The Best 50 Dollar A Pair Speakers Ever ??
- Thread starter ka7niq
- Start date
Contemporary HT installation would have them on axis, one aimed into each ear.
Better would be a pair on each side mounted and connected as dipoles in a small space, bipole in a larger one, no?
I certainly dispute the "Good reviews" characterization. Not by anyone who has looked at them in any detail, certainly.... :thumbsdn:
Better would be a pair on each side mounted and connected as dipoles in a small space, bipole in a larger one, no?
I certainly dispute the "Good reviews" characterization. Not by anyone who has looked at them in any detail, certainly.... :thumbsdn:
brad1138
Active Member
Have you not read this thread? 440+ posts most giving what I would call "good reviews" of the Insignia spk. A few examples:
*I bought a pair of these and I am totally blown away!
*I played them for some coworkers, and even spun a little vinyl (everyone thinks I'm crazy because I have a turntable in my office anyway) and three people said they were going to go buy a pair. For $50, or even $100, I give them two thumbs up.
*Well day 2 of listening to these Insignia gems has made me a believer.
*2 days here now, and after fiddling with speaker placement and some break in, they sound better, much better. The highs are smoothing out nicely, and they can take some serious juice.
*Even though the speakers have not been broken in yet, they sounded just great to my ears when I played a Chopin piano concerto. Very british, smooth not harsh, but great soundstage.
I am not sure how you could say they aren't getting "good reviews"
Brad
Most of it, and a bunch of others, here and elsewhere, all good fun, but also largely irrelevant to the question of whether they are actually any good or not, objectively.
For that, you look to the findings of those who have examined and compared them seriously, and they indicate that Insignias require significant upgrades before they can hold their own against others of this class....
Others of this class?? What class is that?? Come on, z, we all know these have an 800 hz bump, the crossover is shoddy, and the bass drops after about 60 hz.....
You are correct. These aren't audiophile grade, not by ANY stretch..
But dammit, they are fun! Reading this thread made me break mine back out, powered with a 20 watt Pioneer SX-580....and I remembered why I so often chose them for listening.
I guess the argument continues. I'm only of a mind that when a company makes a half-ass effort, we should praise it, encourage more products like this, in a disposable age.
I change speakers like I change my underwear in my computer room/office. That is I was until I bought a pair of these BB speakers. . .
I liked them so much that immediately I bought 8 more to completely redo my HT system. Big mistake. . . They didn't do so well in a larger room plus my Pioneer Elite VSX56TXi receiver just didn't have enough power to overcome 7 ineffecient speakers but in my 9x9 room sitting less than 2 feet from them they are damned hard to beat period. for nearfield listening at low to moderate levels in my room anyway I have heard none better unless I spend a hell of a lot more money.
Now I did reinforce the cabs, lined them with an asphaltic compound and stuffed them with some poly that my wife used for stuffing pillows. I noticed a bit smoother sound, better but I couldn't say how. More like different than better however both ways are pleasing to listen to. . . I do use a decent Kenwood 125wpc amp to drive these guys.
I took the 8 new ones back the next weekend and went back to my Klipsch KG-4.5 fronts and Pioneer CS-701A rears. . . I know. . . I know. . . But its what I have and with a Klipsch center also rated around 96dB this cobbled up system sounds great.
I've had better but I've had a lot worse too. . . I plan to use all Klipsch again if for no other reason than I love the energy from effecient speakers.
I liked them so much that immediately I bought 8 more to completely redo my HT system. Big mistake. . . They didn't do so well in a larger room plus my Pioneer Elite VSX56TXi receiver just didn't have enough power to overcome 7 ineffecient speakers but in my 9x9 room sitting less than 2 feet from them they are damned hard to beat period. for nearfield listening at low to moderate levels in my room anyway I have heard none better unless I spend a hell of a lot more money.
Now I did reinforce the cabs, lined them with an asphaltic compound and stuffed them with some poly that my wife used for stuffing pillows. I noticed a bit smoother sound, better but I couldn't say how. More like different than better however both ways are pleasing to listen to. . . I do use a decent Kenwood 125wpc amp to drive these guys.
I took the 8 new ones back the next weekend and went back to my Klipsch KG-4.5 fronts and Pioneer CS-701A rears. . . I know. . . I know. . . But its what I have and with a Klipsch center also rated around 96dB this cobbled up system sounds great.
I've had better but I've had a lot worse too. . . I plan to use all Klipsch again if for no other reason than I love the energy from effecient speakers.
markallen
Luddite Tendencies
What IS the role of objectivity in the realm of what SOUNDS good? Isn't this often largely a SUBJECTIVE consideration? As we are reminded almost constantly here on AK, if it sounds good to YOU, that's what matters.
No doubt there is a "hype" component at work here on the 'sigs, but the overwhelmingly positive reports by so many disparate users (particularly when considering the price/performance aspect) indicates that they compete well (at least subjectively) against anything in their own, and in many cases higher, price ranges. If someone wants to perform audio testing, that's a great thing and contributes to the knowledge base, but doesn't really address the main question: How does it sound to me? Or, how does it sound to me for the price paid?
In my case, I bought a pair (that I didn't need) the last time they sold for $40 (12/31/06). Haven't been out the box. But when I need them, I expect great things . . . I read it here on AK! The hype worked!
who you callin' disparate?
Gyusher, I have an Infinity center, DCM l/r, two rear center channel Infinity's, and some very nice pawnshop find Definitive dipoles for rear channels. A total sonic mess, but it's better than when I had ALL infinity. Can't explain why..
If it sounds good, pull a Steve Winwood, and roll with it!
Gyusher, I have an Infinity center, DCM l/r, two rear center channel Infinity's, and some very nice pawnshop find Definitive dipoles for rear channels. A total sonic mess, but it's better than when I had ALL infinity. Can't explain why..
If it sounds good, pull a Steve Winwood, and roll with it!
Irrespective of the price point, if the question is whether a speaker is "good" or not, that is a matter of ascertainable fact, not opinion, and contrary to oft-expressed opinion here, you can NOT trust your ears, which are more equalizers than measurement tools. What you or anyone else likes or thinks sounds good is subject to change without notice, perhaps as soon as the next time you or they listen.
Further, and also contrary to common opinion, when evaluated under controlled conditions, preferences among different users are remarkably uniform, and a specific set of performance characteristics is common to what comprises good-sounding speakers, independent of cost. Those characteristics clearly define the design parameters for how good speakers may be built. Do Insignias pass muster?
they might sound good for their size, but they sure are FUGLY.:thumbsdn:
... and thus no longer qualify for discussion in this "50 Dollar A Pair" thread....
:I trust my ears. . . Might not trust yours but I do trust mine.
I say this after over 40 years of listening to a hell of a lot of speakers. . .I am well aware of psycho-acoustics, besides how else would there be any market at all for some of the 2in full range jobs from some we know?
Some will tell you that our eyes do the same thing by filling in what we really can't or don't see. . .
Personally I think there is room for all of them. . .
Chris Brown
Super Member
You seem awfully determined to squelch any positive discussion about these speakers; why is that?
Common now, don’t patronize us. Most of us have had these for quite some time now and have a pretty darn good idea how they sound; it’s not as if we did some 5 minute audition in the Best Buy showroom in order to form our opinions. They are what they are and I think most of us are just appreciative of that. What is the point of trying to compare them against speakers of multiple times the price? You can’t simply ignore price as part of the equation simply because it’s convenient when in reality it’s likely the major reason most bought these speakers.
Most, taking their pair(s) home and installing them into any number of different rooms and audio systems, with mostly positive reviews, is not what I would characterize as “controlled conditions”. In fact, I’m not sure how it could get any more random. The insignia’s have flaws, but for an excellent price you get the coaxial drivers and that is the main selling point. Honestly, if the speakers were more balanced, say perhaps with a cabinet design that didn’t exhibit any of the insignia’s problems but at the expense of a cheaper driver than the current coaxial, would anyone even care about these? I doubt it.
I for one used to use my L150’s as mains in my HT but I didn’t like having to worry every time someone would play Xbox or watch a movie and get ambitious with the volume control. I like the Insignia’s because they are good enough that I felt they were worth the money, but they are cheap enough that I don’t feel the need to “baby” them against the kind of everyday abuse that they will see as part of the main HT system. They excel at what they do and their low price-point allowed me to focus more energy on other components of the system such as the center channel, the subwoofer, as well as installing tactile transducers under the sofa for extra theater effect. I’m not particularly worried about their deficiencies when watching movies as that is not really a critical listening activity, and I have a separate music system.
Let me put it this way:
There is nothing more apparent here on AK than that for any speaker one member considers to be audio nirvana there are other members who will just as assertively affirm it sucks.
So, does any of that discourse tell us anything about the speaker?
Nope, it tells us about the listeners, is what, which may or may not be of particular interest.
We must look elsewhere for information about the speaker.... :yes:
I have no desire or interest in squelching anything, rather merely bring alternative opinion to the discussion as counterpoint in the interest of balance; there are far better speakers than Insignias available for $50 and less, and Insignias no longer are, even.... :yes:
Still running L100Ts and L150s together, are you, or are they now in your separate music system?
How are Insignias used in your HT?
Chris Brown
Super Member
The system in my signature is my music system, Both pairs are hooked up to the amp and which pair I use or if I use both at the same time largely depends on my mood, the situation, or what I'm listening to. Though as the summer months approach I typically tend to give the amp (and the AC) a break and stick with one pair in most situations.
As mains and surrounds powered by my Pioneer VSX-D811S.
brad1138
Active Member
Example? (and please don't show some used spks on eBay)
Naw, too pricey. Worse:
Altec 14s for two cases of beer come immediately to mind:
http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=158941
Pair of JBL L46s for $25 just today:
http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=160259
The pair of JBL 2600 I snagged for $20 a couple of days ago, those are "Insignia Class."
A pair of Baby Advent IIs came through ZilchLab free recently, an AK favorite.
Along with a single JBL 4301 (needs refoam).
And a pair of JBL L96, also free (refoam completed).
Not to mention the free JBL L100t3s from C/L. Oh, NO, those also needed refoam. Another $26 for them, too. DAMN!
Minis? New JBL Control 1's go for $70 a pair (3 pair minimum) in the JBL Pro Tent Sale, same price as Insignias on sale right now:
http://www.jblproservice.com/pdf/Control Series/Control 1WH.pdf
More JBL L-46, MIB, under $25:
http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=159560
It's kinda what we do here on AK, find good stuff for cheap.
[You'll see....
]I've owned several pairs of L-46/s. They are great speakers as are the others you mention but. . .
In my mind a comparable speaker would be a 6in 2 way. Perhaps the L-20 or the like. NHT Super One kills the Insignia as does the Alpha AV. Not to take anything away from a plethera of 6in 2 ways on the market even kits from Madisound and others.
Paradigm's Titans come to mind as do the Studio 20s.
I can think of many many 6in 2 ways speakers that outperform these guys as well as many who can't touch them at any price.
The best thing about the BB speaker is price period. What you get for very little money are brand new speakers that are acceptable right out of the box and with minor tweaking are actually decent speakers. What makes them great again is the price. You can tweak'em till your ears fall off and the worst that can happen is you ruin them. Not a big loss.
This is a speaker you can find almost within walking distance from your home on any day of the week. Although not great it isn't so bad either. I've paid more for less.
In my mind what makes it great is the whole package. Price/availability/size/weight/performance/looks/ease of operation. . .
All for under a hundo. . . You, anyone, can own it and be using it in less than 30 minutes on any day of the week. If you don't like them use'em then take them back for your money back. This is disposable income, use'em and toss'em, no big loss.
In my mind a comparable speaker would be a 6in 2 way. Perhaps the L-20 or the like. NHT Super One kills the Insignia as does the Alpha AV. Not to take anything away from a plethera of 6in 2 ways on the market even kits from Madisound and others.
Paradigm's Titans come to mind as do the Studio 20s.
I can think of many many 6in 2 ways speakers that outperform these guys as well as many who can't touch them at any price.
The best thing about the BB speaker is price period. What you get for very little money are brand new speakers that are acceptable right out of the box and with minor tweaking are actually decent speakers. What makes them great again is the price. You can tweak'em till your ears fall off and the worst that can happen is you ruin them. Not a big loss.
This is a speaker you can find almost within walking distance from your home on any day of the week. Although not great it isn't so bad either. I've paid more for less.
In my mind what makes it great is the whole package. Price/availability/size/weight/performance/looks/ease of operation. . .
All for under a hundo. . . You, anyone, can own it and be using it in less than 30 minutes on any day of the week. If you don't like them use'em then take them back for your money back. This is disposable income, use'em and toss'em, no big loss.