[robertc88]

Bought these speakers at Best Buy over the weekend as there has been a good amount of chatter about them on the audioasylum.com speakers forum. The model number is NS-B2111.


I have played various types of music on these speakers with budget equipment ($100 Sony SACD/DVD player and a $200 Sony AVR 100 WPC). Very impressed so far!


Hop on over to the audioasylum and read the impressions by folks who have bought them. Especially good for a system in an office, bedroom, den, etc. I have far better equipment in my main system but these will do quite nicely in my bedroom system.

 

[Rabbit97]



Quote:
Originally Posted by robertc88 /forum/post/0


Bought these speakers at Best Buy over the weekend as there has been a good amount of chatter about them on the audioasylum.com speakers forum. The model number is NS-B2111.


I have played various types of music on these speakers with budget equipment ($100 Sony SACD/DVD player and a $200 Sony AVR 100 WPC). Very impressed so far!


Hop on over to the audioasylum and read the impressions by folks who have bought them. Especially good for a system in an office, bedroom, den, etc. I have far better equipment in my main system but these will do quite nicely in my bedroom system.

I like shopping budget speakers myself, so enjoy seeing posts about budget solutions.


From some posts I read, these are not shielded, so right there, thats a weakness for myself. It takes out the possibilty of fronts for SS setup.


If they go on sale, I may pick up a pair for kicks and listen to them in stereo channel in the bedroom. No matter how cheap they are currently, I need them cheaper.

 

[edster922]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Rabbit97 /forum/post/0


From some posts I read, these are not shielded, so right there, thats a weakness for myself. It takes out the possibilty of fronts for SS setup.

Not sure just how much of a factor the lack of shielding really is...most folks don't put their front L/R speakers smack next to their TV unless you have some mammoth 62" projection TV. If your speakers are at least 1-2 feet away from the sides of your TV it should be fine.

 

[bitpoh]

Was wondering when the Insignia speakers will show up over here. Finally. . .

 

[prerunnerv6]

partsexpress, audiokarma, audioasylum, diyaudio....all have threads about these speakers. Nice bang for the buck. GR Research has already marketed crossover upgrade kit for them.


The tweeter can sound a little harsh at first, IMHO. Mine smoothed out a little after 4 days of 8-10 hrs per day of play. Some tell me that they will smooth out even more at about 8 days.

 

[wje]

I've had my pair for over a week. I'm going to break them in a bit further, through. Seriously, not a bad speaker for the money.


About the only negative thing I'll say is that I prefer the sound of my X-LS speakers a bit more.


Also, as mentioned above, there is a kit of reviesed crossover components and sound material inserts for the speakers, which runs about $95 from GR Research. For $150 total, they could make some very impressive speakers.

 

[prerunnerv6]



Quote:
Originally Posted by wje /forum/post/0


Seriously, not a bad speaker for the money. About the only negative thing I'll say is that I prefer the sound of my X-LS speakers a bit more.

Nothing wrong with that. But aren't those X-LS speakers like $150-$200? If so, that's 3-4 times more expensive. For some people to even mention these cheap Insignia's in the same sentence with some of these higher grade speakers is impressive...IMHO.


I have some 3-way Acoustic Research speakers that I prefer and I know they were multiple times more expensive. (Well, at least for the original owner. I got them used for $20.

) Nevertheless, I can still find joy in listening to these Insignia's. They are going into day 7 of their intense break in. I think I'll need to cut the upper treble a little if I plan on listening to higher volume. But for low to moderate volume, they sound fine to me. I doubt I'll be investing another $95 into upgrades. Not when I have so many other speakers already.

 

[Rabbit97]

I have the day off and was close to a BB today, so of course I picked these up for $50. They do sound good. I was suprised by sleek design as well.


The only problem is my %@^%$ wall brackets are not deep enough to hold this speaker and I have a long and sturdy mounting bracket.


I don`t know an audiophile technical term from a hole in the ground. Bright, neutral, muddy, forward etc. In my own language, I hear each instrument, even change in vocal tone, distinctly, with this speaker. I can`t compare it too anything too expensive cause I`m cheap, but, it sure sounds like its worth more than $50. Where have I heard that before? Of course, from every manufacturer in the speaker world. LOL

 

[PULLIAMM]

Since I have speakers I like, I doubt I will drop $50 on these. Still, I am always impressed by speakers that "punch above their weight".

 

[Rabbit97]

Thanks for posting these speakers here. I spend too much time on this site as it is, and don`t go to other sites so much. I would never have even heard of these. After listening to them most of the day, these are incredible speakers. Just finished listening to a Nora Jones Cd after listening to some classical music, and I am really impressed.


I was looking for some quality speakers for the bedroom, and now I am content.

They sound great and are I am not getting any listening fatigue whatsoever. Thumbs up!

 

[edster922]

Anyone have any idea how these compare to Polk R15s and the Polk Monitor 30s? I would expect them to beat out the R15s...

 

[bitpoh]

No competition IMHO. The R15s practically have no bass, whereas the Insignia's are quite punchy. Like Rabbit97, I also don't exactly know how to describe the Insignia's in audiophile terms, but they sound "exciting and lively" to me.


Personal opinion, for sake of comparison between the two in a totally unscientific manner

:

Insignia's are worth more than $50/pr

R15s are worth NO more than $40/pr

 

[edster922]

Hmm, I wonder how the rest of Insignia's products are, this one in particular:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1130981752759

 

[bitpoh]

Some related threads:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...0&pagenumber=1
http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/spe...es/227420.html
http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/spe...es/227064.html
http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/spe...es/226807.html
http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/spe...es/226776.html
http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/spe...es/226639.html
http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/spe...es/226415.html
http://www.madisound.com/cgi-bin/dis...gi?read=381452
http://av123forum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14232

 

[Tex-amp]



Quote:
Originally Posted by edster922 /forum/post/0


Hmm, I wonder how the rest of Insignia's products are, this one in particular:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1130981752759

I think it all depends on whose products are being rebadged under the BB house brand.


I bought a pair of the speakers, a used Panny digital receiver, and an open box Toshiba 3990 DVDP for a bedroom system under $175.


The Insignia cabinet has a good bit of resonance. I agree the tweeters need some time to "come alive." I can't see the $100 tweak kit for them but I can definately see finding some Durham's Rock Hard water putty for them and maybe some Sonic Barrier from partsexpress and deadening that cabinet.

 

[robertc88]

The Insignia speakers are now on sale at Best Buy. I'm going back to the store to get the better price. If one feels these speakers are highway robbery at $50, then grand larceny now!

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1138085354138


I'm not sue if the price for these speakers on the website is if only one orders them online. I plan to get the better price regardless but I really don't want to have to return the pair I have as I have a decent amount of time on them now. Yep, I'm impressed even more now! I really wasn't planning to try them in my main system but eventually I probably will do so.


Enjoy!!

 

[Rabbit97]

Let us know if you were able to pricematch online. I just bought these and will pricematch as well, plus buy another pair since they are so cheap. Too bad shipping is so much online.


Updated: Nevermind. I see you can do an instore pickup, no shipping charges. Pretty sweet.

 

[Buckeyefan]

The Insignia speakers look identical to the Europa's without the bullet tweeter on top. Someone mentioned at Audio Asylum that Radiient makes these for the BB Insignia brand name.

http://www.radiient.com/s.nl/it.A/id...=2&category=32

 

[wormraper]

hot dang!!!! I was going to grab some Polk M10's as my rears but it looks like I may have to snag these instead !!!!! glad to see some speakers that are MORE bang for your buck

 

[Buckeyefan]

Here's an Audioholics review of a surround set of Radiient speakers:

http://www.audioholics.com/productre...entElarap1.php


Here's one from Ecoustics on the bookshelves with some good photos:

http://www.ecoustics.com/secrets/vol...rs-5-2006.html