Beautifully engineered NHT Center speaker VS-1.2a
$195.00
Two 4.5-inch woofers and a 1-inch fluid-cooled soft dome on a single integrated baffle — NHT’s Coherent Array, which keeps the response even as you move off centre. Crossed at 2.2 kHz at 12 dB an octave, 86 dB into a nominal 8 ohms, 80 Hz to 21 kHz. Video-shielded, high-gloss black, 13.5 lbs, with an adjustable foot for aiming. Stood on end it works as a satellite instead.
1 in stock
Introducing the beautifully designed and engineered VS-1.2a Center speaker from NHT (California’s “Now Hear This”)
Key Features:
– Coherent Array Design: NHT’s proprietary integrated baffle assembly incorporates multiple drivers spaced closely together, creating a uniform frequency response across a wide range of listening positions. – Flexible Orientation: Can be used as a center channel speaker in horizontal orientation or as a satellite speaker in vertical orientation. – Magnetic Shielding: Allows placement near televisions without causing picture distortion. – Adjustable Foot: Included for precise aiming towards the listening position when used as a center channel.
VS-1.2a Specifications
■ System Type: 2-way acoustic suspension
■ Driver Complement: Two 4.5” woofers, 1” fluid-cooled soft dome tweeter, video shielded drivers
■ Crossover: 2.2KHz, 12dB/octave high-pass and low-pass
■ Response: 80Hz – 21 KHz, +/- 3dB
■ Sensitivity: 86db (2.83V at 1M)
■ Impedance: 8 ohms nominal, 6.3 ohms minimum
■ Recommended Amplifier Power: 15W/ch minimum, 150W/ch maximum
■ Inputs: 5-way binding posts
■ Weight: 13.5 lbs., Dimensions: 5.5”H x 19”W x 8″D
■ Finish: High gloss black
Design and Build Quality: The VS-1.2a features NHT’s attention to detail in construction and design, with a focus on creating an integrated soundstage and overcoming wave interference problems common in traditional multi-driver designs.
Placement Recommendations: – As a center channel: Place directly above or below the television, as close to the screen as possible. – Use the adjustable foot to aim the speaker towards the listening position if placed above ear level.
Connections: – Compatible with most quality amplifiers – Recommended minimum 16 AWG speaker cable for runs of 10 feet or less, 14 AWG for longer runs – Five-way binding posts accept raw wire, banana plugs, or spade plugs
Perfect for Home Theater Enthusiasts: The NHT VS-1.2a is ideal for those building or upgrading a home theater system, particularly when paired with other NHT speakers for timbre matching across the front soundstage.
Experience clear dialogue and precise sound reproduction with the NHT VS-1.2a. Its Coherent Array design and flexible placement options make it a versatile choice for various home theater configurations, ensuring an immersive audio experience.
| Weight | 15.5 lbs |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 12 × 23 × 9.5 in |
NHT was founded in Benicia, California, in 1986 by Chris Byrne and engineer Ken Kantor, and the name stands for Now Hear This. We carry NHT bookshelf speakers, towers, centre channels and subwoofers. We've had more than 40 NHT listings so far, covering more than 25 different models. Every used NHT here is inspected, tested and serviced as required, then photographed in-house and covered by our Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty and Perpetual Trade-Back Program. Don't see the model you want? Tell us on First Dibs and we'll email you when one arrives.
The NHT models we've sold most often include the Three and SuperOne bookshelf speakers, the SW2 and Ten subwoofers and the 2.9 tower.
The NHT story
Chris Byrne, who had been Pioneer Electronics' vice-president of marketing, and engineer Ken Kantor, whose career had taken in Acoustic Research, Boston Acoustics and NAD, founded NHT in Benicia, California, in 1986. Its speakers were known for front baffles angled at 21 degrees, which NHT called Focused Image Geometry.
Jensen and Rockford. In 1990 NHT was sold to International Jensen, which also owned AR and Advent and let NHT keep its design independence. The four-way 3.3 flagship followed in the early 1990s, Kantor left in 1997 after designing the 2.9 tower, and by 2004 NHT was part of Rockford Corporation.
Today. Secrets of Home Theater calls the Classic Three of the mid-2000s NHT's best-selling model, and the C Series followed it. NHT is still based in Benicia, making acoustic-suspension and in-ceiling speakers. Chris Byrne died in December 2025.
Which NHT is which?
Original Model line (late 1980s to early 1990s): from the Model 1 to the four-way 3.3, with slim baffles angled at 21 degrees.
2.9 tower (by 1997): Ken Kantor's last NHT design, with separate terminals for bi-amplifying its woofers.
Super series: the SuperZero, SuperOne and SuperTwo, often paired with the SW2 subwoofer.
Subwoofers: the SW2 with its MA-1A amplifier, and the Classic Ten and Classic Twelve.
VT home theatre towers: such as the VT-1 and VT-3.
Classic Series (mid-2000s to 2016) and C Series: including the Classic Three.
Buying used NHT: what to check
Stabilizer bars and spikes. NHT towers such as the VT-3 and SuperTwo rely on stabilizer bars or spikes, so check they come with the pair.
Amplifier match. NHT says underpowered amplifiers are the most common cause of speaker damage, so check the tweeters on any pair that ran on a small receiver.
Subwoofer amps. If an MA-1A's front light doesn't come on, an internal fuse may have blown. On a Classic Ten or Twelve, check that the line-voltage setting is 120 V.
Baffle foam. The original angled models have anti-diffraction foam strips on the baffle, so check they are there.
Everything we list is inspected, tested and serviced as required here, and comes with our warranty.
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