I'd be interested in any opinions too. I'm trying to decide between these two, the new Paradigm Studios, and a few other models. Do you have any thoughts on them you could add?
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NHT Classic Three comparisons to Era D5
Hi All,
I was just wondering if anyone has done any comparisons between these two speakers. I've personally listened to both and they both seem to be appealing choices in the price range. I was a little disappointed in the listening room that was available for the threes, so it's making my choice a little more difficult.
Any help will be much appreciated!
I was just wondering if anyone has done any comparisons between these two speakers. I've personally listened to both and they both seem to be appealing choices in the price range. I was a little disappointed in the listening room that was available for the threes, so it's making my choice a little more difficult.
Any help will be much appreciated!
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
I haven't, but I preferred a pair of D4 LCRs to the D5s.
I actually listened to a pair of Studio 60s recently as well. I'm not sure how well they compare with anything that you're looking for, but I found them to be rather thin sounding for my tastes. It could have been the room or the electronics or something, but I was just unimpressed.
The D5s sounded excellent in my opinion. The bass was tight and prominent and the soundstage was excellent, especially considering the size of the speaker. They were very natural sounding and nothing seemed to be overemphasized (i.e. highs, lows).
The room I was in to listen to the NHTs was immense, so I'm just afraid that I didn't give them a fair shot. From what I did hear, they sounded somewhat similar to the D5s but perhaps a bit darker. The soundstage was not quite as impressive, but like I said, the room was huge. Also, the guy couldn't tell me much about the receiver that he was using to push them and I was unfamiliar with that particular model (it was a Denon of some sort and the model number escapes me now). All in all, I was interested to hear how they would sound in a more realistic setting. Unfortunately I'm still trying to find a place that might be more conducive to a better test which is why I'm hoping for a little help from others.
The D5s sounded excellent in my opinion. The bass was tight and prominent and the soundstage was excellent, especially considering the size of the speaker. They were very natural sounding and nothing seemed to be overemphasized (i.e. highs, lows).
The room I was in to listen to the NHTs was immense, so I'm just afraid that I didn't give them a fair shot. From what I did hear, they sounded somewhat similar to the D5s but perhaps a bit darker. The soundstage was not quite as impressive, but like I said, the room was huge. Also, the guy couldn't tell me much about the receiver that he was using to push them and I was unfamiliar with that particular model (it was a Denon of some sort and the model number escapes me now). All in all, I was interested to hear how they would sound in a more realistic setting. Unfortunately I'm still trying to find a place that might be more conducive to a better test which is why I'm hoping for a little help from others.
I almost bought a pair of D5's myself. And I owned the Classic 3's but sold them because I didn't need them.
What I do like about the C3's is that they do soundstage very well, and they are quite neutral throughout in both sound character and the ability of them to work well across different genres of music. To my ears, I always got a slight sense that the upper mids weren't quite right, and that it added a touch of honkiness and metallics to the sound. However, I also kind of felt they were a bit subdued in the upper highs, at least in my own room. Their bass was always very good, they never sounded strained but had good impact when the music demanded it.
The Eras a bit a livelier sounding when I auditioned them, and I thought they were slightly more punchy at the same time as they seemed to have better dynamics. I liked the clarity that the D5's brought and I thought they were superior to the NHT's in that respect, and while being smoother in the upper mids without that metallicky sound that I sometimes heard with the NHT's.
It's pretty much a tossup overall, but I think the D5's are overall more enjoyable speaker.
What I do like about the C3's is that they do soundstage very well, and they are quite neutral throughout in both sound character and the ability of them to work well across different genres of music. To my ears, I always got a slight sense that the upper mids weren't quite right, and that it added a touch of honkiness and metallics to the sound. However, I also kind of felt they were a bit subdued in the upper highs, at least in my own room. Their bass was always very good, they never sounded strained but had good impact when the music demanded it.
The Eras a bit a livelier sounding when I auditioned them, and I thought they were slightly more punchy at the same time as they seemed to have better dynamics. I liked the clarity that the D5's brought and I thought they were superior to the NHT's in that respect, and while being smoother in the upper mids without that metallicky sound that I sometimes heard with the NHT's.
It's pretty much a tossup overall, but I think the D5's are overall more enjoyable speaker.
Thanks Warpdrive. I certainly value your opinion. You've helped me out in the past as well.
I have to say, I had a chance to listen to the Classic 3s again tonight at a different location. Again, the set-up wasn't ideal, but Warpdrive was right on with his description. The highs definitely seemed to be a bit recessed and something just didn't sound quite right to my ears. The music that I wsas listening to just didn't have any kick to it.
Anyone have other suggestions on what might be good to compare with the Era D5s?
Anyone have other suggestions on what might be good to compare with the Era D5s?
I have heard both, and they are both excellent. Since I didn't hear them together, I can't really say which I prefer.
I guess I'll pimp my own speakers here and say I like my Ascend Sierras more. I think they are about the same price as the D5.
Between your two I think I agree with Warp and would go with the D5. I also like the way they look. I imagine you can get the Classic Threes for less than the D5.
I guess I'll pimp my own speakers here and say I like my Ascend Sierras more. I think they are about the same price as the D5.
Between your two I think I agree with Warp and would go with the D5. I also like the way they look. I imagine you can get the Classic Threes for less than the D5.
I've actually been thinking REALLY hard about the Sierras...
Ditto for me. mziegler and I actually heard all the speakers together, although I think he had more time with the Classic 3's in his own home.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mziegler /forum/post/15549858
I have heard both, and they are both excellent. Since I didn't hear them together, I can't really say which I prefer.
I guess I'll pimp my own speakers here and say I like my Ascend Sierras more. I think they are about the same price as the D5.
Between your two I think I agree with Warp and would go with the D5. I also like the way they look. I imagine you can get the Classic Threes for less than the D5.
Ditto for me. mziegler and I actually heard all the speakers together, although I think he had more time with the Classic 3's in his own home.
Did we hear the D5 and Classic Three at the same time?
I actually preferred the Ascend 340SE to the Classic Three. I am pretty sure I only directly compared the D5 to the Sierra.
Ascend and Era both offer 30 day trials, and both were great to work with. Era did not hassle me at all about returning the speakers. With both companies you only have to pay shipping back, which is not too expensive considering their size.
I would strongly recommend you try some out in your home if you have the credit limit on your card.
I actually preferred the Ascend 340SE to the Classic Three. I am pretty sure I only directly compared the D5 to the Sierra.
Ascend and Era both offer 30 day trials, and both were great to work with. Era did not hassle me at all about returning the speakers. With both companies you only have to pay shipping back, which is not too expensive considering their size.
I would strongly recommend you try some out in your home if you have the credit limit on your card.
You are right....we did not hear the D5 with the Classic Three.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mziegler /forum/post/15559105
Did we hear the D5 and Classic Three at the same time?
I actually preferred the Ascend 340SE to the Classic Three. I am pretty sure I only directly compared the D5 to the Sierra.
Ascend and Era both offer 30 day trials, and both were great to work with. Era did not hassle me at all about returning the speakers. With both companies you only have to pay shipping back, which is not too expensive considering their size.
I would strongly recommend you try some out in your home if you have the credit limit on your card.
You are right....we did not hear the D5 with the Classic Three.
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
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