Thanks Tarun, another charming review. I honestly can't think of anybody who manages to convey sound qualities in words better.

Excellent, interesting and comprehensive feedback. I’ve been following music reproduction systems since the 80s. So many new initiatives these days and Neat are certainly in my speaker short list for a possible refresh. Really enjoying the channel 👍

Always a joy listening to your evaluations and comparisons in a calm and gentile manner…

I heard the Neat Elite Classics at the Bristol Hi-Fi show this year and absolutely loved them. I’ve created a second system around the Nait 50 using the Eversolo DMP A6 as source and bought the Elite Classics to go with it. I could not be happier with this combination. They are set up in a smallish space fairly close to the back wall and slight toe in. The bass is excellent and the incredible ribbon tweeter just magical. Highly recommended combo.

Another excellent and thorough review! You've always got something new and unique to show us! Outstanding!

Another clear concise delivery Tarun.Excellent job.

Appreciate your honest review as always. Interesting loudspeakers.

It is very refreshing that you don't just review the same equipment everyone else does. I enjoy finding out about brands I am not familiar with. I purchased a Sugden A21se about a year ago and I am hoping to upgrade from my Dali Oberon 7 speakers soon. Still not sure what route to take.

Really like the look of these. Great review as always 👍🏼

You have such a way with words, I’m often left feeling as if I’ve already sampled your tested items when all I’ve actually done is listen to you 😂. You certainly get to test alot of interesting audio equipment, makes me a bit jealous. Thanks for sharing your experience. 👍🏻

THANKS TARUN,🤗 SHOWING US THIS IS BECOMING THE BEST TIME TO BE AN AUDIOPHILE 👍💚💚💚

Thanks for yet another wonderful and insightful review Tarun. I currently own the Neat Mystique 2s paired with the Naim Nait 5i and CD5I. Have them in a small bedroom about 18 inches from the wall. Always appreciated their timing and immediacy. Was curious about the new Elites and were hoping you would review them so I could get your take on them. Well done!

Another incredible review and comprehensive knowledge transfer of this equipment's specifications and capabilities. This is a very purchase compelling discussion and much appreciated. Thank you as always for your time and effort to share this with us all. Keep up the great work, Sir and take care.

Many thanks, as always, Tarun, for yet another objective, detailed, very informative review. Sadly, there aren't any distributors/dealers in Japan - where I've lived/worked for past 25 years - hopefully, that might change sometime in the not too distant future, as I'm really keen to have a good listen to their standmount range. Very best wishes to you & your family, as always. G. (ex- Scotland).

I am glad having sold my Neat Elite speakers a couple of months ago. I never liked them. Now I use the Wharefedale Linton with Naim electronic . For me it is like day and night.

Once again, nice interesting review, Tarun. In regard to speaker setup tips, this is one area that, as an audiophile, I fuss about getting right with lots of small movements to lock everything in. You're quite correct. There are trade-offs in this area, but less than one might suspect if you take the time to get things exactly right with wonderful dividends when you achieve this. I have Wilson Alexia's. I spent around 2 weeks all up getting them voiced correctly in my room when they first came home. I, of course, started off applying the Wilson way hosted by The Late Great David Wilson. After achieving the zone of neutrality, I was pretty happy with the results and left things there for about 6 months. I had to move some thing's in and out of the room so taped the spot on the floor where the speakers were and move them out of the way, which of course at 116 kilos each is no small job. At that point, room treatment went into my listening space, and when everything was returned and the speakers placed where they were, I noticed things had changed. From that position, I moved the speakers forward around 50 mm in around 30 mm and angled them out to a position where the tweeters were firing just outside the edges of my shoulders. These small movements did quite a bit to reduce the 80 Hz peak that I have in my room, and the corresponding suck out at around 170 Hz. The room treatment and the tweaking of the speakers essentially reduced the peak and trough buy around 65% in those problem frequency areas. So small movements really can and l believe do make a huge difference as I realised.

Thank you for your review Tarun. Good that you mention speaker placement. In my living room of 5.40 x 3.50 approximately I ended up with the front of the ATC 50s just over 1 m from the rear wall, and the ‘hot seat’ just under 3m in front with speaker toe in, so you don’t see the speakers’ side panels. This gives a great stereo image. I was initially surprised that for the low frequencies just moving your head a few centimetres forward or back can result in quite a difference in volume. I found that the use of a good REL sub placed nearfield really made a positive difference:-)

Hey Tarun, I was listening to my Elites when I noticed your review had landed. Very thorough as usual. I’ve managed to put about 80 hours of the 200 recommended for burning in so far and they are not disappointing. With my front end and musclebound MF amp I’m having no issues with bass. I played XTC’s English Settlement and the bass is full and textured, but the star is that tweeter. I have never heard so much detail in the music whilst at the same time having so much space around everything. The burn in will be to do with the poly caps I’m sure and in my experience as they do the bass will fill and extend even more. Give them another month then you can attempt to inspire me with your Denafrips! Incidentally, you can order these with bi-wire terminals at no extra charge if you want.

I love the format and attention to detail in your reviews Tarun. Keep up the good work. To follow up on your request for what speaker setup works for you? In my setup I’m using Proac Tablette 10 Signatures with an old REL Stampede subwoofer. The Tablette10 Sigs are a sealed speaker enabling close to wall placement on some Isoacoustic pucks and given the bass extension they need with REL Stampede sub. Take a little time to set-up this combo and you get the lovely midrange and top-end sparkle of the LS3/5A type speaker with the extra heft and air a sub brings to the party. Not a party set up though but with great tone, delicacy and detail for lower listening levels and without some of the room issues some ported speakers can bring.

I have a pair of Fyne Audio F501 floorstanders as front speakers in my AV system. Circumstances mean one speaker has to go up against the wall and the other wedged into a corner. Hardly ideal but the down firing ports on the Fynes do a great job at minimising any bass bloom or mushiness. I am surprised more manufacturers don't use downward firing ports. It really does help with positioning flexibility.

Good stuff. Had been curious about the Elites after thoroughly enjoying the Petites. Interesting they're not all that dynamic. Super informative review 👍

Audio Note speakers are designed to work up against the wall, or even better in corners. I’ve used a pair of AZ3’s in a small listening room for years and love them. Another advantage of their design is they are very easy to drive and work perfectly with any amplifier, including the low power ones that I use. Not that well known but highly recommended.

Thanks for another well thought out review. You have a knack for expressing your thoughts and impressions in an interesting way. My own thoughts on Hifi... I realise after 40 yrs of buying Hifi equipment that there's always a compromise. I listen to music in a lounge with the usual furniture and fittings and for daytime listening I leave my Kef Q5 speakers against walls in the bay window, pointing straight. They play music really well like that , but when I'm really listening I bring them out one metre and add my REL subwoofer. Obviously the bass improves - tightly controlled with a lovely tone - and the sound stage opens up and the mid range (vocals & acoustic guitars especially) sounds sweeter. Giving the speakers this space gives the impression that they breathe easier 🎶🎧

Excellent review as always. Regarding the placement i own a pair of neat iotas which has surprisingly good bass for its size which only works when placed not more than 20-30cms from the rear wall. U can place it wide enough and sit outside the triangle and it just fills the room with music. You place it like u do for a large bookshelf, there will be no room gain and puny base. The inevitable part is the room no matter what equipment u have.

What a great looking speaker. It looks good in your classy listening room.

Thanks, Tarun. Very interesting. I wish I could try all these speakers in my room. Sigh. As you may remember, I have my stand mount speakers sitting on a solid work bench mounted to the wall and it limits my height and depth from the wall etc. So far I have done well mounting my Proac 1SC/FE speakers and Dynaudio Special 40s on Isoacoustic isolation pucks. and putting a sound absorbent panel behind each. From the front of my speakers to the wall is a maximum of 24 inches however the seem to well with all these limitations. I hear no port noise and have not had to resort to the foam plugs that came with the speakers. I've also experimented with turning the speakers tweeter down with good results. Life is a compromise.

Thank you, Tarun. Your reviews are always informative and entertaining. And as always, you provide comparisons. And tell us what partnering equipment you used. I appreciate your thoroughness. Ah speaker set up. So many little things that all add up besides the obvious distance from walls and toe in. Height, leveling the speakers, matching height and lack of large objects between the speakers are all things I find to be critical. Then there's the room. Is there enough distance behind the listening position. What are the walls made of. Are the dimensions such that low frequencies don't create response aberrations. Sorry to get so long winded.

After flirtations with seemingly countless loudspeakers over the years ,my appreciation for Neat Acoustics products only grows.I always find them to be superior communicators with excellent timing & rhythmic properties. My introduction to the brand began with the original Elites w/ outboard crossovers and currently use their Ultimatum standmounts in my primary system. Of all the various brands,models,designs & configurations of speakers that I've owned,those original Elites are one of only 2 or 3 that I miss.They were sold to a friend so I have visitation rights and its been stipulated that I can buy them back should he ever decide to part with them.

Another great video, thanks for taking the time to put them together and share your findings with us. For the last couple of years I have been enjoying my ATC 7's in my small listening room, but to get the best out of them they have to be at least 45cm from the rear wall and a good 20cm from the side walls which is encroaching on the overall room space, how close can these Neat Elite Classic speakers get to the wall, could they be closer than my ATC's and give me a bit of my room back?

Heard these at the Bristol HiFi show 2024 and was very impressed with them, one of the standout speakers for me at the show.

For a smaller room and close to wall placement,the Guru q10 were a relevation for me. If you have an opportunity check them out. Also,this is the first spraker that i have toed in soo much that i can just see the outside of the speakers,as recomended by the manual,and it works great,probably due to less reflections from the side wall,so there’s a tip you guys can try

My setup is in a great room, so it is a challenge to get it right. Shelving and open space keeps reflection away and the front wall is a double thick and adsorbs the low bass kick back. A 7.2.4 has it's own challenges but the additional sound output helps round it out with lower volume needed.

Hi Tarun, Great video!!! I wish you could send some of the UK weather here... been 38C+ for weeks on end. A high pressure system that isn't moving. 3500 pounds is a boatload of money... These are stunning speakers though, and your review is awesome and detailed as usual. I am going to keep my Wharfedale Lintons for a while longer though. I just bought a new preamp... the budget is a bit tight right now! 😊

Been after a a compact floorstander for a while now to go with my all densen set up Ended up auditioning these at doug bradys, connected to my gear .I fancied the proac dt8 and they were amazing but I choice the neats . Beautiful controlled sound and tamed the harse forwardness of the densens

Top review as always Tarun. Ive been looking forward to this one and they seem to tick a lot of boxes for me - they work well in a small room, sound good at lower volume and should pair well with my naim pre/power (which might add a little transient snap). You mentioned isolation feet in the video, can i ask which ones you use?

I don't have any set up advice, but I do want to say it is about the music. Find some good equipment and stop shuffling through all the gear...that's my goal.

Thanks for the review, I own a pair Neat Xplorer which I love but the form factor plays also a big role here 😊 so have these drivers a stamped metal frame which is a little poor for this kind of money..

Another top review thanks

Thank you again Tarun. Speaker setup, I assume like a lot of people, stands - blu tack, speakers.

Setup tips. I’ve found that getting even bass performance has more to do with where you sit than speaker placement I.e. it’s dictated by the room.

Great review, Tarun! Very interesting speakers. There will allways be a market for speakers that can be placed near to a front wall. Did you find that the bass gets «tubby» at any point? Would be interesting to hear them placed at the long wall; giving the speakers more room at the sides. What do you think?

I would think that the majority of us who aspire to owning a nice speakers only have the option of a small to average space with placements close to the rear wall. We'd all like to pull them away for that 3D soundstage but we have to struggle with reality. Thanks for acknowledging the limitations some of us are dealing with. Much appreciated.

Another great review, thanks :) Can you please give more information about the speaker cables used in the review?

I would question the amplifiers being used re the bass remarks. In my experience the attack and speed of bass is astounding with appropriate amplification… also I’m a Neat Elite SE owner which I think was a more balanced speaker with the emit R tweeter

Thanks for your review I dont think we have this brand in USA. Set apart , please give me your recommendation for a speaker brand that have better tonality . Because is difficult to have all in one speaker Tone soundstage placement of instruments layering focus keeping the tonality even though you are not in axis with the speakers. Im using a vintage sansui as an amp and nad cd player Thanks

I've owned the Elite SX's for 14 years now, paired with Naim Supernait 2 and HiCap2. Much of my listening is symphonic classical, but with a fair spattering of rock and jazz. I just love them, but I'm wondering if I should audition the Classics or if it's just upgradeitis! Great review, thanks.

Love this show.

Interesting review. I’m looking for speakers with this form factor. Don’t think these are the ones though. No show without good dynamics and transient response.

Hi, I have an unrelated question.. I've watched your video's every now and then and noticed your audio system is in the corner of the room.. any particular reason for that? Isn't that where bass accumulates in the room?

Hi Tarun, thanks for this review. I have a question here: You say the base on these speakers is not among the most dynamic you have encountered. On the other hand AMTs are known to be dynamic. Also, these speakers have managed to get a highly recommended on your channel, which means they have to be well above average. How much do you conciser the dynamic matching between drivers in the same speaker to be a critical quality factor? In answer to your question, becasue of the shape and layout of my room, my speakers are roughly set up as an equal triangle and they are toed-in at least 30º. It gives fairly satisfactory results. The sound image is good in width but does not and does not need to go beyond the speakers. It is remarkably good in height, but below par in depth (with sound going behind the speakers but hardly in front of them) which is in my opinion due to the set-up.

Hi Tarun, i really am always intigued by your reviews, and really like your youtube content. I wonder what you think of Spendor speakers. Maybe you have reviewed them in the past and I have missed that. I have recently added Spendor A7 as a replacemant for Roksan TR-5 S2 with Caspian mk 2 intregated amplifier with Simaudio Moon Mind 2 Streamer through a Chord Qutest and it sounds Orgasmic... I loved to now your thoughts around that. I am in my my 60's and know that that hearing can become a liitle comprimised at my age. All the Best, Michael, Ireland.

Last year I demoed the SX2 and for their tiny dimensions they were pretty impressive. However, they did lack a little richness in the lower midrange. For those who crave compact floorstanders they could be an ideal solution. I didn't buy them as the price hike made them impractical for me. And I didn't like the laid back shape of the cabinets and they lacked the X factor the Dalis have. With the right amplification, however, something like a Arcam SA30 or older A39 they could be ideal. They sound like the Elites in a smaller cabinet

I’ve recently purchased the Mission 770 speakers. Recommendations for a good match amplifier greatly appreciated, thank you.

Danke!

Thanks again for a thorough and honest review! I have B&W 804 D3s in a listening space of 15 x 12 feet, with 7 foot ceilings. There is a lot of discussion around some speakers being easy to position and others having to be placed EXACTLY right for the best audio experience. These speakers are in the latter category. It took me a long time and many hours of listening and changing, partly because of speaker burn-in changes, and partly because of adding a subwoofer, but I am now settled in. I have the speakers in an equilateral triangle of 92 inches, 51.5 inches from the front wall, and 29 inches from the side wall (using the front centre of the tweeter for measuring). The toe is only slightly in - maybe a 1/2 inch off straight. Any deviation of this in my space, and I lose various amounts of sound stage, bass or imaging, depending on the recording. All that was worth it - I think the audio is astounding. The only drawback is that they are very revealing and accurate, making some recordings hard to listen to because of poor quality recordings. The one thing that keeps coming up in reviews of standmount speakers is their incredible imaging and soundstage, it seems bettering many floor standers. I have wondered for some time, with the use of my sub, if there is a stand mount that would better my speakers in the other aspects and would they be an actual upgrade? Time will tell.

Hi Tarun. New Subscriber. I'm new to HiFi separates. Saving for a system that could take me away from my little Yamaha Active NX-N500. Would love for you to review the Monitor Audio Silver 300 & 500 floorstander. And how will I find the perfect amp for a Monitor Audio ? I have been looking at Audiolabs 7000a play, NAD C368, C389, C399. Are there any good Marantz that could drive Monitor Audio Silver 500 ? I need streaming services, my Yamaha has MusicCast, maybe Yamaha R-N1000 review would be nice. I've heard Cambridge Audio have a good matching signature for the Monitor Audios as well as maybe Yamaha ? I've never put a separates system together before so how would I know if I need a prem amp or a power amp ?

Maybe a good pairing would be with the Naim 5si you reviewed. It seems Naim and Neat are paired often.

Neat - along with Cyrus, Heed and some other British brands - seems to stick to the UK market. I'm sure there are dealers elsewhere, but its a long way from KEF, Wharfedale or Chord. Thanks for the review.

Brilliant review Tarun , I have a question how to tone down a sharp vocal and make it full bodied and pleasant

Also it took me 2 years to realise after spending nearly £800 on cheap Dacs that I like the analogue output of my CD player’s burrbrown chip , lol 😂 if you remembered you told me straightaway 2 years back 😊

Is Tarun becoming a floorstander convert!!? ;)

Hello, does the Neat play well in a 4x4m room? Also louder for nice hard and prog rock?

Curious about the Mystique Classic.

WICH IS BEST SPEAKERS FOR LOW VOLUME IN SMALL ROOMS?

Hi Tarun. How to navigate to your patreon page?

Tarun please save me. Neat Petite Classic or Buchardt S400 MK2? I have a very similar sized room to yours.

I like downfiring ports because it gives you better options where you can place the woofer I find and you get a better sound stage I feel it makes the sound disperse equally. I designed a front firing port and downfiring for myself and depending on what I want to use the speakers for I like the sound downfiring produces . They are nice cabinets. I notice that the British usually like smaller speakers. Is that because most of the rooms are smaller?

How would Rotel RA1572 MKII pair with this?

Ok, from an engineering point of view it’s simple to see why the Pettit are groundbreaking when they were produced. Just look at the build materials AND what was probably available at the time.

Are these like spendors or Harbeth?

Why does this room sound more echoing than usual? New Mic placement I would guess. Perhaps you should grab a of GIAI 2s and 3s for best bass.

Now if we can just get Kef to remake the 104/2 As for the Neat I think the Fyne F302 competes to close to it and beats it to death on price.

Any thoughts on this speaker compared to the Proac DT8 - almost same size and price…

Neat speakers match well with naim amps

My hifi has to fight for it’s right to be in our family lounge. So, set up is always a compromise between optimal audio reproduction and wife pleasing aesthetics. Prior to setting up home with the current wife, my listening environment has always been space restricted. So I’ve always opted for sealed, box speakers placed very close to, or against the wall. My current listening environment is open plan. A 17 by 19 feet lounge opening into a 14 by 10 feet kitchen with 8.5 feet ceilings. I now employ a substantial pair of ported floor standers placed 30ish inches from the wall behind them, with a very slight toe in and the ports plugged with the provided bungs. I find this results in tighter, cleaner, punchier bass. My speakers are 9.5 feet apart. My listening position is 30ish inches from the wall behind me. So I sit around 11 to 12 feet from my speakers. I find that moving the speakers a few inches forward or back has very little benefit. However moving the listening position 6ish inches forward is hugely rewarding. Leading to a much more immersive experience. I can only move my listening chair forward when the wife is away, otherwise her idea of pleasing aesthetics is compromised. Fortunately, we have children now with families of their own living some distance away. So whilst my work ties me to my home, she regularly spends extended periods with them. Immediately her car disappears down the road, i demote her large coffee table from the lounge to the spare bedroom and pull my listening chair forward! Enjoy the music.

I also prefer my classic 1987 Celestion SL6si bookshelves over my new Linton's. Anyone want to make Linton offer on stands....lol

I'm digging the beard. Just saying... 👍

They look a bit proac nice speakers

There’s only one speaker …Quad ESL63s

hi sir, my beards work best at 9 inches from the wall, epic sound stage m.

Your hair move down?

Even my Sony Srsx99 with super tweeters blows farts on speaker costing £thousands It even blows your Proac response Dynaudio Ive tested tgese cant mstch tgr super transparency off Sony I can hear hidden instrument pinpoint and the singers hissing saliva intake breathing, but you can't on these even Focal B@w monitor audio many others have failed too dig super fine micro detail

Garbage single bass driverd Needs 3 bass woofers with 3inch thick suspension with long throw 4inch thick magnets Needs too be deeeeeep cabinets like PMC Speakers Not even triwirable with 3x mono amplifer