replacing drivers in NHT SuperOnes

[grump53]

I have a pair of NHT SuperOnes and would like to find out if anyone has tried replacing the tweeter or even both drivers. As they are the sound is muddy, bass heavy, and the highs aren't clear or sharp. I've ABed them with Smaller Advents and with Grado SR80s and both sound much better. My thanks for any ideas?

 

[its phillip]

Just buy new speakers if you don't like those.

 

[markw]

Just buy new speakers if you don't like those.

Agree, but I've never heard of these speakers being described as being bass heavy. Are the tweeters working?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Call NHT ask for help, sounds like something is broken or issue with source

 

[j_garcia]

Did this start recently and they were fine before? NHT is who you would call to find drivers anyway, so a call to them is probably a good idea. These are one of the cleanest sounding speakers out there, so something isn't right. Absolutely never heard of these called muddy, and I've listened to them many times myself. What are they hooked up to?

A lot of people like Grados but I honestly wasn't that impressed with them, not to mention they aren't comfortable either.

 

[grump53]

I apreciate the feedback and I hear that it is fairly consistent, but these don't sound as good as I think they should. I've run them with both a JVC reciever and with an old Advent 300. They sound good enough that I don't beleive that the problem is something NHT can fix, just a problem that I don't appreciate their type of sound.

I agree that the Grado's aren't the ultimate headphones but they are pretty good and they do have a tighter sound than these NHTs. Of course these Grados were fairly inexpensive and come with a plug sized for an mp3 player.

I'll do as advised and contact the company. Since these no longer show on the NHT website I thought that maybe other people were unimpressed with them also. Thanks for setting me straight.

 

[j_garcia]

Are you playing them full range with bass heavy audio? IMO, these ones are a bit too small to be played full range, being sealed and all. Though they claim -3dB 57Hz, being sealed, they don't have any authority at their bottom end and really will be best crossed over with a sub, probably an 80Hz x-over. For their size though, they can handle quite a bit of power; bass heavy is not how I would describe them in my experience.

I am not saying they are one of the greatest speakers out there, but they certainly aren't bad speakers by any means.

You might want to consider a pair of Ascend CBM-170SEs. Also quite small and very neutral sounding.

 

[grump53]

I guess the NHT SuperOnes are Ok but they are far from great. I think that they are performing as they should, I just don't like their sound. But still I am curious about replacing the drivers and maybe that should be just the tweeter or just the woofer. Reading the site for Zaph Audio has made me curious about building speakers and since I have these cabinets and crossovers modifying them came to mind. I realize that it may result in an unlistenable disaster but it might be fun. I would appreciate any constructive thoughts or ideas.

 

[j_garcia]

If you are considering DIY, you are best off with a kit or at least a proven design that you can take the plans and build. Starting with a cabinet that was designed for something else isn't likely to work unless you find something that has a very similar cabinet requirement.

Check the DIY forum here.... I've never heard anything from Zaph, but I've heard good things about their stuff. Click on GR in my sig too - they make some excellent kits.

 

[TLS Guy]

I have a pair of NHT SuperOnes and would like to find out if anyone has tried replacing the tweeter or even both drivers. As they are the sound is muddy, bass heavy, and the highs aren't clear or sharp. I've ABed them with Smaller Advents and with Grado SR80s and both sound much better. My thanks for any ideas?

I have never heard NHT speakers sound like you describe. Bass as been if anything lean with a slightly aggressive HF.

What are you listening to? If it is mp3 files or other compressed media, that is your problem.

I suspect you have a very poor audio source.

You can not compare speakers to phones.

If you mod those speakers you will have an audio disaster.

It will be much simpler to build a pair of speakers from scratch. Cabinets and crossovers are specific for the drivers.