Thank you for your purchase of the NHT Model 2.5i Tower Loudspeaker. Please take a few minutes to read through this Owner’s Manual prior to installing your new speakers. The information provided will help you to obtain maximum performance from your audio system. If you have questions or need assistance at any time during the installation or operation of your new speakers, please call your NHT Dealer or our Toll-Free Customer Hotline at:
1-800-NHT-9993
Please retain the Model 2.5i’s packaging to protect the speakers in the event that you move or transport them.
Model 2.5i Specifications
·System Type: 3-way vented design, Focused Image Geometry
·Driver Complement: 8” long-throw subwoofer, 6.5” polypropylene midrange, 1” fluid-cooled aluminum dome tweeter
·Crossover: 3.3KHz 12db/octave high-pass and low-pass, 100Hz 6dB/oct. high-pass and 12dB/oct. low-pass
·Response: 29Hz - 25KHz, +/- 3db
·Sensitivity: 86db (2.83V at 1M)
·Impedance: 6 ohms nominal, 3.6 ohms minimum
·Recommended Amplifier Power: 35W/ch minimum, 200W/ch maximum
·Inputs: 1 pair of 5-way binding posts for woofer input
1pair of 5-way binding posts for mid / high input
·Weight: 53 lbs. each
·Dimensions: 38"H x 7"W x 15.5"D
·Finish: High gloss black, mahogany or sycamore laminate
Specifications are subject to change without notice, in accordance with our policy of continuously upgrading the performance of our products.
!Design
NHT loudspeakers are designed to deliver refined, musical sound from attractive and affordable packages. Our efforts are guided by the study of human hearing and are optimized for real-world use. Every NHT speaker undergoes rigorous testing and quality control at the factory to ensure you years of listening pleasure.
The Model 2.5i represents a unique approach to 3-way loudspeaker design. By integrating the components and design principles of NHT’s critically acclaimed compact speakers with a built-in subwoofer, the elegant 2.5i delivers the clarity and precision of the finest 2- way designs along with the dynamic range of much larger loudspeaker systems. Inside the Model 2.5i are two separate chambers. The midrange and high frequency drivers are housed in a sealed sub-enclosure and are located on a narrow front baffle to improve imaging. The 8-inch long-throw subwoofer is housed in a separate vented enclosure and is mounted on the side of the cabinet for consistent bass loading. Incorporating NHT’s proprietary Focused Image Geometry design, the Model 2.5i’s custom-designed drivers and enclosure achieve a level of tonal neutrality and imaging precision unsurpassed at the price.
Focused Image Geometry design determines the 21-degree angle which defines the 2.5i's unique cabinet, as well as the sound radiation pattern of the system. The irregular enclosure shape greatly increases the ratio of direct to reverberant sound, reducing side-wall reflections and concentrating sound energy in the listening area. The exact angles at which the sound from the speakers reaches the ears of centrally located listeners is calculated to create what is known in acoustics as minimum “inter-aural cross-correla- tion." This technique allows the Model 2.5i to properly recreate the natural acoustic ambiance and perspective contained in good recordings. In addition, the radiating axes of the left and right speakers are crossed, providing “time-intensity trading,” so that the stereo image remains focused and stabilized for a wider range of listening positions. The cabinet shape also reduces the formation of internal standing waves, resulting in smoother midrange response.
Focused Image Geometry is the heart of NHT’s successful line of high-performance audio loudspeakers. Borrowing technologies from NHT’s acclaimed flagship Model 3.3, the Model 2.5i employs custom-designed European drivers, including an offset aluminum dome tweeter that boasts extremely smooth response, even at high listening levels. Its 6.5” midrange and 8” woofer are the result of extensive in-house development and are custom-manufactured for precise rolloff and radiation characteristics.
With the increasing popularity of home theater systems, many audio / video enthusiasts are building combined entertainment systems for both music and movies. When the Model 2.5i is used in a home theater system, be sure to augment it with timbre-matched speakers to ensure a seamless soundfield. The NHT AudioCenter-1 is the appropriate matching center channel speaker, while the Model 2.5i or 1.5 may be employed for the surround channels.
