Indiana Line Nota 5 speakers

The Indiana Line Nota 5 is the first floorstanding model in the new Nota series. It is the evolution of the Indiana Line 550 X. It is designed for small amplifiers and small spaces.

Indiana Line Nota 5: Design

The Indiana Line Nota 5 is a compact floorstanding speaker with an MDF cabinet measuring 875 x 170 x 236 mm.

The side panels are covered with an elegant classic oak or black oak veneer. The other walls of the speaker are finished in matt black PVC, resistant to scratches and fingerprints. Slightly rounded edges give the whole a sense of softness without altering its sober, classic character. The clean, minimalist front baffle is enhanced by trim rings that elegantly conceal the fixings of the mid/bass driver.

Indiana Line Nota 5: Technology

The speaker is built from very rigid MDF and braced horizontally with perforated panels, which limits cabinet resonances. These ring-shaped transverse braces have been placed at key points along the full height of the speaker to completely eliminate unwanted vibrations.

The top of the spectrum is reproduced by an excellent 26 mm textile dome tweeter. This high-frequency transducer features a radial damping chamber and a powerful neodymium magnet. Placing the dome in a custom waveguide effectively improves sound dispersion.

The midrange and bass are reproduced by two 150 mm drivers. They are fitted with a polypropylene and mica composite cone, as on the Tesi range.

These drivers are paired with a larger, more powerful magnet than on the previous version.

Combined with a new optimised suspension and a new motor system, they deliver excellent precision and remarkable clarity in the midrange.

The bass/mid drivers are bass-reflex loaded via a port that opens at the front of the speaker, making it easier to position.

The crossover has also been completely redesigned, notably incorporating air-core inductors for a remarkably even frequency response. It sets the crossover frequency at 2,700 Hz. The crossover topology draws on solutions used in the manufacturer's high-end models.

Internal damping relies on a non-woven synthetic foam known to be an excellent absorber of internal cabinet resonances.

Connection to the amplifier is via a high-quality plated single terminal. It accepts bare wire, banana plugs and spades.

Indiana Line Nota 5: Sound

The Nota 5 is relatively easy to position. The best results were obtained by spacing the speakers between 2.5 m and 3 m apart.

The 26 mm textile tweeter delivers detailed reproduction without sibilance or harshness.

It is paired with a clear, detailed and dynamic midrange.

The bass is rather generous for speakers of this size. It offers a good sense of substance, with surprising readability and scale. The Nota 5 even reaches very low for a speaker in this category: the manufacturer quotes 42 Hz, and this seems to be borne out.

The Nota 5 is perfect for small spaces between 18 and 25 m².

They offer an affordable solution and, above all, surprising sound reproduction that is certainly unrivalled in this category.

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FAQ: Everything you need to know before buying the Indiana Line Nota 5 speakers

What room size suits the Indiana Line Nota 5 floorstanding speakers?

The Nota 5 is perfect for small spaces of around 18 to 25 m². This range is indicative: a larger room would require more power.

Which amplifier should drive the Nota 5?

Designed for small amplifiers, the Nota 5 has a sensitivity of 91 dB and a recommended amplifier power of 30 to 130 W. Our experts pair it with the Rotel A08 integrated amplifier or the Musical Fidelity B1xi, two amplifiers well matched to its character, and happily complete the system with a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO II turntable.

Are the Nota 5 easy to place in a living room?

Yes: their bass-reflex port opens at the front of the speaker, which makes positioning easier. The best results were obtained by spacing them between 2.5 m and 3 m apart. To get the most out of them, see our article on the mistakes to avoid in hi-fi.

How good is the bass from such a compact floorstander?

The Nota 5's bass is rather generous for speakers of this size, with a good sense of substance, fine readability and surprising scale. The midrange and bass are handled by two 150 mm drivers with polypropylene and mica composite cones. The manufacturer quotes a response down to 42 Hz, and this seems to be borne out in listening.