Classic NHT flat response, exception bass to 40 Hz.

Placing on thick carpet not a smart idea.

My system:

H/K FL8300 CD player, Pioneer DVL-909 LD/DVD player, Lexicon DC-1 v4.0 surround preamp, H/K Signature 2.1 amplifier, SuperTwos (front), SuperOnes (sides), SuperCenter (center), Definitive Technology PF15TL subwoofer.

I bought these speakers as an upgrade over my SuperOnes during the last Home Theater magazine show in '99. At the time, I mothballed my SuperOnes, until recently acquiring the Lexicon and H/K amp to go from stereo-only to home theater listening. Until the home theater setup, the SuperTwos were driven by an Acurus A80 (now awaiting use driving rear channels in a 7.1 configuration).

As stereo loudspeakers, the SuperTwos have essentially all the virtues of the SuperOnes, plus an extra half-octave of lower bass response. I don't think they image quite as well as the SuperOnes, but I also suspect I couldn't tell the difference in a double-blind listening test. One of the things I loved the SuperOnes for was having excellent bass response in a small SEALED enclosure, and so I had to be persuaded that the SuperTwos bass-reflex design wouldn't compromise the remarkable cleanliness of the SuperOnes' bass reproduction. For the most part, having lived with them for about 20 months now, I don't think they give up anything to the SuperOnes in that regard. Like the SuperOnes, the SuperTwos are completely unforgiving of bad equipment and bad recordings. Is your amp clipping? You'll hear it. Is your stereo image mushy? You'll hear it. I had formerly thought that certain recordings possessed considerable deep bass -- particularly a number of video game soundtracks from the mid-'90s. I was wrong, and the SuperTwos let me know it.

As home theater speakers, they are simply excellent. I don't care for dipole surrounds, so having 5 speakers with essentially identical response above 100 Hz makes me very happy, especially when they're all possessed of the traditional NHT virtues. The SuperTwos allow me to cross over my sub at 40 Hz without hearing any midbass suckout, and this gives the whole system considerably greater impact during loud, bass-heavy soundtracks. I felt the Definitive sub had excellent control of pitches between 40-80 Hz, and still think so, but I appreciate being able to have the SuperTwos handle them, as those sounds are localizable enough to sound weird coming from a corner (assuming they're not supposed to sound like they're coming from a corner).

I have heard speakers I consider to be substantially better than the SuperTwos in both music and home theater applications. They include the Revel Gems, the Wilson X-1 (grossly overpriced compared to the Revels), the Legacy Manhattans, and several others costing 5-20x as much. Closer to the same price range, I think Definitive offers some comparable speakers, with even better bass response (given the powered subs). The B&W 600-series is also comparable. If you're looking at spending no more than $1500 per speaker, the NHT SuperTwo runs with anything I've heard out there, and certainly holds its head high when compared to much more expensive equipment.

Similar Products Used:

NHT SuperOnes, Cerwin-Vega L-7. Auditioned Definitive BP2004, B&W 600-series, other competitive speakers.

clarity, flat response, detail

lean mid-bass, poor low freq. articulation

I've only listen to these for two weeks and they get better and better as they break in. First, the good stuff - good clarity, detail and transparency. Soundstage and imaging is not as good as the Super Zero or 2.5, though. It's hard to beat small mini-monitors for imaging, IMO. And the 2.5 has its funky geometry thing going for it. I love the flat response of NHT speakers; no midrange glare! Also, these Supertwo's have good bass for such small woofers (down-firing).

The negatives - poor mid-bass articulation and definition around 100-200 Hertz. Ya got the low bass, though. Mid-bass seems to be missing, so the overall sound is on the lean side. Highs are not as smooth as the 2.5 but I can get over that. The poor bass articulation made me buy the 2.5 (got these used). The 2.5 has better bass articulation and presence, making the speakers sound warmer. However, I bought these used ($500) so they may not sound as good as in their prime (1995). My fiance noticed that the 2.5 sounded muffled or congested. I am still listening so can't say much yet. She likes the Supertwo so I got the sign of approval. Could the lack of bass have had something to do with carpeting? Maybe... can't say. The 2.5 woofers fires from the side.

The Supertwos have been moved from the audio system to the A/V system where there is hardwood floors and high ceilings. Bass is nice, but I don't listen carefully in that system. It's just for TV and casual listening. Watched Iron Chef in surround mode with the Supertwos and all is fine. Played dance music for three hours and that sounded fine.

Audio components also made a small difference in bass response from the Supertwo's. I switched from a powered preamp to a passive attenuator for its transparency and I could tell I was missing some bass punch. But I prefer clarity and transparency over bass.

Get the Supertwo before they run out!

Equipement:
Audio Alchemy transport/jitter filter feeding Theta Cobalt D/A feeding passive attenuators with holco resistors going to a Muse 100 amp. Interconnects all Kimber KCAG. Speaker cables Kimber 8TC.

A/V: Onkyo 696 100 watt receiver with Sony PS2 as DVD/CD player using Kimber Toslink cable.

Similar Products Used:

NHT Super Zero and 2.5

Very musical sound, flat response

none now

Great speaker, Just purchased from Crutchfield and the only thing I didn't like about them were the spider-like feet. However, when I opened them, I was surprised to see the stands similar to other NHT speakers (adjustable). This is a great overall speaker for the main channels. Give them lots of clean power and let them break in and they will be happy.

Similar Products Used:

NHT, Paradigm, B&W, Definitive

I just bought a pair of Super Twos and I absolutely love them!!! They sound very open w/descent bass extension (the largest woofer is a down firing 6 1/2"). Very solid (maybe at times bright) on the high end of the frequency sprectrum...like most NHT speakers. There is however a boominess at around the 60 hz range but its subtle. For $750/pair you can't beat the value! I'm using them in conjunction w/Mirage OM3 center channel, Klipsch KSF surrounds and a Alon passive subwoofer. Amps include Acurus A200 for the Super Twos, Marantz MA500 monoamps for each surround speaker and passive subwoofer, finally, the Marantz MA700 for my center channel. With the new Sony 36" Wega XBR television this home theater rocks! I highly recommend the new NHT Super Twos for anyone who is on a budget but wants the great NHT sound.

These are almost like the SuperOnes, but they are three-way. They sound terrific. They are very nuetral and look amazing(those NHT high-gloss cabinets rock). You'll hear little details you never thought were there. Though they have a downward firing 6.5" woofer, they still require a good sub(the speaker goes down to only 35hz). These are very excellent. I've been looking for a while and I think these are for me. I'll give them 95 out of 100(i wish Audio Review would go on a 100 point scale).

Just listened to the SuperTwo's an hour ago at a custom Home-Theater shop. I came out having deciding not only will I be buying them, but I'll pay full price, which is unusual for a deal-seeker like me. The dealer was setting them up for the first time, and his installer was grinning like crazy. NAD Pro Logic Preamp-Female Jazz singer CD. We did a side-by-side with SuperOnes w/the NHT 100watt sub. Impressions-Very accurate,very good imaging(not as good as my favorite ProAc Response 2S at over $2k,but still very good). Beautiful, spouse-friendly cabinets. The SuperOnes/Sub combo had greater "felt" bass only, but were also more expensive, especially with stands. They don't need a sub for music. I instantly planned a five-speaker setup with the pair of Two's, a One Center, and Zero surrounds. I liked these better than Boston VR960's, and some $1000/pr Klipsch. I had planned on getting the Boston VR970's - not any more.

I heard these speakers the other day, compared them to the B&W 602 and a Paradigm Reference (I don't remember the number, maybe 20?) I like the NHT sound, especially the 2.5i, but the budget won't allow it. These speakers are clear, accurate, and for most music you don't really need a sub. The price is right and they do look cool in the gloss black. They didn't have the rose wood ... but I'm sure it is nice.
I don't think you could go wrong with these, the 602 or the Paradigm, it's all a matter of taste. I prefered the sound of the B&W, a little less acurate and more lively ... but that's just me.

Just upgrade my prologic setup to 5.1 with all new equipment. I have the Super Two for L & R, NHT AC1 for center and NHT Super One XU for surrounds and a Velodyne sub. Got a great sounding setup at a great price. The Twos imaging are excellent. With the sub, I am not sending much low frequency to the Twos. But at the store, the low freq I heard was tight. I am very impressed with these speakers. They sound as open as my audio setup, which uses Dalhquest DQ10. For the price, these are excellent speakers.

Great, great product. I was ready to spend much more but when I heard these speakers in the store I was interested and after some research I was hooked. I got them on the premise that I would return them id I got them home and they did not sound as good as they had in the store. I got them home and they sounded evern better!! I am very happy and for the price ($600 on sale with no sales tax in NH)they can't be beat. Full recommendation.

about 2-3 months ago, when it became clear that my trusty old woofers had woofed their last woof, i began exploring budget speakers intensly. i learned that things have changed conciderably and budget and good sound are a tough match. i ruled out little surround sound systems at this time because my '89 pioneer receiver will not accomodate the technology. but i did want something that would be upgadable for future front or rear sound.
i compaired bose, w&b 602s, energy C2s and the super 2s. i liked the bass and fullness in the 602s and the clarity and range and sales dialog of the c2s. i took them home and they just didnt make it outside of the show room. the bose were ok but got slammed by everyone, so i stayed away. then i found the super 2s, on sale (around 600). full bass, great clarity and range. a warm sound. ideal for bb king, dar williams, jackson brown, elaine dempsy, keb mo, even my daughters nsync.

they're good enough looking, a nice size. no stand needed. with their bass i don't think i will need a sub woofer when i add rear speakers.

even though my equipment and knowlege base is somewhat dated, the 2s are the best that i heard for the $.