Price Paid:  $550.00 from Eber Electronics

Summary:
I had been looking for a full range speaker that was not going to break my bank. I auditioned several before deciding on the Paradigm 9se. I got home and hooked 'em up to my Acurus 150/B&K Pro-10MC/Nakamichi MB2s system, and found the 9ses incredibly flat & dead sounding. I returned them and bought a pair of NHT 2.5s. The difference was astounding. Soundstaging was no longer compressed. The treble sang. The bass thumped. I've used them for 7 years and have no intention of replacing them anytime soon.

Strengths:
Soundstaging & imaging. Bass extension.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Paradigm, JBL, Polk, Boston Acoustics, Tannoy

Price Paid:  $600.00 from Audio

Summary:
I replaced the Klipsch's with the NHT's. Initially with the NHT's, I noticed much more detail, but less dynamacism and sound staging than with the Klipshchs'. My first thought was that this means that the NHT's are better for music as you hear more detail and specific sounds but that home theatre use may be less enjoyable as the NHT's just don't appear to produce the same level of sound stage, dynamics and general openess as the Klipschs. It turns out that this effect is due to the greater efficiency of the Klipsch's which would consequently allow them to produce much more volume, greater sound staging, etc. with the same amount of power. However, since I have recently replaced my 70 watt receiver (Sony 333ES) with one possessing greater power (Harmon Kardon 7000 @ 105 watts) the issues of dynamics and sound staging between the two sets of speakers are greatly reduced. Now I am enjoying the greater detail of the NHT's with the dynamacism and sound staging that I hoped that I would have originally attained with these speakers.

The good news is that the NHT's are amoung the most accurate speakers I have ever heard. And with adequate power they produce good dynamics and sound staging. In fact, the only sets of speakers I would rate more accurately than the NHT's would be some of the electrostatic speakers such as Martin-Logan, etc. But the Martin-Logan's and some of the other electrostatic speakers are in a much higher price range, so the comparison may not be fair.

All in all, I rate these speakers highly for accuracy. However, do note carefully that they are not efficient speakers and will require large amounts of power to produce good dynamics and an impressive sound stage. Moreover, while they produce some bass, I would recommend the use of a subwoofer, particularly for HT. (Probably do not need a subwoofer for music, only.)

Strengths:
Very detailed sound, good sound stage.

Weaknesses:
Not an efficient speaker. Make sure you have enough power to drive these speakers.

Similar Products Used:
Klipsch KG 4.2; Baby Advents

Price Paid:  $500.00 from stereo exchange

Summary:
I purchased a used pair of 2.5 in hopes of getting a bargain and better sound than what the Supertwos offered. After listening for a few days, I've found trade-offs. Lucky I paid the same price!

The good:

The 2.5 has better placement of instruments and creates a bigger soundstage. Highs are more prestine. Mid-bass and low notes have better articulation and rhythm, all weak points with the Supertwo.

The bad:

All of a sudden a veil has been cast over the music. My fiance calls this muffled sound. I call it lack of transparency. The Supertwos are brand new year 2001 speakers with new technology and drivers. The 2.5 are 6 years old and I can see that NHT has moved on with R&D to create a superb speaker in the Supertwo. The SP2s are dynamic and transparent while the 2.5 are laid back and articulate and rhythmic. Vocal imaging also is a bit less congrete as the SP2s.

Each has strengths and I'm sure the newer 2.5s have got to be better than the current SP2.

I guess I'll live with the 2.5s for now, unless someone wants to buy them from me? dancetracks@yahoo.com

Associated Equipment:
Audio Alchemy transport/filter stuff feeds Theta Cobalt to passive attenuators to Muse 100 amp. All interconnects Kimber KCAG and 8TC to the speakers. I may try 4TC soon to see if that'll help with imaging on the 2.5.

Strengths:
good detail, large sound stage, good placement of instruments in soundspace, articulate bass

Weaknesses:
poor transparency, imaging for vocals not so good

Similar Products Used:
NHT Superzero and Supertwo

Price Paid:  $500.00 from Ebay

Summary:
I purchased these over a year ago for around $500 on ebay and am very happy with them. One of those speakers that makes you think "I can't wait to here XXX recording, everything sounds amazing." Great bass for an 8" woofer, very fast and uncolored, however they do roll-off at the extreme bottom end. The midrange is very nice except for an upper-midrange peak that either makes recordings sound very detailed (at best) or slightly nasal (at worst). Smooth highs, overall a well-balanced tonal response that just dishes out what is input into them. I feel that due to their very flat response curve, the presentation is a bit laid back, especially, with older analog recordings. This isn't a necessarily a complaint, just a contrast to other more "in you face" speakers that I have auditioned. The only other issue is thelack of efficiency. I upgraded to an Adcom GFA 555 (200/channel) and would say that type of low current power is required if you like concert hall sound levels.

Strengths:
Great buy, amazing sound

Weaknesses:
Bass not low enough for HT, slight upper-midrange peak

Similar Products Used:
B&W, Infinity, Polk, Energy

Summary:
I bought these speakers from a local retailer that was going out of business, so I got an incredible deal!!! I must admit, I had hear many great things about NHT, but the real reason I bought them is because they were such an awesome deal.... I was in for the biggest surprise ever!!! I set these speakers up in literally, 5 min. and was immediately blown away by the soundstage... it was very wide, and the depth it revealed in the music, was almost scary! The bass output of these slim towers was also an unexpected surprise.... very accurate and musical.
I now work at a local mid/hi-fi speciality store and have seen my share of loudspeakers ( ie. Klipsch, Boston Acoustics, Infinity, etc.)and I must admit, I keep going back to my NHT's in the $1000-1700/pair bracket.
Are there better speakers out there?.......of course, if you're willing to spend twice as much.... if you get a chance to audition these... do yourself a favor, DO IT!!! I promise you won't be disappointed!

Strengths:
huge soundstage & amazing bass in a small footprint, pin-point imaging, excellent value

Weaknesses:
who...?