NHT Speaker Configuration Recommendations

[Stoopalini]

For a few years now, my setup has consisted of:

• Various A/V receivers as the pre-processor
• Mitsubishi DA-A10 amp (2x100w)
• Adcom GFA-545 (2x100w)
• Carver a-400X (2x200w)
• 4 NHT SuperOnes (fronts and rears)
• NHT VS-1.2a (center)
• Sub is a home built sonotube sub with an Adire Audio 12" Shiva driver

I absolutely love the NHT speakers, they have fantastic sound! I went with bookshelf speakers early on due to having 2 small children; but now they are old enough where I am comfortable getting some floor standing, more full range, mains.

So, I started hunting for some NHT towers and recently came across a speaker setup on Craigslist and picked them up yesterday.

• NHT VT-1.2a (pair)
• NHT VS-2a
• PSB 400 (pair) - I plan to just resell these

I also decided to upgrade my processing and amps, so I picked up an Emotiva UMC-200 as the processor, and a JBL AVA7 for the amp (re-badged Lexicon GX7 - 7x125w). I think I'll bi-amp the VT-1.2s with the extra channels.

I swapped out the front SuperOnes with the NHT VT-1.2a pair and wow, what a great improvement! I am continually amazed at how well the NHT line performs! Even with the smaller mid range drivers of the towers over the SuperOnes, they sound fantastic. I'm sure it has to do with 2 mid range drivers, as well as the side firing 8" driver picking up the mid-bass.

I think this is a no brainer as far as the mains, but what about the center? Should I stick with the VS-1.2a, or switch to the VS-2a?

I can't listen to them right now, because my current A/V receiver, standing in as the processor, has an issue with noise on the center channel. The new equipment should arrive soon though, and I can test them out.

I can see the VS-2a has larger drivers, larger cabinet, and plays lower, but it appears the VS-1.2a was designed to voice match the VT-1.2a. Does anyone know what tweeter was used in the VS-1.2a and VS-2a cabinets? Can I expect the voicing of the VS-2a to be a good match for the VT-1.2?

Thanks!

 

[Twanx]

No real knowledge of the particular line, but my gut feeling is that any one speaker brand's models of similar vintage will sound great together and bigger is usually better isn't it?

Just picked up a pair of NHT model 2.1 towers in gloss black that will be refoamed soon!

 

[StimpyWan]

Hi Stoopalini,

Congratulations on the new NHT speakers. You can't go wrong with them. 'Just about' every model is a good value, and will sound good too. :tresbon:

I myself own a number of different NHT speakers, some pretty close to yours! NHT VT-1A's, VT-1.2A's, a VT-1C, a VS-2A, & Super Zero's! I originally had the VT-1A's in front, with an upright Super Zero for the center, and Super Zero's horizontally mounted, for surrounds (with a M&K sub). And in many ways, I liked this initial set-up the best. These speakers just disappeared; they produced a huge bubble of sound, that blended seamlessly. An awesome surround sound system.

Next, I added the VT-1C speaker. Nice, better focused, with better power handling. But, with the horizontal driver layout, they weren't quite as seamless a match to the VT-1A's, as the Zero. Now, as sounds panned L to R, they shifted in focus and timber, across the front three speakers, even though all of the speakers that I tried still had the same woofers and tweeters. I didn't have this issue with the upright Super Zero.

So, more changes. I added the VT-1.2A's. These worked better with the VT-1C, since all the front speakers had a WTW driver layout. A tighter focused sound, but still not as open sounding as the VT-1A/Zero combo. Probably better for music, since they imaged better.

Finally, I 'though' that I was next going to upgrade to VT-2's. (We used a VT-2 system where I used to work, and I liked that system a lot (I should, I spec'd the system out for my Boss)! As such, I picked up a NOS VS-2A, at a Crutchfield Tent Sale. Tried it with the VT-1.2A's and boxed it back up. Not because it wasn't good. I felt that it was voiced too differently to properly blend with the VT-1/VT-1.2 speakers. The VS-2A's had a more laid back, relaxed sound, that didn't mesh well with the upfront voicing of the VT-1C/VT-1.2 fronts. Unfortunately, because of the voicing differences, I didn't pursue the VT-2's. I should have, since the 2's would have worked well with the VS-2A.

To close, with what you now have, I'd use the VT-1.2's as fronts, the VS-1.2A for the center, and then both pair of Super Ones, as side and rear surrounds. But, try the VS-2A, it's a good speaker; it might work better for you than it did me. As an alternate, maybe even the Super Ones L & R, with the VS-2A center. Your sub with those in front, and the 1.2A's as full-range rears! That could work! :thmbsp: Nothing lost in trying. :yes:

Have fun, and good luck!

Stimpy

For a few years now, my setup has consisted of:

• Various A/V receivers as the pre-processor
• Mitsubishi DA-A10 amp (2x100w)
• Adcom GFA-545 (2x100w)
• Carver a-400X (2x200w)
• 4 NHT SuperOnes (fronts and rears)
• NHT VS-1.2a (center)
• Sub is a home built sonotube sub with an Adire Audio 12" Shiva driver

I absolutely love the NHT speakers, they have fantastic sound! I went with bookshelf speakers early on due to having 2 small children; but now they are old enough where I am comfortable getting some floor standing, more full range, mains.

So, I started hunting for some NHT towers and recently came across a speaker setup on Craigslist and picked them up yesterday.

• NHT VT-1.2a (pair)
• NHT VS-2a
• PSB 400 (pair) - I plan to just resell these

I also decided to upgrade my processing and amps, so I picked up an Emotiva UMC-200 as the processor, and a JBL AVA7 for the amp (re-badged Lexicon GX7 - 7x125w). I think I'll bi-amp the VT-1.2s with the extra channels.

I swapped out the front SuperOnes with the NHT VT-1.2a pair and wow, what a great improvement! I am continually amazed at how well the NHT line performs! Even with the smaller mid range drivers of the towers over the SuperOnes, they sound fantastic. I'm sure it has to do with 2 mid range drivers, as well as the side firing 8" driver picking up the mid-bass.

I think this is a no brainer as far as the mains, but what about the center? Should I stick with the VS-1.2a, or switch to the VS-2a?

I can't listen to them right now, because my current A/V receiver, standing in as the processor, has an issue with noise on the center channel. The new equipment should arrive soon though, and I can test them out.

I can see the VS-2a has larger drivers, larger cabinet, and plays lower, but it appears the VS-1.2a was designed to voice match the VT-1.2a. Does anyone know what tweeter was used in the VS-1.2a and VS-2a cabinets? Can I expect the voicing of the VS-2a to be a good match for the VT-1.2?

Thanks!

 

[Stoopalini]

Thanks for the input guys.

The voice matching in the center was what I was concerned about. The SuperOne uses a 6.5" driver, while the VT-1.2a uses dual 4.5" drivers. The VS-1.2a also uses dual 4.5" drivers, while the VS-2 uses dual 5.25" drivers. I think all 4 use the same 1" fluid cooled tweeter, but I'm not sure.

Another thing think I realized today is the VS-2a may not fit in the center channel speaker space without more modifications to the cabinet. I already modified the cabinet to fit the TV, and it looks fine; I'm sure I could come up with something to fit the VS-2a in there, but not sure if it'll be worth it.

To give you an idea of what I'm dealing with, here is the layout of my room (ignore the side speakers, as they are not installed ... I have some Sound Dynamic RTS-RS1s I was thinking of mounting when I made this diagram)

And here is a pic of the built in cabinet. Ya, I know this is horrible for good sound, and the wife and I would both love to remove it, it's just not high on the priority list right now:

The VS-1.2a is the speaker in the pic, and the VS-2a won't fit unless I figure out a way to open up that space above the TV; although after reading your experience with the VS-2a matched up with the VT-1.2a, I may just sell the VS-2a and stick with the VS-1.2a.

I thought about keeping the SuperOnes as mains and trying the VS-2a as the center, but the VT-1.2a's are such an improvement over the SuperOnes, I'm not so sure I want to do that. So it looks like I'll probably use the VT-1.2a's as the mains, VS-1.2a as the center, and the 4 SuperOnes as the rears and rear surrounds.

My Emotive UMC-200 and JBL AVA7 should be here on Saturday, and right now my plan is to use the AVA7 to bi-amp the towers, and run the center and rears. The sub is running off of the Carver a-400x. If I end up mounting the 2nd pair of SuperOnes as rear sides, I'll use the Adcom GFA-545 or Mitsubishi Da-A10 in the mix somehow.

Oh, and I thought about using the VT-1.2a's for full range rears, but the room layout isn't well suited for towers in the rear

 

[StimpyWan]

That's one Big Honk'n Cabinet installation!!! That makes the VT-1.2a's look small, and they aren't!

After seeing those pictures, and your speaker positioning constraints, I'd go with the VT-1.2a's L/R, VS-1.2a for center (since it already fits), and the Super Ones for sides and rears. Also, with the cabinet being so big, play with the VT-1.2a's A/V switch. They might sound better in the Video position, since they're so far apart. That should help them to blend better with the center as well. Plus, I'd run all the main channels on the JBL AVA7. Makes for better timber matching. And if you want to bi-amp, use one of the separate amps on the VT-1.2a woofers. That way, you'll not dumping a lot of the AVA7's power reserves into the woofers; keeps more clean power feeding into the mids and highs too.

Crap, just though about amp balancing. Unless one of your other amps has some type of level controls, you'll have to use the AVA7 for bi-amping. That's the only way to keep the woofer levels matched to the mid and tweeter levels. Mixing different amps, with different sensitivities, can throw off bi-amping levels otherwise. Sorry! :sigh:

Also, please post when the new electronics arrive! I'm curious how everything will come together! :yes:

Oh yea, same tweeters across all of your NHT's (at least to date, so far). Even the VS-2a.

 

[Stoopalini]

Yep, it's huge! The whole house is like that ... I suppose it's a side effect of buying the house from a cabinet builder LOL!

I've played with the A/V switch listening to both 2 channel music and DD video, and right now, the Audio setting sounds best with both. I think this may be due to not having a center though. When watching video, and the switch in Video mode, the definition on the dialogue is lost. I'll bet when the center is working again, this won't happen though.

I've also played with positioning of the VT-1.2a's a bit. The imaging of course gets much better when I pull the towers out so the fronts are in line with each other and not blocked by the cabinets.

Good call on the bi-amping. The Mitsubishi DA-A10 does have channel level controls, and it would do very well on the 8" subs in the towers. I'm running the towers off of them now as a matter of fact.

I'll definitely give an update when the system comes together.

As a side note, sitting here tonight listening, I decided to hook up the mounted SuperOnes on the cabinet in parallel to the VT-1.2a's. The Mitsubishi is fine with a 4 Ohm load so I figured what the heck (while they're still mounted). The 6.5" woofer, with dual 4.5" woofers, and the 8" woofer all active really warms everything up. The dual tweeters kept the balance ok, but the positioning really messed with the imaging. Kinds of interesting for just playing music while working around the house, but definitely not for critical listening or video watching.

 

[Stoopalini]

Well I got the system together over the weekend and still have a few things to work out before giving a review of the setup, but so far I like what I'm hearing.

The AVA7 amp I bought has an issue with ch.4, and I knew this, but hooked up my VS-1.2a to it to see what the issue was ... and that was a mistake. It sounds like a square wave came out and I quickly turned the amp off; but it appears I was too late as one of the 4.5" drivers are now shot. I'm kicking myself for this, as I know better to test something like that on a valuable speaker. I should have grabbed a junk speaker from the shed ...

So, I ended up getting the VS-2 in the center location, although it wasn't easy. I don't think I'll leave it there due to the way I had to brace the shelf, but also because I share your observation as it's not a great match to the VT-1.2a towers.

I got the AVA7 amp for a very good price, so I am going to take it into a local JBA/Lexicon authorized repair center and get it fixed. Then I'll try to source a replacement 4.5" driver for the NHT speaker.

All at the same time, it appears the Emotiva calibration mic is non-functional, as the EMO-Q (Emotiva's auto setup software) doesn't detect the speakers. I called Emotiva, and their support was really top notch. They're sending out a new mic today for me.

So, 3-5 days for the new mic to arrive, 7-10 days for amp repair, and who knows how long to find a replacement NHT driver; and then I'll be ready to calibrate and give a good review of how it's sounding

 

[phatster]

Did you ever try out the 3.3's,pretty much everything you need in one set of speakers!

 

[Stoopalini]

The 3.3s would have been nice, although outside what I wanted to spend for this round of upgrades. After selling some of the stuff which came with the vt-1.2a towers, they ended up costing me $100 out of pocket; and I still have a few more things to sell

I was really only planning to upgrade processing and amplification this time, but couldn't pass up the opportunity to get the towers.

 

[ken kantor]

Well I got the system together over the weekend and still have a few things to work out before giving a review of the setup, but so far I like what I'm hearing.

The AVA7 amp I bought has an issue with ch.4, and I knew this, but hooked up my VS-1.2a to it to see what the issue was ... and that was a mistake. It sounds like a square wave came out and I quickly turned the amp off; but it appears I was too late as one of the 4.5" drivers are now shot. I'm kicking myself for this, as I know better to test something like that on a valuable speaker. I should have grabbed a junk speaker from the shed ...

So, I ended up getting the VS-2 in the center location, although it wasn't easy. I don't think I'll leave it there due to the way I had to brace the shelf, but also because I share your observation as it's not a great match to the VT-1.2a towers.

I got the AVA7 amp for a very good price, so I am going to take it into a local JBA/Lexicon authorized repair center and get it fixed. Then I'll try to source a replacement 4.5" driver for the NHT speaker.

All at the same time, it appears the Emotiva calibration mic is non-functional, as the EMO-Q (Emotiva's auto setup software) doesn't detect the speakers. I called Emotiva, and their support was really top notch. They're sending out a new mic today for me.

So, 3-5 days for the new mic to arrive, 7-10 days for amp repair, and who knows how long to find a replacement NHT driver; and then I'll be ready to calibrate and give a good review of how it's sounding

That 4.5" is the same as what was used in the SuperZeros, so I suspect they are not too difficult to find. (Famous last words...). Since you are, (rightly), concerned about matching details, I would hold out for the correct 4.5". Though there are plenty of similar drivers around, the original was tweaked to make the crossover design a bit simpler, and a different driver might not have the midrange refinement. However, you could pop in a cheap 4.5" just to get things going while you searched. I've never tried it, and documentation is sparse, but

https://www.parts-express.com/galaxy-audio-sfd114ga5x18-45-full-range-speaker--245-2498

looks about right.

-k

 

[StimpyWan]

The AVA7 amp I bought has an issue with ch.4, and I knew this, but hooked up my VS-1.2a to it to see what the issue was ... and that was a mistake. It sounds like a square wave came out and I quickly turned the amp off; but it appears I was too late as one of the 4.5" drivers are now shot. I'm kicking myself for this, as I know better to test something like that on a valuable speaker. I should have grabbed a junk speaker from the shed ...

Well, that sux!!! But, at least you know you bought an amp that you can use as an arc welder! :yes:

That woofer shouldn't be too hard to find. Like I said earlier, NHT VT-1A's, VT-1.2A's, the VT-1C, VS-1.2A & Super Zero's all use the same woofers and tweeters. Plus, they do show up on ebay once in a while. Though, you may be better off buying a whole speaker, for the woofer. You can usually find a NHT center for fairly cheap. Then you'd have a spare woofer and tweeter.

 

[Stoopalini]

That 4.5" is the same as what was used in the SuperZeros, so I suspect they are not too difficult to find. (Famous last words...). Since you are, (rightly), concerned about matching details, I would hold out for the correct 4.5". Though there are plenty of similar drivers around, the original was tweaked to make the crossover design a bit simpler, and a different driver might not have the midrange refinement. However, you could pop in a cheap 4.5" just to get things going while you searched. I've never tried it, and documentation is sparse, but

https://www.parts-express.com/galaxy-audio-sfd114ga5x18-45-full-range-speaker--245-2498

looks about right.

-k

Thanks for the input Ken. I actually called NHT, and they still have plenty of these drivers in stock. So ~$50, and a few days wait, and it will be good as new. I was hesitant to buy a non-NHT driver, for the reasons you stated ... voicing, design, crossover compatibility, etc ...

One quick question on the vs-1.2a: If I just disconnect the bad woofer, will it damage the speaker to run it like this for a few days? I'd like to remove the vs-2a from the system and get the vs-1.2a back in, and then just replace the woofer when it arrives. But I'm just not sure if having one woofer disconnected will cause an impedance change in the speaker and possibly damage the remaining woofer and tweeter.

Well, that sux!!! But, at least you know you bought an amp that you can use as an arc welder! :yes:

LOL! I'm actually going to be dropping the amp off tomorrow to be repaired and calibrated, so I have the Adcom GFA-545 hooked up to the vt-1.2a towers right now. They really sound fantastic! I can only guess the quality will increase yet again when the JBL amp is repaired and I can go through the Emotiva setup with the mic. One cool feature with the UMC-200 is it has an 11 band parametric EQ for each channel; so tuning for the listening space should make a nice improvement

 

[StimpyWan]

One quick question on the vs-1.2a: If I just disconnect the bad woofer, will it damage the speaker to run it like this for a few days? I'd like to remove the vs-2a from the system and get the vs-1.2a back in, and then just replace the woofer when it arrives. But I'm just not sure if having one woofer disconnected will cause an impedance change in the speaker and possibly damage the remaining woofer and tweeter.

If the woofers are wired in series, neither woofer would work if you removed one. If they use parallel wiring, the good woofer should still play. But, as you said, the impedance will shift, which will also shift the crossover point. You could play it that way, and as long as you don't crank the center too hard (one woofer now doing the work of 2), you should be OK. The sound won't be optimum, but for short term use, it wouldn't hurt anything - unless you short the disconnected wires! You may just blow up some more gear then! :sigh: :nono: