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NHT unveils Verve speaker line

The Verve line of home-theater speakers is designed to bring NHT quality to a smaller line of speakers that will better complement the look of a flat-panel TV.

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NHT Verve speaker
NHT Verve: Small wonder NHT

Add NHT to the list of home audio companies aiming to get a piece of the flat-panel TV pie. The respected speaker manufacturer has just announced its Verve line of home-theater speakers, which are specifically designed to complement the flat-panel HDTVs. The Verve line will be available in a variety of configurations ranging in price from $1,359 to $6,750, each of which will comprise two relatively trim models of satellite speakers and one slimline subwoofer.

The two satellite speakers measure 5.5 inches wide and 6.25 deep. The larger one is 15.5 inches high and is designed for the front and center channels; the smaller one (pictured) is 10.5 inches high and intended for the rear channels. Both are three-way models, boasting a coaxial driver that combines a 3-inch midrange driver and a 0.75-inch tweeter. The smaller model has a single 4-inch woofer, while the larger one includes two. The integrated stands can be removed for mounting on larger pedestals or on the wall. The larger Verve can be oriented vertically or horizontally, and the smaller one is intended only to stand vertically. The systems are anchored by a powered subwoofer measuring just 14x24x6 inches. Like the KEF HTB2, the narrow size of the Verve subwoofer should allow for more flexible placement options. But make no mistake: With twin 10-inch woofers and a 200-watt digital amplifier, this subwoofer should be able to deliver some serious bass despite its slim dimensions.

NHT Verve speaker
The Verve subwoofer is only 6 inches deep. NHT

The Verve system options and pricing are as follows:

  • Verve 2.1 Speaker-Only System ($1,359): Two large satellite speakers plus Verve subwoofer
  • Verve Home Theater System ($1,999): Three large satellites in front, two small satellites in the rear, plus a Verve subwoofer
  • Verve Home Theater System with in-ceiling option ($1,899): Three large satellites in front, two iC2 in-ceiling speakers in the rear, plus a Verve subwoofer
  • Verve Stereo Complete System ($5,310): Three large satellites in front, a Verve subwoofer, plus an NHT Controller and a power amplifier
  • Verve Complete Home Theater System ($6,750): Same as the 5.1 Home Theater System (above), plus the NHT Controller and a power amplifier
  • Verve Complete Home Theater System with in-ceiling option ($6,570): same as the Home Theater System with the in-ceiling option (above), plus the NHT Controller and a power amplifier

You'll need to supply a solid A/V receiver to power them, of course, but the "plug and play" configurations should take the guesswork out of matching front and rear speaker separates--another advantage aimed at consumers who are shopping for high-end audio for the first time.

NHT's Verve speakers will be shipping next month, joining stylish offerings from upscale competitors such as KEF, Polk Audio, and Mirage. CNET will have a full review of at least one of the systems at that time.