NHT C-3 Premium Home Theater 3-Way Bookshelf Speaker User Guide
- October 27, 2023
- NHT
Table of Contents
NHT C-3 Premium Home Theater 3-Way Bookshelf Speaker
Specifications
- SYSTEM TYPE: Bookshelf speaker
- CONFIGURATION: 3-way acoustic suspension design
- WOOFER: 5” aluminum cone
- MIDRANGE: 2“ aluminum dome
- TWEETER: 1” aluminum dome
- FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 48Hz-20kHz (in room)
- SENSITIVITY: 85dB (2.83v@1m)
- IMPEDANCE: 6 ohms nominal, 4 ohms min. Recommended
- POWER: 50 – 150 w/ch
- INPUTS: Nickel plated, 5-way binding posts
- DIMENSIONS: 75″ x 7.5″ x 10.125″ (H x W x D)
- WEIGHT: 16 lbs.
- FINISH: High Gloss Black
Introduction
NHT’s C- Series represents our best efforts in passive loudspeaker design. The C- Series is based on the same design fundamentals that established NHT’s reputation for accuracy and high performance, and adds new driver and cabinet technology which reduce distortion and improve dispersion. The result is a more articulate, more musical listening experience.
The following Setup Guide will help you unpack, connect, and place your new C- Series loudspeakers in your listening room. If you are interested in specifications or in technology used in the design, please visit our web-site at www.nhthifi.com and look up information on your specific model. If at any time during or after setup you require assistance, feel free to call our Customer Hotline at 1-800-NHT-9993 (800-648-9993).
This Setup Guide addresses the following models: NHT C-1 and C3 bookshelf speakers, C-4 tower speaker and C-LCR center channel/LCR.
Unpacking your Speakers
As you unpack your C-1, C-3 and C-LCR speakers, you will notice adhesive- backed, rubber bump-ons included in the carton. You will need to stick these on the bottom of the speakers near the four corners if you are placing these on a table or bookshelf. They will serve to keep the speaker from sliding around and to protect the bottom surface from scratches.
The C-4 may require the help of a friend to unpack it due to its weight and size. The C-4 has a flat bottom and comes with stabilizers that which attach to the bottom of the speaker. Position the speaker on its back and prop up the bottom section with some of the foam packing materials. Fasten the stabilizers using the supplied machine screws (See Fig. 1) using a philips head screwdriver. The stabilizers for the C-4 also include rubber cones. The rubber cones are ideal for use on wood or tile floors. They can be adjusted if you have an uneven floor and include a locknut to lock them down. We recommend you use metal cones when placing the C-4 on heavy carpet flooring to add stability. Metal cones can be purchased at nhthifi.com.
Placement
NHT’s C-3 and C-1 speakers can be placed on stands, on shelves or hung on the wall. Given the high performance of these models, NHT recommends placement at close to ear level to achieve maximum fidelity. The C-1 is a 2-way design and stereo imaging will benefit from a slight “toe-in” towards the listening position. The rest of the C-series are all 3-way designs and can be placed without any toe-in angle.
If you decide to wall mount the C-3, there are threaded inserts on the rear of the cabinet for wall mounting. NHT recommends the use of Vantage Point Bookself Mounts brackets. These are available at www.nhthifi.com in the accessories section.
The C-LCR can be used as the main left & right, rear surrounds and center channel. Its dispersion character-istics allow for horizontal or vertical orientation. However, if you are using the C-LCR as a center channel, you should place it horizontally. Ideally, the center channel should be placed as close as possible immediately above or below the television, with the tweeter closest to the TV (Fig. 2)
It is important to know that small changes in speaker position can have a notable effect on sound quality. Moving speakers closer to walls or corners will increase mid-bass output, but may result in artificial “boominess”. Placing them farther away from room boundaries tends to decrease bass output yet improve stereo imaging and detail. We recommend a distance of 6” – 12” from the rear wall if possible.
Room furnishings also play a significant role. Soft furnishings (e.g. sofas, carpets, and curtains) tend to absorb mid and high frequencies, which can result in perceived dullness, whereas hard surfaces and sparse furnishings tend to have the opposite effect.
Thus, experimenting with the effects of different placements in your own listening environment is the key to finding the sound you like best.
Here are some tips for maximizing the performance of your speaker system:
- Position the speaker 1.5 times as far away from you as they are from each other. (Fig. 3)
- Left and Right speakers should be equidistant from the listening position.
- Try to keep tweeter height close to ear level when in the listening position.
- Bookshelf speakers should be placed upright.
- Try to keep the speakers flush with the front edge of shelves or cabinets.
- The C-Series should not require long break in time, play music for an hour or so is sufficient.
- For surround systems, use the same basic setup (all shown in Fig. 4) and when possible:
- Place the C-LCR center channel speaker right above or right below the TV. If you need a wall mount, check out the Pinpoint AM-15 available at www.nhthifi.com on the accessories section.
- Place the rear speakers in an equilateral triangle with the listening position, at least 5’ apart.
- Rear speakers should be at the same height, or higher than, the front channels.
Unfortunately many rooms will not allow ideal placement. As a general rule, try to keep the rear channel speakers equidistant from the center of the listening area. If the rear speakers have to be close to the main seating area, we recommend adding time delay in your surround processor to make them seem farther away, and make sure they are placed, above the heads of the listeners.
Connections
Before connecting your C-Series speakers to the receiver/amplifier, turn off the AC power to avoid potential damage to your components.
The terminals on the back of your speakers accept raw wire, banana plugs or spade lugs. Note that these terminals should be tightened only by hand, as excessive force can break them. We recommend your speaker wire be at least 16 gauge, 14 gauge for longer runs.
Prepare the wires by stripping 1/4” – 3/8” of insulation from the ends and tightly twist the exposed strands.
Finally, connect your speakers to your amplifier or receiver, making sure that the speakers are “in phase,” that is, the same half of the wire pair connected to the Positive terminal (+, usually red) on both the amplifier and the speaker. The other half of the same wire connect to the Negative (-, usually black) terminals on both amplifier and speaker.
Most speaker wire has one half of the pair marked with either lettering, ridges, the “+” sign or color to help you make the proper connections.
Before powering up the receiver/amplifier, make sure there are no stray strands from one terminal touching the other terminals.
Operation
All NHT C-Series speakers are compatible with most amplifier power ranges and are designed to handle a wide range of listening levels. Every speaker, however, has limits. Speaker damage most often occurs from sustained high volume levels in some or all frequencies. Try to avoid excessive bass or treble settings or equalizer boosts.
The best tool you have is your ears. If you hear unusual distortion or breakup, decrease the volume immediately. If you are unsure, place your hand close to the woofer. If you feel heat radiating from the driver, you are playing the system beyond its limits.
Maintenance
Your NHT speakers will require little if any maintenance under normal use. Try to avoid exposing them to direct, sustained sunlight, high temperatures or moisture. Cabinets can best be dusted using a clean, soft chamois cloth. The finish on your speakers is durable but dry rough cloth and/or excessive force can leave fine scratches over time. Try to avoid using liquid cleaners and household furniture polish, particularly around the speaker components. To clean the grilles, remove them from the speaker and use a soft brush or a vacuum on its lowest setting. Do not attempt to clean the speaker components.
Satisfaction
We hope you enjoy the sound of your NHT C-Series speakers as much as we do. Your warranty is printed on the back of this Setup Guide. Once again, if you have any questions or problems, please call us at our Consumer Hotline. 1-800-NHT-9993
Limited Warranty
Valid Only in the U.S.A.
Warranty Period
For a period of 5 years for parts and 5 years for labor (1 year parts and 90 days labor for electronics) from the date this product is first purchased from an authorized NHT dealer, Now Hear This (NHT) warrants that if it fails to function properly due to a manufacturing defect, despite its being installed and operated according to these instructions and used under normal conditions, it will be either replaced or repaired with new or rebuilt parts (both at NHT’s option) with a unit of com-parable value without charge to you.
What’s Not Covered
Altered, defaced or removed serial numbers void this warranty.
This warranty does not cover any product used in trade, business, industrial or commercial applications.
This warranty also does not cover the cabinet or appearance factors, or costs, defects or damage resulting from misuse, abuse, accident, improper maintenance, alterations or modifications not authorized in writing by NHT, or parts or labor from any source other than an authorized NHT service location.
Damage due to power exposure in excess of the speaker’s published power ratings; i.e., overpowering, lightning or power surges, are also not covered.
Your Rights
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights which vary from state to state.
NHT limits this warranty to the purchase price of the product, excludes incidental or consequential damages, and limits its obligations under any implied warranties under state laws to a period not exceeding their warranty periods. As some states do not allow the above limitations, however, they may not apply to you.
To Obtain Service
To find the name and address of the nearest authorized NHT service location, call or write:
Customer Service Department, NHT, 140 West Industrial Way, Benicia, CA 94510, 1-800-NHT-9993 (648-9993), www.nhthifi.com
For your future convenience, please keep this warranty with your sales receipt, and record date and place of purchase for further reference.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is NHT a good speaker?****
The NHT C3 has an outstanding build quality that gives you the impression that you possess a high-end speaker with a stunning look and sound. It features a smooth piano glossy surface, three drivers up front, and high-end connectors at the back.
What are 3 way bookshelf speakers?****
A subwoofer is a third type of three-way speaker that is particularly made for low frequencies, or bass output.
Where are NHT speakers made?****
NHT Loudspeakers (Now Hear This), sometimes known as NHT Audio informally, is an American manufacturer of loudspeakers and audio components with headquarters in Benicia, California.
Is a 3-way or 4-way speaker better?****
The main difference between a 4-way speaker and a 3-way speaker is that a tweeter is added to the 4-way speaker to help provide more high-end sound. You get a wide variety of sound from this at all frequencies.
Why do audiophiles prefer bookshelf speakers?****
Many audiophiles who enjoy small-scale music (such as a jazz quartet) adore excellent bookshelf speakers. When you place them on stands far from your walls, their smaller size might make them appear to vanish more than a tower, giving you a fantastic three-dimensional sound stage.
How can you tell if a speaker is good quality?****
The most effective method of testing them is to QUIETLY play a signal through them, listen to it, and then determine whether it generates sound. The speaker has to be replaced if it doesn’t work or sounds awful. This test isn’t particularly scientific.
What is the highest sound quality for music?****
The ideal audio file format for sound quality is lossless. AIFF, WAV, or FLAC are a few of these. Because they are as good as or better than CD-quality, these files are referred to as “hi-res.”
Should I point speakers to my ear or straight?****
Remember that speakers are often made to sound best when they are level with your ears when you are listening to them, whether you have them on stands, a shelf, or mounted on the wall.
Is 4ohm speaker harder driving?****
In order to deliver the same voltage into the drivers of 4 ohm speakers, greater current is needed (V=IR). They therefore require an amp that can output to a 4 ohm load because they are “harder to drive.”
How many speakers can you hook up to a 4 channel?****
Up to 8 speakers can be able to be powered by a 4-channel amplifier. In fact, you will be able to draw up to twice as much power from the amp if you wire it properly. Make sure your amplifier can be set up in this manner securely first.
Do speakers get better with age?****
They frequently deteriorate. Like any other electronic component, the ones found inside Hi-Fi speakers will deteriorate and fail over time. No matter how much you want to, it’s crucial to take care of your speaker system by not using them constantly at full intensity (and I really want to).
How long should bookshelf speakers last?****
A quality speaker system can last for many years. The response to these queries depends on the features, the caliber of the construction, and the components of the speakers. If you take care of them, speakers typically last 10 to 20 years before needing to be replaced.
Do higher watts mean better sound?****
Yes, it is true that speakers play louder and clearer at higher power levels (watts). However, slight variations in power don’t produce much of an audible difference. The power would need to double in order to perceptibly hear a change (a 3dB increase).
Can this be used with a receiver that is 50 watts per 8 ohm channel?****
They can indeed function with a receiver that is 50 watts per 8 ohm channel.
Do speakers sound better off the floor?****
Don’t forget that audio speakers work best when placed at ear level. The floor is not the best spot for them if you’re a stickler for sound. Consider mounting your speakers on a desk, shelf, or console if they are compact enough. NEVER place your speakers on the floor directly.
How does the Classic Three sound compared to the C3?****
Better tweeter and a smoother high end are features of the C-3.