B&W CDM 1NT vs. NHT Classic Three?

[KLJTech]

Hi guys! I'm new to this forum and hate starting with a question but I could use some help.

I own a pair of B&W CDM 1NT's (bought them new in 03) yet I can buy a brand new pair of NHT Classic Threes at a nice discount and I'm wondering if anyone here has heard both to know if the Classic threes are in anyway better than the B&W's?

I'm using a Parasound A21 to drive the B&W's and I'd be using the same amp on the Classic 3's if I did in fact go ahead and buy them. I'm using 24" Target HR stands that once again would work well for both speakers.

Obviously we're talking opinion here but I've never heard the Classic 3's and have nothing but reviews to go by thus far. John Atkinson of Stereophile told me that the Classic 3's are terrific but he's never heard the CDM 1NT's to be able to compare the two. I know that Sam Tellig raved about the CDM1 SE that my 1NT's are suppose to have improved upon. Who knows?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Kevin

[dean_martin]

I have no experience with the Classic 3s but I do have 2 pairs of the older SuperOnes and I auditioned the CDM 1NTs in my home. I decided that B&Ws were not a significant enough upgrade at the time. I'm not sure whether the B&Ws were sufficiently broken in but I expected more bass response. Maybe I'm partial to the effects of NHT's acoustic suspension design. Assuming NHT still uses that design, you should give them a listen.

[JohnMichael]

Several years ago The Absolute Sound did a review of the Classic Three and it is available on-line. They called it the best speaker for $1,000. Today they sell for less.

I heard them in an audio shop and was impressed with their imaging and detail. It has been too long to comment more. I have not heard that model of B&W. All I can say is I have owned both brands and miss the B&W's the most. Not much help and good luck making the choice.

[bfalls]

I've lusted after the NHT Classic series for some time. I always check ebay and CL for deals, but none are to be found. You rarely see used ones and I see only retail list prices for the new. If you choose to keep the B&W, pass the good Classic deal onto another brother. I would definitely be interested.

[KLJTech]

I placed the order for the pair of Classic Threes yesterday, I look forward to hearing them for the first time. I'll be surprised if they're able to replace my B&W's but I've heard nothing but great things about the Classic Threes so who knows?

[dean_martin]

I placed the order for the pair of Classic Threes yesterday, I look forward to gearing them for the firs time. I'll be surprised if they're able to replace my B&W's but I've heard nothing but great things about the Classic Threes so who knows?

Please post your impressions.

[KLJTech]

I certainly will...I've got a silver (no rack-mount) Parasound Zdac coming in later in the month as well that I'm dying to hear. I don't want to change too many pieces of gear around the same time though until I get a feel for the Classic Threes themselves.

[blackraven]

I really like the NHT Classic three's and almost bought a pair if it were not for the deal that I go on my Monitor Audio S1's. I compared them to a pair of Paradigm Mini Monitors and a pair of NHT two's blew them a way. The B&W's will have a more lively sound than the NHT's but I found the NHT's to have a more natural and forgiving sound.

I have a Parasound A21 amp and I think that it will be a better match with the NHT's than the B & W's. B & W's tweeters will be very fatiguing with the Parasound. What are you using for a preamp?

By the way, I am using a hybrid tube Preamp and DAC with the A21 and they match really well.

[KLJTech]

I've lusted after the NHT Classic series for some time. I always check ebay and CL for deals, but none are to be found. You rarely see used ones and I see only retail list prices for the new. If you choose to keep the B&W, pass the good Classic deal onto another brother. I would definitely be interested.

I'll let you know if I decide to let the NHT Classic Threes go, I'm surprised that they can hang with the much more expensive B&W's. Blackraven is correct, the B&W's do sound a "bit" more lively (on the top end) with the Nautilus tweeter but the Classic Threes are right there with a terrific midrange, tight bass (deep and wide soundstage w/good recordings) and a very neutral overall sound.

I'm giving the Schiit Audio Lyr a shot as a preamp (LOVE it as my headphone amp) this week and it certainly gives the Classic Threes a bit more dynamic sound than they had with my Creek OBH-22 passive feeding the Halo amp. The Lyr has a ton of gain so I can only use the volume up to about 10-11 o'clock but I really like having the tube hybrid "bloom" in the mix. I could always turn the levels down on the back of the Halo to allow more rotation at the Lyr's volume but its tracking is perfect all the way down to silence so I'm not sure that adjusting the Parasound's level is worth it.

I plan on keeping only one of these speakers, either the B&W CDM-1NT's or the Classic Threes will have to go once I've made a decision. Its going to be a tough choice, that's for sure.

By the way, I added the Parasound Zdac (silver) this past month and I'm glad I did as I've been blown away by this DAC. Listening to the Zdac through the Lyr sounds incredible.