I'm not too familiar with NHT, so this is just an outsider's perspective, but my guess is that the reason these didn't get the "respect they were due," is the high price. From a company known for it's more down-to-earth pricing (think the T6 complete system), seeing a $6-10K bookshelf appear, even with all the press accolades, just didn't go over well. That price-point is usually reserved not just for drool-inducing performance, but also drool-inducing brand recognition.

In the end, NHT has an image problem that does not permit them to play in the big leagues. They certainly provide value and performance that's comparable, but they just don't have the pedigree. It is essentially the same problem that Pioneer, Fujitsu, Onkyo and several other companies have - they also tried their hand at that market segment and essentially failed.

Personally everything NHT I've ever heard, from the T6 system all the way down to the current classic series was a fantastic value and sounded well above its class. The one gripe I have about the current fare is the lack of choice in cabinet finishes. Piano black is gorgeous, but a pain for those of us who swap gear regularly, who have kids, or who are never satisfied with placement. I know this is a cost-saving design choice, something that certainly seems to trickle down to the consumer, but there's a lot of competition out there and this doesn't help them.