Upgrade for NHT Super 1

[zieglj01]

and I also stated that I would have to see the baffle configuration of both speakers.

This is the RSL
RSL 5.1 Theater Speaker System | Home Theater

This is the PSB
http://www.hometheater.com/content/psb-imagine-mini-speaker-system

 

[Dennis Murphy]

This is the RSL
RSL 5.1 Theater Speaker System | Home Theater

This is the PSB
PSB Imagine Mini Speaker System | Home Theater

After going to the site and reading a description of the RSL, it's possible that there is some kind of reflection cancellation from inside the cabinet even though they moved the woofer to the top to get it out of the way of the folded inner structure. I'm almost tempted to order one to see if I could recommend it for a surround with my Philharmonic mains, and to see whether that dip materializes in my measuring setup, and whether it's audible. The written reviews certainly are enthusiastic.

 

[zieglj01]

After going to the site and reading a description of the RSL, it's possible that there is some kind of reflection cancellation from inside the cabinet even though they moved the woofer to the top to get it out of the way of the folded inner structure. I'm almost tempted to order one to see if I could recommend it for a surround with my Philharmonic mains, and to see whether that dip materializes in my measuring setup, and whether it's audible. The written reviews certainly are enthusiastic.

They look interesting to me - and I believe, that they will sound good.

 

[GranteedEV]

FWIW, The 2db rise near 3khz is what I don't like on the RSL graphs. I'd imagine the droop near 700hz just shows it's meant to be wall-mounted or something. I wouldn't pay much mind to the accopanied rise near 100hz as that's probably from nearfield port / woofer summing technique.

 

[Dennis Murphy]

FWIW, The 2db rise near 3khz is what I don't like on the RSL graphs. I'd imagine the droop near 700hz just shows it's meant to be wall-mounted or something. I wouldn't pay much mind to the accopanied rise near 100hz as that's probably from nearfield port / woofer summing technique.

Well, I ordered one. I'll give you complete report and measurements when it arrives.

 

[alphaiii]

Well, I ordered one. I'll give you complete report and measurements when it arrives.

I have to say... I'll put much more stock in your report, along with the measurements, than any magazine review.

Looking forward to it Mr. Murphy!

 

[kini]

Well, I ordered one. I'll give you complete report and measurements when it arrives.

Awesome! Really looking forward to hearing of your opinion.

I live in Hawaii and of all the great things about that, shipping is not one of them otherwise I would demo them as well.

Thanks

Gene

 

[psbfan9]

I currently have three NHT Super 1’s in my system for LCR which I mate with an ACI Titan. I would like to upgrade the speakers but keep my current configuration with 3 identical bookshelf speakers. My plan is to audition 3 different brands in my home. The NHT Classic 3’s are on my list and thought I would choose Ascend's Sierra and Aperion’s Verus Grand bookshelf. I was curious if anyone has any experience auditioning these speakers.
Thanks Bob

Hi Bob,

I have heard the NHT 3's at a shop. Very nice! I ended up getting PSB B1's because they were cheaper, not necessarily better, but I had a budget.

These are the speakers I originally wanted Salk MBOW1/CAOW1. I have never heard them, but reviews have been very good. I know Salk offers in home trial of their other speakers, so I would think they would offer in home trial on these as well.
At $999.00 a pair, 3 of them will be about $1400 depending on finishes or other upgrades.

CAOW1 - home

 

[bobm]

Hi Bob,

I have heard the NHT 3's at a shop. Very nice! I ended up getting PSB B1's because they were cheaper, not necessarily better, but I had a budget.

Thanks, I ended up ordering the Classic Three. The current 25% off sale was nice. I should have them this week. The NHT seems like a fun speakers since it is a bit different than the others in its price range; 3-way, and sealed. I can't find another majore manufacture in this price range using sealed speakers. -Bob

 

[zieglj01]

I ended up ordering the Classic Three. The current 25% off sale was nice. I should have them this week.Bob

Good choice - have fun!

 

[psbfan9]

Thanks, I ended up ordering the Classic Three. The current 25% off sale was nice. I should have them this week. The NHT seems like a fun speakers since it is a bit different than the others in its price range; 3-way, and sealed. I can't find another majore manufacture in this price range using sealed speakers. -Bob

Congratulations!
I would like to hear your thoughts once you get them set up.

 

[Bruins44]

I replaced NHT two ways with the classic 3's about a year and a half ago. NHT was running one of their promotions and I picked them up for $250 each. They are very nice speakers for the price range. If I recall correctly, Absolute Sound called them the best sub-$1,000 speaker system available.

Home theatre listening is awesome. I am still playing with my settings through a NAD T747 for computer music server.

 

[bobm]

Dennis:

Ok but how does music reproduction differ from frequency sweep measurements? I would assume music would be more complex that a simple sweep? Perhaps I don’t understand the complexity of the sweep used.

Thanks Bob

 

[Dennis Murphy]

Dennis:

Ok but how does music reproduction differ from frequency sweep measurements? I would assume music would be more complex that a simple sweep? Perhaps I don’t understand the complexity of the sweep used.

Thanks Bob

Hi I think there's an argument that sine wave test tones present a different challenge to an amplifier than a typical musical signal. But I've never heard a similar argument for loudspeakers. The chirp sweep tone I use contains all of the frequencies from 20 - 20 kHz, and it takes perhaps .2 seconds to play. The speaker is responding the way it would to a complex musical signal. Now harmonic distortion will depend on drive level, but that's a different test.

 

[Dennis Murphy]

Well, I ordered one. I'll give you complete report and measurements when it arrives.

The RSL is in the house, as is the new NHT Super Zero 2.0. I'm comparing them now and will decide which to recommend as a surround for a HT system using my mains and center. The designers of these speakers obviously have very different philosophies on voicing. It will take me a few days to document everything and write it up.

 

[yveletnik]

The RSL is in the house, as is the new NHT Super Zero 2.0. I'm comparing them now and will decide which to recommend as a surround for a HT system using my mains and center. The designers of these speakers obviously have very different philosophies on voicing. It will take me a few days to document everything and write it up.

perfect timing, i'm just about to buy a pair of satellites. Why do you use the Super Zero and not their current absolute zero?

thnx

 

[Dennis Murphy]

perfect timing, i'm just about to buy a pair of satellites. Why do you use the Super Zero and not their current absolute zero?

thnx

Hi The Super Zero 2.0 is the current version of the original Super Zero. I've worked with the SZ since it first came out. And I've modified it to use the Hiquphon 0W1 tweeter. I don't know from the Absolute Zero, which replaced a different speaker (the BR1, I think). It's twice as expensive, and I saw one review that said it was edgy and a little nasal in the midrange. I've finished taking frequency response aqnd distortion measurement on the SZ and RSL, and I'm going to take a final listen to confirm my impressions.

 

[alphaiii]

Hi The Super Zero 2.0 is the current version of the original Super Zero. I've worked with the SZ since it first came out. And I've modified it to use the Hiquphon 0W1 tweeter. I don't know from the Absolute Zero, which replaced a different speaker (the BR1, I think). It's twice as expensive, and I saw one review that said it was edgy and a little nasal in the midrange. I've finished taking frequency response aqnd distortion measurement on the SZ and RSL, and I'm going to take a final listen to confirm my impressions.

The Absolute Zero replaced the SB1... and I would agree that it can sound a little edgy if pushed...

Still, I thought it was a noticeable step up over the stock Super Zero 2.0... which I had in house for 30 days before buying the Absolute Zero.

 

[Dennis Murphy]

The Absolute Zero replaced the SB1... and I would agree that it can sound a little edgy if pushed...

Still, I thought it was a noticeable step up over the stock Super Zero 2.0... which I had in house for 30 days before buying the Absolute Zero.

That may well be. There are a bajillion little speakers out there that could be considered. I just chose something I had some experience with. I'll be interested to see whether our opinions of the SZ 2.0 mesh.

 

[alphaiii]

That may well be. There are a bajillion little speakers out there that could be considered. I just chose something I had some experience with. I'll be interested to see whether our opinions of the SZ 2.0 mesh.

True, and I wasn't in any way saying the SZ 2.0 is a bad choice, so I hope my post didn't come off that way.

I actually meant that I thought NHT did a nice job with the Absolute Zero...