Bookshelf Speaker Reviews

Subwoofer: SoundSub RS-10A
Connections: Speaker- and line-level ins/outs
Enclosure Type: Vented
Woofer (size in inches, type): 10, paper cone, ferrite magnet
Power Rating (watts): 60
Crossover Bypass: No
Available Finishes: Black
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 17 x 18.7 x 7.5
Weight (pounds): 33
Price: $399; $999 for system
These listings are based on the manufacturer's stated specs; the HT Labs box below indicates the gear's performance on our test bench.

Speaker: SoundSpot LI-1
Type: Two-way, satellite
Tweeter (size in inches, type): 0.75, semi-soft polymer
Woofer (size in inches, type): 3.5, polypropylene cone
Nominal Impedance (ohms): 6
Recommended Amp Power (watts): 15–60
Available Finishes: White, Black, Silver, Chrome
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 6 x 4.5 x 4.2
Weight (pounds): 2
Price: $240/pair; $999 for system

Ratings

Morel Nova Speaker System

Build Quality: 90
The SoundSpot satellites are enclosed in a half-sphere of tough milled steel
The subwoofer is nothing special—an MDF enclosure and a paper cone driver

Value: 88
Not the cheapest in-a-box speaker system but certainly among the most engaging
The Nova system received Mark's highest praise for $999 sub/sat sets: sufficient

Features: 90
The coaxial driver array and round enclosure make the satellites special
The sub puts a 10-inch paper cone driver and 60-watt amp into a space-saving box

Performance: 90
The SoundSpot satellites have a tubey kind of warmth
Coaxial drivers deliver point-source precision The sub fills in the bottom of the vocal range but lacks brute force

Ergonomics: 90
They can sit on a table, hang on the wall, or sprout from stands
The gold-plated binding posts do not accept banana plugs

Overall Rating: 90
In the increasingly geometrical world of sub/sat sets, Morel's Nova makes a convincing case for the acoustic, and aesthetic, superiority of half-spheres over flat rectangles. If you were thinking of buying mediocre-sounding flat-panel speakers to go with your plasma or LCD set, consider these sexy, sweet-sounding, milled-steel orbs instead.

General information
Nova Speaker System, $999
Morel North America
(800) MOREL-14
www.morelhifi.com
Dealer Locator Code MRL