NHT SuperZero - how loud?

[KEW]

I am hoping someone has experience using these in a larger room.
I have a pair and know they do better than a typical satellite-size speaker because NHT chose not to pursue bass.
But I am wondering how big of a room they can reasonably work in.
Would cross to subs at 150Hz.

Thanks!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

http://myhometheater.homestead.com/splcalculator.html
fill in the Sensitivity - 87, Amp power - lets assume max handled - 75w, near wall or not and number - let say 2.
with 10 feet distance and near wall placement - you'll get max spl of 102db - that pretty darn loud to me
You'd need to be at 40 feet for spl to drop to 90db

 

[Steve81]

fill in the Sensitivity - 87, Amp power - lets assume max handled - 75w, near wall or not and number - let say 2.

Unfortunately, that calc can't really give you a complete picture since we don't know what the 75W rating actually represents. Is that the max the speaker can take before smoking the voice coil, or is it the max the SuperZero can take while still delivering clean and clear output with minimal compression? Usually, such ratings tend towards the former.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Unfortunately, that calc can't really give you a complete picture since we don't know what the 75W rating actually represents. Is that the max the speaker can take before smoking the voice coil, or is it the max the SuperZero can take while still delivering clean and clear output with minimal compression? Usually, such ratings tend towards the former.

Normally I'd totally agree with you, but it's NHT and I'd expect them to be very conservative with their ratings.

 

[j_garcia]

Since these don't extend very low and they are sealed, they can actually handle quite a bit of output. Really liked them back in the day and they're still a solid speaker. 75W actual should be good, but for a really large room, you may need more than that due to the sensitivity.

The issue there is whether or no the sub can handle a 150Hz x-over well. Low vocals will start to blend to the sub.

 

[KEW]

The issue there is whether or no the sub can handle a 150Hz x-over well. Low vocals will start to blend to the sub.

Good point!
A pair of PSA XS15se's seem well suited in this application.
Per Mr. Ricci:

The basic frequency response shape with the low pass filter bypassed shows a response that is cleanly extended up to 200Hz and beyond

The overall response with the low pass filter disabled fits within a 6dB total window (+/-3dB) from 28-370Hz.

http://www.data-bass.com/data?page=system&id=105&mset=117

 

[DigitalDawn]

What size is your room (WHD)?

 

[Swerd]

I have NHT SuperZeros as rear channel speakers in my family room (about 15×24 feet, not counting the adjoining kitchen). I now only use them for movies and not music in a system that has Salk SongTowers & SongCenter in front. The NHTs are closer to the main seating position (about 4-5 feet) than the front 3 speakers (about 9-10 feet). But they seem to be able to keep up with the front speakers after I balanced the system.

I think the SuperZeros can handle bass lower than 150 Hz. I'd consider crossing them at 90-100 Hz. Note that I have the older original SuperZeros which I bought in 2000. If the newer ones are different, I wouldn't know.

 

[Steve81]

I think the SuperZeros can handle bass lower than 150 Hz. I'd consider crossing them at 90-100 Hz.

They can, but then you'll run into displacement limits that much quicker. For your rig, running them as surrounds in a 5.1 setup and placed relatively close to the seating position, no big deal. Running as mains in a 2.1 system in a larger space, it may be problematic depending on how loud you want to listen.