jwh2323

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Price Paid:  $899.00 from accessories4less.com

Summary:
I was aiming at the Monitor Audio RS-6s where were reviewed in Stereophile last spring; they were in my price range, and I'd been searching for the best price, color I wanted, etc. I did not look into the NHTs at all because they were so far out of my price range, though I had read the review of the T6 in stereophile and had read other highly favorable views of NHTs over the years. Then I saw they were avaiialbe for that ridiculous price. Mine came with the A1 amplifier, the only reason I can discern for the great price. And I must say that that price is a total fluke - but had I know how amazing these were I would have saved my grand and started saving up for them anyway! I was so intimidated by their descriptions because 1) their component speakers - true subwoofer integration? I didn't buy it 2) that X1 crossover, which I thought would never please me - with all those knobs I'd be adjusting for the rest of my life! NHT is quite a company. The speakers come in their boxes, with kits, and the best speaker manual I have ever seen or read. It took me an hour to assemble them, set them up and hook up the equipment. It took me thirty seconds to properly adjuct the X1 - the manuals has incredible advice in this regard.

I run them with a Parasound A51, a Nad c372 as the preamp, with Audioquest T8 for the M5s and Bedrock for the B5s. Flat out, these speakers integrate perfectly. Because of the A51, I run the B5s in stereo (there's a switch on the back of the X1) and subwoofer integration is totally flawless. When listening to Two in a room when Edgar busts out the double bass, it's incredible. My old Athena AS-F2s, albeit a much humbler speaker, could not come near this kind of speaker integration. Second, I can turn them up so loud that the whole house shakes and yet I don't get fatigued. The Stereophile T6 review remarks on their low distortion and I imagine the little brother has the same strength - so if you're squinting it's because you've got source issues. They create a concrete and out-flung stereo image, and mine is quite tall - some reviewers have had different experiences. One could call the M5 "polite" simply because everything is there but there's no razor edge sliciing you up. And they are absolutely engaging and lacking no detail. I think the word comes to mind only because I've lived with high-distortion over-cooked metal tweeters for, well, forever. I hear everything there is to hear but the stereo image is placed in space, engaging, spacious.

Do you need a sub? Well, they are rated deeper than my Athena sub. I don't think you need one, frankly, especially if you're running them with an amp in stereo or with two A1s. Alright, I'm all done. Amazing up and down, I love them, my kids will be listening to them one day.

Weaknesses:
placement is important. The manual guides you. They are totally sealed so the woofer, man, it pushes air! It likes to push air into....air, not an audio cabinet. The X1 is infinitely adjustable though, and includes a dial called "boundary eq" - I'm not making this up - which adjust the sound based on how close a boundary is.

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Price Paid:  $2500.00 from Theatrical Concepts

Summary:
I have not officially hooked these up to my home theater system yet, but after 2 days of exensive auditioning of music and movies, I cannot wait. I did a complete surround sound system with the T5's for the floorstanders, an M5 for center channel, and some SB2's for rear surrounds. The T5's are the best floorstanders I listened to in my overall price range ($3500). I seriously cannot believe how clear and crisp these are! I threw just about everything at them (Rock, Jazz, Techno, Pop, etc.) and they handled everything beautifully. When it comes to movies, they are first rate as well. Having the 2 12" subs firing will give you effects few other speakers can match. I listened to B&W CDM 7NT's, Paradigm Studio 100's, Boston VRM60's, Def Tech's BP2006's, and a host of others, but like some many people say, "I just kept coming back to these." What I like best is that they are not bright or tinny, they are not congested when playing good old rock n' roll, and they are the absolutely cleanenst speakers that I have heard. I cannot say enough good stuff about them. I'll post another review after a few months of use. So far, 2 big thumbs up.

Strengths:
Separate amp to run the 2 10" subs is great. Extremely clean sounding. Can handle all music excellently. Can handle movie surround sound excellently. Value/Dollar is outstanding.

Weaknesses:
Not a dang thing (so far).

Similar Products Used:
Older version of NHT's, extensively tested B&W's, Paradigm's, Boston Accoustics, Def Tech's, KEF, Infinity's, and others in same price range. See above for models.

Price Paid:  $1900.00 from State Street Discoun

Summary:
If you enjoy listening to point source speakers do yourself a favor and give these an audition. I ran into them by accident. I was returning a pair of Def Tech 2002TL's and planned on leaving empty handed. Trying to keep the sale I was shown the new T5's. I'm glad I gave them a listen. The Def Tech's were great for movies but were just too washed out (echoy) on music. The T5 towers are extremely acurate with awesome imaging. The blending of the subs with the sats is flawless once you dial in everything with the X1 crossover. The bass is fast, tight and never boomy. Everything I listen to sounds spectacular. I admit, I'm no audiophile. I listen to everything from New Age to Metal. It's all good. On movies, the towers are great but miss the very bottom bass octave. Not to say they don't put out prodigious bass, they do. But if you need the ultimate low end(or have a very large room) you'll want an additional high-end sub for .1 effects. These speakers sound great at high and low volumes. Always crystal clear but not too bright. I couldn't be happier with my purchase.

Strengths:
Extremely acurate Great imaging Setup flexibility Bass/Sat blend is perfect

Weaknesses:
Goes low but not quite enough for the hardcore .1 effects.

Similar Products Used:
Def Tech 2002TL M&K S125 w/MX125 sub