Results 1 to 19 of 19

Thread: NHT vs. Energy

  1. #1
    Forum Regular
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Posts
    29

    NHT vs. Energy

    I am considering the NHT Classic 2 or 3 and also the Energy RC10. I am unable to audition these because there is no dealer in my area. Based on your experiences, if anyone has compared the 2, which sound did you prefer? The source will be a Marantz SR 4001 receiver. This will be for mainly music and this will be only a 2 channel setup. A sub will be used. Thanks for your input.

  2. #2
    nightflier
    Guest
    I have only heard these in the showroom (back when Good Guys was still around), but from what I remember I would choose the NHTs. They sounded tighter and faster to my ears. The Energy is a nice speaker, but lacks a little energy, so to speak.

    If you're going to be ordering online or mail-order, look for a reseller with a money-back guarantee (some will even pay for shipping). These speakers can be had from many online retailers, so you've got options. Consequently, there are also a few other online-only manufacturers you might want to consider too (AxiomAudio for example).

  3. #3
    Crackhead Extraordinaire Dusty Chalk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    below the noise floor
    Posts
    3,636
    They're both good, you really can't go wrong with either one.

    Suggestion: even if you do mail order, could you return them after 30 days in-home trial? Or if you're going used, you could buy both and sell the ones you don't like.
    Eschew fascism.
    Truth Will Out.
    Quote Originally Posted by stevef22
    you guys are crackheads.
    I remain,
    Peter aka Dusty Chalk

  4. #4
    Suspended PeruvianSkies's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Posts
    3,373
    I'm curious...why have you narrowed it down to these two? If you are unable to audition them then I wonder why you have limited yourself to two speaker manufacturers? What is your budget for your new speakers???

  5. #5
    Forum Regular Florian's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Posts
    2,959
    I like NHT's too
    Lots of music but not enough time for it all

  6. #6
    rockin' the mid-fi audio_dude's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    ottawa, ontario
    Posts
    1,018
    i'd say take the NHT's, personally, the energy's have a quite harsh tweeter, but thats my opinion
    _________________________________________________
    Jeeze... people still use sigs?!

  7. #7
    Forum Regular
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Posts
    29
    PeruvianSkies, the reason I have narrowed it to these 2 is mainly aesthetics. The speakers have to be relatively small and either real wood or gloss black veneer. Not to many other options in this price range that fit that criteria. Looking to stay within $600 price range.

  8. #8
    Crackhead Extraordinaire Dusty Chalk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    below the noise floor
    Posts
    3,636
    Oh, then you should also look at the Quad L series. I think some of them even retail for < US$600 (the L-ites), and the street prices of the 11L and 12L should be thereabouts.

    And I can highly recommend those -- own a pair myself (12L active).

    There's also another brand that I remember being impressed with the finish...something like Sonus Faber or Wilson Benesch (two names)...will look around and report back...
    Eschew fascism.
    Truth Will Out.
    Quote Originally Posted by stevef22
    you guys are crackheads.
    I remain,
    Peter aka Dusty Chalk

  9. #9
    Forum Regular
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Posts
    29
    Dusty, I am not familiar with Quads. Do you have a link to their website? Thanks

  10. #10
    Crackhead Extraordinaire Dusty Chalk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    below the noise floor
    Posts
    3,636
    Sure, it's this (I even took you directly to their performance series, although their electrostatics are very nice too -- that's what they're famous for). And pictures don't do these guys justice, they really are extremely glossy in person. Something insane like 17 layers of shellac or something. brochure

    And the other brand I was trying to remember was Aurum Cantus, with their wonderful ribbon tweeters.
    Eschew fascism.
    Truth Will Out.
    Quote Originally Posted by stevef22
    you guys are crackheads.
    I remain,
    Peter aka Dusty Chalk

  11. #11
    Forum Regular
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Posts
    29
    Wow. Those are some beautiful speakers. I am in MS and their site doesn't show a dealer in my area. Are those avail. online from an authorized dealer or would I have to go Agon or Ebay?

  12. #12
    Crackhead Extraordinaire Dusty Chalk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    below the noise floor
    Posts
    3,636
    I don't know how authorized they are, but Underwood Hifi sells them. I think he's legit. I know others from this site have bought from him. Audiogon link of stuff he currently is selling
    Eschew fascism.
    Truth Will Out.
    Quote Originally Posted by stevef22
    you guys are crackheads.
    I remain,
    Peter aka Dusty Chalk

  13. #13
    Forum Regular
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Posts
    29
    Thanks Dusty. I'll check him out. I really like that piano bird's eye maple finish. I hope he has some of those. If not, I'll keep checking. That's why I like sites like this because otherwise I would have known nothing about the Quads.

  14. #14
    Forum Regular blackraven's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    St. Paul, Minnesota
    Posts
    5,421
    I like the NHT"s classic 3's. Never heard the energy's
    Pass Labs X250 amp, BAT Vk-51se Preamp,
    Thorens TD-145 TT, Bellari phono preamp, Nagaoka MP-200 Cartridge
    Magnepan QR1.6 speakers
    Luxman DA-06 DAC
    Van Alstine Ultra Plus Hybrid Tube DAC
    Dual Martin Logan Original Dynamo Subs
    Parasound A21 amp
    Vintage Luxman T-110 tuner
    Magnepan MMG's, Grant Fidelity DAC-11, Class D CDA254 amp
    Monitor Audio S1 speakers, PSB B6 speakers
    Vintage Technic's Integrated amp
    Music Hall 25.2 CDP
    Adcom GFR 700 AVR
    Cables- Cardas, Silnote, BJC
    Velodyne CHT 8 sub

  15. #15
    Forum Regular
    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Posts
    356
    NHT, better all around sound...

  16. #16
    Sound Fanatic
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Posts
    136
    1 vote for Energy here. Beautiful speakers. Have a peek here for a good review.

  17. #17
    Forum Regular
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Posts
    29
    Thanks Canuckle. The Energys are beautiful and from the specs they seem to be very efficient at 91db(typical room) and 8 ohm. Since I will be using a receiver that's one thing that worries me about the Quads and the NHT. Both have 86db sensitivity and 6 ohm impedance. This is a hard decision.

  18. #18
    Forum Regular
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Posts
    10
    I have the Energy Rc10's and I have compared them to all the speakers I own and I like them the best ( ADS, Celestion, B&W, DCM, Infinity, Polk, Paradigm.)

    The RC10 really impress people when they hear them... They are really pretty too.

  19. #19
    Forum Regular blackraven's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    St. Paul, Minnesota
    Posts
    5,421
    Old Post!
    Pass Labs X250 amp, BAT Vk-51se Preamp,
    Thorens TD-145 TT, Bellari phono preamp, Nagaoka MP-200 Cartridge
    Magnepan QR1.6 speakers
    Luxman DA-06 DAC
    Van Alstine Ultra Plus Hybrid Tube DAC
    Dual Martin Logan Original Dynamo Subs
    Parasound A21 amp
    Vintage Luxman T-110 tuner
    Magnepan MMG's, Grant Fidelity DAC-11, Class D CDA254 amp
    Monitor Audio S1 speakers, PSB B6 speakers
    Vintage Technic's Integrated amp
    Music Hall 25.2 CDP
    Adcom GFR 700 AVR
    Cables- Cardas, Silnote, BJC
    Velodyne CHT 8 sub

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •