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Yamaha NS-690's?

hatrack71

hatrack71

distracted by everything
Just wondering if anyone has any experience with these Yamaha speakers. I have heard incredible things about the NS-1000's and that is why I'm so intrigued by these NS-690's a friend of mine has which I can acquire. I have no idea of their performance or anything. Heck, I've never even heard a pair of NS-1000's. These will cost me money that's why I would like to hear some opinions form other members. Should I pursue these? I am an Altec/JBL/Klipsch lover so will I appreciate these at all? I also like HPM 100's if that helps. :scratch2:
 
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I'll make this easy for you -- Get Them. I've had various JBLs since 1977: L88 Nova, L36, L100, L200, L20t, and the NS-690 is a more accurate speaker than the ubiquitous and direct competitor JBL L100. I still have all the other JBLs, but sold the L100s.

The NS-690 has fantastic cabinet build quality (it's about the heaviest "bookshelf" speaker I know of), excellent drivers, a great dome midrange and tweeter (with high quality adjustable controls), superior crossover to the L100, and very realistic bass (sealed cabinet). The grill cloth is so-so.

I also preferred the NS-690 to my ADS L-810 -- the former had a more versatile (wider) soundstage -- and the adjustable controls clearly are an advantage (for me) when placing the speakers vs. the ADS. The 690s came in a couple of variants, so confirm the model number and version.

If we get into pricing this will likely have to be moved to D&S. I sold mine to a fellow AKer last year as I continue to reduce my audio footprint and also knowing they went to a good home -- the cabinets were a bit rough and there were no woofers when I bought them, so it was a mercy mission to bring them back.
 
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What is the difference as compared to NS-1000's as far as drivers used and overall sound. Do the NS-1000's walk all over these or is it pretty close. If the 1000's are way better I would rather wait till I run into a pair due to the fact I could build a house with all the sets of speakers I own. I have taken my addiction to a whole new level this year, probably due to me quitting drinking.
 
I've not heard NS-1000, but would certainly like to one day. Use the AK Google Search and you will find multiple threads on their supreme virtues. The tweeters and mids are beryllium-based = unobtainium. The NS-1000 are a "statement" piece of Yamaha audio equipment -- the big leagues.

See this link for an overview:

http://www.thevintageknob.org/YAMAHA/NS1000/NS1000.html#

Although I don't follow NS-690 or NS-1000 prices, I would make a somewhat educated guess that you will pay between 2 to 5 times the cost of the former to step up to the latter.

**Edit--Auction links belong in Dollars and Sense. -Moderator**
 
I've never heard the 1000s, but I have had a pair of 690s I bought in Japan in the late '70s. They are accurate speakers, and will let you know when you are listening to a recording that has issues. The 1000 with it's beryllium domes is in another league.
Lots of people here have or have had both, and they lean towards the 1000~
 
hatrack71 said:
What is the difference as compared to NS-1000's as far as drivers used and overall sound. Do the NS-1000's walk all over these or is it pretty close. If the 1000's are way better I would rather wait till I run into a pair due to the fact I could build a house with all the sets of speakers I own. I have taken my addiction to a whole new level this year, probably due to me quitting drinking.
Click to expand...

I own a pair of NS1000M's and a pair of NS670's the little bro/sis to the 690. The 670 has a smaller cabinet and utilizes a 10" woofer, but I believe the mids and tweets are the same or very similiar to the 690's.
Like the NS1000, the 670 is built like a tank and sound good, but IMO they're no comparison to the sound of the NS1000's. NS1000's are great speakers.
I say listen to the NS690, you may absolutely love their sound and sell off a bunch of your current speakers. Hopefully you can get a decent deal...friends right?
Keep you're eyes open for a pair of NS1000's and try to audition them. Some people really don't care for their sound (hard to believe). Make sure they're about a foot off the ground and against the back wall.
 
I have a pair of NS-690s attached to my CR-2040. I built stands for them that sits them about 16" off the floor. You could not get them from me and even Yamaha's own literature says they actually go a bit lower than the NS-1000s. They are simply great speakers. I also have their kid brothers, NS-670s hooked to a CR-1000, also great speakers.
 
**Edit--Auction links belong in Dollars and Sense. -Moderator**

I apologize for the outside link to a CL listing for a current NS-1000 ad in Speakers. I knew I was treading very close to the out-of-bounds line, and apparently stepped over it.
 
The 1000's are the oyster's ice cakes, but the ancillaries have to be equal to the task. Very analytical speakers and unforgiving of poor sources. The 690's(of which I had a pair) are superb in their own right. The mids and highs, while not strictly the equal of the beryllium domes of the 1000's, are still excellent, in fact much better than most other speakers. The bass response of the 690's is on par with the 1000's. My series 1 690's had the identical woofer, in fact.
 
merrylander said:
Must be why mine are excellent in the bass, they are Series Is.
Click to expand...
The Series I woofers have a sort of rubberized cloth surround. Much superior in my opinion, to the foam surrounds of the Series 2. If they need re-capping (and they probably will), you will find the caps on the back of the speaker wire input board. Four screws and it's out. Easy as pie.
 
My NS 690 (I) were acquired this summer.
I am listening to them now, great sound !:thmbsp:
If a pair of NS 1000 shows up, I would at least listen to them. :D
 
Well, I am going to give them a listen tomorrow and see what I think. From the sounds of it I definitely need to give these some serious consideration. I will report back.
 
First let me say, the NS-690s are 90% of the performance at 25% the cost of the NS-1000s. They are also much better looking in my opinion.

Next, As has been discussed before, the series I woofers are a completely different woofer from the series II and III.

The series I woofer's surrounds have a tendency to peel away from the basket. Also, the lack a copper shorting plug. The cones while having over same depth, have a completely different shape to them.

The II and III woofers are nearly identical to the NS-1000M woofers minus the grill and rubber surround instead of cloth. Some baskets on the 690 woofers are also missing the shorting plug.

Lastly, be sure not to drop them until you have sealed the edges of the woofer magnets with epoxy to the baskets.
 
You will love the 690s .....listen to them with a open mind and you may hear what many of us yamaha owners allready know hpm 100s not even close........
 
It's very hard to find any fault with sound the Yamaha NS-690 (MKII) puts out.:yes:
 
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Brief 690 spotter's guide:
Original has no badge below the L-pads.
MK 2 has badge below the L-pads, drivers lined up on left side of cabinet.
MK 3 has badge below the L-pads, and is mirror imaged in driver placement.
Japanese version of original and MK 2 might be yellow cabinet. I think all MK3 were dark cabinet.
Corrections are welcome~
 
ryuuoh said:
Brief 690 spotter's guide:
Original has no badge below the L-pads.
MK 2 has badge below the L-pads, drivers lined up on left side of cabinet.
MK 3 has badge below the L-pads, and is mirror imaged in driver placement.
Japanese version of original and MK 2 might be yellow cabinet. I think all MK3 were dark cabinet.
Corrections are welcome~
Click to expand...
ryuuoh,

Thanks for the guide!!!

I never realized that my speakers had no badge below the L-pads.
 
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