If you own quality monitor speakers you want to read this new review


Today, my review on the NSMT 20M Armada speaker was just posted on Stereo Times. It will give you all the details regarding way this two piece (Monitor mounted on a band-pass active sub-woofer pedestal) is a superlative full range speaker.

However, if you love your monitor speakers you owe to yourself to read the details that explain the difference between adding a pair of sub-woofers vs. a pair of band-pass sub-woofers, because their effect will transform your monitors seamlessly into a full range system. Not just bass extension, but because of how a band-pass active sub-woofer fills in the power range (lower mid-range/upper bass) and also pressurizes your room so all the ambient cues that create, both power deep accurate bass and a vast panoramic layered sound-stage. I ran a detailed extensive process involving over ten monitor speakers with a pair of excellent sub-woofers compared to the MSNT band-pass sub-woofer pedestals, and every time the sonic "magic" took place that was quite different then using a pair of sub-woofers. If you own Harbeth or other highly regarded British monitors you will be amazed what will take place in your listening room. There is also a detailed explanation that lays out the difference between an active band-pass design and a normal sub-woofer.   Terry London/Teajay
amorstereo
@dbphd asked, " What’s quasi-anechoic mean?"

Usually the term refers to loudspeaker frequency response measurements taken with a "gated" measurement system. This is a system which turns on the microphone long enough to capture the output from the speaker and then turns the microphone off before the first reflection arrives. This way the reflections are effectively excluded from the measurements without the room actually being anechoic, hence "quasi-anechoic".

The technique is only good down to the frequency where a whole wavelength can be captured before the first reflection arrives. So a different technique has to be used to get good data at longer wavelengths. John Atkinson of Stereophile close-mics the woofer(s) and port(s) at these longer wavelengths and then splices the curves together, and this is the most common technique.

Duke
Well, their speakers seem to have some very positive reviews. They are very attractive to boot.But I’m not totally understanding why that sub would be superior to a couple of carefully set up conventional subs.I would love to compare and listen for myself though.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I did for MANY years. Look at my page you will see the "Band Pass" speakers (SAT "stack and test") right next to GRs servo SUB system. The 8" Band Pass MB (mid base) enclosures work PERFECT. It can go 3 tiers high with 9 drivers per column, for 10 foot or higher lids.

The difference with my set up it is VERY directional. 100hz to 300hz is VERY musical. It’s also VERY directional. It is not OMNI present like 80hz and below, SUBS.

THAT is the difference when you separate the two. I been preaching this for over 4 years HERE I been doing it to one degree or another for over 25 years. NO BASS of any kind in the monitor enclosure. Separate the Mid Bass from the Sub system, ALSO.

MB and SUB do not do the same thing or ACT the same WAY...

The actual distortion is BELOW 5% in the bass region 300 hz <. NOW
Mids and highs, will NEVER hit 1%. NOW

With Narrow baffles, phase plugs (to eliminate BACK WAVE distortion), narrow planars with ZERO enclosure issues (like cone driver), we can time align the enclosures to the room with height, location and to each other at the drivers seat. We’re talkin’ The Pinnacle of Precision and flexibility in just about any environment. up to 25,000 cubic feet. Total Immersion, not just a frontal assault so to speak. :-)

Did I mention a reduction in room treatment by 1/2 and 1/2 again by going kitty corner..

It eliminated BASS everywhere in my case the neighbors swimming pool. It went from WAVES to a little trimmer every now and then..:-)

I suppose IF I went with a single PS and a VERY good ribbon with a NARROW baffle I could get very close in a small room (less than 10 ft in any direction) and fewer drivers in the band pass. 1 driver per side could work, BUT the height of the BP driver is directional.. WHERE do you want it pointing? At your feet, your chest or your head.. It does make a BIG difference..

A small room (less than 10 ft in any direction) with BP enclosures is now a single 10" servo sub room.. No kidding it will smooth right out at the seated position.. THE HOUSE quits shaking because of so many sub enclosures, I think at one time I had 12 12" active drivers and 6 passives. I use a pair of dual 12" OB servo, its over kill, one would do it.. WITH MB columns and DSP.. I use 12K directly coupled to the drivers.. NO passive XOs. All active..
Cone control actually takes place NOW. It can't with passive XO.. Anything in the path.. NO CONE CONTROL for the overshoot.. only springs on the drivers..

It’s a good idea.. One of the better ones for the money and what they claim they do.. They actually WORK.. It was the 90s before British speaker new what BASS was much less SUB.. It didn’t exist their, did it?
Just kidding, kinda..
Tejay, in your review published review you mention that you had jumper cables made to connect the monitors to the sub.  So would it be correct to say that you connect your monitors to the sub and then connect the sub to your amp.  You set the crossover frequency, phase, volume in the sub.  If so, I can see why it is so easy to integrate.  Great review.  The only issue I can see is having the veneer of the sub not match the veneer of your speakers if your using another brand of monitor....could bother some people.
Hey jaudio1,
Thanks for the kind words towards my review. I would explain the hook-up this way, the monitor,regardless of which one you use, is directly driven by the main amplifier because the speaker wire goes directly into its terminals. Then, the jumpers connect the band-pass section with the full run monitor, which is driven and tuned by its own active amplifier and controls. Regarding, the matching of the veneers and the platforms: I can see some individuals getting them in a black finish that would look good and general support visually any color/veneer of the mounted monitor. However, the monitors I tested the platforms with were all walnut,except one which was gloss black, and looked great as a pair.

alanhuth is correct. Don’t believe anything unless there is a direct comparison. I could describe Apple air pods and good detail, excellent soundstage and imaging. Good bass but but a little warm and lacking depth. Easy to setup and great build quality, fits in your pock wow amazing, new standard…..
I could describe a pair of grado e225 headphones as bright, poor build uncomfortable, lacking deep bass.

Now compare these two and the Grado is better in every aspect of sound and not even close.
Without comparison there is no point. Even from memory is fine with me. I just look at pictures, price, conclusion and skim for a comparison. If there is no comparison in the review I just move on.