REVIEW: Insignia 6.5 Speakers

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General speaker questions for audio and home theater.

Model: 6.5
Category: Speakers
Suggested Retail Price: $50.00
Description: 6.5
Manufacturer URL: Insignia
Model Picture: View
Review by FastEddy (P) on July 03, 2006 at 17:04:33
IP Address: 206.176.231.190 Add Your Review
for the 6.5
Preliminary Review: Needs more burn in time.
Cheap is the watchword here, but this bookshelf speaker set has a couple on intreging features that set it above most of the low priced goods ... Like nicely done 3-way binding posts (with what appears to be gold plating), a rather unique box shape ( rectangular face, partially parabolic sides tapering to the back) and a suprisingly good finish and details for the money.
The Insignia folks (of Richfield Minn.) probably don't know what a potential hit they have here. They don't list any info about this model on line. There is a page or two in the manual that comes with the speaker, but no overt hype: Two way, co-axis 4/5" tweeter integrated into a 6.5" woofer, 8 ohms, sensitivity 90 db, response 50 -20k Hz., 12 lbs ... Max power 120 W.
Several points of interest: The exposed" woofer" diameter is actually 5.65", and sensitivity of 90 db is in question, except in two rather narrow frequency bands and the response is more accurately described as 120 to 16k Hz. (before a sharp 10 db roll off at each end of the rather lumpy curve) ... I checked using some rather old fashioned test equipment: a ruler, a multiband graphic equalizer, a lab grade condenser mic and a reasonably healthy integrated amp. I should warn those who might assume that these are going to stand the test of time ... or several hours of heavy beat rock / hip hop ... I did not test to distruct, but could have easily ... That Max Power of 120 W must mean something other than actual watts of music power, I detected a rattle or two at ~= 3 db down from 100 true music watts playing something simple (Pink Floyd).
I'm satisfied with a few hours of listening tests, which produced nothing remarkable ... except when I placed the speakers on stands, in a corner! There is something very interesting going on here. Placed in a corner with about 6" of clearence all around, these cheap little puppies do come alive and have a nice lively sound (although still no low end). I attribute this to the unusual (non-cubic) shape of the box.
I played with cabinet shapes years ago and I believe that the shape of these bookshelf speakers are causing all of the raves from other sources.
The speaker elements are pretty straight forward: made for auto stereo, stamped steel frame, rubber suspended, hard cones (appears to be carbon fiber in 'em, but maybe not) ... with integrated voice coil tweeter = $9.95 each at about any auto stereo installation house ... so that is not the secret what produces better than average low priced sound. So, I opened 'em up, looking for cute ideas, etc.
My personal take:
First: I believe that these little boxes actually suffer from having bass reflex ports. (more below)
Second: I believe that they also suffer from having stuffing inside the main "woofer" chamber ... there really is not enough internal volume to justify much padding, foam or insulation = 13"x8"x12" (external dim., curved & tapered sidewalls) = about 1/2 cubic foot or less.
Third: I believe that they are over rated both by the factory and in posts here as quality home audio equipment ... BUT as bookshelf "B" channel speakers in conjunction with decent, healthy "A" channel mains ... a very cost effective way to build a low priced system.
Lastly: I believe these little boxes have best potential in specific locations ... in corners to take advantage of the curved, almost parabolic side walls and taper and associated room wall reflection in the mid range ... on a bookshelf with lots of mass around to dampen them even more ... as low cost supplimental "surround" speakers in a multi channel home theater / party room environment where breakage might occure = throw away speakers. (These speakers will find a home in a private sailboat club house where the natives can beat 'em up wihout too much worry about the cost of replacement ~ about 25 gallions of gas.
My very low costs mods:
In keeping with this as a DIY project, I open 'em up with intentions of finding ways to improve upon the sound without breaking the bank.
1) I removed all of the internal stuffing. I initially tried replacing the "cheap" stuffing ith some nice thick "egg crate" foam, practically filling the main cavity. This proved to be a waste of time as they sounded better ... with no stuffing at all!
2) I considered removing or at least plugging the box port, hoping to get some improvements in the lower mid response (it rolls off rather badly below 200 Hz.), but I found a great use for the removed foam stuffing (above). I tightly rolled up the thin foam sheet removed from the main cavity and stuffed it into the plastic throat of the box port ... and it fit perfectly ... AND it made a significant improvement in the sound!! I mean it!, this really helps (apparently) by dampening down the bright upper mid range and tightening up the upper bass. (Those who know hot cars understand why this works = check out Flow Master mufflers.)
3) I did a better glue job than the factory. I added thin layer of silicon adhesive around the "woofer" frame to seal up the main cavity. (I should have added some more silicon to the box seams as they appeared to be possible leaks in the future under hard use.) I did not glue the foam stuffing into the throat of the port ... yet. It may be that a future location will require opening the ports ... or blocking them off completely (next mod, next week).
Conclusion:
Fun to play with, easily modified to produce noticable improvements. All in all worthy investment for collage dorm room with bright corners and/or bookshelf or as a low cost suppliment (or surround) speaker to budget system with decent mains.
Cheap at twice the price. There are much better out there, but not for $75, shipped & delivered & taxed. Beat 'em up, replace as needed.
Listening tests:
Pink Floyd - Wish you were here / trk5 = "Shine one ..." ... For the white noise, thumping good bass line and very solid, wailin' good lead guitar.
Steve Miller Band - Circle of Love / trk4 = "Circle of Love" ... for the reverb, man. Heavy reverb brings out a lot of speaker cross phasing and is a good general listening test (and Steve has a new album CD + DVD this week).
Inkuho - Land of the Incas / various tks ... these El Cheapo Speakers actually made these light, airy tracks sound pretty good! Very little bass, lots of flutes, up beat, bouncy ... great for writing this review.
"pink noise" from generator through Marantz, Insignia 6.5 connected as mains for response curve, EQ tests and during mods.
Product Weakness: Factory packaging misrepresents specs to some extent = lumpy response curve from 150 to 15k. 120 Watts is too much. 50 - 70 Watts is plenty. Those looking for decent bass should add sub woofers to taste.
Product Strengths: Unique tapered box shape makes placement in corner and/or on bookshelf an interesting plus. Over all sound is bright but lacks guttsy bass. Binding posts! Nice appearence, no compalints about quality of manufacture, decent sound for the money with few cheap and easy mods.
Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Panasonic XR-70 & Marantz SR4200
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): None (Both Integrated)
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Pioneer DV-525 DVD/CD player
Speakers: DIY mains as reference
Cables/Interconnects: #14 AWG Monster XP-HP w/silver solder termination
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Pink Floyd Steve Miller Band Inkuho Land of the Incas pink noise
Room Size (LxWxH): 16' x 12' x 10' to 16'
Room Comments/Treatments: one wall open to rest of kitchen/dining
Time Period/Length of Audition: 4+ hours so far. 1 hour with pink noise from generator
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): DIY power line filters
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

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Parts Connexion

Topic - REVIEW: Insignia 6.5 Speakers - FastEddy 17:04:33 07/03/06 (4)

Insignia 6.5 Speakers - tullman 15:22:28 07/05/06 (0)

Insignia 6.5 Speakers - FastEddy 17:10:52 07/03/06 (2)

Re: Insignia 6.5 Speakers - Rod H. 20:47:31 07/03/06 (1)

Re: Insignia 6.5 Speakers - FastEddy 15:08:58 07/06/06 (0)

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Model:	6.5
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$50.00
Description:	6.5
Manufacturer URL:	Insignia
Model Picture:	View

Product Weakness:	Factory packaging misrepresents specs to some extent = lumpy response curve from 150 to 15k. 120 Watts is too much. 50 - 70 Watts is plenty. Those looking for decent bass should add sub woofers to taste.
Product Strengths:	Unique tapered box shape makes placement in corner and/or on bookshelf an interesting plus. Over all sound is bright but lacks guttsy bass. Binding posts! Nice appearence, no compalints about quality of manufacture, decent sound for the money with few cheap and easy mods.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Panasonic XR-70 & Marantz SR4200
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None (Both Integrated)
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Pioneer DV-525 DVD/CD player
Speakers:	DIY mains as reference
Cables/Interconnects:	#14 AWG Monster XP-HP w/silver solder termination
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Pink Floyd Steve Miller Band Inkuho Land of the Incas pink noise
Room Size (LxWxH):	16' x 12' x 10' to 16'
Room Comments/Treatments:	one wall open to rest of kitchen/dining
Time Period/Length of Audition:	4+ hours so far. 1 hour with pink noise from generator
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	DIY power line filters
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner