NHT SB-3 best bookshelf under $1000?

[number1sixerfan]

I'm thinking of picking these up in the next few weeks or so. I've read up on them and they seem promising. I've previously had titans and atoms. I sold them because I couldn't listen to them after coming for the oh so clear and detailed akg 501s. From what I hear, the NHT's are of audiophile quality. I can get them for $400, but I am wondering if I am overlooking any other good bookshelf speakers. I thought about the paradigm monitors, but I don't want a very colored sound. Any other suggestions?

 

[tyrion]

I have a pair of System-Audio SA705's. Not very well known in the States. They retail for $1000 and I love them. Another pair that got a nice write up in Stereophile are the Amphion Helium 2. These are both speakers that are sold by a friend of mine so I was able to audition them at home for as long as needed. They are both musical and detailed. Nothing colored about the sound of either speakers. Typical bass of a bookshelf but sufficient, as far as I was concerned. I went with the SA705 as I was able to get a bit of a discount. They are both at the upper end of your limit. There are some very worthy System-Audio contenders in the $600 range. I haven't heard the NHT's so I can't comment. If I upgraded from my speakers it would be to go to a floorstander.

 

[soundboy]

Have you tried Energy, Polk Audio LSi series, Boston Acoustics, Triangle, B&W, Acoustic Energy, Tannoy, or KEF? They are make some very nice under $1,000/pair bookshelf speakers.

Revel recently introduced a new bookshelf speakers for under $1,000/pair.

 

[mulveling]

Definately give the Polk LSi series (as mentioned by soundboy) a listen - Tweeter/Hifi Buys carries them. I have a pair of LSi9 bookshelves and they are really, really nice. They look gorgeous too, IMO.

I had first tried some Ascend Acoustics speakers - while good for HT, they didn't do it for music, especially compared to my best headphones (hd650, hp-2, k340). The Polks are extremely enjoyable (and fairly accurate) with music, especially when backed by quality electronics. Listening to the LSi series for the first time at Tweeter was a big surprise - I didn't expect Polk speakers to sound so high-end (the good kind of high-end). Bought the 9's the next day. There are also the 7's for a couple hundred less, but if you can stretch to the 9's it's worth it - the 7's start sounding slightly strained when you try to fill a big room at higher volumes.

 

[Unclewai]

I am really in love with the Von Schweikert VR-1. You can find them used in A-gon ~$600. They imaging is just really amazing, you have to listen to understand. However, you should try search in this forum about the Vr-1. I wouldn't use the phrase "best under $1000" because there are a lot of well known speakers under $1000 price tag. Green Audio Europa, VR-1, Pardigm Studio, BW, Energy Veritas, totem, or even DIY designs. THe list goes on and on....

 

[dallasstarsfan]

I would recommend a set of pre-owned or rosewood color Onix Reference 1s. They go for $700 to $1000 on audiogon. I have set in Piano Black and the sound is just flat out amazing.

 

[Asmo]

I'd also recommend Paradigm Studio series, you can find the 20s and 40s (used) under $1000.

I'd definetly look used, for $1000 you can find a great speaker.

 

[Jon L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dallasstarsfan I would recommend a set of pre-owned or rosewood color Onix Reference 1s. They go for $700 to $1000 on audiogon. I have set in Piano Black and the sound is just flat out amazing.

Onyx Ref 1 definitely is in the elite class of bookshelf speakers. Even bass is amazingly good for a bookshelf. Clarity, detail, speed, with great midrange dimensionality.

If you can't find one used <$1000, Selah Audio SA-1 is a terrific bargain at $850-950 NEW (!). Not as nice veneer and not as exact sounding as Ref1, but very clean and sweet sounding with emotional connection.

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue15/selahaudio.htm

 

[soundboy]

BTW, I had auditioned the NHT SB3 and they sounded amazing. However, it was powered by a $1,000 Classe integrated amp, so I am not sure how much that contributed to the sound.

 

[Lee Harvey]

I have the SB-1's and the VT-2 towers and matching center channel in my home theater setup. I have always enjoyed the NHT family of speackers. If you look Stereophile's site you can find some favorable reviews of NHT speakers. The SB-1's are of the same series and they image nicely and have very good detail. They just don't have the bass due to a small woofer. The SB-3's have the same detail and imaging and more warmth and bass due to a larger woofer. What kind of amplifer are you going to use with them? Are you going to use a sub with them? The SB-3's are in the 86-88 db range and need a 50 to 100 watt amp behind them for any really loud playing. There are still many good small speakers out there in the $500 to $1000 range such as the Klipsch, KEF, Rogers, Magnaplaner, Celestion and Von Schweikert.

 

[vrao81]

I had the NHT SB2 for several months (just sold them) and have heard the SB3 a few times. I think there better speakers if you can spend up to $1000, especially used.

 

[donaldekelly]

I heard some nht ones and totem's smallest speakers side by side

Totem won. NHT seemed kind of "boxy" - too much stray echo.

Axiom, Ascend are also very good from all that I have read.

I have Axiom M22s and have had M2s and M3s.

 

[number1sixerfan]

I already have the speakers are they are pretty good in my opinion. They are warm, yet transparent and detailed. The presentation is slightly recessed, but I tilted them inward and now they are fairly foward(how I like). I'm using a 100w jolida tube hybrid amp. It powers them fine and up to loud volumes without sign of strain. Now it's time to tube roll!