NHT and Paradigm (1 Viewer)

[Jon W.]

I'm trying to help a woman I work with put together a decent 5.1 system. Everyone always recommends Paradigm Atoms for a good budget system and I have been checking up on them. I'm a big fan of NHT myself and wonder if anyone has heard both the NHT SB-1 and the Paradigm Atoms. I don't doubt the Atoms sound good and don't want to knock them but the cabinets look cheap when compared to the NHTs (in the photos anyway). I won't hesitate to admit that I am biased when it comes to that piano black finish on the NHTs. They look so good. The Paradigms are probably a better value but I just want to know about sound.

 

[Robert_Gaither]

Though you prefer piano black I bet she'd most likely prefer the Xu series in white. I'd recommend letting her listen and deciding for herself other wise pick the Nht (I own a set of SuperZeroes myself).

 

[John Garcia]

I personally feel the SB-1 easily bests the Atom, but it also costs more and has even a bit less bass. IMO, the SB-2 is a better choice. If she's picky, go with the SB-1, if not, go with the Atoms.

 

[Jon W.]

She is actually a pretty cool chick. She doesn't want white or cherry or none of the wood colors. She wants black (weird huh?). Just trying to keep a fairly low budget. I figure I can get 4 SB-1's and a SC-2 for maybe $750. I'm not sure what the Atoms sell for. I called a local dealer and got a quote for 4 Atoms, a CC-170 and a PDR-8 for either $925 or $975 (don't remember, soon as I heard the price I instantly thought NHT). I think the PDR-8 sells for around $300 so I would guess maybe $600-$650 without it. Now to me an extra $100 to $150 for the NHT's is totally worth it for the sweet looks.
I kind of think about it like the PDR-10 ($379 retail quote from local dealer) vs. the PB10-ISD ($429). For a little more money look at the build quality difference alone not to mention the sound quality difference. Of course the sound quality difference between Atom and SB-1 probably doesn't apply to that analogy but thats where that piano finish closes the gap .
I am glad to hear you say you like the sound, John, and thanks for your input. There are no NHT dealers around here anymore so I can't have a listen for myself. We did have a dealer but they quit carrying them. We also ordered a Tiny Mighty seeing as how it was on sale and figured for the money it would be worth a try. This system is replacing a 7 year old Bose Lifestyle 12 or 15 or some crap and I truly think NHTs and the Tiny Mighty will be a vast improvement.
I'm kind of rambling but good replies so far. I figured I'd get 5 people saying how good the Atoms were but that they haven't heard the NHT's. I wanna hear from those that have heard both.

P.S. I love this place

 

[Chris Quinn]

Paradigm has good subs but you won't find them in the PDR line. The PDR line is awful. Look at Hsu STF-1 or STF-2. I also think the NHTs are better than the Atoms and I own some Atoms. You might look at Ascend Acoustics too if she wants a black cabinet and great sound. You can learn more about Ascend at the Ascend Forum.

 

[Leo Kerr]

something to consider...

I don't remember if the SB-1 or SB-2s are mag-shielded... but is there really any reason to go with a 'Center Speaker' rather than just five identical speakers?

I, myself, am moving that direction... (right now I've a mix of SuperOnes and SuperZeros..)

Leo Kerr

 

[MarkRose]

Jon
I have 4 SB2's and an SC1 that I may be interested in selling. They are 3 years old and in excellent condition except for a few very small scratches on a top corner of one of the SB2's. Send me a pm or an email @ [email protected] if interested. I love this system, but looking to upgrade.
Mark
By the way the speakers are piano black and I also have the NHT Sub1 subwoofer with controller box that I could also include in the package.

 

[John Garcia]

I have owned two pairs of Atoms, as well as Minis and Monitor 5s. I also extensively auditioned NHT when the current lines came out and I was very impressed with the Evolution M6, and I was close to buying them.

The SB-1 gives up only a little bit of bass to the Atom, but it is also far more accurate, IMO. There is no question on the appearance either, the SB-1 wins hands down.

 

[Jon W.]

Thanks for the input guys. I talked to her today and we're gonna go with 4 SB-1's and a SC-2.
Sorry Mark, but I have this anal personal opinion about the mains and center having the same size drivers. It probably makes no difference but to me it seems like they'd be impossible to timbre match.

 

[MarkRose]

No problem Jon. Hope you and she enjoy the system.
Mark

 

[Jon_Welker]

Wait a minute...Jon, are you dipping your pen in the corporate ink???

 

[Jon W.]

LMAO....Uhh... No, I'm not. She's 20 years older than me, not that there's anything wrong with that, just not my cup of tea. Thanks for the laugh tho, I love the way you put that.

 

[Jon_Welker]

Glad you took it in good fun. I actually got that off my old man, who's a home theater buff as well.

 

[Jon W.]

Well I finally got the SB-1s and SC-2 in today. I opened a pair of the SB-1s up and hooked them to my Denon 3805 for a little 2 channel sampling. I was totally blown away. These things sound awesome paired with the subs in my VT-2.4 towers. I called her up and she came over and we both listened in awe. I pulled out the Dayton Tiny Mighty we purchased a few weeks ago and was floored again! What a great little combo system. We both can't wait to hear what the 5.1 setup sounds like. Thanks John, your statement really gave me the courage to try the SB-1s.