Nht Supertwo User manual

SuperTwo

Tower Loudspeaker

Now Hear This

527 Stone Road

Benicia, CA 94510

Parts & Warranty 800-225-9847

OWNER’S MANUAL

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Thank you for your purchase of the NHT SuperTwo 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 SuperTwo’s packaging to protect the speakers in the event that you move or transport them.

!! 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.

Following in the footsteps of NHT’s successful SuperZero and SuperOne loudspeakers, the SuperTwo is our most afford-

able tower speaker, offering an unprecedented level of sonic refinement at its price. Employing the midrange and tweet-

er from the critically acclaimed SuperOne, the SuperTwo adds a downward-firing subwoofer for truly full-range perfor-

mance. This remarkable 6.5” woofer is capable of 7mm peak-to-peak excursion and delivers solid bass response to 35Hz.

Designed for discriminating audio/video enthusiasts, the SuperTwo is ideal for two-channel audiophile systems and five-

channel home theater systems, where it is timbrally matched to the SuperOne and SuperZero. And its small footprint

makes it a sensible choice when space is a prime consideration.

!! Placement

The SuperTwo is a floorstanding loudspeaker that requires no stands or mounting hardware other than the included

SpikeKit. The SuperTwo is designed for indoor use only.

The SuperTwos should be placed as symmetrically as possible and slightly toed-in. The drivers should face the listening

area without obstruction from furniture. The tweeters should be at equal height and at approximately ear level to ensure

accurate response. If possible, arrange the speakers so that the distance between the listener and the center of the

speaker plane is 1.5 times the distance between the two speakers (Fig.1). This configuration puts the listener in the

center of the stereo image. For best results, the SuperTwos are best situated at least 8” from the front wall (due to the

rear vent) and at least one foot from the side walls. For smoothest response, the distance from the side walls should be

different than the distance from the rear wall.

When using the SuperTwos in a five-channel home theater configuration, it is ideal for all five speakers to be placed

equidistant from the listening position. The NHT SuperOne is the appropriate timbre-matched center and surround speak-

er to use in conjunction with the SuperTwo. The upper portion of the SuperTwo features magnetically shielded drivers,

allowing the speakers to be placed in close proximity to a television without causing picture discoloration.

SuperTwo Specifications

· System Type: 3-way, vented design

· Driver Complement: 6.5” long-throw subwoofer, 6.5” midwoofer, 1” fluid-cooled soft dome tweeter, upper drivers video shielded

· Crossover: 120KHz, 12dB/octave, 2.2KHz, 12dB/octave high-pass and 6dB/octave low-pass

· Response: 35Hz - 25KHz, +/- 3dB

· Sensitivity: 87db (2.83V at 1M)

· Impedance: 8 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum

· Recommended Amplifier Power: 25W/ch minimum, 175W/ch maximum

· Inputs: 5-way binding posts

· Weight: 39 lbs. each

· Dimensions: 39"H x 7.25"W x 10"D

· Finish: High-gloss black laminate

Specifications are subject to change without notice, in accordance with our policy of continuously upgrading the performance of our products.

Experimentation is the key to finding the best arrangement in your particular listening environment. Be patient, have fun,

and remember that small changes in speaker position can sometimes have a significant effect on the sound. For

example, moving the speakers nearer to a room boundary (walls, corners) will tend to increase their bass output, but may

result in “boomy” or “muddy” sound. Conversely, situating the speakers farther away from room boundaries will tend to

decrease their bass output, but may result in greater articulation and better imaging.

In addition, room furnishings play an important role in absorbing and reflecting sound waves. Midrange and high fre-

quencies in particular will be absorbed by soft furnishings such as sofas, carpets and curtains. A large number of these

soft furnishings will dull the sound, while a “live” room with few furnishings will brighten the sound. If you are willing to

spend some time fine-tuning the performance of your system, you will enjoy the benefits for years to come.

!! SpikeKit Installation

A SpikeKit is included with the Model SuperTwo to provide opti-

mum stability and to firmly couple the speakers to the floor for

improved bass performance. Each SuperTwo loudspeaker is

shipped with its own SpikeKit. Caution: the SuperTwo is unsta-

ble without the SpikeKit (or at least the stabilizer bars)

installed.

To begin assembly, unpack the SpikeKit and inspect all the parts.

The SpikeKit includes: (2) stabilizer bars, (4) metal spikes, (4)

lock nuts, (4) Phillips head machine screws and (4) rubber spike

covers. We recommend installing the spikes only after you have

found the ideal location for the speakers. Begin by installing the

stabilizer bars (fig. 2). Carefully turn the speaker upside down or

on its back, and attach the stabilizer bars with the Phillips head

machine screws, using a #3 Phillips screwdriver. Note: When

installing the bars onto the bottom of the speaker, use your

fingers to start all the machine screws in their holes before

tightening them down. This will prevent crossthreading.

Before installing the spikes, turn the speakers upright and posi-

tion them. Once you have found the ideal location, carefully tilt

the speakers and screw in the spikes. The speakers are awkward to move after the spikes are installed. Adjust the spikes

as needed to ensure that the SuperTwo is level and does not rock in any direction. The lock nuts can then be tightened to

secure the spikes in position. If you have hardwood floors or floors with a scratchable surface, you may choose to use the

rubber spike covers to protect your floor.

!! Connections

Before connecting speakers to your system, it is important that you turn off the power to your amplifier / receiv-

er to avoid damage to the equipment.

The NHT SuperTwo is compatible with virtually all quality amplifiers. Proper wiring of the speakers is essential to good

sound. At a minimum, 14AWG wire is recommended for runs of 10 feet or less, with heavier special purpose speaker wire

fig. 1

fig. 2

used for longer runs. For specialty wire considerations, consult your local authorized NHT retailer. For best results, use

equal length runs of wire for the left and right speakers. Prepare your speaker wire by stripping 1/4” to 3/8” of insulation

from the ends and twisting the exposed wire strands tightly. The five-way binding posts on the back of the speaker will

accept raw wire, banana plugs or spade plugs. Tighten the binding posts by hand, as pliers can strip or break them.

Be sure to wire both the left and right speakers "in-phase." That is, the Positive (red) terminal on the amplifier

output must be connected to the corresponding Positive (red) terminal on the speaker. Likewise with the Negative

(black) terminals. All speaker wires have some sort of marking along one or both conductors to help you make the

correct connections. Incorrect speaker phase is indicated by weak bass and the lack of a well-defined stereo image.

To minimize noise pickup, segregate cables by function. Do not run low level signal cables parallel to power cables,

speaker cables, or digital cables. Also, do not run speaker cables or digital cables parallel to power cords or parallel to

each other. If different types of cables are placed near each other at some place in your system, separate them by the

maximum practical distance and cross them at right angles where they meet. Do not twist or tie AC power cords with

speaker cables.

!! Operation

The SuperTwo was designed to handle a wide range of listening levels, but every speaker has limits. It is important to use

common sense and listen for signs of possible distress from the speakers. Underpowered amplifiers are most often the

cause of speaker damage. For example, a 60-watt amplifier runs out of power when called upon to produce more than 60

watts, and the resulting distortion can damage the speaker. If you tend to listen at high volume levels, more powerful

amplifiers are preferable because they are less likely to run out of power.

Noticeable distortion or harsh breakup is an indication that either your amplifier or your speakers are running beyond their

capacity, and the volume should be decreased. If you can feel any heat emanating from the woofer or tweeter, reduce the

level immediately. Speaker damage most often occurs from sustained high volume levels, not from transient sounds or

brief musical peaks. Excessive boosting of bass, treble or equalizer controls can worsen the problem, and is not

recommended.

! Maintenance

Your speakers require minimal maintenance under normal use. The cabinet may be cleaned using a damp cloth or a mild,

non-abrasive cleaner. To clean the grille, first remove it from the speaker, then brush lightly with a soft brush or use a

vacuum on its lowest setting. Do not expose the speaker to direct sunlight, high temperatures, or moisture. Do not attempt

to clean the actual drivers.

Limited Warranty

Valid Only in the U.S.A.

Warranty Period

For the period of 5 years for parts and 5 years for labor from date of original purchase (the warranty period) from an authorized NHT dealer, Now Hear This

(NHT) warrants that if our product fails to function properly under normal use due to a manufacturing defect when installed and operated according to the

owner’s manual instructions enclosed with the unit, it will be repaired or replaced with a unit of comparable value at the option of NHT without charge to you

for parts or actual repair work. Parts supplied under this warranty may be new or rebuilt at the option of NHT.

What’s Not Covered

This warranty does not cover any product which is used in any trade or business, or in an industrial or commercial application.

This warranty does not cover the cabinet or any appearance item, or any damage caused to the product resulting from: alterations, modifications not autho-

rized in writing by NHT, accident, misuse or abuse, damage due to lightning or power surges, or being subjected to power in excess of the speaker’s published

power rating.

This warranty does not cover the cost of parts which would otherwise be provided without charge under this warranty, obtained from any source other than an

authorized NHT service location. This warranty does not cover defects or damage caused by the use of unauthorized parts or labor or from improper mainte-

nance.

Altered, defaced or removed serial numbers void this warranty.

Your Rights

The liability of NHT will be limited to the purchase price of the product, and NHT will not be liable for incidental or consequential damages. NHT limits its oblig-

ations under any implied warranties under state laws to a period not exceeding the warranty period. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied

warranty lasts, and some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages. The above limitations or exclusions may not

apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights which vary from state to state.

To Obtain Service

NHT has appointed a number of authorized service companies throughout the USA should your product ever require service. To receive warranty service, you