[TheChairGuy]

http://nhthifi.com/2006/products/s/three.html

The specs are quite tasty - as is the price (List: $800. 00 a pair....and they are discounted widely from that - as low as $549.00 a pair I've seen).

I regularly hear integration issues with anything larger than 4-6" mid-woofers and tweeters....but (generally) you don't get bass impact from such a small driver.  Moving up any larger (6.5"+) and the two seem to be too distinct for comfort - that's been my experience, at least, and I realize I haven't heard all the examples of two ways out there 

So, here's a sealed/acoustic suspension, three way with metal drivers (snappy bass all but guaranteed, but certainly not ultimate extension)...for $800.00 list. Assuming the crossovers are done right and the drivers rolled off well, this bookshelf on specs alone would seem to be quite a number.  NHT's typically receive good reviews from the mags (of course, I realize they advertise there), but also online publications and general enthusiasts.

So, I'm intrigued - anybody here has heard them? They even look good 

[WEEZ]

The Feb. issue of TAS has a review of them. It was generally favorable.

[fajimr]

[edit:  deleted what I thought was a good price from Audio Advisor-  thanks ooheadso]



never heard them but am looking for some smaller speakers in my secondary system.

jim

[ooheadsoo]

Generally favorable?  The headline for that issue of TAS says, "NHT Classic 3 - World's Best Speaker?"  It was a rave, if I've ever read one.  The guy said it communicated music, which was commendable for any speaker be it $800 or $80,000. 

Audioadvisor is selling the speaker in singles.  Something slightly shifty places do to appear as the low price leader on search engines.  I always thought that was disingenuous of them.

[fajimr]

Audioadvisor is selling the speaker in singles.  Something slightly shifty places do to appear as the low price leader on search engines.  I always thought that was disingenuous of them.

    thanks for catching that- I'll delete it.  those b---ards... I've never seen that before!

jim

[TheChairGuy]

I think I'm committed to eventually trying them at the prices I've seen on the 'net....just didn't know if anyone around these parts had heard it.

I'm not sure my lovable (conservatively rated, but still) 50 watt push-pull tube amps would do it justice, tho 

[WEEZ]

Well, no information as to the impedence curve; minimum impedence; or maximum impedence. The review in the Aboulute Sound said nothing of it either (as is typical). That would be good to know. 8 ohm nominal tells you almost nothing.

[john1970]

Stereophile did a review back in November 2006.

http://www.stereophile.com/budgetcomponents/1106nht/index.html

The technical quote on impedance and efficiency:

Stereophile November 2006:
"The NHT Classic Three's voltage sensitivity was significantly lower both than average and than specified, at an estimated 83dB(B)/2.83V/m. However, its impedance was generally higher, dropping below 6 ohms only in the lower midrange and above the audioband (fig.1). The minimum value was 4 ohms between 120Hz and 170Hz, but there is also a combination of 5.5 ohms and –46° electrical phase angle at 94Hz that will demand a goodly amount of current from the partnering amplifier."

[WEEZ]

Ouch.

[TheChairGuy]

Sounds like solid state needed...and plenty of it, too 

[macrojack]

Many a metal driver speaker has come and gone. I've heard caveats about them but can't recall specifics. The only ones I ever heard were Monitor Audio and I thought they sounded quite good.

My boys and I all have the NHT Pro M-OO speakers on our computers and they are fabulous but no metal drivers in them.