I recently had a chance to listen to these speakers at Progressive Audio in Columbus, Ohio while auditioning the McCormack DNA-2 amplifier. I auditioned these speakers for several hours and could not bring myself to like them. They never got out of the way of the music to really tell me what level the amplifier was at. For my tastes, these speakers were way too bright in the midrange and became fatiguing after a while and the bass wasn't enough for my tastes. The midrange blurred into the upper treble. It wasn't the equipment that was making it bright. If anything, the equipment was more on the warm side which made me think the speakers were even brighter with other amplifiers like acurus. Even the person working made a comment without me saying anything since he knew I was auditioning the amp and not the speakers. I can see why people like the NHT's so much if they are looking for an overly detailed speaker. The rest of the equipment included a highend Denon dvd player that ran into a Lexicon DC2 and the McCormack amp. I have Aerial 7a speakers if anyone is wondering. I guess everyone has different tastes in speakers. The NHT's never brought me into the music like my aerials can. The midrange always bothered me no matter what cd I played. I can see why people like the detail thru the trebles since they are very extended. Speaker designers that make a very forward midrange or extended trebles usually are hiding problems in the speakers to draw your attention away from those areas. The 2.9's do this with over-extending the upper treble to draw the problems away from the midrange blur and brightness. I read where people think the Aerials treble are too closed in----it isn't. The treble in the Aerials are very neutral which allows you to hear the whole spectrum of the speaker without being drawn to any one area. I give the speakers three stars because I think there are better designs out there like the new Aerial 6 speakers for $2,800. Make sure you listen to any speaker for several hours before immediately being impressed by any area which may be out of balance. By the way, I ordered the McCormack DNA-2 deluxe amplifier anyway. I know from a couple of very good sources that this amplifier is a great amplifier that will compete with the some of the very best.
Regards,
RH

Excellent imaging; extremely detailed and accurate. An excellent value for the money.

I have bi-amped my system with a Nakamichi PA-7 powering the 2.9s and a Yamaha receiver handling the center and surround speakers. I will eventually replace them with Parasound's HCA-2205 amp and AVC-2500 AV controller. But even with what I consider a somewhat compromised arrangement, I have been extremely impressed by the 2.9s. This is further reinforced by the addition of a Velodyne FX1800R subwoofer that complements the 2.9s very well. I had considered the 3.3, but with the exception of the woofers, the 2.9 has the same drives, and I'm convinced that the Velodyne more than makes up for the smaller woofers.

In my search for speakers, I had been pulled towards the B&W speakers (804 and CDM7SE, if I recall). But to my surprise, when I heard the NHT, I was floored by their performance and value for the money. The imaging, tonal accuracy, soundstage, and clarity simply won me over (not to mention a substantial savings compared to high end speakers with similar attributes).

The versatility of these speakers are truly amazing. They are very musical and have provided hours of critical listening without fatigue, and coupled with the Velodyne, can also really crank out awesome home theater audio. They are, without question, 5 stars.

Beautiful sound. An absolutely accurate reproduction of the recording. Unbelievable 3D imaging, crystal clear highs, tight mid-range, powerful and well formed bass. Top quality construction.

none

The NHT 2.9s are the finest speakers I've ever heard, including B&Ws costing nearly 3 times more. A 5-star speaker in every sense.

The reproduction is incredibly accurate. Like a fine sports car allows you to feel the road, the NHT 2.9s provide every nuance of the music. On a good recording, you'll be shocked by the realism. Expect to hear more, expect surprises, these speakers deliver a smile of satisfaction and pride every time I give them a listen. At times an NHT speaker can be brutally honest, and the 2.9 is no exception. If you have a poor recording, the 2.9 will expose it.

If you're in the market, give these and the NHT 2.5s a listen. I prefered the 2.9s, but many will be satisfied with the 2.5s.

Initially I was put off by the look of the angled front, but I've come to love it. I bought the 2.9 in black, it's elegant. The faux wood options didn't turn me on.

Some have commented on the speaker being sensitive to placement. I have found it to be no more so than other hi-end stereo speakers.

I have the NHT 2.9s paired with a NHT AC-2 center (also a Hall of Fame choice) and NHT 1.5s in the rear. I can give this arrangement an unqualified endorsement.

Rumor has it that the 2.9 will be discontinued by NHT this spring. So, buy it soon or miss out. Also, you might be able to get a bargin on a pair.

astetics, sound, performance

not most efficient

i chose these spekers purely on reviews, heard them once in the sound room and purchased them knowing i could return them if i did not like them. was able to score floor models, which were broken in and great condition. the reviews were accurate, originally the speakers were a great improvement over what i had, but just could not resist the temptation of biamping and they really came alive. these speakers need clean and ample power or you will be missing out on all they can be.
i was told that sony es equipment might not stand up to the task, well they did and did not. once i biamped with the nht sa-3, the rest as they say is heavenly history.
give these a try you may be pleasently surprised, no one speaker is for everyone, but if you like a speaker that is a bit bright in the high end, very focused and spatial in the midrange, and with proper power has bass for days this one is a keeper.

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advent

Before I purchased my 2.9, I also auditioned: Von Schweikert VR-3, Vandersteen 3A, Hales Revelation 3, Thiel 2.3 & Thiel 1.5. These are all wonderful speakers and a buyer's choice will likely be dependent on their subjective view of the purpose of a loudspeaker: (1) to reproduce the master tape as accurately as possible, or (2) to reproduce all recordings to be listenable, at the expense of accuracy, resolution & neutrality.
I found the 2.9 & Thiels' to fall w/in category 1, while the Vandy 3A fell w/in category 2. The VR3 and Rev 3 were somewhere in btw. The 2.9 had the highest neutrality & resolution, most detail, best imaging & deepest soundstage. The Rev 3 & VR 3 had the wider soundstages and a more lush presentation. The Vandy 3A were the smoothest & most forgiving, but lacked the resolution & neutrality of the other speakers.

Regarding bass extension & control, the 2.9 & VR3 surpassed the Rev 3 & Vandy 3A, though not by much. OTOH, the Thiels' bass extension was minimal compared to the others, although it was tight & well-controlled.

One disadvantage of the 2.9, Thiels' & the Rev 3 to a lesser extent, is that they will reveal weaknesses in other areas of your system. A good 200+ watt solid-state amp (e.g., Bryston, McCormack, Parasound, Krell) is a must. OTOH, the VR3 & Vandy 3A are more forgiving, & can be used with tube amps. Proper setup is crucial. With the 2.9, a discrepancy of a .5" can affect the imaging. Make sure they are properly set-up before auditioning.

My 2.9s were demos that I got for $1400 the pair. What can I say? They rank up there with the best speakers that I have heard. Are they the best $2500 (list)speakers? I don't know. But they compare favorably with the matrix B&W 801 and Theil CS6, and thats saying something!

First, I am auditioning speakers and have no "purchase" bias, which inevitably adds at least 1 star!

Anyway, I listened to these last week when I wanted to hear the NHT 2.5i. My impression was that the sound was good, could handle volume well, but was not as clear and "airy" as I like, especially when compared to Paradigm ref 60/80.

I listen mainly to acoustic jazz - these speakers were uncolored, but just didn't raise my hairs on some live big band stuff. I think the speakers may have not been placed well in the audio room at the dealer, which may have weakened the punch in the mid section for me.

The design/color is a matter of taste. Seems a little cheesy with the small and narrow grill, IMO.

I bought these for my home theatre setup, but after "just" trying them with my main audio system, the game was over. This is as good as I need. I am driving them with a my Anthem AMP1 but what can I say? The soundstaging is amazing, the bass full and tight and voices are untainted. Highly recommend them.

I love this speaker! It has the deepest soundstage that I have ever heard from a speaker costing less than $3500. I had originally planned on purchasing the KEF reference 3 which is a great speaker, but after A/Bing the KEFs with the 2.9s I decided on the 2.9s. It is such a complete speaker. IMHO, this speaker would satisfy all types of music. They have incredible bass when called upon, but not boomy, overpowering, or muddy at all. The midrange is so smooth. I must admit, the gloss laminate had to grow on me, but I truly loved the sound of the 2.9s. I'm not saying that this is the best speaker I ever heard.....It isnt. But in this price range, I think it is.

As a relative newbie to the audiophile world, I have searched high and low recently at many hi-fi stores and have listened to a great many fine speakers from a range of manufacturers. The final cut came down to Boston Acoustics VR 970, B&W 801, NHT 2.5i, and Dynaudio. Then I heard the NHT 2.9. Whoa.
The soundstage created by the 2.9's is the best I've ever heard. From rock to jazz, piano to punk, the 2.9's effortlessly recreate the performance space. My girlfriend came home the other day to find me sitting in the NHT's "sweet spot" (which is, admittedly, narrow) with this huge goofy grin on my face. The 3-D effect of the 2.9's precise imaging really has to be heard to be believed--I haven't heard anything like it before.

I also agree that this speaker does tend to reveal the real details of the recording, good or bad. But the bass is tight, accurate, and plentiful.

I would strongly urge anyone considering making the step up to speakers in this price range to give the NHT 2.9's a serious audition. I was frankly amazed and you just might be too.