NHT? Axiom? Moving from Stereo to HT (1 Viewer)

[ChrisJJ]

Hello all, my first post.

I'm about to move from 2 channel to HT, a bold step. I expect the new system will be used 70/30 Music/Movies and music fidelity in stereo is Very important to me.

I want wall-mount speakers front and rear. My motivation for "upgrading" is for baby-proofing my room. My current speakers are original KLH Model 6 (re-coned/re-sealed) on short stands and could tip if a little rug-rat pulled on them.

Anyway, a local shop recommended a set of:

NHT SB3 Fronts
NHT SC1 center
NHT SB1 Surrounds
NHT SubOnei (B stock for ~500)

Does anyone have an opinion of this stuff? I haven't seen any references to this package and few posts regarding NHT.

I'm also reading all this stuff regarding the Axioms. I think I'd consider the M3ti, QS4, VP100 and ??175 sub package. Being stateside, I have to guess from others comments on the sound, so I'd love to hear from some who know both speakers.

Again, I plan to be wall mounting the units, so posts from people with experience with such would be very welcome.

Finally, I'll be powering left/right with an NAD214 amp which has been described as "laid back" as amps go. I haven't yet decided on a receiver to pair with this, but looking at ~500USD. Dennon 1802? Outlaw 1050? Yammie V630?

That's a discussion for another forum, but if it helps in coloring the advice, so be it!

Thanks for all the help! Great forum,

Chris

 

[Robert_Gaither]

I'd advise checking instead for the Nht Super Ones, Zeroes (I own three for my computer's LCR with NorthCreekMusic mods), and the matching center online since these were recently discontinued and are much cheaper than their SB replacements. Be warned this brand is very revealing of weak up front gear.

 

[John Garcia]

***Alright, let's try this again. DOH. Spend a long time typing, and then lost the whole thing.
I disagree with going with the older NHTs, the new ones are noticably better speakers. Still just as revealing. They are accurate, and require plenty of clean power.
I have heard both, and for the price, I would definitely say the Axioms are the better value. Their performance is not too dissimilar. Both are a bit bright, and both have less prominent bass response, with the exception of the SB3. The SB3 has very decent bass for such a small sealed speaker. The NHTs are sealed, and want plenty of clean power, which the NAD should have no problem supplying. The NHTs are less sensitive, due to being sealed, but that also means to me that they can be fed plenty of power and still be happy. Tested with a Denon 3802, Pioneer Elite DVD (I believe, I didn't get the model or connection) stereo, full range, no sub, my own CDs.
The SB2 will make a better surround than the SB1, simply because it has better bass response. I can see no good reason to go with small surrounds, other than pricing and size. For sound, matching mains and surrounds is the best way to go, particularly for multi-channel music.
Sealed also typically means more accuracy to me, but the M3 is no slouch. Very accurate, and a bit better for vocals, IMO. Not the lowest bass response, but it is not muddy or boomy at all. Overall, an excellent speaker, and can also handle more power than I would expect. They hung in there at calibrated ref with no hint of distortion in my system - Marantz SR6200, Marantz CC4000 - analog, stereo, full range, no sub. The M3s are not too sensitive to placement or room, and I was quite impressed with them. Had I known about them when I bought the speakers I now have, I would have bought them instead. I might recommend M22s up front for better music, but they are larger, and might not do well for wall mounting since they are rear ported (so are the M3s).
The NHTs will do better wall mounted because they are sealed, and I think the SB1 and SB2 (not sure about the SB3) have threaded mounting holes already.
Personally, I would say you can't go wrong with either, but the Axioms, again, are definitely the better value.
FYI, you can use Blu-tac or some double sided foam tape to attach the speakers to the stands to keep them from easily toppling off.
Note also that there is a factory outlet on Axiom's site with even better prices.
OK, sub. I would say neither the NHT or Axiom (I have not heard the Axiom subs) would be the way to go. For that $500, I cannot think of a better sub you could get than an SVS 25-31 PCi (see banner at the top of most of the forums). I don't own one, but I recently heard and FELT one. Simply amazing for the price, period.

 

[Jim Hubbard]

This is a great setup:

Denon 882 (same as the 1802) $325

Axiom factory outlet speakers:
QS4 (surrounds) $248

Axiom regular speakers:
M22 (mains) $400
VP150 (center) $350

SVS 25-31 PCi (subwoofer) $499

That would be a great system for $1822

If you thought M22s are too heavy to mount (16lbs. each) on the wall as mains you could get som factory outlet M3Tis for just $248. That would bring your total down to $1670.

Remember the shipping is included in the price of the Axiom speakers.

There are better subs out there than Axiom for the price.

 

[Ron Boster]

The only change I would make to Jim's suggestion is go with the QS8. Much more bang for your buck for about $90 more (spend it now and you won't be disappointed later). Since you'll want a big sound stage in the rear (since you are not going with a 6.1 or 7.1 set-up)go with the QS8's. Heads and tails above the 4's (IMHO).

Ron

 

[Daniel T]

Chris,

If you have the budget go with the M22s, VP150, and QS8s. For a sub I would go with something other than the Axiom subs. I bought one and have been very disappointed with it for the price I paid. I am personally looking into building a Shiva or Tempest DIY. I own the M3s, VP100, and QS4 and have been very happy with them. I haven't purchased in any of the factory outlet speakers but have read how good of a deal you will get with them.

Daniel T

 

[ChrisJJ]

All of your input is really helpful, thanks!

So how 'bout a little more explanation. I've read in this thread (and another) that the SubOnei sub is surpassed by Hsu and SVS. What about the detached bass control unit on the NHT? Is that a gimic, or useful?

Considering the smaller size of the speakers, I was expecting to put that controller between my pre and amplifier to make the division during 2 ch listening. I think the SVS has this, and maybe the Hsu, too, but on the sub itself, not detached. If placement flexibility is important on a sub, and cables should be generally as short as possible, then isn't it a good thing to keep the sub signal processing closer to the electronics?

I still haven't chosen a receiver. Leaning toward the Dennon 1802, and still curious about the Outlaw 1050. I don't think either of these will do the sub-crossover when in stereo or non-dsp modes. Or am I completely wrong here?

Thanks again,
Chris

 

[John Garcia]

I don't think either of these will do the sub-crossover when in stereo or non-dsp modes

I don't think this is correct. I am not familiar with any of the Outlaw products, but they all seem to get very good reviews.

If the sub is used or not is determined by the configuration of your speakers. Most current receivers do allow the use of a sub regardless of listening mode.

The first part is your speaker size setting - this will determine if lower frequencies will be sent to the the center, mains, and surrounds. When set to small, the bass from the channels that are set to small will be redirected to the sub at the receiver's crossover point. You can also turn the sub on and off within the receiver's menu. Some receivers allow you to use either the large or small setting with the sub, regardless of listening mode.

Some receivers may cut out the sub when listening to a source that is using the multi-channel analog inptus and using a "source direct" or "analog bypass" mode, which ofthen ignores the speaker size settings, and sets your speakers to large (because the source should be managing the sound...)

If you are truly mostly into music, I would strongly suggest you listen to the Marantz and Harmon Kardon. Both are better for music, particularly 2ch, than Denon. In that price range, the Marantz SR5200 and Harmon Kardon AVR225 would probably be your choices.