from Neat Acoustics to bring you an exciting competition with a chance to win a pair of Momentum SX3i loudspeakers worth £2,635.

In our most recent Neat Acoustics review in Issue 165, HiFi+ editor Alan Sircom wrote of the Ultimatum XL6 loudspeaker, “Neat Acoustic’s Ultimatum range is a threestrong expression of Bob Surgeoner’s distinctive take on loudspeaker design. It comprises a stand-mount Ultimatum XLS, the flagship XL10 tower, and this, the XL6 floorstander.”

He went on to say “I’m concerned that this speaker got under my skin so much that I cannot be objective about it… the loudspeaker is one of the best I’ve heard going into realworld rooms owned by people who don’t have a six-figure disposable income and a listening room that could hold a medium-sized orchestra.

It’s a tidy, open, airy, and most of all musicallyentertaining sound, and one that is possessed of incredible levels of bass for a loudspeaker of its size. It feels like you have found the magic spell that lets you squeeze a quart into a pint pot in such real-world European rooms.”

Competition Question

How many loudspeakers are there in Neat Acoustic’s Ultimatum range?

1. 3

2. 5

3. 7

To answer, please visit Neat Acoustics’ dedicated competition page at neatacoustics.com/hifipluscompetition1819/.

Alternatively, send your answer on a postcard (including your name, address, and contact details) to Momentum SX3i Competition, Neast Acoustics, 29B Harmire Enterprise Park, Barnard Castle, Co. Durham, DL12 8XT, United Kingdom

Competition Rules

The competition will run from December 6th 2018 until January 31st 2019. The competition is open to everyone, but multiple, automated or bulk entries will be disqualified. The winner will be chosen at random from all valid entries, will be contacted via email (where possible) and their name will be published in the magazine. The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Absolute Multimedia (UK) Ltd. is compliant with the Data Protection Act and UK laws apply. Our policy is such that we will not pass on your details to any third party without your prior consent.

i am sure a few people have owned these speakers on this forum. I just wanted to get your opinion on these speakers as i seem to be having a love/hate relationship with them. I have played around with various positions in the room from against the wall (sound too compressed), to 1M from the back wall (too thin!), 25cm from back and 40cm from side wall seems to be OK but without small foam bungs the bass can be overwhelming at volume. I would value your experiences/opinions of these speakers and maybe what speakers you went onto after the Neats.

• 2

I think I know what you're going through here. Positioning-wise, mine were an absolute bitch to get right....I was literally tweaking on a centimetre by centimetre basis, but I was well rewarded in the end. Admittedly, they're not everyone's cup of tea, but I've yet to hear a pair of speakers sub-£2.5k that outdoes them.

I've had mine from new for almost 2 years now and they won't be going anywhere anytime soon.

• 3

What distances did you place them from the rear and side walls?

• 4

I'll measure it out for you when I get home later.

• 5

Okay.....

From back wall: 60 cm. From side wall: 110 cm. Seperation: 225 cm.

Good luck.....hope you can find the sweetest spot!

• 6

Currently listening to mine with Bob James and David Sanborn double vision playing and sounding superb &

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However it took a little while &

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Mine are EXACTLY 585 x 635 mm from back wall (with toe in ) and 840 mm from side walls and 2.5 metres apart The reason I say EXACTLY is that 5mm here and there makes a vast difference !! To simplify things I screwed 4 flat headed screws into the floor and "tuned" a granite plinth then stood speakers and stands on this Now you can gently slide into position until you find the sweet spot live with it for a few days and then tweek it. eventually I found the right spot in my system and my room Hope this helps get them right and they are keepers !! Regards Tony

• 7

Are the measurements to the back of the speaker?

• 8

Hi Yes back of the speaker&

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Interestingly different room and system and yet my sweet spot and that of Bertie are not too dissimilar Maybe use an average as your starting point and tweek from there Regards Tony

• 9

Thanks guy's I have tried 60cm off the back wall and 80cm from the side and they already sound more open and a lot less overbearing bass. More experimentation to follow.

• 10

Once you are happy with distance don't forget to experiment with toe in Start flat and toe in 5mm at a time I ended up with 50 mm but you might find a few mm less or more works for you Regards Tony

• 11

I had a pair of Neat Elite SX before and I could never find a spot where the bass sounded right. Ended up trading them for a pair of ATC. The sealed box fixed the problem.

• 12

Got a pair too. Positioned just inside a bay window with a large tv in the middle and set back a bit. Originally had them on epos es 11 stands. Massive deep bass. So much so I had to switch subwoofer off , or on to lowest crossover settings. Seemed to be putting out more bass than my floorstanders. Was sticking stuff in ports to try and reduce. All changed once I got the proper custom design stands. Same as yours ? I also placed them on a small pair of paving slabs. Lifted them a further 5 cm up or so. Bass issues all gone. Now sound amazingly good. I've found they just love to be paired with a Densen B330+. Magic. Never heard Soundgarden sound so brilliant ( Down on the Upside + Super Unknown). So good. Give some more expensive stuff a real run for the cash outlay.

• 13

They are excellent speakers but they do require good amplification to sound their best. They also benefit from bi-amping, so that might be an option to try.