Naim Uniti Atom. Furthermore, it comes with an exclusive technology D.A.R.O., where it will automatically optimize the Fathom F113 v2’s in-room frequency response so as to ensure the best possible bass performance in your listening room. The 13.5″ sealed subwoofer has a peak power of up to 3000 Watts and is able to handle any bass demands with finesse and agility. Its subsonic bass frequencies are cleanly delivered and with such incredible energy that will shake the room.
If you have a large listening room and require an extremely powerful subwoofer to fill it efficiently, you might want to take a look at the SVS SB16 Ultra. The SB16 Ultra has a 16″ driver with an 8″ edge wound voice coil and is powered by the Sledge amplifier providing up to a whopping 5000+ Watts of peak power. This sealed subwoofer can reach down to 16Hz (+/-3dB) and can handle all sorts of bass demands being thrown at it. It is a well-matched subwoofer with your Naim Uniti Atom, thanks to its tightly controlled and agile bass reproduction. The precision in its low-end delivery is amazing as well.
More Details at Amazon – SVS SB16-Ultra 16″ Subwoofer (Piano Gloss Black)
Going for an active studio subwoofer is a fine choice especially if you have a really tight budget and don’t want to compromise the bass quality. The Yamaha HS8S is a powered studio subwoofer and will pair well with the Naim Uniti Atom. The HS8S may not be able to deliver subterranean bass frequencies of below 20Hz but the accuracy and tight bass control are still as impressive. This 8″ ported subwoofer has up to 150W of power and it is very modestly priced. The bass reproduction is clean and precise, not to mention, the low ends are well-textured too. It does lack the bass impact of some of the consumer-based ported subwoofers in the same price range.
More Information at Amazon – Yamaha HS8S Subwoofer
To Conclude
When you have worked out your budget, you can start to shortlist the subwoofers from this list based on their price points and arrange an audition with them. It is crucial that you hear them out first before making a decision as you need to know if you like what you are hearing. The subwoofer which provides the best bass performance to you when partnered with your Naim Uniti Atom streaming player would be the one to go for. If you are still unsure, please do another round of auditions as this might help you to finalize your decision.
