Whatever happened to NXT Loudspeakers

[sq225917]

NXT are probably still making a bundle fitting out fighter aircraft with anti-noise panels (cockpit noise is played back as near to real time as is possible at 180 degrees out of phase to the original sound, and at the same volume - the result is that cockpit noise is very low compared to no panel).

The audio market would be small potatoes to them.

The actual NXT technology originally came from SAAB, who were fitting it to their jet fighters. The difference between this and other techs at the time was the use of 3D panel structures and how they controlled the distributed mode resonance. NXT was set up as an IP shell to work the licence rights for the technology in the audio and consumer electronics fields. It was originally set-up as a joint venture, but SAAB sold out on the 2nd round of investment when the company became incorporated as NXT and was spun out of Verity group, which sold off parts of Cyrus and Mission to fund the new venture.

One of the directors where I worked in Cambridge was also on the board back in the early days, he used to bang on about it all the time. They were doomed to fail once they had too much investment to ever make everyone a decent return.

[Audioman]

As I remember Henry Azima sold Mission and renamed his company Nxt which I believe still included Cyrus. The main business was licencing the technology. Cyrus did release a large speaker using Nxt panels but it disappeared pretty soon. Also there was the Wharfedale picture panels and a Mission computer speaker system. Don't know what the current situation is.

http://www.whathifi.com/blog/hong-ko...t-nxt-did-next

Above link to 2008 article - operations have moved mainly to Hong Kong. It appears the technology is used in wide range of products at the time of writing.

[dantheman91]

Just bought a little Teac system with NTX panal speakers. Had a listen a but overblown with the sub but had a listen to the panals i think they will be OK with a different sub & amplifier

It was only £10 worth a go.....

Thread Resurrection....

[Barry]

As I remember Henry Azima sold Mission and renamed his company Nxt which I believe still included Cyrus. The main business was licencing the technology. Cyrus did release a large speaker using Nxt panels but it disappeared pretty soon. Also there was the Wharfedale picture panels and a Mission computer speaker system. Don't know what the current situation is.

http://www.whathifi.com/blog/hong-ko...t-nxt-did-next

Above link to 2008 article - operations have moved mainly to Hong Kong. It appears the technology is used in wide range of products at the time of writing.

Yeah, Azima 'sold out' alright - that's why Quad are now no longer a UK company.

[dantheman91]

Received the plugs for the Teac NXT panel speakers i bought not long ago a bit of tweaking with the loudness i have found their sweet spot bass wise treble is fine and they really are very nice for the price i payed. Wont suit all kinds of music but i think their ideal for Acoustic , Jazz ETC

Just using the Teleton at present for testing....the ALBA 1500 is next & their after the Quantum 1A100.....

[walpurgis]

I have a TDK S60 multimedia NXT set.



They sound remarkably good.

[Spectral Morn]

I was tempted to say who cares. Being honest I never heard any of them that convinced me at the time that it was a good idea, but I haven't heard any later implementations so the papery lacking substance sound may be a thing of the past.

[dantheman91]

I was tempted to say who cares. Being honest I never heard any of them that convinced me at the time that it was a good idea, but I haven't heard any later implementations so the papery lacking substance sound may be a thing of the past.

Clearly a good idea Neil...I like them as I like most teac Hi Fi.....

[struth]

Dont think ive even heard of them. Hope your enjoying them dan. You do like a change

[Sherwood]

In fact, the technology behind NXT is still alive and being developed by Tectonic Elements amongst others. I disagree strongly with the criticisms made about NXT technology. Yes there were a lot of cheap low end products produced, many of them as computer desktop speakers. However, anyone who has heard a good NXT setup will have been impressed like me with the clarity and naturalness of the sound. Yes, low bass was missing, but what was there was good. I had a portable speaker system using NXT exciters that always accompanied me on my international travels and was highly impressive. The sound reminded me of open baffle designs with an extremely open and relaxed sound. I would encourage anyone looking for a low budget hifi project to try a pair of the Tectonic Elements Soundpax exciters and to experiment with different types of rigid panels. I speak as someone who is familiar with the sound of good speakers, being the owner of Rogers LS35a and Magneplanars.

I see a great future for the technology.

Geoff