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REVIEW: NSM 10s Speakers

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Model: 10s
Category: Speakers
Suggested Retail Price: $1395
Description: Tiny 2-way acoustic suspension, first order
Manufacturer URL: NSM
Model Picture: View

Review by Firebird ( A ) on October 12, 2005 at 22:52:28
IP Address: 69.153.195.60
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for the 10s


NSM 10S

I was searching long and hard for over 6 months for a high quality audiophile mini-monitor for my bedroom system when I stumbled upon NSM Audio's website. NSM, although not sharing the same mass-market recognition like other brands, builds very high quality small bookshelf speakers. The NSM model 10s caught my eye with it's understated elegance and diminutive proportions. I've used and currently own larger speakers , but there's just something about tiny audiophile speakers like Proacs and older JM Lab's (Micron and Megan Carat) that are so sonically appealing and involving that you could very easily forgive their lack of bass impact or ability to play at lease breaking levels. The NSM 10s is such a speaker. To provide some level of contrast I'll be making some general comparisons with my Gallo Reference 3's and (now sold) Merlin TSM-M's.

First some specs:

Model: NSM 10s

Size: ~10"H X 5.5"W X 6.5"D

Weight: around 7-8lbs each

Response: 65hz - 20Khz

Finish: Walnut

Enclosure: Acoustic Supension

Design: Two way with 1 1/8" Morel MDT30 tweeter, 4.5" Seas woofer

Crossover: First Order

Sensitivity: 82.5 db/watt/meter

Price: $1395 per pair in walnut

So after talking to Erol at NSM (Their chief designer), I decided to purchase these unheard. Audiopile taboo? Well, he offers a 30 day return policy if you weren't completely satisfied with their performance. So the risk is minimized. Since the market for audiophile speakers in any given (even metropolitan areas) is so sparse, you limit yourself a great deal by requiring a listen before buying. I think you sometimes miss out on really great buys. Just do some adequate research so you don't end up with buyers remorse. Anyhow, on with the sound. As with most of my reviews, I will break it down by characteristic:

Soundstaging: The NSM 10s easily match the Gallo Reference 3's in terms of soundstage width with that 'carved out' sonic image that adds a sense of realism to the music. Their depth is also very good, however the Gallo's have cavernous depth and a slightly more enveloping sound. No doubt, this can be somewhat attributed to the wide dispersion CDT proprietary tweeter and baffleless nature of the Ref 3's. I also mention the Merlin TSM-M's above because their presentation from a soundstaging standpoint is very similar. Singers and instruments at the speaker plane or a bit behind it. This is not a forward speaker where vocals are in your lap, yet it still presents a sonically vivid picture that is every bit engaging. The soundstage 'just happens' in a realistic manner that truly belies their size. They are sonic giants in this regard.

Transparency: These babies disappear completely. Visually, but even more importantly, from a sonic standpoint. It is very hard to pinpoint sound coming from the drivers or enclosure. Even looking straight at one at 5 feet away, they seem so isolated from the music that flows up and around them. Now this is usually a virtue of micromonitors, yet the 10s eclipses even the class leaders in this regard. My previous reference were the Gallo's, which are absolutely no slouch in this area - yet the 10's seem just a tad more detached from the music. A magnificent feat to say the least given the reputation of the Ref 3's.

Treble Performance:

I was curious as to how the implementation of the Morel MDT-30 Tweeter since I had experience with the same driver in my previous speakers, the Merlin TSM-M's. Naturally, I wasn't too surprised when I experienced the same upper frequency performance as I did with the Merlin's. The treble is sweet and creates a lit-up quality that allows instruments like triangles to sound glorious. The NSM 10's differ in that there is virtually no vocal silibance. This aids in making close-miked recordings actually sound good. At the same token, it also removes that last iota of air. You wouldn't notice this, but in direct comparison with the Gallo's, it's clear that the Gallo's are a bit more pristine in this area. Guitar plucks also lose a bit of air as well, but then again - we're comparing these to $3000 speakers.

Midrange: The midrange is very, very good. Male vocals eclipse both the Merlins and the Gallos, yet female vocals lie somewhere between the two.

The Gallo's are absolutely beautiful with female vocals, while the Merlin's are excellent with both types. If you know the gallo's, their completely boxless sound does lend itself to a slightly recessed midrange, whereas the 10s presented it in a lively and more palpable manner. This is especially true at lower volume levels. Yet, when the volume is turned up, the Gallo's exhibit greater composure and control and the slightly recessed nature of the midrange completely opens up.

Bass:

It appears that the bass may be slightly accentuated at the 60-80hz range. This is subtle, but to trained ears you understand that this was the right design choice. I think it was a good idea in that the speaker retains the pristine midrange, yet is able to sound a bit punchier. Fortunately, the midrange remains unaffected. My wife walked in on me when I first fired the 10's and was surprised that such a small speaker could move that amount of air. Even at 4 feet from the front wall, bass had good detail, had speed, and seemed to go much lower than the specs would suggest. Believe it or not, there was even a tactile quality that usually only larger woofers can deliver. Naturally, the Gallo's are a bit more neutral, can go deeper, and play louder with their 10" Side firing woofers. The merlins were also a bit more neutral in this department as well. During my audition I actually had no desire for a subwoofer when playing the 10's. And this is with them in a 15'W X 21' L X 10'H open concept living room. Impressive for a speaker that can be held in one hand.

Musicality: Plenty of toe tapping. The midrange is captivating and the treble sparkles without being etched. Usually when you have this combination it's easy to forget about the equipment.

What's wrong with them?

Good question. They are insensitive, and you'll find yourself turning the volume know much higher than usual. This is also offset by a benign(smooth) impedence curve. An amp with 65Watts played plenty loud for me though. They will also not play at very loud levels, and the cone breakup can get a little nasty. Use some common sense here...I suspect that you will have hearing damage by the time you get that point. Extreme headbangers and Hip-Hop house party mongels need not apply.

How good are these speakers?

Very good indeed. Hi-end in every sense. Forget that they are miniscule, forget that they are not very well known, and dismiss the fact that they weigh a scant 7 lb's each. Music blooms with great magnitude through them. Give them a listen if you can, they will charm you.

Am I selling my Gallo Ref 3's? No. Did I put these in the bedroom after all? Not yet. They are right next to the Gallo's in the living room and have been for the past two weeks. I'm sure I'll eventually switch back over, but for now I'm in sonic bliss.


Product Weakness: Sensitivity, ultimate loudness
Product Strengths: Transparency, huge soundstage, midrange performance


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Basic Receiver
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): none
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Dvd Player
Speakers: Gallo Ref 3's
Cables/Interconnects: Kimber
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Jazz, rock, pop, acoustic
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: NSM 10s Speakers - Firebird 22:52:28 10/12/05 ( 7)