I have owned the Norh 9.0 for about 17 years. My original review is near the bottom of this collection of reviews. Top quality drivers in a non-resonate marble cabinet that is exotic and timeless looking. Nearly indestructible and difficult to damage. I have each one placed on top of a Dayton Audio 10" subwoofer with a Marantz NR1508 slimline 5.2-channel AV receiver that includes Audyssey MultEQ room bass control optimization. This is a killer combination, essentially making it a three-way with added control over the bass. The receiver crosses over bass with the pre-outs. The sound this way is unsurpassed and prevents the mid-woofers from having to do deep bass duty and thus brings extra clarity to the midrange. I used to be a member of the San Francisco Audiophile Society and have been to many audio shows. The sound quality beats almost everything else I have ever heard, and in my bedroom home theater, which has excellent acoustics, much better than the open-to-the-second-story living room we have with terrible late reflections.

Bass is relatively weak without one subwoofer under each, unless your room size and seating position are conducive to being at a reinforcement node . If on a stand and not using a subwoofer as a stand you will need a hard-to-find speaker stand that can safely support their weight or use an end table as I did for years. They are still in production (2018) but they can no longer absorb the shipping cost as they used to. So, if you can't find them used they will cost you about $3,600 shipped to USA.

Dynamic, Accurate, Musical Deep Bass

Very heavy

Alphonso''s "Review" "N0rh" Marble-9.0 N0rh Marble 9.0 is out of this world creation…The results and benefits are amazing. Extraordinary sonic performance beyond anything I have ever heard. Truly an art handcrafted symphony of perfection! This speaker systems coloration artefacts are low, the mix of sharpness and air is almost ideal in any room. This is one of the most appealing and informative loudspeakers I have heard. "Lifelike realism" It''s dynamics and spaciousness is an asset with all kinds of music. It''s even more remarkable when it comes to Movies & Live Concert soundtracks on "DTS" DVD. If you are in the market looking for accurate speakers and willing to spend those little extra dollars, then you are privileged to listen to genuine precise sounds. Audio is a multifaceted acoustic waveform, transformed into electrical / electronic signals at the time of recording. It is these original frequency response that we need to hear on playback in our Hi-Fi & Home Theatre systems. With this in mind, I must say that this precisely engineered art handcrafted marble 9.0 which is 5 cm thick represents the ultimate incorporation of the best that N0rh has to offer in a speaker system. It''s unquestionably a skilled & creative innovation with realistic sensation. This excellent performance that N0rh proudly has brought to me today through a friend "Kannan", is an experience I will for all time remember. Design of a Thai native musical instrument, used as a new technology speaker design system. It is a fantastic combination by itself. A creative innovation, that captures the attention of all my visitors. As an audio recording engineer, I must say that, ultimate superiority depends on its combination of Audio speaker component, it''s joint-less Bodywork & the Crossover itself. The 9.0 consist of the best combination as fas as I know, because they are overwhelming for any Hi-Fi or home theatre enthusiast. The finest recordings, encoded on the most advance home storage device (DVD, DAT or CD) & played back even through a top grade high current amplifier, will sound unnatural, meaning, lacking of accuracy & poor imaging, if the audio system is hooked up to a poor quality speaker system. Speakers when put in motion, they always keep on tweeting & woofing, and they shake the very air you breathe into an integrated ocean of waves that shatter on dark shore

Similar Products Used:

B&W 805

Bass, midrange, treble, construction, components, soundstage depth, width, holographic imaging, price, I could go on...

rear porting means I can't have up against wall and get the best sound.

The 9.0 is the best speaker that I have ever owned. It is the best monitor that I have ever heard, and it absolutely blows away the B&W Nautalus 805. The bass goes deep enough to feel, and you can hear the lightest of brush strokes, or the highest notes. Everything is so natural sounding that there is never any fatigue, in fact I am addicted to listening to them.

If it sounds like I am enthusiastic about them it is because I am. They sound as good to me as the B&W N802.

I have ordered the marble version of the 9.0's, not because I think they will sound better, but because I don't know anybody with Marble speakers and I will view them as works of art (both sonically, and visually).

Current system:
nOrh 9.0's
Morrison ELAD pre-amp
nOrh Multi-amps running in active mode
nOrh subwoofers
AH! CDP

I gave my oldest sister the nOrh 7.0's. She lives in Lake Forest, IL. She said she had some people over for a small get together. They put on some music to dance to and one of the men commented that the 7.0's were the best sounding speakers he had ever heard. I will say that they are the second best I have ever owned, as the 9.0's go deeper, and have better tweeter.

I would enthusiastically give 10 stars for value, and 5 stars for overall rating

Similar Products Used:

nOrh 7.0

Extremely refined and detailed without being fatiguing. A "you are there" type of sound. Value.

Needs stands with a large top plate which I could only find at nOrh.

These are my initial impressions of the Marble 9.0. I'll post a follow up review in the future. They sound great right out of the box. I'm extremely impressed, and considering that they aren't broken in yet or positioned properly is even more amazing (I have marble stands on order from nOrh). I just can't believe how good the Scan-Speak Revelator Tweeters are. They produce smooth, smooth, smooth, yet very detailed and three-dimensional sound. The 9.0 is noticeably smoother at the top end than the Silver 5i, despite the fact that it is even more detailed. One thing that surprises me is the apparent coloration in the midrange of the 5i compared to the nOrh. When I placed my order with nOrh I was initially concerned about the ability of the single 5.5" Scan-Speak driver to produce deep, loud bass. Fortunately, my concerns were unfounded. The bass is impressively deep to the point where I don't see the need for a subwoofer. Even though the room is fairly large, the bass gets loud enough for me. If you like chest-thumping bass, you may want to consider adding a subwoofer to this speaker. One other thing worth noting is the seamless integration between the tweeter and mid-woofer which makes it sound more like a live musical event rather than a speaker.

The fit and finish of this speaker are stunning. Everything about the materials and craftsmanship oozes class. No details were overlooked, including the marble cabinets, leather covered baffles, stainless steel legs and silk grill. Looks are subjective of course, but I find the drum shape to be more attractive than the typical box design. It even has a high WAF!

Similar Products Used:

Monitor Audio Silver 5i

Incedible detail, very musical, huge soundstage, looks

Heavy, weigh about 80 pounds each, long wait to get, for some 85db sensitivity

I actualy own these speakers unlike many who have posted here that have never heard and only seen through a picture these wonderful speakers. Yes the looks are not for everyone, thats why there are choices in this world. I dont see the point of putting them down for just their looks. My wife and I, among friends and family, like the look of the marble 9.0s. Any photo that is seen does not due these speakers justice. They are functiional art, striking, look more expensive than they are and add to the room! My wife loves them, especially after having maggie 1.6s which are wonderful speakers in their own right, but take up a lot of room.

These are the most detailed speaker I have ever heard. The sound gets better and better every day. Scanspeak recommends 200 hours of break in before the speaker reaches its potential. I have about 70 hours and if they sound this good now, I cant wait until they are fully broken in. The revelator 9900 is the most detailed, acurate, transparent tweeter I have ever heard. Cymbals ring, not clank. Female vocals are wonderful, you can hear every breath. You can hear the string/fret buzz of acustical guitars like the performance is in your room. The revelator woofer is equally amazing. If your looking for earth shatering thumping boom box lows, look elsewhere. If your looking for detailed, fast, acurate lows (30hz!)you have found your speaker. It is amazing how much bass a 5.5" woofer can put out. I have no need to use my Hsu sub for music, just using it for HT. I listen to all types of music from Beck to the blues and am amazed at how musical this speaker is. A good test for any system is Beck's "Odelay" CD. This CD covers every style and has so many crazy high and low pitched sounds. The norhs deliver seperating the details compared to the maggie 1.6s which sounded more "congested." I loved the maggies for jazz/clasical, the norhs are better overall performers.

The main differences between the 9.0 and 7.0 would be the bass extension and the detail. I feel the 9900 tweeter is more refined and detailed over the 9500 (which I had in my wood 7.0 version) and the 9700 (which I had in my marble 7.0.) It takes the music to a new level. The 7.0 will play louder (87db sensitivity) using the scanspeak 7" woofer. I find the bass quicker and more accurate also. As great as the 7.0 were, the 9.0s are truely a world class speaker.

I have had no problems volume wise in my 18x12 room that opens up to a 16x12 kitchen. They play more than loud enough and can hit insane levels. You want a low sensitivity speaker? Try the maggies and they played plenty loud. The maggies are rated at 86dB/500Hz /2.83v which translates to about 81db at 1khz/2.83v which is how 99% of all speaker makers measure speakers (1khz) including norh.

Am I happy with my purchase after my initial novelity period has worn off? YES. Would I buy them again? YES. These speakers represent one of the true bargins in audio and I believe you would have to spend (atleast the speakers that I have owned and the mega expensive speakers that I have heard, wilson, proac, B&W among countless others) $6-8K to equal the performance and sound you get from the 9.0s.

A lot of people would like to see Michael Barnes and nOrh fail as well as Outlaw, Hsu Research, SVS, Edge Audio, Odyssey, etc that have changed the traditional way people buy audio equipment. These companies offer a superior product at great value and are making a lot of people including maunfactures, middle men and retailers very nervous. I also love the money saved in my pocket, not the middle men or retailers. I would have never been able to achieve the quality of sound that nOrh and Hsu offer If it had to be marked up 200% and purchased through normal channels. You will not be disapointed with these speakers, they are truely world class, a great value, and very special.

Similar Products Used:

Owned a number of speakers including magnepan 1.6, mmg, SD p100, norh 7.0 wood and marble, countles others, demoed hundreds over the years.

This is a follow-up to my last review posted below.
Anyone who read my last review can remember how upset and dissatisfied I was when I got my 9.0's.
I have got an advice at the Speaker techtalk forum to email Michael Barnes and see if he could do something.
Now,I am a down to earth guy. I didn't have high expectations about a major help from nOrh. If there is one thing I have learnt in my life is that a retailer job usually ends when the product is sold, if you're not satisfied and didn't check first about return policy, you're usually in trouble. I always did all of my big audio purchases in my town, and I personally know most of the audio retailers in it, I also know perfectly well how "cool" they suddenly become when I'm not so satisfied with a product they have sold me. So what the heck could I expect from an anonymous Internet company in Thailand ???
Apparently, A LOT!.
From the first e-mail I've got from Michael Barnes I could discern something really odd, he wasn't about the money, he was kind, honest, helpful, and as I later found out, most generous.
I never thought such amazing service quality can exist in real life.
I don't want to go into detail about what he did (since this is between me and him), but he worked with the original purchaser (the one I got the speakers from) and compensated me in a way which now turned me 180 degrees into a glad, happy, and satisfied customer.
I am so deeply shocked that a company like nOrh still exist in our world.
Since my reviews always were about MY satisfaction rather than objective "product quality" measurements, you'll have to forgive me for the 5 STARS I'm giving nOrh now, it's not just for the speakers, it's for the whole nOrh experience, it's a truly first class ride, and for me, it's all due to the unbelievable service quality.
(I won't ask the moderator to remove my 1 star review since it really reflected my feelings when first getting the speakers. Like for any other company, there will always be those who aren't satisfied, the question is, how do you deal with them ?, nOrh way is the way to do it right!.
Sorry if I sounded a bit over zealous, but I feel I have any right to be!, I'm both happy and satisfied!!!

Incredible imaging, free from boxiness, airy, prodigious bass from 5.5 inch drivers.

Norh supplied stands are ugly and wobbly. Find alternative stands. Can only be auditioned in Thailand!

I have yet to hear a better speaker for under 3000USD.
These speakers do things that box speakers can only aspire to. They are absolutely free from boxiness or congestion and the marble enclosures complement the Scanspeak Revelator tweeters fully. The Revelator 5.5" woofers are outstanding but require a long break-in period of min 200hrs.
I heard some B&W Nautilus 801s a few months ago [in a different system to mine though] and I prefer the Norhs.
At 3000USD a pair I doubt there is anything out there that comes close. Unfortunately these speakers can only be auditioned in Thailand!
They are relatively easy to position but need some air around them. They sound best firing straight out , no toe-in.
I use them with a Naim CDX player, Valve Audio Black Widow pre and Classe' 25 power amp. Home made Ubyte speaker cables [see TNT-AUDIO.COM for outstanding DIY cables at the price] and Siltech interconnects.

Similar Products Used:

Thiel CS2.2 , B&W[several], Apogees, Maggies, Sonus Faber.

Bass... goes down and its controlled. Very good range.

Bit hard to find suitable stand
At purchase time there was a long queue

I have owned the product for eight moths now, so this is not a first impression. I had very high expectations for this product and it met every one of them! I'm not very experienced at writing rewievs gut here goes.

You can play these peakers quiet or loud, they soud good both ways. Dynamics are just fabulous. I like tight and controlled bass, no dissapointment there. I haven't found the speaker to bottom out in bass range yet. Whole range sounds very good. (for me 85db is nice, 90 is quite loud and 94 is definetly TOO LOUD. I had 45wpc amp and now I have 100wpc amp. works fine with both)

Craftmanship is great. Customer help/ support is also great. Courier company handled the customs so no fuss there.

Why I decidet to buy speakers without hearing them first:
1) quolity drives
2) stats given for the product
3) material
4) cabinet shape
5) two way system (keep it simple)

I'm not able to describe the sound as some more experienced people are. Best I can come up with is "It sounds as it should". I don't have "blessed golden ears" so others might find something lacking. I'm quite critical listener tough and I turned quite many speakers down before I ordered these.

Main thing I'm trying to say is that I really loved these speakers and wanted to post my feelings for you to read as one base for your decision.

I can recomend these speakers. I live in helsinki and I'm willing to meet intrested audiophiles.

uniqueness, sound quality

need to buy appropriate end tables for their support, minor quality issues.

It is amazing what pleasant sound comes from speakers that have a mid/woofer of 5.5 inches. Plenty of full range sound. My other full range pair of speakers are Wharfedale 89's at 43" tall with two bass drivers that also rate at 30hz -3dB. I'm using the Wharfedale's in the opposite corners (not really in the corner) of my main room (20' x 16')as surround speakers when in Dolby Digital mode. Sometimes I use them as alternate main speakers which is done easily with banana plugs on the wires into the receiver.

If someone is looking for good full range sound, and small budget is important concern, the Wharfedale's are an excellent choice (they also come in the attractive rosewood vinyl, which I have).

If you are looking for something different, that sends a message of your being a unique person the nOrh 9.0 in black will do it. I get the impression that they are very accurate music reproducers. The bass is very tight. The highs are not too sharp--very neutral.

I have not experienced any bottoming out of the nOrh's. But I do live in an apartment and turing them up to extreme levels would be inconsiderate of my neighbors.

There are definite difference between how these sound and the Wharfedale's when they are placed at the same location. The Wharfedale's have a sharper high end which may be preferable to many people. Some people have some hearing loss and the extra high treble response maybe just great for them. Rockers who want the live sound will dig the Wharfedale's. The nOrh's will be loved most by fans of jazz and classical. They do fine with all music. I love Dead Can Dance and both speakers do great.

The minor quality issues are:
1. One of the four legs on one of the speakers doesn't reach the surface of my table. nOhr deals with this difficulty of using washers to extend a leg the extra amount needed. In my case they missed adjusting this one leg. The washers blend-in well. I haven't asked nOhr to send me a washer because the weight of these cabinets will leave dimples in wood furniture. I solved both problems with some thick furniture pads about a .5" in diameter. They are dark brown and match my new end tables.
2. The front grill is of a metal that is too thin for the tension of the silk strings. The tension causes the grills to warp. Also there is no shim to place at the bottom of the grill to keep the grill from falling tight at the bottom due to gravity and the pivot/support point being at the center. To even the spacing of the grill I used some 1/4" thick by 1" glazing tape that I have a roll of and cut it to fashion shim that sits unobtrusively at the bottom between the grill and the baffle. I'm not concerned about the warp in the grill anymore. It's not noticable unless you are examing it very closely. Another thing that is not noticable unless you look very closely is that the finish of the marble has tooling marks from the lathe cutting process. The finishing/polishing process doesn't continue to the point where this is completely removed. This is probably a cost decision. To keep the price within range of more people it has to be decided if the range of polishing is adequate for say 95% of customers. I'm one of those 95%, but you should know it won't be of the same smoothness as flat marble.

For those who are not hearing enough bass, I suggest that move your listening position out of your rooms null spot which is usually in the center. Put your listening position a few feet closer to the back wall and you will hear plenty of bass.

My last words are the nOhrs are fine with home theater use. My system sounds superb.

Similar Products Used:

AR 48b's, Wharfedale Saphire 89

Great Drivers

Poor quality control

I found this speaker to be very dynamic and in your face. Not a bad thing if you like that. The tweeter is one of the best I have heard, very detailed. The woofer bottoms out to easy at higher volumes, but is quick , but not too authorative. The fit and finish is terrible. One speaker sits on 3 legs, yet there are four spacers on another. The grill covers sit in very loosly. One speaker weighs 20% less than the other. If I had bought these from a local store, I would have returned them because of the quality. For something that sells for $3K, it has a lot to be desired in that catagory. I find the speaker to be overpriced and the $2K I paid for it used is more appropriate. I will probably sell them soon having like my 804s better.

Similar Products Used:

B&W 804, newform research 645, many others over the years