NHT SuperZero Floorstanding Speakers

NHT SuperZero Floorstanding Speakers 

DESCRIPTION

4 1/2-in woofer and 1-in soft-dome tweeter

USER REVIEWS

Showing 61-70 of 134  
[Feb 04, 2001]
M A
Audiophile

Strength:

See my previous review

Weakness:

No bass (so what?)

I am shure New Ensemble is a very good speaker, Gene, but, with all respect...have you read and see the graphics of Corey Greenberg´s review on Stereophile about the Super Zeros? I mean, I consider myself an audiophile because I love true sound, my hearing is OK, and I have hear and read a lot; it is just fun for me, not a torture. On the other hand I am not a professional in audio electronics; so, how can I beat Corey Greenberg's review? The Super Zeros are fantastic, so here I come to the rescue

Similar Products Used:

See my previous review

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 27, 2001]
Gene
Audiophile

Strength:

nice build quality

Weakness:

not as clean or tight as New Ensemble

Corey, according to the spec for Zero, the frequency goes down to 85 +,- 3 db. Zero does not produce deep bass, but it does produce in the upper bass range.

Have you compared the speakers with what you hear at live music concerts? My comparison is based on live classical music performances I've been to. Also, when compared to Infinity Renaissance 90, New Ensemble sounds closer to the 90 than the Zero.

Sure, CSW may be targeting the "mass market." But is that a reason to be snooty about their product? Isn't sound quality what you'd be concerned about rather than brand name? As Duke Ellington once said, "if it sounds good, then it must be good."

As I said before, if you want exaggerated lower frequency range for pop or rock, Zero may be for you. BUt if you care for clean and tight sound or like classical or nice jazz music, then I'd recommend the New Ensemble.

There may be better sounding speakers for $400 than the New Ensemble, but I'm simply comparing the Zero ($275) and New Ensemble ($399). If you have a big budget and can find the Infinity Renaissance 90 (around $3800), I'd go for the Infinity. But given my budget, I'm much happier with the New Ensemble and my HGS sub than the Zero and HGS (HGS is a great sub!).

If you don't belive what I say, compare them for yourself. Hook one up to A and the other to B and play some good recordings. My wife, who plays cello, agrees with me that the New Ensemble is closer to "live" sound than the Zero.

And FYI - I'm an officer in the Army stationed at an overseas location. I don't get paid to write reviews; definitely no marketing gimmick here.

CSW offers a return policy so you can try the speakers for yourself at your home. So, it won't cost you much to do the comparison. Just your time and effort.

Similar Products Used:

Infinity Reference, Infinity Renaissance 90, Cambridge Soundworks New Ensemble

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
2
[Dec 30, 1997]
Anastassios Roumboutsos
an Audiophile

I have the Super Zeros for about 2.5 years and I am confident to tell you that they are the BEST speakers up to $700 compared to other manufacturers. Be careful with what speaker cables you match them with. I got fatigued with a pair of Audioqest Type 4 speaker cables. The sound was bright and lack of definition. So I got a pair of MIT Terminator 3 speaker cables and the sound is MUCH better! I know the cables cost about the same as the speakers but don't forget that the sound that these speakers produce, sound much more expensive. I do find that there soundstage is little limited though. They just can't give me the impression that I am there. Everything else sounds great! They give you a lot of detail and musicality. The only speakers that are night and day are a pair of used Martin Logans CLS that I heard from my audio dealer. But then again there price was about 8 times more! Other speakers (higher than $800)are not too far ahead from the little SZ's.
Extremely recommended for those on a tight budget or for those who just enter into real audio!

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
[Jan 20, 1998]
S. M. Sperling
an Audiophile

My wife and I were determined to conceal an audiophile-quality sound system in a bookshelf system (with some cabinets), and to do so at a price that defies belief. We succeeded. After considerable research, we purchased an AR S8HO subwoofer and a pair of NHT SuperZeroes. Total cost: about $450. Sound quality: amazing. We use them in a broad range of video and sound applications, but the thing that really gets me is the performance of the system on piano. Here's a natural instrument with incredible spectral range, from the deep components that give authority to the image, to the tinkle of the high keys; and every aspect is reproduced with startling realism. The piano is rock solid, and at the same time, its coherence in the high notes gives an effect that can only be described as sparkling. Recently I visited a home with a grand piano, and when I returned was struck by the virtual identity of the reproduced sound. For all intents and purposes I had a grand piano in my ownroom.
The NHT's are legendary, having achieved status comparable to the AR-1, AR-3, and KLH Six, though decades after the acoustic suspension revolution, with bass duties passed off to a subwoofer, and primary design consideration given to the higher end, they are in distinctly different class. In a word: refined.

The choice of the AR S8HO is more interesting. I had read Home Theater's review of compact subs, and initially it had weighed against this choice. I have found their characterization of speakers reflective of my own, and even disagreements among their reviewers to mirror conflicts in my own judgements. They had placed the AR S8HO's in the middle of the pack. But, with my background as a physicist, I started to think like so: The S8HO is downward firing, and this design is known to give somewhat muddy results in a carpeted room. AR's design has attempted to compensate with a wooden floor plate, which may help, but that plate looks mighty small when compared with a 10-30 foot wavelength. But we don't have a carpeted room; we've got wood and stone floors with occasional area rugs. And in this environment, I guessed, the S8HO could be a stellar performer. So I ordered it with full return privileges, and when the experiment exceeded my wildest expectations, any thought of return vanished.

As for the concealment part, it took a bit of carpentry for the electronics, but the speakers were a pleasure. NHT recommends point-source stands, but the SuperZeroes work great and look great hidden in a row of books. Their size is perfect. Any taller and their presence would be obtrusive. Any shorter and their absence would be obtrusive. As for the sub, it sits in an inconspicuous location across the room from the satellites, so far away I needed a 25 foot coax to connect it. You'd think having the bass behind you and the treble in front would strain the integration of sound just a little bit. You'd be dead wrong. I remember after first hooking the system up I was playing some Christmas organ music with room shaking bass, and my wife actually asked me, "Are you sure that subwoofer is working?"

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[Dec 31, 1997]
Michel van den Berg
an Audio Enthusiast

I was very impressed by the sound the NHT,s produced untill i listened too a pair of DYNAUDIO CONTOUR 1.1.which have a much better low.Still a verygood speaker for the price.

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
[Mar 06, 1998]
JJ
an Audio Enthusiast

BEST SPEAKER UNDER $1500 W SW2P SOME MUSIC MAY SOUND BRIGHTBUT WITH THE RIGHT MUSIC IT WILL ROCK YOUR SOCKS OFF. I SUGGEST TO
EXPERIMENT WITH SPEAKER PLACEMENT TO GET IT SOUND RIGHT.
42" HI WITH LOTS OF ROOM AROUND IT.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
[Mar 06, 1998]
HDaudio
an Audiophile

I'm not only an audiophile, but I've been designing custom audio system for over 22 years. I am constantly amused at self proclaimed audiophiles who do not comprehend the difference between quality audio and high prices. While there is some correlation, more cases than not, the high priced systems are an expression of ego and stupidity rather than seeking quality.
Off the soapbox and on to the review. Listening to acoustic instruments with the Superzeroes is amazing. Even without a subwoofer, listening to chamber music and cello performances is very realistic. As with any quality audio product, the equipment you use in conjunction with these speakers and their placement in the room can make significant differences. I would definitely recommend these speakers to adult(mental state, not longevity) listeners.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
[Apr 14, 1998]
Allie
an Audiophile

Excellent speaker. Clear and precise. Pair with an ACI Titan sub woofer for an awesome combination.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[Apr 22, 1998]
david
an Audio Enthusiast

I am a bit dismayed at all the bad rap that the Super Zeros were getting. Comparing a $250 pair of speakers to anything costing more than $500 is like whining that your potato doesn't taste like mango! These speakers are aimed
at low budget audiophiles like myself. Of course you're not going to get a
gut massage from those wee little woofers. CLUE PHONE! Get a subwoofer and
stop trying to rain on us poor folks parade with elitist snobbery. I only wish I had a pair of Zeros right now. I've heard them only in the now the
now defunct "Wiz" at over head height from different sides of the room.
While I can't speak for their imaging as such, they were tonally awesome
even without subs! I like a little bass rolloff, and they can always be subbed later. Nobody mentioned these things about the Zeros: 1. they look awesome in black laquer (try to find any speaker near it's price in laquer!)
2. small speakers = more speed, hence the terrific midrange, 3. small
cabinets = less cabinet RESONANCE, also said cabinets are much easier to move
than any 200 pound "vibrator", 4. they aren't ported!!!!!!!!!!! Do all
americans think that 15" monster ported speakers sound good just because
they can make a volume of air resonate loudly to whatever frequency they're designed to distort at... I mean "reinforce" at? 5. THEY ONLY COST $250!
LONG LIVE BI-AMPED, ACOUSTIC SUSPENSION, SOFT DOMED MINI-MONITORS! If I didn't
live in a small town I'd like to check out designs by M&K, NSM, and all of
the LS5/3a (?) clones made by Harbeth, KEF, Rogers and I believe Spendor too.
That way i could spend $1000 for tight sounding speakers with no bass and really get the the overkill guys really worked up.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
[Mar 18, 1998]
John
an Audio Enthusiast

The secret weapon of affordable Home Theatre. Five SuperZeroes and the SW2Pi rocks! Imaging is precise, even with less than ideal installation requirements of H/T. Switch to stereo music and the system offers refinement and detail. The sub is particularly impressive. It can shake the room when a movie track requires yet has a precision and musicality that belies this serious slammage capability.
Highly Recommended!

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
Showing 61-70 of 134  

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