NHT Super Zero Xu - Manual

Thank you for your purchase of the NHT SuperZero Xu minimonitor.
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 SuperZero Xu’s packaging to protect the speaker in the
event that you move or transport it.
! 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.
For over five years, the award-winning SuperZero has set the industry standard for
affordable minimonitor performance. Exemplifying the concept of “less is more,” the
SuperZero is designed with no revolutionary technologies or fancy parts, just
sensible electronic topology and custom-designed drive units. It is this focused
simplicity and elegance of design that gives the SuperZero its astonishing clarity and
remarkable spaciousness.
The SuperZero Xu (“Xtended use”) offers the identical acoustics as the original
SuperZero, in a specially designed thermoplastic molded enclosure. To address the
growing trend toward wall-mounting, the SuperZero Xu is packaged with a
customized XuBracket and features softer lines that allow it to blend unobtrusively
with its surroundings. Additionally, its rubber XuBase firmly anchors the speaker to
horizontal surfaces, to accommodate shelf, cabinet, or stand mounting.
! Placement
The SuperZero Xu may be mounted on a wall, shelf, cabinet or on speaker stands.
It is designed for indoor use only.
The SuperZero Xu’s should be set up as symmetrically as possible, slightly toed-in
and equidistant from the listening position. This configuration puts the listener in the
center of the stereo image. The drivers should face the listening area without
obstruction from furniture.
The SuperZero Xu is designed for wall-mounting with its supplied XuBracket (see
“XuBracket”). When installed high on a wall, the speaker should be angled down so
that the sound radiates toward the listening area.
The SuperZero Xu may be placed on a shelf or in a cabinet, using the supplied
XuBase to rest it firmly on the horizontal surface. For best results, place the
speaker flush with the edge of the shelf, and not pushed back. Tilt the speaker on
its base so that it fires toward the listening area. If required, rotate the XuBase 180
degrees to tilt the speaker upward. If you wish to place the SuperZero Xu on
speaker stands, first place the XuBase on the top plate of the stand, and then place
the speaker on the XuBase. Tilt the speaker so that it fires toward the listening area.
When using the SuperZero Xu in a five-channel home theater configuration, it is
important to use matching speakers to achieve consistent sound. You may mix and
match SuperZero’s and SuperOne’s, in either their wood laminate or molded
versions, as they all share identical tonal properties. For more full-range response,
you may add a powered subwoofer, such as the NHT SW1P or SW2Pi.
For home theater, it is ideal for all five speakers to be placed equidistant from the
listening position. When using a SuperZero Xu as a center channel speaker, it
should be placed directly above or below the television, as close to the screen as
possible. It may be placed either in the vertical or horizontal orientation. The
SuperZero Xu is magnetically shielded and will not distort the picture’s color. If
possible, all three front speakers in a home theater system should be placed at
equal height and at ear level from the listening position.
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.
In addition, room furnishings play an important role in absorbing and reflecting
soundwaves. Midrange and high frequencies 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.
! XuBracket
Before attempting this installation, carefully evaluate the mounting surface, making
sure that its composition and construction are strong enough to support the load
safely. If you are unsure about the type or use of mounting hardware for your
installation, consult a professional contractor or a knowledgeable hardware store.
The XuBracket is suitable only for attaching the speaker to walls or ceilings
constructed of solid wood, brickwork, concrete, hollow building block, or wood studs.
Do not mount the XuBracket to unreinforced plaster or sheetrock (gypsum board).
See fig. 1 for a complete parts list and diagram. Centered on the back panel of the
SuperZero Xu, just above the terminal cup, is a threaded insert designed to
accommodate the speaker bolt which fastens the XuBracket to the speaker.
1. Disassemble the wall bracket from the speaker bracket by removing the swivel
bolt and washers that hold them together.
2. Attach the foam gasket to the speaker bracket, fitting it around the plastic guide
tabs.
3. Attach the speaker bracket (with gasket) to the SuperZero Xu with the speaker
bolt. Tighten the speaker bolt with sufficient force to hold it firmly in position. If you
use a power screwdriver, use a low torque setting only. Use of a high torque setting
could damage the speaker.
4. Attach the wall bracket to the wall with the appropriate fasteners and tighten with
sufficient force to hold it firmly in place.
5. Re-attach the speaker bracket to the wall bracket using the swivel bolt and
washers. The metal washer goes underneath the plastic washer, and both go
directly underneath the head of the swivel bolt. Tighten the bolt to a point where it
can still be adjusted.
6. Adjust the speaker’s angle (see “Placement”). Once optimized, tighten the swiv-
el bolt with sufficient force to hold the XuBracket firmly in position.
! XuBase
The molded rubber XuBase allows the SuperZero Xu to rest firmly on horizontal
surfaces such as shelves, cabinets, or speaker stands. Because the SuperZero
Xu’s enclosure is designed with identical curvatures on all sides, the speaker may
be placed on the XuBase in any orientation (resting on either side, top or bottom
panels). See fig. 2 for setup options.
The SuperZero Xu should be tilted on the XuBase so that it radiates sound directly
toward the listening position.
! Connections
Before connecting speakers to your system, it is important that you turn off
the power to your amplifier / receiver to avoid damage to the equipment.
The SuperZero Xu is compatible with virtually all quality amplifiers. Proper wiring of
the speakers is essential to good sound. At a minimum, 16AWG speaker cable is
recommended for runs of 10 feet or less, with heavier special purpose cable used
for longer runs. For specialty cable considerations, consult your local authorized
NHT retailer.
" Wall bracket
" Speaker bracket
" Swivel bolt
" Speaker bolt
" Plastic washer
" Metal washer
" Foam gasket Parts list
Fig. 2
Fig. 1