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.

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).

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.

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???

I like NHT's too :):)

i'd say take the NHT's, personally, the energy's have a quite harsh tweeter, but thats my opinion

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.

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...

Dusty, I am not familiar with Quads. Do you have a link to their website? Thanks

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.

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?

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

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.

I like the NHT"s classic 3's. Never heard the energy's

NHT, better all around sound...

1 vote for Energy here. Beautiful speakers. Have a peek here for a good review.

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.

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.

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