Price Paid:  $150.00 from nOrh

Summary:
Suspicious of buying product (especially speakers) which I hadn't yet heard, but heard positive reviews of the 3.0's, and for $150 I thought "what the hell". If they look half as nice as they do in the pictures online, they'll be worth it just as a conversation piece. Also, you gotta look through the norh.com website; they really are a different kind of company, and I really wanted to give them a shot. When I took them out of the box my first impression was how well-designed and finished they were. I got the natural finish, and I came across none of the inconsistencies in the finish that another reviewer had remarked upon. They really have a beautiful, lustrous shine to them and are indeed a work of art (fashioned by Thai craftsmen from a single log). My biggest concern with the sound was that they would lack in overall output. They are rated to handle only 20 watts (cont.); my amp is a 100 WPC JoLida hybrid tube/SS integrated, and I didn't know how the two would work together. I needn't have worried because the 3.0's sound fine. I think they're pretty well broken in now. I agree with others who have said that the midrange is nice and smooth. The mid-bass is surprisingly strong, tight, and detailed. I use them with a 75-watt Eosone powered sub, and this combination is very enjoyable. I have them sitting on some pillars which are around 30" high; this seems about the right height for my chair. The imaging and soundstage are good, though they don't "pull you in" quite like more expensive speakers I have heard do. The only minus would be the lack of open and airy treble. They are not terribly bright sounding which for many may be to their credit. I felt that cymbals, etc. sounded a little rolled off; I don't know if this has to do with the single-driver nature of the speaker. I guess I would be hesitant to consider other, larger single-driver speakers because of this (nowhere to audition them around where I live, anyway.) Anyway, for $150 these things acquit themselves very nicely- they play loud enough (for most applications), look great, and sound great for all but the most critical of listening purposes.

Strengths:
Very good sound; beautiful design and finish; smooth midrange; detailed mid-bass (will need sub for proper bass); nOrh logos on both speakers!; once shipped from Thailand arrived at my door in only 3 days; choice of finishes

Weaknesses:
highs could be a bit more crisp for my tastes

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $85.00 from Used on Ebay

Summary:
After following the nOrh Wars here on Audioreview.com, I felt I owed these things a listen. After 2 years of non-response to a request for a guest listen at someone's house, I saw a pair of these cheap on ebay so I snagged em for under $100. Fit and finish were, "inconsistent" between the 2 speakers. I like the overall look in black painted wood with black grills. Sound wise, the speaker's produced better than expected sound for a 100 dollar speaker. Don't know if they're such a great value at list but certainly better than many comparable small driver speakers. Mids and highs were warm and clear respectively and quite responsive. Bass was lacking but you'd expect that from such a small package. What bass that was there however was good and tight. I suppose if mated with the right subwoofer these speakers would be good if not great. Worth the time and money if space is limited, you like the look and don't mind buying ear unheard.

Strengths:
Size, responsiveness, warm mids and clear hights. Looks, if you like em.

Weaknesses:
Weak on bass (as you'd expect) needs stands, and they better be the right ones. Inconsistent fit and finish.

Similar Products Used:
Smal Polks, Epicures, Ohm's DCM.

Price Paid:  $150.00 from Norh.com

Summary:
After discovering Norh and reading the website "cover to cover" if you will, I knew I had to support a Full-Ass company like this. There is no marketing department working at Norh and thank goodness! Anyway, onto the 3.0s... The speakers are beautifully made and it's obvious they are the work of craftsmen and not of factory production lines. I got mine with the walnut finish, although I think I should've went with the natural finish. oh well. The wide soundstage is something I really liked about these and once I moved things around and got them placed correctly they really filled the room. They were sitting on top of my old 3-way particle board tower speakers which did not have nearly the imaging of the little Norhs. Yes, they are missing the low end, but I found a twist of the 'ol bass tone control on my NAD 3225PE warmed up the mid bass quite nicely. Likewise did a treble boost work some subtle magic on the high end. This isn't to say the Norh's lack treble, but I think I just prefer a little more tonal contrast on some recordings. I have a fairly small living room in an apartment and there was more than enough volume coming from these things. Their sound belies their small appearance for sure! Watch those little cones work themselves into a froth! I primarily listen to heavy metal and the Norh's did okay, but the lack of impact in the bass was sorely missed. But the bass that is there is clear and articulate. The classic guitar of Andreas Segovia and a Pentangle folk disc sounded absolutely excellent. Even Primus "Brown Album" came across with really good punch. (well, it is an excellent recording after all) For 150 bucks shipped to your door you cannot go wrong with these little drums. They are hand made and will definitely attract the attention of visitors. I think their tonal balance lends them to albums which don't require big fat bass reproduction and as I said earlier, the imaging is wonderful. They sound good even when you walk around the room. If the lowest model in their line sounds this good I can only imagine what the higher ones sound like. I will not be "imagining" very long I can assure you! Companies like Norh, the underdogs fighting the Good Fight and not trying to deceive the consumer, deserve our support. HiFi need not cost a fortune and I think it's awesome the approach Mr. Barnes has taken.

Strengths:
Wide stereo image. Very clear and detailed. Excellent build quality. Hand-made. Very nice gold plated 3-way binding posts.

Weaknesses:
Low end is missing as expected. Three feet made the speaker somewhat tippy. Be careful if you expect someone or something to brush past the speakers.

Similar Products Used:
Mackie HR824, Fischer ST-515

Price Paid:  $150.00 from norh.com

Summary:
I bought a pair of these for my sister and her then soon to be husband (they are married now). When they opened up the box, I was worried they would hate the looks as I did, but to my surprise, they *loved* them.

The groom just had to try them out, so we hooked them up to my father's stereo system, and my jaw dropped (as well as several other people's). I could not believe we were listening to $150/pr (shipped) speakers...

Build quality, while not the best out there, was *far* better than anything else in the $150/pr price range... The speakers had respectable upper and mid bass (although no lower mid and low bass as would be expected). Soundtage width was huge, and imaging was excellent. While the speakers could not blast out sound, they got loud enough...

Overall, I can easily recommend the nOrh 3.o drums... They may not look very good (IMO), but boy do they SOUND good... and isn't that what really counts?

Strengths:
Superb imaging and soundstage... Overall value!

Weaknesses:
Looks are not to my personal liking

Similar Products Used:
n/a

Price Paid:  $150.00 from www.norh.com

Summary:
Best Buy. Perfect with a good subwoofer

Strengths:
Excellent sound,excellent imaging. PRICE

Weaknesses:
low frequency reproduction

Similar Products Used:
Jamo 100 II