How do your Norman Labs model 8 sound?

[P. S.]

Hi,

I've had these speakers for some time and they always bothered me a bit with very emphasized highs and rolled off mids. It's not that they sound like crap - just highs are very "present", bass is "just right" while the midrange is a bit withdrawn.

I am asking myself the question if that's how these speakers sound or I should be looking at recapping cause crossover point might be off balance.

I never heard another model for comparison - that's why I am having hard time to make a judgement.

Question to Norman Lab owners - do your speakers sound similar?

Thanks,
-Peter

 

[echron]

The model 8's are a great speaker. I own three pairs of model 8's. The crossover seems to have just enough "overlap" to make them clear and happy on all of mine. I own 11 pairs of Norman's I prefer the two ways like the model 8's , 10's. I have three way models also like the 332 632 and model 83's. They All have that "Norman sound" to me but the older two ways are my favorites. What amp/reciever are you using?

 

[kirkendoll]

Hi,

just highs are very "present", bass is "just right" while the midrange is a bit withdrawn.


Thanks,
-Peter

Yep that is how mine were, a cap replacement might help but I don't know how much change it will do. I did like them better than my model 10s as they where muddy sounding but were also all original.

 

[echron]

I'd have to say adding the hereseys I got from Luke to my model 10's with the tremendous bass they put out is a magical combination with the kenwood 11g

 

[P. S.]

I have 3 receivers in my “rotation list” that I play with these speakers: MCS 3275 (75wpc), Sony TA-636 (60wpc) and Pioneer SX-440 (18wpc). Best results I had with the sony. With mcs i typically use builtin eq to lower the highs. Pioneer sounds good with anything I hook up to it

Music-wise I think rock and accoustic music sound best with these speakers. Jazz seems worst as it feels like drummer and hihats are right in front and rest of instruments far away. Jazz hihats ans snares sound SUPER crisp and detailed. “Hiss” kind of sound.

Now - question is if that hiss is a “signature sound” of Norman Labs... or just faulty caps.

I will likely recap and post my results here.

 

[P. S.]

@echron seem you own a lot of Norman speakers. Do you have experience recapping them? Any recommendations on capacitor brands and params?

Thanks,
-Peter

 

[echron]

@echron seem you own a lot of Norman speakers. Do you have experience recapping them? Any recommendations on capacitor brands and params?

Thanks,
-Peter

Well I've recapped my hereseys with sonic caps. But believe it or not all of mine are wearing original internals. Some have had woofers from the older models placed in newer cabinets. (Replaced plastic/foam with paper/rubber because I have a few extra and no worries on foam rot. They do tend to have quite the highs. But as my ears have issues with high frequency hearing. I enjoy them when dialed right because I can hear the highs again. Lol

 

[P. S.]

I spent some more time listening to model 8 speakers and ... finally found out that I actually positioned them in a bad way. I initially had them 1 feet from the wall. Yesterday I moved them to be 1 inch from the wall (yeah - they are supposed to be bookshelfs!). And suddenly - my midrange is back! Also - the highs are not so emphasized as they were before.
I would say dramatic improvement in sound!
Guess that obsoletes my idea of recapping - they sound amazing now ;-)

 

[rickb119]

Re-capping the Norman 8's is very easy, if I remember correctly. Only 2 caps. Had mine for a number of years and re-capped them shortly after acquiring them using Sonicaps. Not the cheapest, but they do sound very nice.