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- Inexpensive speakers
- Minimal tinkering necessary for good sound
- Great sound quality
- Attractive enclosures
- No dedicated speaker for center channel audio
- Occasionally difficult to hear conversations in crowded scenes
The NHT Super Surround 5.1 set is designed for home-theater use, combining five NHT SuperZero 2.0 speakers (*Est. $100 each) with an NHT Super 8 subwoofer (*Est. $350) . Sound quality is first-rate, with the subwoofer doing an admirable job of handling the low notes that the speakers themselves can't handle. The Super 8 might not rattle pictures on the wall, but reviewers say it delivers nuanced low tones rather than focusing solely on bombast. Both music and movies sound great in the 5.1 configuration. One caveat is that this system relies on a SuperZero 2.0 speaker to pull duty as a center channel speaker, and while it handles that job well, performance falls short of speakers designed specifically for that chore. That's most noticeable in specific situations like dialogue in a noisy setting. If you're on a tighter budget, we saw terrific reviews for the Energy Take Classic 5.1 (*Est. $400) , which delivers excellent sound quality -- especially for smaller spaces -- and costs half as much.
We saw several reviews of the NHT Super Surround 5.1 and its component speakers (the SuperZero 2.0). The most in-depth reporting is at BigPictureBigSound.com and Home Theater magazine, and the review at HomeTechTell.com is also worth a look. A handful of comments on the SuperZero 2.0 can be found at Amazon.com.
Our Sources
Ian White has nothing but good things to say about the NHT Super Surround 5.1 system. Although he says using a sideways NHT SuperZero 2.0 isn't as ideal as using a speaker manufactured specifically for the center channel signal, White nevertheless reports generally excellent sound from the system. In his final thoughts, he says, "If you think you can assemble a better 5.1 system for under $800, you would be wrong," adding that the system is "highly recommended."
Review: NHT SuperZero 2.0 Speakers With Super 8 Subwoofer Review, Ian White, March 24, 2011
2. Home Theater MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Veteran audio reviewer Mark Fleischmann has a few minor bones to pick with the NHT Super Surround 5.1 configuration, which includes five NHT SuperZero 2.0 speakers coupled with a Super 8 subwoofer. "I did have to listen attentively to conversation partly masked by noise in a crowded pub," he says. Fleischmann adds that the system skews more toward mellow yet faithful audio reproduction rather than bombast, which he appreciates. He says, "The NHT SuperZero 2.0 is a dab hand at movies and music" and an extraordinary value, then awards the system a Home Theater magazine Top Pick award.
Review: NHT SuperZero 2.0 Speaker System, Mark Fleischmann, July 5, 2011
Dennis Burger puts the NHT Super Surround 5.1 system through its paces, subjecting it to a bevy of movie and music testing. Like other reviewers, Burger laments the use of an NHT SuperZero 2.0 speaker for the center channel in place of a specifically designed unit, but he reports very good audio quality from the system nonetheless. He also says the Super 8 subwoofer outperforms its $350 price tag. "Although it can't quite keep up with larger towers in terms of pure output and power, it has been a long time since I heard any speaker -- at any price -- that delivers this level of neutrality and musicality," he says.
Review: HomeTechTell Review: NHT SuperZero 2.0 Mini Monitors and Super 8 Subwoofer, Dennis Burger, April 5, 2011
4. Amazon.com
While the NHT Super Surround 5.1 configuration isn't sold at Amazon, the NHT SuperZero 2.0 speaker is, and it has accumulated a few owner reviews. So far, consumer opinions of the speakers echo the high praise given by professional critics -- every user who chimes in gives the speaker a perfect 5-star rating. They do say, however, that you'll want to pick up the NHT Super 8 subwoofer if you plan to use the speakers for a home theater.
Review: NHT SuperZero 2.0 Mini Monitor Speaker, Contributors to Amazon.com
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