NHT SuperZero 2.1 Premium Home Theater Bookshelf Speaker - Clean, Hi-Res Audio | Sealed Box | Mini-Monitor | Single Unit, Gloss Black

While I have listened to the NHT speakers years ago in audio shows, never owned one until now. Although I thought NHT speakers sounded very good, it wasn’t necessary a great value as they were at much higher prices years ago than today. I was very surprised to see a pair of the SuperZero can be had for less than $120! Since I was never happy with the KEF Q100 as my desktop speakers, I decided to give the SuperZero a try and I am glad I did. First, the build quality is far better than expected. Better than the KEF Q100 or even more expensive speakers. Although some people do not like the piano gross black finish, I like it. The speaker banding post also is far better than most if not all in this price range. It can take different type of connectors including Y and Bananas. The most important factor of a pair of speakers of course is how they sound and the NHT really shines. Just as I did with the KEF Q100, before I put the NHT to my desk as intended, I try them out on my main and secondly stereo system to get a reference feel. The sound stage is very wide and the highs and mids are very clear and sweet. While the speakers will not produce deep base, the base they produce are very tight, not booming at all. The cannon shots in the Mercury and Telarc’s 1812 recordings are reproduced clean and tight and all the echo details. While a lot of people seem taking brightness as been clear and booming as strong base, the SuperZero really shows what a clean musical speaker should be. In comparison, the KEF Q100’s highs are way too bright, even when driven by tube amps. On the other hand, the Q100 does not able to reproduce the finer details as the NHT. Although as book shelf speakers, one would not expect the Q100 to have extended base either, one does however expect it to go deeper as it has a bigger woofer. But over here the Q100 also fall short of the SuperZero. While the Q100 may go a few Hz lower, its sound at the low end is nowhere as tight as the SuperZero. Putting on the desktop, the SuperZero shows it is also a far better a near field speaker than the Q100. Not only the sound stage remain wide with a much shorter spacing, the highs of a good soprano recording also remain clean and details without been ear piercing. While in absolute terms, these NHT SuperZero 2.1 still are no match for my main or even secondary speakers, the NHT are only at a fraction of cost of those. Compares to a closer match of KEF Q100, it is far better in all aspect of music at less than half (Paid $250 for the Q100) or even one quarter (Q100 often priced at $550) of the price. If people think Q100 a great bargain at $250, than at less than $120 for a pair of SuperZero 2.1, the value is unmatched in audiophile Edit: 8/24/2019 Brought a pair again. My previous review was more focused to compare SuperZero with KEF Q100. In this follow on, I will add comparison to SuperOne. Some reviewers claimed the SuperZero doesn't have enough base and people should get the SuperOne instead, will I don't think so. While it is true a small speaker like SuperZero doesn't have deep base and one should not expect it, the bass it does put out is very tight. The SuperOne on the other hand, While goes a little deeper, it is less tight and depends on how you place them, the bass can be a little booming. More importantly, may be due to its larger size and front surface, even with the same twitter, the high and mids of the SuperOne is not as resolve and clean as the SuperZero. The sound stage is also not as wide and deep as the SuperZero. Since even SuperOne still require a subwoofer, it is far better to get the SuperZero with a good musical subwoofer. For those also have HT in mind, using 5, 7 even 9 SuperZero plus a subwoofer or two will get you not only a speaker system that meets both audiophile and HT applications, but also very budget friendly and certainly best value.

I do have two sets of the originals from 1996 made in California, and while these are now made in China, they are still designed and engineered in California. The new crossovers that they put in really make a big difference they sound bright and clean and beautiful well worth the money. Also, they can be placed directly on the wall because they do not have or need space behind them they are completely sealed. NHT (Now Hear This) is a solid company that cares about good sound. Do not hesitate. Remember you will absolutely need a subwoofer as these are only two-way speakers

Hi-Fi sound on a budget -The speaker grills are a tight fit. These are fine speakers, if you are space challenged and want a "Hi-Fi" level of sound on a budget. They need a sub-woofer, and a medium power amplifier to reach their full potential, which is quite good across their bandwidth, with little coloration. They also work very well by themselves on a desktop, for sound mixing. This is my second pair and they are improved in all almost all aspects with the exception of the speaker grills. The grills are very hard to pull off, which was not he case with previous pair made in California. I contacted NHT. They explained that their manufacture in China made the tolerances a bit tight, thinking that most buyers will not remove the covers. That maybe the case, but in most studio applications the covers come off. They recommended using a credit card to pry off the grills, which takes a some effort to do. NHT is an established company with good customer service. They also provide a five year warranty which is rare at any price point. As good as these speakers are, there are lot options out there if space is not a problem. Such as the Cambridge X50 and Sony-SS-CS5M2 both usually under $250 and they don't require a sub for music listening. But if your space is limited these are about as good as you can get...

My main speakers are open baffles and since really getting used to them, I can really hear the cabinet coloration in other speakers; the worst seeming to be small ported bookshelves on a desktop against a wall. I bought these for TV/music in the bedroom on top of a dresser. I did not want boomy bass. These work great in that arrangement; the bass is not bloated or boomy due to the sealed cabinets which I wish were more common these days. It's hard to critique as an audiphile with the speakers on top of a dresser, but I've heard some potential for really good imaging. The tweeters are crisp, mids are clear and the speakers are quick on the their feet. I really want to try them in my main system but I don't have any stands. I have a feeling they might surprise me.

Using a pair of the SuperZero 2.1 Minis as front height speakers in a home theater set-up. They are solid little speakers, excellent finish and rear connectors, easy to set up, perfect size for the application and they sound great... adding a new dimension to home theatre sound that I hadn't realized I was missing! I recommend them for their reasonable price and good quality.

Don't typically write reviews, first for everything. Was using paradigm MK3 bookshelf speakers and CC300 center channel, energy surround speakers. Trying to build matching system, eventually upgrade to dolby atmos, dts-x. Started with three identical speakers for front. As far as using for center channel..dialogue can be little too quiet at times. Tried polk audio center channel, didn't enjoy sound. Paradigm center too big. Eventually thinking of moving center channel to surround and replacing with super center speaker. Love the sound for music and movies! Do have a subwoofer , couldn't imagine not using one. Happy with purchase. Will add more to complete 7.1 down the road.

Amazing speaker. Currently powering them with my Logitech z2300 sub that only outputs 22W in a near-field setup (on a computer desk). They are great for TV shows but really excel at playing music. With my setup the 80hz-150hz range is muffled due to the sub having a ridiculously high crossover of 150hz. No stars were removed since this probably has nothing to do with the speaker. Receiving a Lepy LP-2020A soon to verify that is the issue and will update the review.

Now hear this, really good audio quality for the price, I'm using four of these and an America F12 BIC with a Denon 5.2 receiver, about 1k into audio equipment and holy it's a different world. Very good value for money in these speakers though