NHT SuperCenter Center Channels

NHT SuperCenter Center Channels 

DESCRIPTION

center channel speaker

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 19  
[Jan 14, 2000]
Fred Farzanegan
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Perfect shielding, excellent sound.

Weakness:

The tilt mechanism to direct sound downwards is unimpressive.

If you are considering other NHT speakers (SuperZero, One), then this is the only choice for a center channel. I had a SuperZero initially as a center and it caused picture distortion and just couldn't keep up with its duties as the center channel when the Center came out- I rushed to get it. It is fantastic. I'm only giving 4 stars on value, because unless you're really perceptive, you could get a cheaper speaker which could do the center channel duties,but a 5 overall because of the quality.

Similar Products Used:

NHT SuperZero as a center

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Mar 06, 2000]
Jonah
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

neat looking finish

Weakness:

build quality, sound

well what can i say. It sounds like bose to me. The highs sound exadurated. The bass sounds very lacking and loose. And where are the mids? Come on nht use some real speaker materials. Paper cones are horrible. The paradigm cc350 kills this horrible excuse for a center channel.

Similar Products Used:

b&w cc3, cc6, lcr6, htm2; paradigm cc70, cc170, cc350, studio cc, definitive

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
[Apr 19, 2000]
Al
Casual Listener

Strength:

Nice, clean sound

I bought this speaker matched with NHT SuperOnes in front and SuperZeros Xus in back along with a Klipsch KSW 12 subwoofer for my modest HT set-up. I decided to go with NHT speakers (with a quality subwoofer) based on the reviews posted on this board. I previewed more expensive Definitive Techology, B&W abd PSB systems before settling on the NHT. In comparison to the other center speakers in this class, the NHT was clearly a better value. I am extremely pleased with this speaker and would highly recommend it-especially for under $200.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 01, 2000]
Bob
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Great match with Super Ones and Super Zeros

Weakness:

Grille is terrible!

I bought this center to match my Super Ones and Super Zeros in my home theater setup. The sound out of this center is great, and it matches perfectly with my other NHTs. However, the grille is terrible. The bass form my sub is enough to knock it off. After 3 weeks of frustration with the grille, I returned the speaker and spent and extra $25 dollars to get the VS1.2a. The VS1.2 is a little bigger and has a little more bass for special effects and such. Also, the grill is the same style as all other NHT speakers. Do yourself a favor and get the VS1.2a instead.

Similar Products Used:

NHT VS1.2

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
3
[Apr 17, 2000]
Keith
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Has a more "open" sound than some centers. Highs are clear not harsh. Dialogue is very pleasant. Finish is very good.

Weakness:

A bit on the expensive side.

I listened to quite a few center channel speakers before deciding on the NHT Super Center. I found Bose, Polk, and Boston Acoustics very unpleasant to listen to. I auditioned a B&W model (I think it was the model 3) which was considerably less than the NHT Super Center but the B&W sounded as if it were placed in a tube. Did not care for Paradigm either. (I can't recall which model I listened to but is was comparable in price to the Super Center).

On the other hand, the Super Center has the type of sound I enjoy. I can only describe it as a clear, even sound. I am very impressed with the way this speaker brings dialogue to the forefront without overemphasising it. And despite what others have posted here, the bass response is quite adequate. After all, you cannot escape the fact that it is a small enclosure and is designed primarily for reproducing mid-range and treble frequencies. It does this remarkably well too. I suspect those who criticize the Super Center as "lacking in bass" are using inadequate front speakers. These persons need to be reminded that low frequencies are better produced by good quality front speakers. (As far as I am concerned, the jury is out on subwoofers. They require a lot of attention to placement and adjustment.) For the rest of you who understand the concept of the interrelation of driver size, enclosure size, speaker design, and speaker placement, you will not worry about the "bass" when you listen to the Super Center. In fact, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. You may ultimately choose another speaker for a variety of reasons, but you will take note of this speaker.

Which brings me to this. If you are trying to put together your first home theater system (like me) you probably have found yourself overwhelmed by all the "talk" about home theater audio. That is why I suggest you do what most people do not do. JUST LISTEN. Trust your ears. They will tell you what you like. Words like timbre, imaging, soundstage, frequency response, rolloff, etc., etc., are very interesting words but don't get so caught up in what people say about audio that you forget to simply experience sound without over-analyzing what you are hearing. Most important, you absolutely must take speakers home and live with with them for a few weeks before you can really decide if they will meet your needs. I belive if you keep a speaker for more than one month, it is the right speaker for you. And I am keeping my Super Center.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Mar 10, 2000]
hifiman
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Many especially if you own NHT performance speakers. Everything has mostly been said.

Weakness:

Need a sub for effects etc., but dialog and other less demanding on-screen effects are GREAT!!!

The guy below knows nothing, obviously, if he can't tell the difference between Bose and NHT. There's always someone that has to bash on a good thing. Speaking of bright (overly crisp) treble and a spike in the bass, Paradigm has been known for this (Not their Reference series, however, which is much more refined than the family of speakers the cc-350 is in), so I don't understand how the guy below can justify his argument. Maybe when he heard the super center it was hooked up to a mass-market crap receiver. I think most people would agree with me that the NHT performance line is worthy of quality amplification and source and perhaps are picky in that way. So, no the NHTs probably won't sound as good with your Best Buy Aiwa receiver as Paradigm monitors will. Well that's about all. I agree with the positive reviews below. Just a reminder too, remember, there's a good reason Home Theatre magazine uses NHT performance series speakers as their reference for affordable HT, not Paradigms. Note: They also loved the awesome ability of the super center.

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm, Boston Acoustic.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 27, 2000]
Eric B.
Audiophile

Strength:

Clarity,Aesthetics,High's Mid's

Weakness:

Low Bass

It Looks good, Sounds good Thats whats important. I got it for $220.00 new dont pay any more for it.

Set up:

Super Two's
Super Center
HDP 1's
Soon to be owner of Sub one.

Check out www.pricescan.com before you purchase any electronic product.


Similar Products Used:

Klipsch

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Dec 31, 1999]
Clarles T
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Excellent mid & high, size & solid construction

Weakness:

None

Bought 1 to match 4 SuperOne Xus. Dialogue comes thru exceedingly clear. Highs slightly light on low volume, but high is not where I want my center to produce anyway. Played Matrix and Tommorrow Never Dies, and other musical scores. This super center really shined! I coudln't be happier w/ decision to go w/ NHT versus pricier brand. Your friend who spent 3 times more for a center will feel sour in the stomach (although he won't admit it!).

System:
Sony DA-333ES a/v rcvr
Sony DSP-550D dvd
JVC HRS-4600U
4 Super One Xus
Velodyne CT12 sub

Similar Products Used:

B&W CC6

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 27, 1999]
Michael
Audio Enthusiast

Just got the SuperCenter to match my SuperOne's up front. Sounds great for movies. Dialogue is clear, range is good (the bass is not bad all things considering) and the overall sound is great. Good timber matching even though the woofers are a different size from my SuperOne's. Still playing around with the entire system, trying to find the perfect setup. Overall, very happy with this product. Still can't believe it took NHT this long to make a center speaker to go along with their kickass SuperOne and SuperZero.

System:
Denon 3200 receiver
SuperOne (x2) front speakers
SuperCenter center speaker
Pioner DV414 DVD player

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 08, 1999]
David Strom
an Audio Enthusiast

I have been auditioning speakers to seriously upgrade my sound system, and was blown away by the accuracy and soundstage of the SuperOne. Of course, if I am going to upgrade the fronts on my system, I wanted to hear an acoustically matched speaker at the audio store.
The salesman hooked up the SuperCenter, which he had never even heard before, and put in goldeneye to audition the setup for HT.

All I can say is WOW! Great sound, wonderful accuracy. We listened to a pair of SuperOnes with the center, no sub (not in the market right now--I live in an apt with neighbors upstairs and down), and the trio performed beautifully.

We listened to the 1.5, which was awesome, but when you throw in the matched center the set moved out of our price range.

For the $$$, 2 superones and the supercenter (about $650 retail total) is very hard to beat. If you need rears (I have a prologic setup, and will be using my previous speakers for rears because the accuracy and matching matters less with prologic, and I need to save $$$), get another pair of superones or superzeros and you will be in business.

Of course, for optimal performance, you will want a powered sub, but for our applications it is not only unnecessary, but probably would lead to difficulty with our neighbors. Worrying about complaints would actually reduce my enjoyment of the music and movies...

Overall, this was a great center channel speaker to match with the SuperOnes and supertwos. If you move up to the 1.5 or above series, there is a different center to match the acoustical qualities of those speakers.

Overall, great speaker. The only caveat I would give is that if you aren't on a tight budget, consider the 1.5 and the upgraded center. It's not so much that when you listen to the superOnes and this center that you feel cheated--in fact you feel blown away by the quality. It's just that when you listen to the 1.5 or above series, you suddenly move from excellence to heaven.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
Showing 1-10 of 19  

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