mars2k

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $600.00 from web

Summary:
A total WOW! I have had several NHT speakes. This is a natural choice given current configuration. This is the center channel with NHT 3.3 for front mains and NHT 2.5 as rear pair. I am a music person with surround as an after though, movies only please.. One day I put in a good DTS version of "Hell Freezes Over" by the Eagles. What a treat! I'm still not much on surround mixes of music, however, when you get a good DVD this center speaker can do it justice. This is not one of those "for the money" descriptions. This speaker can hold it's own against almost any speaker at any price. A giant killer at what I paid. If you find one pre-owned don't hesitate. I'm a good judge of sound but I really know I've got something if it can fool my cat.

Strengths:
Great acuracy
Fantastic bang for the buck
Simple black box

Weaknesses:
Yes it's a little big but what a quibble that is

Similar Products Used:
Pick any NHT product

Price Paid:  $300.00 from Recoton Outlet in La

Summary:
I went shopping for a center channel speaker to go with my NHT VT-1.4 main towers. I wanted a good match like the VS1.4s or better. I was strongly suggested the AC-2 by the dealer, but I was a little concerned with it having larger mid-range drivers than my mains, but I decided to give it a shot. It turns out that the AC-2 has two different sizes of mid-range drivers, one of the sizes matches the mids in the VT 1.4s, so the match worked out well. As for the sound, MAN WAS I BLOWN AWAY! The AC-2 was so accurate that I almost cried in joy. Well worth the money I spent for this ultimate center channel speaker. True, natural, extremely clean, transparent, deep sound for both HT and Music. Musically this is known as one of the best center channels you can get in the sub $1000 range. My VT-1.4s aren't has deep sounding as this center for music though, I would love to have the multi-thousand dollar mains and surrounds to go with it, but my setup still sounds great. With the center being the most important speaker in the HT, it brings the sound to a new level. I also have 2 NHT Subtwo subwoofers that fill in the deepness that my VT-1.4s are missing and everything comes together very well. Oh yeah, DVD-A sounds great too. I am very happy, especially that I got a great open box price.

Strengths:
Natural Transparent Sound, Best Center I have heard, Audiophile grade!

Weaknesses:
Big, noticeable size over over TV (not really a Con to me though).

Similar Products Used:
B&W Center and 601 mains that match.

Price Paid:  $700.00 from Audio Buys, Manassas VA

Summary:
The center channel is a critical element and I didn't want to cut corners. This was a bit more expensive than I planned but it's proven to be worth it. No regrets, beautiful sound. After 2 months of in home use, I give the AC-2 my unqualified endorsement, a true 5 star speaker.

I picked the AC-2 to match NHT 2.9 front speakers, incredible speakers themselves. The AC-2 is a worthy addition. Searching for a new speaker system? Before buying anything else, audition NHT, you'll be blown away. I have the NHT AC-2, 2.9s in the front, and NHT 1.5s in the rear.

I've heard the AC-2 will be discontinued soon - this means two things - 1) get one before they're gone, and 2) you might be able to get a bargain price.

Cheers!

Strengths:
Clear, beautiful sound, full range, seamless addition to the fantastic NHT floor standing speakers speakers. Quality construction.

Weaknesses:
none

Price Paid:  $650.00 from SAMM Sound

Summary:
Being into DVD-Audio and SACD multichannel big time, I started becoming disillusioned with my Audiocenter1, in that it just couldn't go low enough. With many multichannel music recordings, alot of vital musical information is sent to the center channel. For instance on the multichannel SACD of Miles Davis - Kind of Blue - all the bass is in the center channel speaker. With the Audiocenter1 this bass was lost. I knew I need something more in the center.

Since I have 2.5i's in the front and 1.5's in the rear, I knew I needed an NHT match, so I went up to the Audiocenter2 from the Audiocenter1.

WOW. What a difference. Where the Audiocenter1 sounded 'boxy', the Audiocenter2 just disappears into the mix. On James Taylor - "Hourglass" in multichannel SACD, all all James' vocals are mixed to the center channel. With the Audiocenter1 you could tell the vocals were coming from the center channel (they sounded boxed in). But with the Audiocenter2, you knew the vocals were coming from the center, but they were open and airy. I had to move close to the Audiocenter2 to make sure that the vocals were definitely coming from the center channel as expected.

Not an inexpensive center channel speaker by any means, but if you are serious about multichannel music (DVD-Audio or SACD) you have to have the NHT Audiocenter2.

Strengths:
Quality of sound. Full Range for a Center Channel Speaker.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
NHT Audiocenter1

Price Paid:  $680.00 from Audio Buys

Summary:
This speaker is perfect. I won't go into poetic detail except to say that it does exactly what it is supposed to. It is a PERFECT match the for 2.9s. Not just in sonic and tone character, but in also in terms of dynamics and blending into a complete, coherent front sound stage. I wanted a Center speaker that would sound like it was a 2.9. and the AC-2 sounds exactly like that- as if my center was also a 2.9. I can't ask for anything more or better than that. SIMPLY PERFECT.

Strengths:
Flawless match for the NHT 2.9

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
AC-1.