This is a review and measurements of the aperion audio Novus N5T 2-way 5.25" tower speaker. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $1,398 a pair.
Sorry for the stock image. Speaker has been here for a long time and I just have not had time to do anything with it other than measurement. I was pleased how light-weight it was as I could lift it by myself to put on the tall measurement stand. The design is unique although configure is not as an MTM (mid-woofer, tweeter, mid-woofer).
Measurements were performed without the grill. It has been a while but I think the reference axis was around tweeter center.
Aperion N5T Novus Speaker Measurements
As usual we start with our frequency response measurements:
As noted, response is reasonably flat other than the disturbance in lower treble area of 2 kHz. Directivity changes a lot as well due to interference from the two woofers. The tall cabinet does provide deep response to nearly 30 Hz.
Early window response emphasizes the directivity error:
Due to MTM configuration, the effect is concentrated in vertical axis. So having a thick carpet helps offset that as would having tall ceiling (or absorber in first reflection point).
Putting the two together we get a nearly smooth response other than the interference region:
Driver response is such:
We see the classic port/cabinet resonance. And some woofer break up/resonance above crossover frequency.
The benefit of MTM configuration is two woofers holding hands which provides much better dynamics as reflected in low distortion numbers:
This is what you get out of a large box as opposed to a 2-way bookshelf.
Impedance dips low (typical of consumer speakers these days):
Horizontal directivity mismatch is clear in our horizontal plots:
Vertical response dramatically shows the beaming of the dual woofers I wrote about earlier:
Finally, here are the waterfall and step responses:
I don't have any listening tests or EQ for you. If by chance I get to do that before returning the unit, I will post it.
Conclusions
The N5T is not a perfect speaker objectively. The directivity error and response mismatch in the crossover region is of concern. But then again, you get very deep response with good dynamics capabilities that dual woofers provide. Without listening tests I can't tell you if the latter overcomes the former. You have the data and you can decide.
One note about the company: it was exceptionally willing to provide the sample and anything else I needed. So I can definitely recommend the company.
I have no recommendation for the speaker as I have not listened to it. Those of you who don't want to see subjective remarks, this is your day! Vote what you think the performance is.
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As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
Sorry for the stock image. Speaker has been here for a long time and I just have not had time to do anything with it other than measurement. I was pleased how light-weight it was as I could lift it by myself to put on the tall measurement stand. The design is unique although configure is not as an MTM (mid-woofer, tweeter, mid-woofer).
Measurements were performed without the grill. It has been a while but I think the reference axis was around tweeter center.
Aperion N5T Novus Speaker Measurements
As usual we start with our frequency response measurements:
As noted, response is reasonably flat other than the disturbance in lower treble area of 2 kHz. Directivity changes a lot as well due to interference from the two woofers. The tall cabinet does provide deep response to nearly 30 Hz.
Early window response emphasizes the directivity error:
Due to MTM configuration, the effect is concentrated in vertical axis. So having a thick carpet helps offset that as would having tall ceiling (or absorber in first reflection point).
Putting the two together we get a nearly smooth response other than the interference region:
Driver response is such:
We see the classic port/cabinet resonance. And some woofer break up/resonance above crossover frequency.
The benefit of MTM configuration is two woofers holding hands which provides much better dynamics as reflected in low distortion numbers:
This is what you get out of a large box as opposed to a 2-way bookshelf.
Impedance dips low (typical of consumer speakers these days):
Horizontal directivity mismatch is clear in our horizontal plots:
Vertical response dramatically shows the beaming of the dual woofers I wrote about earlier:
Finally, here are the waterfall and step responses:
I don't have any listening tests or EQ for you. If by chance I get to do that before returning the unit, I will post it.
Conclusions
The N5T is not a perfect speaker objectively. The directivity error and response mismatch in the crossover region is of concern. But then again, you get very deep response with good dynamics capabilities that dual woofers provide. Without listening tests I can't tell you if the latter overcomes the former. You have the data and you can decide.
One note about the company: it was exceptionally willing to provide the sample and anything else I needed. So I can definitely recommend the company.
I have no recommendation for the speaker as I have not listened to it. Those of you who don't want to see subjective remarks, this is your day! Vote what you think the performance is.
----------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/