Mini Review on NHT SB3 speakers

F1nut
F1nut Posts: 50,724
edited April 2004 in Speakers
Since I spend alot of time in the shop I needed to get some better gear. I had a Sony ES 5 spinner in storage and just bought a used minty Sony STR-GX6ESII receiver rated at 100 wpc @ 8 ohms, so now I needed new speakers. I finally pinned it down to the NHT SB3's and seeing as how they are for the shop I didn't want to buy anything new, so the hunt for used was on. In the meantime I had a chance to pick up a pair of Polk RTi28's for a good price from Hoosier. They got here yesterday and while they sounded better than what I had, I wasn't sold on the sound. A few days ago a used pair of NHT SB3's showed up on Audiogon and I picked them up a couple hours ago. Wow, what a difference. The mid range is lush, the highs are very smooth and the bass is surprising good for a bookshelf speaker, actually quite punchy. They are finished in high gloss black lacquer with gold plated binding posts and the 6.5" driver is above the 1" tweeter, (Sid would like these) which is perfect for the shelf they sit on. Overall, they are beautiful speakers with a great sound that I would call refined, highly recommended. While this set up doesn't compare to my big rig I will be very happy listening to music in the shop now.

I've included a link with the specs and a picture for those interested,
http://www.nhthifi.com/2004/products/product_detail.asp?ProductLineID=2&ProductID=13

F1
Political Correctness'.........defined

"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


President of Club Polk

Post edited by F1nut on

Comments

  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited April 2004
    I should hope that they sound better, they cost 3x as much. Can't wait to see them covered in shop dust and smell like thinner ;) They are very nice.

    Here is a picture of them, for Mr. Computer challenged:

    Specifications:

    System Type 2-way Acoustic Suspension
    Drivers 1” Fluid cooled neodymium magnet structure tweeter with NHT’s proprietary aluminum heat sink. Woofer 6.5" polypropylene, high excursion woofer.
    Magnetically Shielded Yes
    Frequency Response 39Hz- 22kHz +/- 3dB
    Crossover Frequency 2.4kHz
    Impedance 8 ohms nominal
    Inputs 5-way binding posts
    Recommended Amplifier Power Minimum 15 watts/ch Maximum 175 watts/ch
    Dimensions 13"H x 8"Wx 10"D
    Weight 16 lbs. each
    Finish Black high gloss piano lacquer



    sb3.jpg 15.4K
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,724
    edited April 2004
    Nah, just lazy and I knew I could get you to post a pic. ;)

    They actually are only twice the price.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • spyderman
    spyderman Posts: 678
    edited April 2004
    The SB3 is a spectacular speaker! Are you mixing them with other speakers?

    With all that piano black lacquer, you must have a very fancy shop...

    Enjoy!
    RTi70 Fronts
    CSi40 Center
    RTi38 Rear
    PSW650 Sub
    Str-de1075 Receiver

    Hope is on the way!

    ABB

  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited April 2004
    2X.....used....excellent price you worked out :)
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited April 2004
    39Hz 3db down for a 6.5 in a sealed box?

    That's awesome.

    Cheers,
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
  • HBombToo
    HBombToo Posts: 5,256
    edited April 2004
    Originally posted by RuSsMaN
    39Hz 3db down for a 6.5 in a sealed box?

    That's awesome.

    Cheers,
    Russ

    My thoughts exactly. I can't believe it.

    HBomb
    ***WAREMTAE***
  • smglbrth
    smglbrth Posts: 1,481
    edited April 2004
    Nice speaker Jesse, it surely is attractive.
    Remember, when you're running from something, you're running to something...-me
  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited April 2004
    I've been interested in that speaker for some time now but I haven't been able to find a pair to demo. Your experience matches the reviews others have made. It makes me want to find a pair to listen to even more. Very few AS speakers made anymore.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited April 2004
    Sealed or not it's the dimensions and weight of the box that got my attention...

    Just this evening I was doing a little reading on the SuperOne XU. A lot of good impressions of them out there as well.

    Nice nab, Jesse. Let them out of the basement every once in a while to play upstairs...
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner

    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD