Finally got my NHT 2.5I speakers rebuilt;

[Happy Joe]

Switched them in place of the Klipsch R26 F speakers that I was using for rears.
https://www.klipsch.com/products/r-26f



The NHTs have an angled front and work better in the rear since they line up better with my main listening position.
https://www.audioexcite.com/?page_id=5386



The biggest issue is that since the cabinets are very picky as far as the mid-range drivers that will fit; I need to severely limit the level. to keep them from blowing. I have some Current production Peerless Mid-ranges that I can make fit (kind of) but will loose the phase timing somewhat as they will extend lightly beyond the front of the speaker box. Most modern 6.5 " mid-ranges or mid/woofers have larger magnets that interfere with fitment.

The tweeters were replaced with current production SEAS tweeters (matched as closely as I could to the original response; then were cut down to fit the cabinet's tweeter holes. The original NHT/SEAS tweeters had a custom/undersized mounting plate.

While this is not an exact restoration it/they sound better than the Klipsch speakers.
(I do not care for the sound of horn tweeters).

Enjoy!

 

[MrBoat]

Switched them in place of the Klipsch R26 F speakers that I was using for rears.
https://www.klipsch.com/products/r-26f

View attachment 73851

The NHTs have an angled front and work better in the rear since they line up better with my main listening position.
https://www.audioexcite.com/?page_id=5386

View attachment 73850

The biggest issue is that since the cabinets are very picky as far as the mid-range drivers that will fit; I need to severely limit the level. to keep them from blowing. I have some Current production Peerless Mid-ranges that I can make fit (kind of) but will loose the phase timing somewhat as they will extend lightly beyond the front of the speaker box. Most modern 6.5 " mid-ranges or mid/woofers have larger magnets that interfere with fitment.

The tweeters were replaced with current production SEAS tweeters (matched as closely as I could to the original response; then were cut down to fit the cabinet's tweeter holes. The original NHT/SEAS tweeters had a custom/undersized mounting plate.

While this is not an exact restoration it/they sound better than the Klipsch speakers.
(I do not care for the sound of horn tweeters).

Enjoy!

With so many good used speakers available now, I don't see the point in bastardizing or patching old designs anymore like we used to. It used to be a thing when speaker design quality of the consumer lines was questionable to begin with with and perhaps less quality to lose. Now there are excellent speakers everywhere. I scored two pair of JBL in excellent condition for $75/pr.

Often times, you can find the exact speaker you are repairing for less than the replacement parts. A friend of mine set out to repair a pair of Infinity towers he has had since the '90s. He found the exact pair in pristine condition for $200 on FB marketplace. He kept what was still good from his old ones for parts for the better ones.

The only problem I have buying used is I keep finding more of the same ones on marketplace and it's hard not to buy them for parts for when the audio apocalypse hits or because I feel sorry for them.

 

[Happy Joe]

...I have to confess that I am old and resistant to change; so I find it difficult to scrap excellent speakers due to a couple of blown 6.5 inch drivers (and one tweeter, apparently, intermittently defective from the factory- minor Mystery-SOLVED).

Replacing the Existing NHT/Seas tweeters with (slightly physically modified) current production was relatively easy. Mostly involving several hours comparing specs and response curves; then a couple of more hours with a file to reduce their mounting plate diameters. (as a backup plan I also ordered a couple of current production Peerless 3/4 inch dome tweeters that have better fitting mounting plates; as a tertiary plan I ordered some parts express titanium tweeters (which if used will also need the mounting plate diameters modified). I may try these later.

The best replacement for the blown mid-ranges, so far, are a pair of, highly rated, 'though unnamed 30 watt drivers.
I did rough in a set of current production, somewhat higher power rated Peerless mid ranges and they also sounded good... but have some fitment issues.
I do have a couple of sets of these unnamed drivers (from Parts Express; I planned on blowing a couple).
However, since these speakers are being used as relatively low power rear speakers; so far, they work well.
and they have the advantage of the slanted fronts that mean they do not need to be turned/toed in as far to integrate into the listening space. (room width and a doorway are concerns).

My biggest problem with used speakers is; they are not in current use for a reason, ...And why should I risk poor sound and undetermined problems when I am so close to a good rebuild solution?

Note; while I had the NHT speakers apart I checked out the caps in the crossovers and they seem to be good (no leakage or shorts and still meet their marked values).

I could also design and build some speakers from scratch, however I have found, in the past, that by the time they are fully debugged that I would usually have been ahead by purchasing new speakers.

Personally, I don't mind the effort involved; and the costs of drivers is not , usually that great.
It's really basket weaving compared to the tasks of modifying Four Wheel drive vehicles for highway and off road use; which I am becoming too decrepit (and now have a pacemaker that means I am forbidden from welding) to do any more.

Enjoy!

(edit) I now note that the Klipsch speakers have 6.5 inch drivers ; and may become useful.as replacements; more research is indicated...

Enjoy

 

[Kingnoob]

Switched them in place of the Klipsch R26 F speakers that I was using for rears.
https://www.klipsch.com/products/r-26f

View attachment 73851

The NHTs have an angled front and work better in the rear since they line up better with my main listening position.
https://www.audioexcite.com/?page_id=5386

View attachment 73850

The biggest issue is that since the cabinets are very picky as far as the mid-range drivers that will fit; I need to severely limit the level. to keep them from blowing. I have some Current production Peerless Mid-ranges that I can make fit (kind of) but will loose the phase timing somewhat as they will extend lightly beyond the front of the speaker box. Most modern 6.5 " mid-ranges or mid/woofers have larger magnets that interfere with fitment.

The tweeters were replaced with current production SEAS tweeters (matched as closely as I could to the original response; then were cut down to fit the cabinet's tweeter holes. The original NHT/SEAS tweeters had a custom/undersized mounting plate.

While this is not an exact restoration it/they sound better than the Klipsch speakers.
(I do not care for the sound of horn tweeters).

Enjoy!

I didn’t know NHT made these they are way before I got any speakers I see they have built in subs bass must be good. My Klipsch can get bright also id imagine that’s why you don’t like them. Those ones you have are similar to mine in driver materials but look almost identical with different colored copper drivers.
So you’re using them as rears what mains are you using? And do the built in subs produce decent bass?how close are the replacement drivers sounding to the original?

...I have to confess that I am old and resistant to change; so I find it difficult to scrap excellent speakers due to a couple of blown 6.5 inch drivers (and one tweeter, apparently, intermittently defective from the factory- minor Mystery-SOLVED).

Replacing the Existing NHT/Seas tweeters with (slightly physically modified) current production was relatively easy. Mostly involving several hours comparing specs and response curves; then a couple of more hours with a file to reduce their mounting plate diameters. (as a backup plan I also ordered a couple of current production Peerless 3/4 inch dome tweeters that have better fitting mounting plates; as a tertiary plan I ordered some parts express titanium tweeters (which if used will also need the mounting plate diameters modified). I may try these later.

The best replacement for the blown mid-ranges, so far, are a pair of, highly rated, 'though unnamed 30 watt drivers.
I did rough in a set of current production, somewhat higher power rated Peerless mid ranges and they also sounded good... but have some fitment issues.
I do have a couple of sets of these unnamed drivers (from Parts Express; I planned on blowing a couple).
However, since these speakers are being used as relatively low power rear speakers; so far, they work well.
and they have the advantage of the slanted fronts that mean they do not need to be turned/toed in as far to integrate into the listening space. (room width and a doorway are concerns).

My biggest problem with used speakers is; they are not in current use for a reason, ...And why should I risk poor sound and undetermined problems when I am so close to a good rebuild solution?

Note; while I had the NHT speakers apart I checked out the caps in the crossovers and they seem to be good (no leakage or shorts and still meet their marked values).

I could also design and build some speakers from scratch, however I have found, in the past, that by the time they are fully debugged that I would usually have been ahead by purchasing new speakers.

Personally, I don't mind the effort involved; and the costs of drivers is not , usually that great.
It's really basket weaving compared to the tasks of modifying Four Wheel drive vehicles for highway and off road use; which I am becoming too decrepit (and now have a pacemaker that means I am forbidden from welding) to do any more.

Enjoy!

(edit) I now note that the Klipsch speakers have 6.5 inch drivers ; and may become useful.as replacements; more research is indicated...

Enjoy

 

[isolar8001]

My Klipsch can get bright also id imagine that’s why you don’t like them. Those ones you have are similar to mine in driver materials but look almost identical with different colored copper drivers.

Just because someone mentioned Klipsch, we don't need to hear about your bargain basement Icons for the 1000th time.
All yours have in common are the brand name.

 

[Happy Joe]

Just because someone mentioned Klipsch, we don't need to hear about your bargain basement Icons for the 1000th time.
All yours have in common are the brand name.

Well they are speakers, and while bit on the rare side I do like the way the sound; along with many reviewers during the early 2000s; like the original Klipsch they were made with a touch of genius...
Re Klipsch; I am considering how to replace those nasty horn tweeters with something that gives less colored reproduction; even very bright Seas dome tweeters would be an improvement over these particular horns, IMO.

... and I do need some decent sounding side surrounds (even ones based on modified Klipsch...)

Enjoy!

 

[Happy Joe]

I didn’t know NHT made these they are way before I got any speakers I see they have built in subs bass must be good. My Klipsch can get bright also id imagine that’s why you don’t like them. Those ones you have are similar to mine in driver materials but look almost identical with different colored copper drivers.
So you’re using them as rears what mains are you using? And do the built in subs produce decent bass?how close are the replacement drivers sounding to the original?

Yes! the low end was good enough that I put my powered subs into long term storage for twenty years or so...
The original tweeters of the NHT's were made by Seas and were quite bright; so its not the brightness that bothers me. The Klipsch horn tweeters sound harsh, to me, also... That bothers me.

(...Just dug a JBL powered sub out last night The sound was not good. I will order something a bit more modern (Perhapse the RBH 12 inch...).

A receiver trial blew the out the nht's mid-ranges. So I looked and listened around for replacement speakers... Settled on some POLK r700s because they sounded closest to the NHTs. While searching for replacements I decided to try some KLipsch speakers;... Mistake! ...so the year long NHT rebuild journey started.

The repaired nht's have 10 inch side firing woofers which still reproduce decently low notes.

The replacement mid-ranges sound very similar to the originals, (as I imagined any relatively flat mid-range would with a similar spl) but are lower powered drivers (30 watt; so I am limited level wise...). Still considering how to adapt higher powered mid-range drivers...

Enjoy!

 

[Kingnoob]

Yes! the low end was good enough that I put my powered subs into long term storage for twenty years or so...
The original tweeters of the NHT's were made by Seas and were quite bright; so its not the brightness that bothers me. The Klipsch horn tweeters sound harsh, to me, also... That bothers me.

(...Just dug a JBL powered sub out last night The sound was not good. I will order something a bit more modern (Perhapse the RBH 12 inch...).

A receiver trial blew the out the nht's mid-ranges. So I looked and listened around for replacement speakers... Settled on some POLK r700s because they sounded closest to the NHTs. While searching for replacements I decided to try some KLipsch speakers;... Mistake! ...so the year long NHT rebuild journey started.

The repaired nht's have 10 inch side firing woofers which still reproduce decently low notes.

The replacement mid-ranges sound very similar to the originals, (as I imagined any relatively flat mid-range would with a similar spl) but are lower powered drivers (30 watt; so I am limited level wise...). Still considering how to adapt higher powered mid-range drivers...

Enjoy!

don’t the woofers take the most power then midrange is second?30 watts might still handle decent power.
which JBL powered sub? Could it had degraded in storage ?
Yeah I’m surprised you passed on the POLK r700 they look really good. I can’t seem to find a smaller version of them though with the same driver configuration. KLipsch I wouldn’t had chose over them unless you got them for lighter weight. I only kept mine because movies sounded good , unfortunately they are too common so I can’t sell them and KLipsch rp wasn’t around when I got mine. The heritage are far too heavy and expensive for me. The real deal ones.

 

[Happy Joe]

don’t the woofers take the most power then midrange is second?30 watts might still handle decent power.
which JBL powered sub? Could it had degraded in storage ?
Yeah I’m surprised you passed on the POLK r700 they look really good. I can’t seem to find a smaller version of them though with the same driver configuration. KLipsch I wouldn’t had chose over them unless you got them for lighter weight. I only kept mine because movies sounded good , unfortunately they are too common so I can’t sell them and KLipsch rp wasn’t around when I got mine. The heritage are far too heavy and expensive for me. The real deal ones.

...as far as the 30 watt replacement drivers; so far so good... I also have spare drivers and some Peerless drivers, that don't fit as well, waiting in the wings.
I'll have to tip the JBL up to look at the model number (in a minute)....JBL PSW-1000.
"Degraded in storage"; is also my guess; 'though I don't remember it as ever sounding great..., looked at the foam woofer surround and it looks fine...
I am using the r700s as mains and except for (picky) criticisms about the tweeters; they sound pretty good, the 8" woofers work well with the 10" NHT (Peerless) woofers.
I got the klipsch as a fall back/interim/"gotta have something NOW" option, before I listened to the polk r700's. (note; I did install a 200-300 watt (RMS) Crown amp as the bottom end of the Polks seemed a bit anemic when driven by just 100 watts).

Enjoy!