Bookshelf Speakers — Nola BOXER S3

The Boxer S3 is a small two-way stand-mount model from Nola, the brand of Accent Loudspeaker Technology in Holbrook, New York. The company was formed in 2004 by Carl and Marilyn Marchisotto, and Carl had been designing audio products since 1973, including fifteen years as chief designer at Dahlquist and the Alon line at Acarian Systems. The first Boxer appeared around 2010 at about USD 1,500 per pair. The S3 is the upgraded version of the third generation and sold at USD 3,500 per pair. The original Boxer used a laminated pulp cone in its 6.5 inch driver, and the present Nola catalogue runs from USD 1,900 stand-mounts to the USD 298,000 Grand Reference system.

Key specs that matter

A low-mass 6.5 inch bass and midrange driver works with a silk dome tweeter, and both drivers were new for this generation. Loading is bass reflex, and the port vents from the back of the cabinet. Rated response runs from 38 Hz to 28 kHz, sensitivity is 90 dB and nominal impedance is 8 ohm. Each speaker stands 39.4 cm tall, 20.3 cm wide and 29.2 cm deep. Finishes were Gloss American Cherry and Gloss Black.

Engineering and use context

What separates the S3 from the plain Boxer 3 is inside the box. It received a revised crossover built with Mundorf oil capacitors, and all of its internal wiring is Nordost silver wire, while drivers and cabinet are shared. Nola describes its crossovers as hand-wired and free of fuses or current-limiting devices in the signal path. The solid cabinets are made in the United States. Nola suggests a stand height of 66 cm to place the drivers correctly for a seated listener. With the port venting to the rear, the cabinet should stand clear of the rear wall for the bass tuning to work as intended. The Boxer name has since moved on - the 2026 Nola catalogue lists the Champ S5, an open baffle floorstander, as the only current Boxer Collection model, so the S3 now appears mainly on the used market.

Pairing

The sensitivity and nominal load make the Boxer S3 easy to drive, so a moderately powered transistor amplifier or a good valve integrated of modest output is enough for normal levels in a room of around 20 m2. The rear port and the stated bass extension mean a subwoofer is optional rather than required. Sturdy stands of the suggested height complete the setup.

Alternatives

The Nola Boxer 3 is the same stand-mount without the upgraded crossover and silver wiring, sold at USD 2,500 per pair.