First Impressions of New Speakers

[Early B.]

Just got the Norh 5.1's today. They are replacing the Polk Lsi7's on my 2-channel system (Bada tube CD player, Odyssey Stratos amp, Musical Fidelity A3cr pre-amp, and an Onix Rocket UFW-10 sub). I purchased these strictly for aesthetic reasons. My wife wanted to get them to match the decor in the living room.

First, let me say that these speakers are gorgeous. I got the ones made from wood, not marble. The wood has a very high polished shine to them. They have a very large port on the back of the drum-style speaker. If you look inside, you can see parts of the crossover and the back of the driver. It's much lighter in weight than I anticipated. They were very well packed and arrived in three days from Thailand (but took 7 weeks to make!).

How do they sound, you ask? Well, right out of the box they sound just as good as the Lsi7's. There are some subtle differences, of course. The Norhs produce a wider soundstage and are a slightly more laid back, although the bass is a bit on the weak side. These issues may be resolved during break-in. So far, I am very pleased, and my wife is happy.

Here's a pic of them I pulled off their website:

[audiobliss]

whoa!!! That's some serious lookin' speaker!!! lol What size woofer is that? What is it's freq. range supposed to be? Lookin' forward to hearing what you think.

[Frank Z]

That has got to be the ugliest speaker I've ever seen....no offense intended, but it looks like half a bongo. Hope they sound okay.

[VR3]

My thoughts are the -opposite- of Franks...

Very nice looking speaker, and that is an awesome finish!

Congrats! Can't wait to hear your thoughts as well!

[RuSsMaN]

They are fashioned after the Thai long drums, and sound OUTSTANDING.

Granted the look isn't for everyone, I do own a pair though.

Cheers,
Russ

[Zero]

Thats essentially what it is - half of a drum. A big headed bird told me Norh's are just wonderful speakers. I gotta hear your impressions on these!

Sean

[Frank Z]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so as long as he likes 'em that's all that really matters I guess.

[gatemplin]

A big headed bird told me Norh's are just wonderful speakers.

:D

Glad you like em so far Early. They are different for sure.

[Early B.]

You see, my wife wanted these speakers because the theme of our living room is tribal drums. We have pictures, real African and Bali drums, and drum-type decor in the room. So when she saw these speakers, she had to have them. They actually look very nice in the room. No, the look is certainly not for everyone, but they'll definitely be a conversation piece when we have friends over. That gives me plenty of opportunities to showcase the system and impress the hell out of 'em.

[Early B.]

What size woofer is that? What is it's freq. range supposed to be?

It has a 5 inch woofer and it starts to trail off at around 50 Hz, according to the Norh website.

[audiobliss]

Originally posted by RuSsMaN


Granted the look isn't for everyone, I do own a pair though.

Cheers,
Russ

Man, you own (at least) a pair of everything!! lol


Glad you like EarlyB.....sounds like they'd be pretty nice. Are you using them for music or HT? You got a sub with 'em, I hope?

[Early B.]

Are you using them for music or HT? You got a sub with 'em, I hope?

Two channel only. Yeah, I gotta have a sub for bookshelf speakers 'cause I like plenty of bass.

[Early B.]

Russ -- which pair of Norhs do you own?

[organ]

That looks awesome. I like the shiny fishish. What kind of tweeter do they use? I remember reading something about them using the same Vifa tweets as the LSi.

Maurice

[dorokusai]

I heard a pair down at Russman's, albeit a different model, and didn't really like them. That nearfield full range driver setup just isn't my bag right now.

They look very nice, and they probably sound alot different, have fun with them.

[shack]

The Norhs seem to get a lot of good press/reviews. I'm sure they are quality speakers that evidently sound pretty good....but I can't get past the look. They have always reminded me of the planetkiller from the Star Trek episode "The Doomsday Machine"....

http://digitalelvis.com/trek5/caps/tos/35_DDM/images/35ddm-32.jpg

[Joey_V]

My friend's uncle has those nohr speakers. Dont know which one but he has the one that are made of marble along with a marble subwoofer that he has augmented with an HSU 1220 sub.

Sounds very impressive, too! :D

[smglbrth]

Early, you are a wise man. You bought something that not only you like, but something that your wife likes just as much. We don't even need to discuss WAF! Everyone should get this kind of approval, who is married of course, life is so much easier!

They do look different, glad you like them!

[reeltrouble1]

OK if you say so, but if that is a Thai Long Drum what do their short drums look like.:confused:

Enjoy your new speakers.

[Early B.]

A more thorough review of the Norhs is coming soon...