4.5k on speakers for 5.1 surround. NHT way to go?

NHTs are a strong value at their list price. At the mentioned price they are particularly attractive. They are full range, dynamic and relatively easy to drive. They will respond positively to higher quality amplification, but don't demand it. Other than being big and kind of ugly, the NHTs really don't have a downside. I am a past owner of NHT 3.3s. (I always cringe when people heap praise on products that they eventually got rid of, but here I am doing it.)

If your friend likes the NHT sound, consider picking up some of the older Focused Image Geometry line used -- these are GREAT speakers and are very reasonable used. The VT-3's sound like a great deal, but I question the decision to pair $9000 worth of speakers with a Denon receiver unless significant amplification upgrades are definitely coming -- the Denon just won't drive those speakers to their full capacity.

Your friend could do 3.3s in the front, 2.3As in the rear (older models with soft tweeters) and either a SuperCenter or a pair of 1.3As wired in parallel (if using RPTV, you can get away with putting the 1.3As on the sides of the TV without distortion from the magnets) for under $3K used, then use the extra money to do seperate pre/pro and amps rather than buying the Denon receiver.

I think this overall system would be MUCH more enjoyable for the same amount of money.

There has been a ton of talk about Rocket loudspeakers providing some phenomenal bang for the buck. You can pretty much go all out for their best system less than $2200. The saving would allow you to get a top-end subwoofer to go along with them!

http://www.rocketloudspeakers.com/

YEs, ESPECIALLY FOR A RECEIVER BASED SYSTEM, you really won't get any better POTENTIAL PERFORMANCE (all depends on how well you can set em up in a given room and dial em in) than POWERED speakers like the NHT VT3's for HT/music! They are superb all around, and will dynamically DESTROY most traditional monitors out there for HT playback and overall dynamics! The Built in powered woofers are a real advantage over standard full range passive speakers overall, and just have more GUTS to the sound. Yes, you can, if set up properly, get the same excellent results from a standard sub/sat system, with active subwoofer(s), but it's usually more difficult for people to do as well. When DEF TECH came along and started pushing the POWERED speakers, this really made some good strides for the HT market especially. And, given that alot of people are using the relatively weak and underfpowered receivers to drive HT systems, this kind of approach is a MAJOR advantage in overall performance from a bass/dyanmics stand point. Stereo bass also has it's advantages, and the dual 500 watt carver amps in those 4 10" woofers should have some great potential in modest domestic rooms. The overall sound from the NHT's should be about as good as you can expect if you do things right. And it will make your receiver sound like it's REALLY REALLY strong sounding run full range! Also, the speakers are pretty clear, neutral, and refined sounding through out.
I used to own the Similarly rated Infinity MTS prelude speakers with powered 800 watt subs, and they were also dynamite for HT and music dubties! These kinds of speakers offer generally more potenital for people than your traditional audiophile speakers for doing a 5.1 set up. Get all matching speakers, set em up well, and you'll be rewarded with great sound!
I guess what I"m saying is I think there's NO WAY you'd be dissapointed with the speakers, unless you just did a horriific job of placing the speakers and just SUCKED IT ALL UP that way! Which, may I ad is ALL TOO COMMON among inexperienced audio enthusiests, and the UNINFORMED in regards to setting up systems properly. If you spend time with each speaker, and different listening possitions, pay attention to acoustics and such, you should get good reslults, from otherwise EXCELLENT SPEAKERS! If you have a rather LARGE room to put em in, you'll also have an easier time getting good sound from them as well.
Enjoy

Hello Outlier,
I just put this together, it may work for your friend : NHT3.3 ($1350 bought on audiogon) NHT AC2 ($400 bought on A/gon) this is the DEAD match center channel for NHT 3.3's. Center channel matching IS always critical.Almost all effects come or go thur center channel, so a close match to front L/R main speaker I feel is extremely critical to keeping effects flowing with out major timbre changes. The NHT AC2's HAVE THE EXACT SAME DRIVERS AS NHT 3.3, except no 12 inch woofers They are shielded for placing directly on TV and come in a beautiful black piano lacquer gloss finish. For the rears I selected NHT 1.5's (bought new for $275 from ONCALL), they match the fronts very well.Lets see thats $2025 for the speakers.With the left over $2500 I might considering selling the Denon 4800 and adding the $$$$ to your $2500 kitty and purchasing a used Denon 5803(I think 170watt/channel)The NHT's are a bit power hungry and can use the extra horse power of the 5803 Denon.And for speaker wire LAT International SS1000D excellent value and sound great. One word of caution: the rear of the NHT3.3 MUST be placed within 3inches of a very firm wall or woofer's will not couple and speaker will sound somewhat bright and lean.This is the way NHT designed them.Hope this helps.
THANKS FOR LISTENING, DAVE

PS your right NO STINKING SUBWOOFER. just sold my 18inch Velodyne