Very nice pair of Naim SBL in Black Ash. In good working order and sounding brilliant.
These came from a Naim enthusiast who had them from new and in a large surround system with another pair (I am hanging on to.) They genuinely sound great and have a unique sound signature that others online have done a much better job describing than I am able to, so if you are interested, track some down.
As for the challenges setting them up, they have sounded good any way I have had them up, but better when against the wall as recommended. The seals between the bass cabinet and the resonance chambers are in-tact and air-tight.
This pair is from 1993 based on the serial number, and as far as I can tell, this price is unbeatable.
Happy to audition.
The item being advertised is sold "as is", and no warranty should be assumed unless otherwise indicated and agreed between the Buyer and the Seller. Photos representing the item being advertised form part of the description unless otherwise specified.
### Typical Price Range by Condition
- Good to very good used condition: AUD $600–1,100. Examples include a recent Australian listing at AUD $600 (nice cabinets, all drivers functional but needing gasket fixes) and a US sale at ~AUD $1,650 (cherry finish, one-owner with manual and spikes, adjusted from USD $1,095 at ~1.5 AUD/USD).
- Excellent or restored used: Up to AUD $1,500–2,000 equivalent. Comparable international listings include €600 (~AUD $1,000), €900 (~AUD $1,500), and older sales around USD $1,000–1,700 (~AUD $1,500–2,550).
- New: Not available, as these are discontinued vintage speakers; no current production or new-stock listings found.
Prices vary significantly by condition, with no new units on the market—most transactions involve 30–40-year-old pairs requiring inspection.
### Key Factors Affecting Value
- Condition and maintenance needs: Gaskets degrade (requiring ~£140/AUD $220+ fixes), tweeters fail (replaceable), and cabinets may need resealing; well-maintained pairs fetch premiums, while "as-is" bargains risk underperformance.
- Variants and accessories: MK1 vs. MK2 drivers, finishes (e.g., cherry), spikes, manuals, or grilles (new grilles ~AUD $150) add value.
- Setup and system matching: Demands Naim amplification, precise placement (near walls, specific spacing), and stands; poor setups lead to buyer disappointment, depressing resale.
- Market and location: Australian listings are sparse and lower-priced vs. Europe/US; recent global sales (Dec 2025) cluster at €600–1,500 (~AUD $1,000–2,500), with variability from age-related risks.
- Demand: Polarizing among enthusiasts for imaging/musicality in Naim systems, but high maintenance deters casual buyers, keeping prices conservative for vintage hi-fi.
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