E Q U I P M E N T R E P O R T
DESCRIPTIONS Active 2.1-channel speaker system with DSP crossover and equalization. Consists of:
XdS Two-way acoustic-suspension, magnetically shielded, stand-mounted loudspeaker with molded composite enclosure and fitted stand. Drive- units: 1" aluminum-dome tweeter with neodymium magnet, 5.25" magnesium-cone midrange unit. Crossover frequency: 2.1kHz. Frequency response: 110Hz–30kHz, ±1dB. Peak acoustic output: 114dB. Dimensions: 10.5" (270mm) H (not including stand) by 6.5" (165mm) W by 8.5" (220mm) D. Weight: 13 lbs (5.9kg). Serial numbers of units reviewed: 100000049-38.
XdW Acoustic suspension powered bass module. Drive-units: two side- mounted, 10" aluminum-cone woofers. Input: balanced (XLR). Controls: level only. Crossover frequency: 110Hz. Frequency response: 28–110Hz, ±1dB. Power: 500W RMS, 700W peak. Peak acoustic output: 116dB at 60Hz. Dimensions: 22.1" (565mm) H by 11.2" (285mm) W by 13" (330mm) D. Weight: 57 lbs (25.9kg).
Serial number of unit reviewed: 02000001036-38.
XdA DEQX-based DSP crossover/equalizer/4-channel class- D power amplifier. Maximum output power: 150W RMS (21.8dBW), 400W peak. Controls: Boundary compensation. Indicators: Power, Standby, Fault. Input connectors: XLR, RCA. Output connectors: XLR, RCA, binding posts. Dimensions: 17" (435mm) W by 2.8" (70mm) H by 15.7" (400mm) D. Weight: 12 lbs (5.5kg). Serial number of unit reviewed: 030000000025-39. FINISHES As reviewed: maroon and cream lacquer (speakers and stands), high-gloss, Dark Chocolate Red and Piano Black will be available by the time this review appears in print; black/brushed aluminum, with blue LEDs (amplifier).
PRICE $6000/system. Approximate number of dealers: 200. MANUFACTURER NHT, 6400 Goodyear Road, Benicia, CA 94510. Tel: (800) 648-9993. Web: http://nhtxd.com.
ELECTRONICALLY REPRINTED FROM NOVEMBER 2005
NHT
Xd
ACTIVE LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM
Kalman Rubinson
NHT XdS loudspeaker with XdW subwoofer and dedicated XdA crossover-equalizer-amplifier.
NHT’s Xd system is what audiophiles have been saying they want: a matched loudspeaker system that optimizes the performance of its components for a real-world domestic listening environment. But with their dollars they’ve voted against just such systems for years. If we put our money where our mouths are, active speaker systems such as Meridian’s DSP or those used in recording studios would dominate the High End.
Unlike studio active monitors, the NHT Xd is insidiously easy to use and to like. In configuration it seems to have more in common with 2.1-channel computer speakers, which are designed more for convenience than for performance. How- ever, the Xd system uses sophisticated digital signal processing (DSP) for all its equalization and crossover functions and, since it has only analog inputs, forces all signals through additional A/D and D/A cycles. This may confound purists, but that’s the tradeoff for what sets it apart. The Xd arrangement lets the DSP correct for the less-than-perfect performance of the drivers and cabinets while taking into account the abilities and limits of the built-in amplifiers. The result should be as close to acoustic perfection as the design budget and physical elements permit.
