Realistic NOVA 8B

A three-way bookshelf speaker system sold under Radio Shack's house brand, with a 12" woofer and a multi-driver array.

Overview

The Realistic NOVA 8B is a loudspeaker sold under Realistic, the consumer electronics brand used by Radio Shack. It belongs to the "Classic Models" lineup of Realistic speakers. Each cabinet holds a 12-inch woofer, two mid-range drivers and a tweeter, with a crossover frequency of 1.5kHz. The cabinets are walnut and have two slide switches for control. The exact production period and original pricing are unknown. Vintage audio enthusiasts have taken notice of the NOVA 8B for its multi-driver design and for how easy it is to modify.

Specifications

Driver complement	1 12" woofer, 2 mid-range speakers, 1 tweeter
Controls	Two slide switches
Crossover frequency	1.5kHz
Impedance	8 ohms

Design

The walnut cabinets house a three-way driver array. The crossover point is low, at 1.5kHz, so the 12-inch woofer ends up handling the mids and highs. Forum member Videolady201 (VL) published a crossover redesign on June 27, 2010. It is a documented, tested path for restoring the speaker or improving its performance.

Market

A set of Realistic NOVA 8B speakers was listed for $399.00 in 2024 on Spencer Certified. Crossover degradation has been reported. Users describe audible problems such as crackling at certain frequencies, so these may need maintenance over time.