Entered CNET Catalog: 10/31/2003
SKU: Primus 150
Manufacturer: Harman International Industries
Manufacturer description
The Primus 150 is a 2-way 5.25" bookshelf monitor designed for home theater and music systems where space is limited. It utilizes CMMD drivers to deliver the same clear, richly detailed, musical sound quality as the larger Primus models. The Primus 150 is suitable for use in a wide range of listening environments and placement positions, including on stands or shelves. It includes a keyhole mount to facilitate wall-mounting in a variety of locations.Product summary
The good: Two-way bookshelf design featuring a proprietary 5.25-inch woofer and 0.75-inch tweeter; robust construction; straightforward wall-mounting.
The bad: Bass response is slightly lacking; not particularly attractive.
The bottom line: Up front or at the rear in a surround position, this little speaker serves up sweet sounds.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 11/14/2003
Nobody will ever confuse an Infinity Primus 150 bookshelf speaker ($99) with a satellite from a home theater in a box. The 150 is too big and too well finished to be mistaken for a lesser competitor, and its metal woofers and tweeters just don't exist in all-in-one systems.
Measuring 12.75 inches high, 7.5 inches wide, and 10.5 inches deep, the 150 is medium-size. The very solidly constructed design weighs an unexpectedly heavy 13.5 pounds. Black "wood grain" vinyl is the one available finish, and the removable grille cloth comes in black only. Infinity offers two other bookshelf models: the smaller Primus 140 ($89) and the bigger Primus 160 ($129).
The 150's magnetically shielded 5.25-inch woofer and 0.75-inch tweeter use Infinity's proprietary Metal Matrix Diaphragm technology. These anodized-aluminum drivers supposedly generate lower distortion than their more common plastic and metal counterparts. The keyhole slots on the rear panel and the rubber bumpers ensure easy wall-mounting. And thanks to the front-facing port, being up against a wall won't adversely affect the 150's sound.
We used a pair of 150s with two of their Infinity siblings: a PS 10 subwoofer. The 150s' laid-back treble may lack the detail of, say, PSB Alpha Bs, but the Primus models are commendably easy on the ears. Even at the end of long listening sessions, they sounded great.
We never did get the PS 10 to blend seamlessly with the 150s; the midbass was always a little too lightweight for our taste. That's not to say it was bad, but the 150s' lack of warmth and fullness was noticeable on DVDs and particularly with music.
All in all, the 150 is far more refined and substantial than the plastic boxes populating lesser all-in-one home-theater packages. The Primus is also multitalented, working equally well in the main front positions and as a surround unit. Two 150s can fill even a 300-square-foot room with sound and play louder, without strain, than any HTIB speakers we've heard.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5out of 5 user reviews
Great for any home theater system
Pros: Solid Construction, great highs, sound quality is crisp and clear
Cons: Lacks bass, not very atractive
out of 5 user reviews
Great big sound, itty bitty price!
Pros: Full bodied sound, solid construction, Infinity reputation and warranty
Cons: Slightly bass anemic but hey that's what the subwoofer is for!
out of 5 user reviews
These Speakers are Amazing
Pros: I tested probably 20 other speakers before settling on the Primus line...it was no contest. The closest thing to match their sound were much larger speakers costing over $1000 a pair (at $200 a pair these are a steal -- pray the cops don't catch you). S
Cons: The lower bass range is great...not amazing, but most people would probably not even notice. If you are looking for great lower bass, chances are you have an accompaning powered bass...so it's really a nonissue. If you want great lower bass, you'll have
out of 5 user reviews
lots of quality for $90
Pros: clarity, quality of sound and build. they look good too with or without the speaker covers. solid overall
Cons: mediocre bass response. ok if you have a powered amp functioning with it
out of 5 user reviews
Solid speakers
Pros: Impeccable sound reproduction. Low to no distortion even at intolerable volume levels. Great price. Nice size.
Cons: Not bi-wirable/bi-ampable. It is true that they don't have extremely robust bass, but HEY! They're $90 and they're bookshelves!
