Revisited: Neumi BS5P Powered Bookshelf Speaker

[hardisj]

Sometimes I test. Sometimes I test 5 times. This isn't going to be the norm but in some cases I think the effort is warranted to bring people a product I think is worthy of consideration, even if it does take me extra time and a bit of ... ahem.... rigging... to make it worthwhile.

These retail for $150/pair from Amazon and feature RCA/toslink/coaxial inputs as well as Bluetooth. Do the things I suggest in the review and you have yourself a fine budget speaker.

Full review on my site here:
https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/neumi_bs5p_take2/

Enjoy!


Revisited: Neumi BS5P Powered Bookshelf Speaker

• Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Foreword / YouTube Video Review
I reviewed the Neumi BS5P in April 2021 and was very disappointed with the results. The manufacturer contacted me about the results and also expressed their dismay because it was nothing like what they had predicted. This review is an update based on some firmware changes and findings through working with Neumi to understand why my production unit was so far off from their intent.

The review on this website is a brief overview and summary of the objective performance of this speaker. It is not intended to be a deep dive. Moreso, this is information for those who prefer “just the facts” and prefer to have the data without the filler.
However, for those who want more - a detailed explanation of the objective performance, and my subjective evaluation (what I heard, what I liked, etc.) - please watch the below video where I go more in-depth.
<< coming soon >>


Re-Review Backstory

As I said in the Foreword, this is review is based upon some poor results from my initial testing of this speaker. Neumi contacted me about the results (without ever questioning the legitimacy of said results) and asked if I would be willing to check the tweeter polarity to make sure it wasn’t wired out of phase. Turned out the tweeter was indeed wired out of phase. Neumi was very earnest about resolving the issue and sent me an email with the following information:

We’ve tested through speakers we pulled back from Amazon’s warehouse and did not find any units with a reversed tweeter. We also did FR sweeps and they were all within a tight group above 1kHz. So if the speaker you test does have a reversed tweeter, we are more confident now that it’s an isolated incident.​

Easy fix; flip the polarity. Yet, the end result still wasn’t what I thought was up to snuff. So, Neumi gave me some backstory on what they were looking to achieve and asked if I would be interesting in trying out some DSP updates and I said of course. Now, I realize it may sound as if I am going too far for a manufacturer to resolve issues. I get it. However, when a manufacturer is willing to take criticism and use that to make improvements then I feel it is worthwhile to work with them to resolve the issues. Especially when I feel the product could easily be taken from a terrible item to a great performer and at such a reasonable entry price as to get the consumer a better value than I feel is currently available otherwise. This is such a case.

Neumi then let me know they made some updates to their built-in EQ and provided me a link to their website for download and instructions on how to update the firmware. Here is the link. So, now I was left with three EQ options:

1. Factory EQ (dated 09-09-2020)
2. Flat EQ (all internal EQ disabled)
3. Updated EQ (dated 05-04-2021)

Information and Photos

The Neumi BS5P is a powered 2-way Studio Monitor featuring a 5-inch midwoofer and 1-inch dome tweeter. It comes with a variety of hookup options (Bluetooth, optical toslink, and RCA connections. It also comes with a remote control.

MSRP is about $150 USD for a pair.


The front can be covered with a grille. The back features various inputs as well as buttons for power, source selection and volume/track selection. And a remote is also included.

CTA-2034 (SPINORAMA) and Accompanying Data
All data collected using Klippel’s Near-Field Scanner. The Near-Field-Scanner 3D (NFS) offers a fully automated acoustic measurement of direct sound radiated from the source under test. The radiated sound is determined in any desired distance and angle in the 3D space outside the scanning surface. Directivity, sound power, SPL response and many more key figures are obtained for any kind of loudspeaker and audio system in near field applications (e.g. studio monitors, mobile devices) as well as far field applications (e.g. professional audio systems). Utilizing a minimum of measurement points, a comprehensive data set is generated containing the loudspeaker’s high resolution, free field sound radiation in the near and far field. For a detailed explanation of how the NFS works and the science behind it, please watch the below discussion with designer Christian Bellmann:

A picture of the setup in my garage:

The reference plane in this test is just below the tweeter, per the manufacturer. A single RCA input was used and the volume was set to default. No grille was used.
Measurements are provided in a format in accordance with the Standard Method of Measurement for In-Home Loudspeakers (ANSI/CTA-2034-A R-2020). For more information, please see this link.
This test will consist of the following four (4) SPINORAMA cases and then I’ll provide more in-depth results of the fourth option. Read the titles of the graphics to know what case you’re looking at. All, of course, have the corrected tweeter polarity.

1. Factory EQ (dated 09-09-2020)
2. Flat EQ (all internal EQ disabled)
3. Updated EQ (dated 05-04-2021)
4. Number 3 above, with stuffed ports

The fourth option, above, provides the best overall response and one that is much more pleasing to my ears. Therefore, the majority of my review is based on this particular option (updated EQ and ports stuffed).

I used some eggcrate foam and stuffed it into the ports as shown below. Classy!

CTA-2034 / SPINORAMA:

The fourth option, above, provides the best overall response and one that is much more pleasing to my ears. Therefore, the majority of my review is based on this particular option (updated EQ and ports stuffed).

Early Reflections Breakout:

Estimated In-Room Response:

Horizontal Frequency Response (0° to ±90°):

Vertical Frequency Response (0° to ±40°):

Horizontal Contour Plot (not normalized):

Horizontal Contour Plot (normalized):

Vertical Contour Plot (not normalized):

Vertical Contour Plot (normalized):

Additional Measurements

On-Axis Response Linearity

“Globe” Plots
These plots are generated from exporting the Klippel data to text files. I then process that data with my own MATLAB script to provide what you see. These are not part of any software packages and are unique to my tests.
Horizontal Polar (Globe) Plot:
This represents the sound field at 2 meters - above 200Hz - per the legend in the upper left.

Vertical Polar (Globe) Plot:
This represents the sound field at 2 meters - above 200Hz - per the legend in the upper left.

Harmonic Distortion
Harmonic Distortion at 86dB @ 1m:

Harmonic Distortion at 96dB @ 1m:

Near-Field Response
Nearfield response of individual drive units:

Dynamic Range (Instantaneous Compression Test)
I simply forgot this test but if you are interested, please see previous test’s results.
Long Term Compression Tests
The below graphics indicate how much SPL is lost or gained in the long-term as a speaker plays at the same output level for 2 minutes, in intervals. Each graphic represents a different SPL: 86dB and 96dB both at 1 meter.
The purpose of this test is to illustrate how much (if at all) the output changes as a speaker’s components temperature increases (i.e., voice coils, crossover components).
The tests are conducted in this fashion:

1. “Cold” logarithmic sine sweep (no stimulus applied beforehand)
2. Multitone stimulus played at desired SPL/distance for 2 minutes; intended to represent music signal
3. Interim logarithmic sine sweep (no stimulus applied beforehand) (Red in graphic)
4. Multitone stimulus played at desired SPL/distance for 2 minutes; intended to represent music signal
5. Final logarithmic sine sweep (no stimulus applied beforehand) (Blue in graphic)

The red and blue lines represent changes in the output compared to the initial “cold” test.

Parting / Random Thoughts
If you want to see the music I use for evaluating speakers subjectively, see my Spotify playlist.

• Subjective listening was mainly in the nearfield to midfield, between 1 to 2 meters. Subjective listening was conducted at 80-95dB at these distances. Higher volumes were done simply to test the output capability in case one wants to try to sit further away.
• With the speaker tested in the configuration discussed (again, Updated EQ, ports stuffed), this is an entirely different ballgame than with my previous testing. I mean, night and day. The midrange is so much more neutral (great track: Wishing Well by Terence Trent D’Arby). The response is much more neutral and doesn’t call attention to itself nearly. Gone is the bloated bass and the sharp treble.
• These speakers exhibit an audible compression when played above about 90dB at a couple meters away. Therefore, they are best used in the near/midfield and not ideal for a large home theater setting, even if you plan to use a subwoofer.
• I highly recommend using the EQ settings available from Neumi’s website linked in the opening of this review and stuffing the ports. This yields a much more neutral response that, in my humble opinion, represents the best value powered bookshelf speaker currently available at only $150, providing a multitude of input options and volume levels that would be reasonable for near and mid-field listening (note: not farfield listening at high SPL).

Bottom line is I can now proudly recommend these speakers with the aforementioned settings. With these settings, they still aren’t without issues but I truly feel they represent an excellent value at only $150.

Ultimately, if you update the firmware for the new EQ settings and stuff the port, you are left with a very capable speaker for reasonable volume levels and a lot of input options. Could this be a perfect option to use in lieu of a soundbar or hi-fi on a budget? I think so. Pair it with a subwoofer and you're in business!




DSP suggestions
I ran the on-axis response through REW’s automatic EQ generation with a flatness target of ±2dB and came up with the following:

• Frequency = 1kHz, Gain = -3dB, Q = 2.373
• Frequency = 6.78kHz, Gain = -2.4dB, Q = 2.472
• Frequency = 13.38kHz, Gain = -2.2dB, Q = 1.000

If you have the means, I recommend using EQ to help flatten out the response and achieve a more neutral response, as a set of monitor speakers should provide. If you need help understanding how to use this, I encourage you to check out NoAudiophile’s page here which also has other DSP suggestions for various speakers. It is a great resource for this type of thing.


Support / Contribute
If you like what you see here and want to help me keep it going, please consider donating via PayPal (here). Donations help me pay for new items to test, hardware, miscellaneous items and costs of the site’s server space and bandwidth. All of which I otherwise pay out of pocket. So, if you can help chip in a few bucks, know that it is very much appreciated.

Alternatively, if you are interested in purchasing these speakers, please consider using my Amazon affiliate link on my site at the bottom. It yields me a small commission at no additional cost to you and allows me to keep providing you with sweet data to make educated purchase decisions.


You can also join my Facebook and YouTube pages if you would like to follow along with updates.

 

[hardisj]

Data:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/cs0yhb2i7ua82wh/Neumi BS5P with New EQ, Ports Stuffed.7z?dl=0


@MZKM @pierre @Maiky76

 

[dfuller]

Wow, much better with the ports stuffed! Neumi should consider a sealed box version.

 

[hardisj]

Wow, much better with the ports stuffed! Neumi should consider a sealed box version.

Agreed.

 

[richard12511]

Wow, much better with the ports stuffed! Neumi should consider a sealed box version.

Especially with subwoofers in play.

 

[pierre]

Yes, that's much better score climbed to 4.2. The speaker is still likely to be bright. With the following EQ, it is less so, flatter and score goes up again up to 5.9. The EQ doesn't even cost you SPL since it is all negative (-0.2dB for preamp is for preventing some potential clipping).

EQ for Neumi BS5P computed from ErinsAudioCorner data
Preference Score 4.2 with EQ 5.9
Generated from http://github.com/pierreaubert/spinorama/generate_peqs.py v0.8
Dated: 2021-05-19-04:57:34

Preamp: -0.2 dB

Filter  1: ON PK Fc  6394 Hz Gain -3.60 dB Q 0.10
Filter  2: ON PK Fc   948 Hz Gain -2.28 dB Q 5.91
Filter  3: ON PK Fc  1871 Hz Gain +1.39 dB Q 1.76
Filter  4: ON PK Fc  1125 Hz Gain -1.24 dB Q 8.52
Filter  5: ON PK Fc 12557 Hz Gain -1.03 dB Q 3.06
Filter  6: ON PK Fc  1491 Hz Gain +0.89 dB Q 12.00
Filter  7: ON PK Fc  7428 Hz Gain -0.96 dB Q 6.76
Filter  8: ON PK Fc  5073 Hz Gain +0.81 dB Q 3.12

 

[Beershaun]

Nice work Erin! Thanks to Neumi for looking at the results and deciding to address the feedback head on! Could these be an alternative to the Mackie and Presonus abominations for people looking to produce music on a budget? A first set of real speakers to dip their toe into the audio hobby?

 

[sweetchaos]

This costs how much? US$150/pair?
That’s a worthy budget pick now.
Thanks to Neumi for working with Erin to make this speaker better.

 

[dfuller]

Nice work Erin! Thanks to Neumi for looking at the results and deciding to address the feedback head on! Could these be an alternative to the Mackie and Presonus abominations for people looking to produce music on a budget? A first set of real speakers to dip their toe into the audio hobby?

I would absolutely, no questions asked use these before either of those travesties.

 

[napilopez]

Sometimes I test. Sometimes I test 5 times. This isn't going to be the norm but in some cases I think the effort is warranted to bring people a product I think is worthy of consideration, even if it does take me extra time and a bit of ... ahem.... rigging... to make it worthwhile.

Full review on my site here:
https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/neumi_bs5p_take2/

Enjoy!


Revisited: Neumi BS5P Powered Bookshelf Speaker

• Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Foreword / YouTube Video Review
I reviewed the Neumi BS5P in April 2021 and was very disappointed with the results. The manufacturer contacted me about the results and also expressed their dismay because it was nothing like what they had predicted. This review is an update based on some firmware changes and findings through working with Neumi to understand why my production unit was so far off from their intent.

The review on this website is a brief overview and summary of the objective performance of this speaker. It is not intended to be a deep dive. Moreso, this is information for those who prefer “just the facts” and prefer to have the data without the filler.
However, for those who want more - a detailed explanation of the objective performance, and my subjective evaluation (what I heard, what I liked, etc.) - please watch the below video where I go more in-depth.
<< coming soon >>


Re-Review Backstory

As I said in the Foreword, this is review is based upon some poor results from my initial testing of this speaker. Neumi contacted me about the results (without ever questioning the legitimacy of said results) and asked if I would be willing to check the tweeter polarity to make sure it wasn’t wired out of phase. Turned out the tweeter was indeed wired out of phase. Neumi was very earnest about resolving the issue and sent me an email with the following information:

We’ve tested through speakers we pulled back from Amazon’s warehouse and did not find any units with a reversed tweeter. We also did FR sweeps and they were all within a tight group above 1kHz. So if the speaker you test does have a reversed tweeter, we are more confident now that it’s an isolated incident.​

Easy fix; flip the polarity. Yet, the end result still wasn’t what I thought was up to snuff. So, Neumi gave me some backstory on what they were looking to achieve and asked if I would be interesting in trying out some DSP updates and I said of course. Now, I realize it may sound as if I am going too far for a manufacturer to resolve issues. I get it. However, when a manufacturer is willing to take criticism and use that to make improvements then I feel it is worthwhile to work with them to resolve the issues. Especially when I feel the product could easily be taken from a terrible item to a great performer and at such a reasonable entry price as to get the consumer a better value than I feel is currently available otherwise. This is such a case.

Neumi then let me know they made some updates to their built-in EQ and provided me a link to their website for download and instructions on how to update the firmware. Here is the link. So, now I was left with three EQ options:

1. Factory EQ (dated 09-09-2020)
2. Flat EQ (all internal EQ disabled)
3. Updated EQ (dated 05-04-2021)

Information and Photos

The Neumi BS5P is a powered 2-way Studio Monitor featuring a 5-inch midwoofer and 1-inch dome tweeter. It comes with a variety of hookup options (Bluetooth, optical toslink, and RCA connections. It also comes with a remote control.

MSRP is about $150 USD for a pair.


The front can be covered with a grille. The back features various inputs as well as buttons for power, source selection and volume/track selection. And a remote is also included.

CTA-2034 (SPINORAMA) and Accompanying Data
All data collected using Klippel’s Near-Field Scanner. The Near-Field-Scanner 3D (NFS) offers a fully automated acoustic measurement of direct sound radiated from the source under test. The radiated sound is determined in any desired distance and angle in the 3D space outside the scanning surface. Directivity, sound power, SPL response and many more key figures are obtained for any kind of loudspeaker and audio system in near field applications (e.g. studio monitors, mobile devices) as well as far field applications (e.g. professional audio systems). Utilizing a minimum of measurement points, a comprehensive data set is generated containing the loudspeaker’s high resolution, free field sound radiation in the near and far field. For a detailed explanation of how the NFS works and the science behind it, please watch the below discussion with designer Christian Bellmann:

A picture of the setup in my garage:

The reference plane in this test is just below the tweeter, per the manufacturer. A single RCA input was used and the volume was set to default. No grille was used.
Measurements are provided in a format in accordance with the Standard Method of Measurement for In-Home Loudspeakers (ANSI/CTA-2034-A R-2020). For more information, please see this link.
This test will consist of the following four (4) SPINORAMA cases and then I’ll provide more in-depth results of the fourth option. Read the titles of the graphics to know what case you’re looking at. All, of course, have the corrected tweeter polarity.

1. Factory EQ (dated 09-09-2020)
2. Flat EQ (all internal EQ disabled)
3. Updated EQ (dated 05-04-2021)
4. Number 3 above, with stuffed ports

The fourth option, above, provides the best overall response and one that is much more pleasing to my ears. Therefore, the majority of my review is based on this particular option (updated EQ and ports stuffed).

I used some eggcrate foam and stuffed it into the ports as shown below. Classy!

CTA-2034 / SPINORAMA:

The fourth option, above, provides the best overall response and one that is much more pleasing to my ears. Therefore, the majority of my review is based on this particular option (updated EQ and ports stuffed).

Early Reflections Breakout:

Estimated In-Room Response:

Horizontal Frequency Response (0° to ±90°):

Vertical Frequency Response (0° to ±40°):

Horizontal Contour Plot (not normalized):

Horizontal Contour Plot (normalized):

Vertical Contour Plot (not normalized):

Vertical Contour Plot (normalized):

Additional Measurements

On-Axis Response Linearity

“Globe” Plots
These plots are generated from exporting the Klippel data to text files. I then process that data with my own MATLAB script to provide what you see. These are not part of any software packages and are unique to my tests.
Horizontal Polar (Globe) Plot:
This represents the sound field at 2 meters - above 200Hz - per the legend in the upper left.

Vertical Polar (Globe) Plot:
This represents the sound field at 2 meters - above 200Hz - per the legend in the upper left.

Harmonic Distortion
Harmonic Distortion at 86dB @ 1m:

Harmonic Distortion at 96dB @ 1m:

Near-Field Response
Nearfield response of individual drive units:

Dynamic Range (Instantaneous Compression Test)
I simply forgot this test but if you are interested, please see previous test’s results.
Long Term Compression Tests
The below graphics indicate how much SPL is lost or gained in the long-term as a speaker plays at the same output level for 2 minutes, in intervals. Each graphic represents a different SPL: 86dB and 96dB both at 1 meter.
The purpose of this test is to illustrate how much (if at all) the output changes as a speaker’s components temperature increases (i.e., voice coils, crossover components).
The tests are conducted in this fashion:

1. “Cold” logarithmic sine sweep (no stimulus applied beforehand)
2. Multitone stimulus played at desired SPL/distance for 2 minutes; intended to represent music signal
3. Interim logarithmic sine sweep (no stimulus applied beforehand) (Red in graphic)
4. Multitone stimulus played at desired SPL/distance for 2 minutes; intended to represent music signal
5. Final logarithmic sine sweep (no stimulus applied beforehand) (Blue in graphic)

The red and blue lines represent changes in the output compared to the initial “cold” test.

Parting / Random Thoughts
If you want to see the music I use for evaluating speakers subjectively, see my Spotify playlist.

• Subjective listening was mainly in the nearfield to midfield, between 1 to 2 meters. Subjective listening was conducted at 80-95dB at these distances. Higher volumes were done simply to test the output capability in case one wants to try to sit further away.
• With the speaker tested in the configuration discussed (again, Updated EQ, ports stuffed), this is an entirely different ballgame than with my previous testing. I mean, night and day. The midrange is so much more neutral (great track: Wishing Well by Terence Trent D’Arby). The response is much more neutral and doesn’t call attention to itself nearly. Gone is the bloated bass and the sharp treble.
• These speakers exhibit an audible compression when played above about 90dB at a couple meters away. Therefore, they are best used in the near/midfield and not ideal for a large home theater setting, even if you plan to use a subwoofer.
• I highly recommend using the EQ settings available from Neumi’s website linked in the opening of this review and stuffing the ports. This yields a much more neutral response that, in my humble opinion, represents the best value powered bookshelf speaker currently available at only $150, providing a multitude of input options and volume levels that would be reasonable for near and mid-field listening (note: not farfield listening at high SPL).

Bottom line is I can now proudly recommend these speakers with the aforementioned settings. With these settings, they still aren’t without issues but I truly feel they represent an excellent value at only $150.

Ultimately, if you update the firmware for the new EQ settings and stuff the port, you are left with a very capable speaker for reasonable volume levels and a lot of input options. Could this be a perfect option to use in lieu of a soundbar or hi-fi on a budget? I think so. Pair it with a subwoofer and you're in business!




DSP suggestions
I ran the on-axis response through REW’s automatic EQ generation with a flatness target of ±2dB and came up with the following:

• Frequency = 1kHz, Gain = -3dB, Q = 2.373
• Frequency = 6.78kHz, Gain = -2.4dB, Q = 2.472
• Frequency = 13.38kHz, Gain = -2.2dB, Q = 1.000

If you have the means, I recommend using EQ to help flatten out the response and achieve a more neutral response, as a set of monitor speakers should provide. If you need help understanding how to use this, I encourage you to check out NoAudiophile’s page here which also has other DSP suggestions for various speakers. It is a great resource for this type of thing.


Support / Contribute
If you like what you see here and want to help me keep it going, please consider donating via PayPal (here). Donations help me pay for new items to test, hardware, miscellaneous items and costs of the site’s server space and bandwidth. All of which I otherwise pay out of pocket. So, if you can help chip in a few bucks, know that it is very much appreciated.

Alternatively, if you are interested in purchasing these speakers, please consider using my Amazon affiliate link on my site at the bottom. It yields me a small commission at no additional cost to you and allows me to keep providing you with sweet data to make educated purchase decisions.


You can also join my Facebook and YouTube pages if you would like to follow along with updates.

Thanks for remeasuring. I dread having to remeasure anything with a passion, so I appreciate it, even if the NFS makes it a little less painful .

It's wild how much of a difference plugging the port makes. I always wondered whether plugging the port would accentuate a resonance elsewhere since I hadn't seen high resolution data on it. But this makes it clear that it's a definite improvement.

It does seem like it'd be a tad bright, but toeing out aand placement near the rear wall could help. I also wonder whether using partially stuffed ports could be a decent compromise.

Looks like a much better deal now with EQ and potentially port stuffing!

 

[hardisj]

Thanks for remeasuring. I dread having to remeasure anything with a passion, so I appreciate it, even if the NFS makes it a little less painful

If I didn't have the NFS I most likely would have just offered some LW measurements for each subsequent test. But the NFS makes it where I can really dig in to a design to explore these kind of things, even if it does take me a couple extra days.

 

[hardisj]

It's wild how much of a difference plugging the port makes. I always wondered whether plugging the port would accentuate a resonance elsewhere since I hadn't seen high resolution data on it. But this makes it clear that it's a definite improvement.

Yes, in most cases plugging the port solves many issues. In other cases, however, it isn't the port that is the problem. I think we all used to see nearfield measurements of a port and say "oh, that's the culprit" but it turns out that in some cases it is the enclosure resonance leaking out through the port and when you plug the port and re-measure you don't see as much of a difference.

The PreSonus E3.5 I tested is an example of that, where the 1-2kHz peak was barely changed by plugging the port but before I measured the assumption would have been that the port is the root cause rather than just an escape vent.

Another example: I tested another cheap powered speaker last night. Donner Dyna 3. Think they're $80 or $90/pair. Crap. I measured it again with the port stuffed and it didn't fix the HF resonance issue I was seeing.


What this could mean is that every speaker I test might need 2 spins: one with the port open and one with the port stuffed. Most likely, though, this will only be the case with cheap speakers that show a high-Q midbass response. I don't want to back myself in to a corner where I have to test a speaker fifteen ways from Sunday to get good response but in some cases I think it is worth the effort to bring useful and helpful information on some "diamond in the rough" items.

 

[hardisj]

Nice work Erin! Thanks to Neumi for looking at the results and deciding to address the feedback head on! Could these be an alternative to the Mackie and Presonus abominations for people looking to produce music on a budget? A first set of real speakers to dip their toe into the audio hobby?

Yes, but the Neumi is a decent bit larger. Otherwise, I think they're a fine candidate for an entry level speaker.

 

[napilopez]

Yes, in most cases plugging the port solves many issues. In other cases, however, it isn't the port that is the problem. I think we all used to see nearfield measurements of a port and say "oh, that's the culprit" but it turns out that in some cases it is the enclosure resonance leaking out through the port and when you plug the port and re-measure you don't see as much of a difference.

The PreSonus E3.5 I tested is an example of that, where the 1-2kHz peak was barely changed by plugging the port but before I measured the assumption would have been that the port is the root cause rather than just an escape vent.

Another example: I tested another cheap powered speaker last night. Donner Dyna 3. Think they're $80 or $90/pair. Crap. I measured it again with the port stuffed and it didn't fix the HF resonance issue I was seeing.


What this could mean is that every speaker I test might need 2 spins: one with the port open and one with the port stuffed. Most likely, though, this will only be the case with cheap speakers that show a high-Q midbass response. I don't want to back myself in to a corner where I have to test a speaker fifteen ways from Sunday to get good response but in some cases I think it is worth the effort to bring useful and helpful information on some "diamond in the rough" items.

Ah gotcha, I appreciate the extra context. Yes that's exactly what I was wondering about -- that if it's an issue with the cabinet design, whether plugging the port would really help. 'port resonance' is kind of a catch-all term. That's kind of why I tended to phrase it as 'port messiness' or 'resonance escaping through the port'.

I forget, can the NFS just do an on-axis response? Maybe you could just show if the response changes with stuffing the port without needing to do a full spin, but if you do see a big improvement you can go ahead and try the full spin? It's nice to investigate optimizing a speaker, but it should definitely perform at its best as is.

Just some thoughts, I appreciate you're insights regardless.

 

[hardisj]

Ah gotcha, I appreciate the extra context. Yes that's exactly what I was wondering about -- that if it's an issue with the cabinet design, whether plugging the port would really help. 'port resonance' is kind of a catch-all term. That's kind of why I tended to phrase it as 'port messiness' or 'resonance escaping through the port'.

I forget, can the NFS just do an on-axis response? Maybe you could just show if the response changes with stuffing the port without needing to do a full spin, but if you do see a big improvement you can go ahead and try the full spin? It's nice to investigate optimizing a speaker, but it should definitely perform at its best as is.

Just some thoughts, I appreciate you're insights regardless.

Oh, for sure. I take a quick on-axis sweep to see what the trend is and if it warrants extra effort. In this case, with the updated EQ options, I thought it worthwhile to get the SPIN as well to see if there was anything else going on with the crossover. But, yea, I wouldn't waste time running a full SPIN for something like a port-stuffed option if it didn't resolve the issues.

Of course, with that said, sometimes it is just too easy to run the NFS. I have been doing nearly all my testing overnight and let it run all night. Wake up in the morning and it is done. Much better than what I used to do.

The time intensive work is all the extra stuff I do (compression, nearfield, distortion) but even those aren't too bad.

 

[tomtoo]

@hardisj
Very nice outcome. I realy like that neumi reacts to your testing. For the price they look now like great performers. Maybe i did just overread it?. But with speaker like this its always interesting, do they hiss?

 

[hardisj]

do they hiss

They do but I only notice it when I am really close to the speaker. I haven't purposely listened for that yet, though, but I did plan to mention it in my video review which I plan to do live either tonight or tomorrow night if I have the time.

 

[Ericglo]

I did my normal jump into bed and open the laptop to surf a little while before falling asleep. I saw the review and nearly jumped out of my and screamed "Wow!". I have never seen a speaker response change that much.

It looks like Neumi could offer port stuffing with these speakers. Also since they have already talked to Erin, they could probably have another eq update to go along with the port stuffing.

Right now, these might be the value leader in this price range. I am guessing JoeNTell is going to have to do an updated review as well.

 

[hardisj]

It looks like Neumi could offer port stuffing with these speakers.

They are considering it. This is the email I received from them a couple hours ago after they saw the updated review.

 

[daftcombo]

Thanks!

Not to be confused with BS5 Passive, which are 99$/pair.