The Naim Nait 5i was designed and made to replace the original Nait 5, it has slightly improved sonic performance and more output power than the latter. All these improvements are heading in the right direction where the integrated amplifier is able to provide us with memorable music listening experiences without breaking our wallets. If you are currently searching for a pair of speakers to go with your Naim Nait 5i then look no further. We will be preparing a list of the best matching speakers to pair up with the Nait 5i amplifier.
Finding the right speakers for the job will require us to research the Naim Nait 5i sonic characteristics as well as its strengths. So let us start with learning more about this remarkable integrated amp and you can even use this information to look for matching speakers on your own.
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Sonic Characteristics and Merits of Naim Nait 5i
The visual design aspect of the Naim Nait 5i didn’t stray far from its predecessor and the same applies to the later iterations. Nait 5i may have a very clean and minimalistic look but it is still iconic enough to easily differentiate it from its competitors. The sound quality that the Nait 5i can muster also made it to be one of the best entry-level Naim Audio amplifiers to go for, not to mention, it also has a modest price tag. The affordability of the Naim Nait 5i also means we need to give up some features such as a phono stage which can be a bummer for turntable users but there are still ample analog connections though.
There are no digital inputs/outputs and there’s isn’t a DAC, for an integrated amp made at that time period without these features is understandable. There is a headphone output which is neat for listeners who prefer private music listening sessions every once in a while. The power output of the Naim Nait 5i is rated at 50 Watts per channel (RMS) into 8 Ohms and is good enough for an entry-level integrated amplifier. It is certainly capable of driving less demanding bookshelf speakers with ease. If only there was a dedicated subwoofer output to add in an active sub so as to supplement the bass performance of the stand-mounters or at least a preamp output.
The lack of high power output didn’t hinder the confidence of the Naim Nait 5i as it easily dishes out a wonderful and engaging music presentation. It is not shy in throwing its weight around, the music performance can be punchy or refined when the music beckons. The agility and speed of the Nait 5i are amazing, this enables the integrated amp to handle all sorts of music genres with finesse without sounding congested. The lively music delivery does reach its limit when playing at high volume as there wasn’t enough power to really drive the sound up. This also indicates that the Naim Nait 5i is more suitable to be used in a small listening room.
It does sound more energetic and has a slightly more authoritative sound reproduction when compared to the previous version. Naim Nait 5i is a musical integrated amplifier with a knack for bringing out the right music details and nuances to deliver an alacrity and exciting performance without compromising accuracy. The musical instruments sounded realistic and the vocal reproductions are natural sounding. If only there were a bit more clarity and transparency on the subtleties, it would have been better. Still, for an integrated amp at this price point, the sound quality it could muster is really incredible.
Naim Nait 5i is an amp with neutral sonic characteristics where it is neither too warm nor bright. It never once sounded harsh or too laid-back, the music listening experience is always engaging and fun. There wasn’t a dull moment and the Nait 5i is musically refined enough to not go all over the place. We do feel that adding a subwoofer might improve the overall sound quality but it’s a pity. It is also not really worth the investment in getting highly efficient full-range loudspeakers. The speakers which we are going to mention below will be well-matched with the Naim Nait 5i and you might want to take your time to have a look at them.
Naim Nait 5i Specifications
- Power Output: 50 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms (RMS)
- Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Inputs: 4 RCA inputs
- Outputs: 2 RCA outputs, Headphone output
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 70mm x 432mm x 301mm | 2.8″ x 17″ x 11.9″
- Weight: 6.4kg (14.1lbs)
Best Speakers to match with Naim Nait 5i
KEF R3 is an elegantly designed bookshelf speaker with an amazing authoritative sound quality that belies its size. The large-scale sound reproduction will fit well with the Naim Nait 5i and provide you with a musical presence rich with details. The neutrality and insights of the KEF R3s are well-matched with the Naim Audio integrated amplifier as well. It is able to retrieve plenty of musical information and produces them out with pristine clear sound quality. It is a very balanced bookshelf speaker and this allows the Naim Nait 5i sonic characteristics to shine, giving you a detailed and enthusiastic sonic performance.
More Details at Amazon – KEF R3 Speakers – Pair, Walnut
The PMC Twenty 22 is another pair of high-quality bookshelf speakers which will be a worthy match with your Naim Nait 5i. It is also a fantastic stand-mounter that can bring about a large-scale performance which dwarfs some of the other stand-mounters in the same price range. What’s more important will be the PMC Twenty 22 agility and speed as they match really well with the Naim Nait 5i amplifier. Twenty 22 are energetic performers and will add more excitement to the already engaging music delivery of the Nait 5i amp. The bass performance of the PMC Twenty 22 is agile and taut too.
ProAc Response DB1 is a compact size bookshelf speaker with a wide frequency response and dynamic range, one of the best speakers to pair up with the Naim Nait 5i integrated amplifier. The Nait 5i is muscular enough to drive the Response DB1 speakers efficiently. They may be small but the soundstage the speakers can project is wide and spacious. ProAc Response DB1 is also able to retrieve loads of music details and has superb midrange reproduction which will complement the Naim Nait 5i really well. These are very accurate stand-mounters and you can hardly detect any colorations which might smudge the overall sound reproduction.
This is an amazing pair of speakers which have won many awards over the years, the KEF LS50 Meta is an upgraded version of its predecessor just like the Naim Nait 5i. These stand-mounters look and sound beautiful, with incredible precision and accuracy capable of delivering faithful music presentations. Furthermore, with the level of insight and coupled with pristine clarity, the KEF LS50 Meta is able to deliver a high-resolution music presentation where subtle details can be heard clearly. The Naim Nait 5i doesn’t just amplify the KEF mini-monitors but also adds emotion and energy taken from the music.
More Information at Amazon – KEF LS50 Meta (Mineral White)
For listeners who have a tight budget but do not want to compromise the sound quality. If that’s the case we will suggest hearing the Wharfedale Diamond 225 out. This is a pair of bookshelf speakers which will provide its listeners with plenty of sonic value for the money. It is also an ideal stand-mounter for listeners who want a more laid-back music presentation with a touch of warmth. The pleasing sound quality of the Wharfedale Diamond 225 will smoothen the edges of the Naim Nait 5i. The Diamond 225s’ bass performance is pretty hefty and can dig deep into the low-end extension.
More Information at Amazon – Wharfedale Diamond 225 – Walnut
The multi-award-winning floor-standing speaker, Q Acoustics Concept 40, will be an exemplary match with the Naim Nait 5i integrated amp. This is a sanely priced speaker as well and is worth every penny invested into them. The Q Acoustics Concept 40 is a musically refined loudspeaker and is capable of delivering a high amount of music details. They will also tame down the energetic performance of the Naim Nait 5i and provide its users with a more relaxed music delivery. The Concept 40s are agile and their dynamic sonic delivery does prevent them from sounding too dull. Their easy-going sonic characteristics also make them fit nicely with the Nait 5i amplifier.
More Details at Amazon – Q Acoustics Concept 40 (Pair) (Gloss Black)
To Sum It Up
These loudspeakers listed here are certainly worth your time to take a look but before you make a decision, we would strongly suggest you audition the shortlisted speakers first. Through the auditioning process, you will then be able to learn more of the speakers’ sonic characteristics and see if they sound good enough for you when paired with the Naim Nait 5i. You should do a side-by-side speaker comparison if possible as you would immediately hear the difference and find out which shortlisted speaker sounds better.
