After checking out Logitech's own X-240, I thought to myself "how much cheaper can I go?". Then I saw Best Buy's own in-house brand Insignia. Insignia actually makes some pretty good products including budget televisions. In fact, I bought one of their digital tuner boxes (the ones that the government is giving us the $40 coupons for). So when I saw that the Insignia NS-3006 2.1 speakers sold for a mere $40 (a whole $15 cheaper than the Logitech's), I figure that is about how much Insigina likes to undercut big name brands with the same sound quality. I decided to give it a try.

Insignia NS-3006 2.1 Speakers
The darn thing is even smaller than the Logitech X-240! The sub woofer driver is only about 2.5" in diameter! The entire enclosure itself is about the size of a Webster dictionary! The driver and the ported hole is directed downwards in the enclosure.

The mid range speakers are not mid range at all, with a single driver each, both looking very small (2" in diameter?)

There is only a single proprietary connector on the subwoofer that have wires going to the right and left speakers. The power button, volume and bass controls are on right speaker. The power LED is a very cool not-too-bright blue led. There is a headphone jack on side of right speaker. There is absolutely no line in or any other auxiliary inputs. And of course, there is a single 9vdc jack for power.

Sound Quality
Upon turning it and pushing music through the NS-3006, I found that the full range speakers do not have very much mids. Instead, it emits only tinny highs, which sounds clear, amazingly enough. So where does the mids go? Well, remember that "subwoofer"?

As stated, the subwoofer is small. The driver and ported hole is pointed downwards and is only about 2.5" in diameter. This means that the "sub" actually deals with both mids and bass to make up for "full ragnge" stereo speakers! Overall, it's a bit disorienting if listening up close, but sounds decent when a few feet away.

Pianos and guitars just sound flat and uninspired. Any thumping drum beats only gets recognized by the user, but not felt - just barely heard and detected. Honestly, why even bother with a "3 piece"? Wouldn't it be cheaper for Insignia to make it a 2.0 speaker set with the same sound quality? Just make it a 2-way stereo speakers!

The Upshot
Sure, the Insignia NS-3006 sounds decent, but only as an upgrade to those throw-away speakers found bundled with budget computers. Even then, it's a very SLIGHT upgrade, and not worth the $40.

For $15 more, you get get away with the Logitech X-240 which not only sounds better, but have more features.

Neither of these speakers will rival the Klipsch Promedia 2.1s, but at their price range, no one should expect them to. The Insignia is a huge disappointment, however.



Recommended: No