JBL NSP1 Speaker System

Pros: Reasonable price, decent soundtrack performance.
Cons: Sub not included.

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With speakers, it's difficult to avoid the semi-immutable law which states: You Get What You Pay For.

The JBL NSP1 home-theater speaker package, when compared to the company's own, less-expensive SCS135 home-theater...

Pros: Crisp clean sound. JBL quality.
Cons: would be nice to have smaller rear speakers

I have these speakers hooked up to a Yamaha HTR-5450 receiver and the connections were very simple. There was a RCA connection for the sub so I dont have to wire all the speakers through. But this is about the speakers, right!

As mentioned,...

Pros: High end JBL technology and sound in an affordable package, wall mount hardware included.
Cons: Plan on buying banana plugs for the satellites

After initially looking at Home Theater in a Box packages in the $500 range I decided on separates for not much more. I set these speakers up with an Onkyo TX-SR600 receiver and a Sony SA-WM40 12" subwoofer.

I decided on this package because...

Pros: Price, overall sound quality
Cons: Speech during movies, binding posts

This is definitely a great little set of speakers. I chose these b/c I trust the JBL name (I am experienced with a lot of live sound functions). The speakers have yet to be blown out; neither the titanium domes or the polypropelyne and rubber cones, even...

Pros: Top-notch sound, and superior dynamic range.
Cons: Big center speaker is tough to make room for on top of a TV set

I've owned this speaker system for 5 years (when it first came out) and I still adore it.

I opted for the 10-inch subwoofer instead of the 12-inch because I didn't feel like I needed to take the roof off the house every time I watched a DVD.

The thing I like most about the speakers themselves (other than that they look great in almost any room) is that they're much larger than the teeny weeny speakers that other manufacturers use to approximate DVD and music audio. In short: it takes a certain size speaker to achieve the intended sound, and they speakers have a larger dynamic range that doesn't leave any gaps. It sounds real.

Installation can be a little tricky (the first time I installed them I broke one of the fasteners, but JBL shipped a new one out to me in under a week--they were VERY responsive!) but the hardware is solid.

Pros: Good price and nice quality sound. Perfect for a home theater and stereo.
Cons: Perhaps a larger or broader ranged center speaker.

These speakers maintain JBL's ability to pound out the sound while maintaining quality. We've cranked them up with no distortions or cracking. It's amazing how beefy these 6" speakers are. The PB10 bass we bought (additional purchase) rumbles the floors and walls of our house.

You have to purchase JBL's PB10/PB12 bass unit with these 5 surround speakers. With the entire package, including the additional bass, the sound is fantastic. Watching DVDs on our Mitsubishi 65" HDTV using JVC surround sound receiver and JVC DVD is just like being at the movies. We use the system for our home audio as well.

The center speaker is good and hearty, although I would have preferred a bit broader sound range.

The 4 satellite units come with very nice wall mounting brackets. You can also buy the stands ($100 per), but they are not exactly pretty.

If you're not an audiophile, and would like a good sturdy surround sound theater or home stereo system, these are a good choice. You'll have to add the PB10 or PB12 bass unit, but you won't be disappointed by any means.

Use 10 or 12 gauge speaker wire for the best sound quality.

Pros: Very good sound for theatre and music, Wall mounts included, Decent styling (w/o cheesyness).
Cons: The matched PB subs are crap (don't buy one!)

I purchased this 5 Piece Northridge surround system back in about early '01, with a PB12 sub (for about $500 total). 5 upper channels still sound good to this day, sub took a crap after about 100 hrs of very light use (almost idle!). Of course, it was out of warranty and there are no parts available. Otherwise, the NSP1 has remained a popular package over the years and I have recommended it to several friends. Luckily it is still sold without the PB sub (see my PB12 sub review).