I know all ya'll dying for some more Insignia madness...

[Jimmy C]

...well, it's not outta control here, just on A.A.

Let's say I have a weakness for a good speaker deal, whether it's an old pair of Boston or Snells at a garage sale, or maybe the much talked-about $50 Insignias. I didn't get the $35 pricing, but I'll survive.

Firstly, if you put these in a high-end shop and only looked at them (but don't listen) from the front, you wouldn't bat an eyelash if the salesman told you they were $1000. They are lute-shape, ala Sonus Faber. The wood is kinda cheezy, like my Dayton BR1s. C'mon... they are $50. I think (err... I KNOW) what people like is the piano black front facia. Couple that with a cool-looking carbon fiber woof, a palatable soft-dome tweeter, and binding posts that belie the price tag... yeah, definitely looks w-a-y more than a Grant.

I was exercising the new woofers with some "Flight of the Cosmic Hippo", and honestly the first mental sonic note was "uh, oh... hollowness". Well, what does one expect. Hell, I have heard a $2200/pr. of Spendors that gave me the same feeling. Actually, the S6 (not positive of that model #) felt like more of a driver/x-over-related problem, the Insigs have a cabinet that talks too much.

These speakers are a bit bigger than I was expecting. Bass isn't too deep - my Dayton BR1s go deeper. Maybe that'll change with some break-in.

That's the bad news, the good is these are very good for a fifty. They are better than computer speakers (although the Insignias don't go as deep as my sub/sat Klipsch PC speaks). The tweeter is not too aggressive, and fairly resolving. I'm listening to "Sublime" now, and it's not even driving me out of the room! :^) Balance is pretty good, they "make sense" of the aural picture. They are fairly open and "big" sounding. Soundscape is pretty large, if you're interested in such things. People balk at the importance of soundstaging, but speakers that don't do this all that well usually draw too much attention to themselves, IMO. That's why I feel it's at least somewhat important.

If anything dramatically changes, I'll letcha know. I'm sure you guys will be waiting with bated breath.

In the end, they are very good for the spent coin, just not anything to write home about.

I will positively have the best looking garage speakers in my condo complex...

[dean_martin]

Hey Jimmy C. I'm not going into hysterics over these but I did pick up a pair while they were on sale for $34.99 and I've found a use for them. I've been wanting to add vintage speakers to my vintage system (used w/headphones only, until now), but so far I've found nothing locally and I've been afraid to pull the eBay trigger.

I tried these in my main system first. They rocked with Massive Attack's Mezzanine. They filled my small room with bass energy. I'm generally a midrange nut. Clarity and presence on acoustic instruments and vocals are what I look for in addition to a smooth tweeter so that high notes on the sax, trumpet, etc. don't drive me nuts. Unfortunately, these didn't have that midrange quality I enjoy. Acoustic guitar and vocals on Neutral Milk Hotel's In the Aeroplane over the Sea sounded recessed and lifeless. I'm still undecided on the tweeter's performance. I think I've heard some anomalies, but nothing too irritating. However, I was impressed with the bass response. So, off to the vintage system they went.

These are great if you have tone controls and are not afraid to use them. (My main rig doesn't have tone controls.) With the Sansui AU-5900's midrange boosted 2 notches to +3, treble boosted to +1, bass at 0 and the loudness circuit engaged these handle drivin' rock guitar music (Dinosaur Jr.) easily - nice big sound. I'm enjoyin' them for what they are.

[Jimmy C]

Hey Jimmy C. I'm not going into hysterics over these but I did pick up a pair while they were on sale for $34.99 and I've found a use for them. I've been wanting to add vintage speakers to my vintage system (used w/headphones only, until now), but so far I've found nothing locally and I've been afraid to pull the eBay trigger.

I tried these in my main system first. They rocked with Massive Attack's Mezzanine. They filled my small room with bass energy. I'm generally a midrange nut. Clarity and presence on acoustic instruments and vocals are what I look for in addition to a smooth tweeter so that high notes on the sax, trumpet, etc. don't drive me nuts. Unfortunately, these didn't have that midrange quality I enjoy. Acoustic guitar and vocals on Neutral Milk Hotel's In the Aeroplane over the Sea sounded recessed and lifeless. I'm still undecided on the tweeter's performance. I think I've heard some anomalies, but nothing too irritating. However, I was impressed with the bass response. So, off to the vintage system they went.

These are great if you have tone controls and are not afraid to use them. (My main rig doesn't have tone controls.) With the Sansui AU-5900's midrange boosted 2 notches to +3, treble boosted to +1, bass at 0 and the loudness circuit engaged these handle drivin' rock guitar music (Dinosaur Jr.) easily - nice big sound. I'm enjoyin' them for what they are.

...I think the tweeter is better than the woofer - so far, anyway. I'm not impressed by the bass as of yet.

The mids... really? I haven't listened to any solo guitar yet, but I was thinking this is where they would excel. Who knows. Female vocals weren't bad, but again, a bit hollow.

You want a great vintage (semi-vintage, anyway) speaker? Grab a pair of series 1 (original) Boston Acoustics A100s... great 2-way, not sure if you have heard them. A friend of mine has a pair that I thought I was going to have to wrestle out of him. I said I would help him move this month, I offered him a c-note, etc. He said "I'll give 'em to ya". Cool. In a few weeks, I'll have those.

They are very good stock, tweakable, and parts readily available. Forget the 3-way Bostons from that era, as well as the later iterations (unless you find a nice pr. of A400s). Just an idea.

Sorry for rambling!

P.S. Happy almost B-Day

[dean_martin]

...I think the tweeter is better than the woofer - so far, anyway. I'm not impressed by the bass as of yet.

The mids... really? I haven't listened to any solo guitar yet, but I was thinking this is where they would excel. Who knows. Female vocals weren't bad, but again, a bit hollow.

You want a great vintage (semi-vintage, anyway) speaker? Grab a pair of series 1 (original) Boston Acoustics A100s... great 2-way, not sure if you have heard them. A friend of mine has a pair that I thought I was going to have to wrestle out of him. I said I would help him move this month, I offered him a c-note, etc. He said "I'll give 'em to ya". Cool. In a few weeks, I'll have those.

They are very good stock, tweakable, and parts readily available. Forget the 3-way Bostons from that era, as well as the later iterations (unless you find a nice pr. of A400s). Just an idea.

Sorry for rambling!

P.S. Happy almost B-Day

My reference is nothing too special. It's a monitor with an excellent midrange and smooth top end. It may even be rolled off on top, but it portrays "air" when it's in the recording. The bass response is extended for a monitor (with roll off), but it could be more defined. i guess the bottom line is that I'm not accustomed to deep bass in my music only system and haven't really missed it. So I thought the Insignia's bass was tight and even though my monitors go a little deeper, the Insignia's were tighter at their limits. My main music only system is set up in a small extra bedroom on the long wall and the listening position may be less than 6ft from the speaker plane in the middle of the room.

These were my initial impressions in my main system. They didn't stay in that system long enough to get an extended work out. I listenend to Mezzanine, Kind of Blue and In the Aeroplane... The latter two (which are 2 of my favorites) weren't engaging, but Mezzanine had that dance club feel.

As for the midrange, I really am convinced they are recessed. The acoustic jazz and acoustic pop/rock I listened to didn't have the presence I'm used to. In fact, when I read your post, I initially suspected that the midrange was to blame for the "hollow" sound you described. Oh well, I was able to compensate for what I thought were its short comings by using the tone controls on the old Sansui integrated. This combo sounds sweet. I think they have balls with rock but don't handle the delicate stuff as well.

I've tried to come up with conclusions on the tweeter. All I can say is it's doing its job which is good. I've heard more air before. My reference is a little smoother. But I can't put my finger on anything "wrong". I also agree with you on the soundstage - nice and big with well defined images.

And thanks for the heads up on the Bostons. I was considering the A60's or A70's for their convenient size. Are these the later iterations I should avoid? I haven't ruled out vintage (or semi-vintage) just because I got the Insignias. The Sansui has A & B speaker connections!

B-Day wishes! I'm blushing.

[Jimmy C]

And thanks for the heads up on the Bostons. I was considering the A60's or A70's for their convenient size. Are these the later iterations I should avoid? I haven't ruled out vintage (or semi-vintage) just because I got the Insignias. The Sansui has A & B speaker connections!

B-Day wishes! I'm blushing.[/QUOTE]

...all second or third series Bostons of that era. Bear in mind Boston made the A40, 60, 70, 100, 120, 150, 200, and 400s. I think I got them all.

I had a pair of A70s (very good) and recently, a pr. of 150s... not good at all. People at "Vintage" in the Audio Asylum have told me the originals were better, as well as the 2-ways of that era being better in general than the 3s. I believe 'em!

A few things to avoid, at least with the lower (but better!) models...

If the tweeters are off-center, NOT good. That indicates a later model.

If the tweeter has a slotted faceplate, again, NOT good. Should be plain and flat.

Not sure if these are hard and fast rules, but your first defense.

These were designed to be put near a corner, and work best that way. You can still drag them out a bit, but tonality suffers a bit. Not to mention bass and dynamics won't be as good (natch).

Bet you'll like 'em.

Talk about an Insignia beater...

[topspeed]

I will positively have the best looking garage speakers in my condo complex...

Hehe...that's exactly what I was thinkin'!

I've got some old Sony monitors where I was planning on replacing the rotted out drivers with something from pe. These are going in my garage, so it's not like I'm trying to build anything special. If they ever put the Insignia's on sale again for the price Dino got 'em, I'd probably just go that way. Heck, it'd be cheaper!

[drseid]

...well, it's not outta control here, just on A.A.

Let's say I have a weakness for a good speaker deal, whether it's an old pair of Boston or Snells at a garage sale, or maybe the much talked-about $50 Insignias.

Thanks for bringing it over *here*... ;-)

Seriously though, all of that Insignia talk over at AA was giving me a headache. I may have to give in and listen to a pair just to see what all the hype is about.

---Dave

[BillyB]

...well, it's not outta control here, just on A.A.

Let's say I have a weakness for a good speaker deal, whether it's an old pair of Boston or Snells at a garage sale, or maybe the much talked-about $50 Insignias. I didn't get the $35 pricing, but I'll survive.

Firstly, if you put these in a high-end shop and only looked at them (but don't listen) from the front, you wouldn't bat an eyelash if the salesman told you they were $1000. They are lute-shape, ala Sonus Faber. The wood is kinda cheezy, like my Dayton BR1s. C'mon... they are $50. I think (err... I KNOW) what people like is the piano black front facia. Couple that with a cool-looking carbon fiber woof, a palatable soft-dome tweeter, and binding posts that belie the price tag... yeah, definitely looks w-a-y more than a Grant.

I was exercising the new woofers with some "Flight of the Cosmic Hippo", and honestly the first mental sonic note was "uh, oh... hollowness". Well, what does one expect. Hell, I have heard a $2200/pr. of Spendors that gave me the same feeling. Actually, the S6 (not positive of that model #) felt like more of a driver/x-over-related problem, the Insigs have a cabinet that talks too much.

These speakers are a bit bigger than I was expecting. Bass isn't too deep - my Dayton BR1s go deeper. Maybe that'll change with some break-in.

That's the bad news, the good is these are very good for a fifty. They are better than computer speakers (although the Insignias don't go as deep as my sub/sat Klipsch PC speaks). The tweeter is not too aggressive, and fairly resolving. I'm listening to "Sublime" now, and it's not even driving me out of the room! :^) Balance is pretty good, they "make sense" of the aural picture. They are fairly open and "big" sounding. Soundscape is pretty large, if you're interested in such things. People balk at the importance of soundstaging, but speakers that don't do this all that well usually draw too much attention to themselves, IMO. That's why I feel it's at least somewhat important.

If anything dramatically changes, I'll letcha know. I'm sure you guys will be waiting with bated breath.

In the end, they are very good for the spent coin, just not anything to write home about.

I will positively have the best looking garage speakers in my condo complex...

Just wondering if you could give me the speakers actual dimensions.I have heard they're big for bookshelf style and have found conflicting specs in regard to their size.I was at Best Buy today and there was no display model to look at.They're currently on sale for $45 and I probably should have just bought them knowing I can return them if I don't like them.I just couldn't believe the size of the box they came in and If I know their exact size I can figure out if they'll work for my application.

[Jimmy C]

Just wondering if you could give me the speakers actual dimensions.I have heard they're big for bookshelf style and have found conflicting specs in regard to their size.I was at Best Buy today and there was no display model to look at.They're currently on sale for $45 and I probably should have just bought them knowing I can return them if I don't like them.I just couldn't believe the size of the box they came in and If I know their exact size I can figure out if they'll work for my application.

They are a bit larger than I was expecting as well. They're 13x8x12, height, width, depth.

They taper toward the back, making them a bit less intrusive.

Good luck...

[BillyB]

They are a bit larger than I was expecting as well. They're 13x8x12, height, width, depth.

They taper toward the back, making them a bit less intrusive.

Good luck...

Thanks Jimmy.I did buy a pair after work today and they will fit where I was thinking of using them.I really don't have a great need for more speakers but I simply had to hear these things for myself and see what all the fuss is about.If they're good they will be used in my garage in my secondary system.I haven't hooked them up yet but I did take one out of the box and it's hard to believe they could even make a speaker this nice looking for $45(let alone sound good as many people are saying) and still make enough profit.I guess the volume Best Buy can sell helps make it possible and with their user-friendly return policy trying these speakers out even if just for kicks will be interesting.I'll post an opinion on sound quality soon and it will take into account the $45 price tag.They already get a thumbs up for visual appeal even though they are a bit large which makes moving them off the wall almost impossible if truly used in a bookshelf type application.Being front ported that may not be tragic.

[Jimmy C]

Thanks Jimmy.I did buy a pair after work today and they will fit where I was thinking of using them.I really don't have a great need for more speakers but I simply had to hear these things for myself and see what all the fuss is about.If they're good they will be used in my garage in my secondary system.I haven't hooked them up yet but I did take one out of the box and it's hard to believe they could even make a speaker this nice looking for $45(let alone sound good as many people are saying) and still make enough profit.I guess the volume Best Buy can sell helps make it possible and with their user-friendly return policy trying these speakers out even if just for kicks will be interesting.I'll post an opinion on sound quality soon and it will take into account the $45 price tag.They already get a thumbs up for visual appeal even though they are a bit large which makes moving them off the wall almost impossible if truly used in a bookshelf type application.Being front ported that may not be tragic.

...mine are going in the garage as well. I think people WANT these to sound really good due to the visual appeal.

Well, they aren't bad (for a fifty), just not that good :*)

[BillyB]

...mine are going in the garage as well. I think people WANT these to sound really good due to the visual appeal.

Well, they aren't bad (for a fifty), just not that good :*)

I hooked them up today to my secondary system and they're actually decent speakers. I have a cheap Sherwood 2 channel reciever and a $90 Sony carousel CD player in my garage and these speakers sound much better than I expected for $45.I'm not nearly as experienced as a lot of people here are but it seems that certain speaker designs just work better than others and these speakers fall into that category.I think you would have to spend at least $150 to get a pair of speakers that sound significantly better than these.I took the grills off almost immediately as they look sharp without them. Anyway I would definitely recommend them as the worst case scenario is returning them to Best Buy which is a lot easier than returning speakers to most Audio shops.I just ordered a Pair of Quad 22L floorstanders for my main system to replace a pair of B&W 703's that didn't work for me.The B&W's were way too bright for me and after a lot of speaker hunting I think I have made a good choice with the Quads as they have a much more neutral sound.This is a decision I'm sweating out a whole lot more than whether or not the Insignias sound good for $45.