Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: North Creek Music Systems Okara II Speakers by EdM

Model:	Okara II
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$749
Description:	Mini Monitor 2 way kit
Manufacturer URL:	North Creek Music Systems
Manufacturer URL:	North Creek Music Systems

Review by EdM ( A ) on January 14, 2002 at 06:09:14
IP Address: 160.79.220.130

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for the Okara II

I recently added a dedicated music listening room and purchased some new speakers but due to a foul up in shipping they were lost so I was stuck for something to listen on. To make a long story short I had these Okara II I built doing duty as surrounds for my video setup so I moved them into the room until something else came along.
To my vast surprise, they sounded wonderful! The new room is 10 X 10 and the Okara's fill it to capacity. Since these are only 5" woofers, you can't expect 20hz performance but they do quite well, in fact amazingly well. I believe they finally broke it some hours ago and deleiver tight, fast, dynamic low range; probably down around 40hz or so.
The Scan Speak tweeters are well known, but have to be the best soft domes out there. The detail, transparency, and imaging is just out of this world.
I knew I was these were good when I just sat for hours, listening to one CD after another, not wanting to get up. Strings, piano, vocals- they do it all. As I had just returned from CES 2002, I am pretty familar with what's out there and North Creek should be exhibiting. These Okaras' would easily beat a good deal of what was at the show.

Strengths: Tight, tight, and very fast,well controlled bass
Smooth, silky mid range and highs. Never harsh or brittle.

Product Weakness: The last few octaves in the bottom are missing.
You have to build them yourself!
Product Strengths: Tight, tight, and very fast,well controlled bass
Smooth, silky mid range and highs. Never harsh or brittle.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Bryston 4B-ST
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Muse 3
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Pioneer PD-59
Speakers:	Okara II
Cables/Interconnects:	Synergistic Research
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Everything
Room Size (LxWxH):	10 x 10 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	Jon Risch DIY Panels
Time Period/Length of Audition:	8 hours
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Dedicated circuits
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	The last few octaves in the bottom are missing. You have to build them yourself!
Product Strengths:	Tight, tight, and very fast,well controlled bass Smooth, silky mid range and highs. Never harsh or brittle.