NHT Xd stereo system... anybody heard it yet? (1 Viewer)

[Garrett Lundy]

NHT has developed a new stereo system. The Xd stereo uses a pair of bookshelf loudspeakers, and a subwoofer, but does-away with in-speaker crossover networs infavor of an included DSP processor/amp. The system will not work with a seperate amp, nor will the processor-amp work with any other speakers.

The retail price of $5500 will surely dissuade many would-be buyers (and the system is targeted towards audiophytes who haven't bought any high dollar name-brand amps or speakers yet). But I'm still intrested in the new twist on speaker technology. Anybody here personally heard this unit yet? All the 'pro' reviews give it glowing reviews..... just like Wilson or a Bose set-up.

AUDIOHOLICS has a better write-up here http://www.audioholics.com/news/pres...Xdspeakers.php

 

[Dean_S]

I listened to the prototype at CES last year and it uses very similar technology to an old stillborn speaker company called Audile that I'm intimately familar with (the designer is a friend and mentor). The NHT system is outstanding (at least what I heard was) and you will be hard pressed to find anything in any price catagory that is considerably better sounding. They call it DSP because it's an understandable marketing term, but what they are actually doing with the processing is nothing like what you used to hearing with typical DSP applications and this is NOT just some time delay/equalizer function. It's very cool technology and I believe it's the future of audio if the cost of the processors will come down. If you have the opportunity to audition a set of the NHTs, I highly recommend it.

 

[Brian L]

My local NHT dealer had a DEQX processor up and running with, of all things, a set of B&W speakers and some external amps.

What little I heard ( a few tracks from a Mappleshade sampler CD) sounded spectacular. This was not really a demo, as he was not done getting the system tweaked, but what he was doing was using the DEQX as the system crossover, and had disconnected the crossovers in the B&Ws. Using the software program that comes with it, he did measurements of the individual drivers, and let the DEQX system create digital crossovers for each speaker plus a sub.

I don't think he had it running, but IIRC it can also do room EQ.

I think the packaged NHT XD system has all the crossover stuff pre-configured. Not sure if it has any sort of room correction capability.

As a HT geek kind of guy who gets wood playing with this stuff, I was pretty jazzed by it all, and just wish the trickle down effect would kick in to lower the cost.

BGL

 

[Garrett Lundy]

Agreed. As the technology ages and more people rip it off, I hope we can have systems just as good costing less than $2k available from several vendors.

And for $5500 I would hope automatic room EQ was left in.....

 

[Brian L]

If you are so inclined, the link below is to my dealer's web forum...he has a section devoted to all things Xd

http://forum.adnm.com/viewforum.php?...aad0b30e5c12d7

BGL

 

[Will Gibbons]

The pricing on the Xd package also includes the bi-amplification for the speakers and the included active subwoofer.

Regards,
Will