Opinions on newest NHT Absolute Zero

Thanks for the suggestion, Null. But, as mentioned in the opening paragraph, I'm placing the speakers on a bookshelf. Here are some details on that:

the bookshelf is backless and where the speaker sits it will have wood below it, above it, and to the right of it, but nowhere else. I heard the NHT Super Zero would be good in this position since it uses acoustic suspension rather than a ported design. I'm just wondering if anyone has actually listened to this speaker and has an opinion on it before I pursue finding some to test for myself.

Thanks, Rich.

I'm pretty sure the Absolute Zero is made to be used with a sub of some kind.

I'll be using the speakers with a Velodyne CT-120 sub, so I'm looking for the quality of the mid- and high-range response.

As an additional note, I listen to acoustic guitar music, independent rock (The Shins, Aberfeldy, Decemberists, etc.), Classical, Jazz, a little Electronic, and Motown. Most of this is from very high bitrate (320kbps+)digital music. I also use the system for home theater 20% of the time.

I would love to go with the M5's because I have heard so many great things about them, but due to restraints from the significant other I will definitely be placing these speakers _on_ the shelf in a space this is fairly small (10.5h x 10w x 8d).

Have there really been so few people who have heard the NHT Absolute Zeros?

Then I guess I should rephrase the question to ask those who have listened to the Super Zero (the most current past incarnation) if they were impressed. So what do you say?

Thank you for the info, Rich! I had searched online for any dealers in Cincinnati, but I didn't even check NHT site. Great call.

I really don't think I can do any better than these for the price I found for them online. The Dynaudio 1.3SE's are DEFINITELY out of my financial league.

It seems like what most people agree on is that NHT is a great value. You get a sound that you would expect from a much more expensive speaker. And I think that's exactly what I'm looking for. I'm on a budget, and these will be the first "brand new" speakers I have ever bought (the rest of my system is used).

I like hearing what other people think about a speaker before buying it because some people can pick up on things that I may not notice until further down the road. They may notice good or bad qualities that I wouldn't hear immediately, but would like to take into consideration when making the purchase.

The problem is that with these particular speakers, I'm having a heck of a time finding a review! I thought for sure some people on Audiogon would have an opinion to share.

Thanks guys

Hmmm...seems like it would be a pity to disregard a speaker based on price. As I remember, Corey Greenberg at Stereophile magazine compared the Absolute Zero's predecessor (the Super Zero) to the $3,000 Proac Response 2 monitors at http://www.stereophile.com/budgetcomponents/804/index3.html .

I don't agree that "most folks" on audiogon don't want to talk about a good speaker just because they aren't ridiculously expensive. I think it might be more accurate to say that most great speakers don't usually come at a bargain price, and since Audigoners like to talk about great speakers, then they don't usually talk about speakers at a bargain price. This doesn't say anything about a great speaker at a low price though. Which is what the Absolute Zero may be.

Anyway, I'll post a review after I get them. Thanks!

Actually, I can't speak to any experience with these speakers. As soon as I bought them, I included them in a trade for the Thiels that are in my system as of this posting. Best audio decision I ever made.

- Dusty