NHT HDP2 Rear Speakers

Description

The NHT HDP-2 is a specialized hybrid-dipole surround speaker designed for use as rear or side speakers in home theater systems. Developed during the growth of Dolby Pro Logic and early multichannel home theater formats, the HDP-2 was engineered to create a wide, diffuse sound field rather than a precisely localized point source. This approach helps surround effects blend naturally with the front speakers and enhances the immersive atmosphere of movies and multi-channel music systems.

The NHT HDP-2 is part of the company’s effort to design surround speakers that deliver a more cinematic listening experience. Traditional direct-radiating speakers project sound forward toward the listener, which works well for front channels but can make rear effects sound too directional when used in surround positions. To address this, the HDP-2 uses a hybrid dipole configuration, allowing sound to disperse broadly throughout the room.

In this design, multiple drivers face different directions to create a diffuse sound pattern. Each HDP-2 speaker contains a total of five drivers: a central woofer combined with pairs of midrange drivers and tweeters mounted on angled panels. The side-firing drivers operate in reverse phase, producing the dipole radiation pattern that spreads sound across the room instead of focusing it directly at the listener.

This configuration makes the HDP-2 particularly effective for surround channels in 5.1 or Pro Logic systems, where the goal is to envelop the audience in ambient sound. By bouncing sound off nearby walls and diffusing it across the listening area, the speakers help create the sensation that effects are coming from everywhere rather than from a single speaker location. This is especially useful when seating is close to the rear wall, a situation where conventional rear speakers can sound overly direct.

Another notable aspect of the HDP-2 is its acoustic suspension (sealed) cabinet design, a signature feature of many NHT loudspeakers. Sealed enclosures tend to produce tight, accurate bass and smooth transient response. Although surround speakers typically do not require deep bass extension, the HDP-2 reaches down to about 57 Hz in-room, which is unusually low for a surround speaker.

Build quality is another highlight. The cabinet is solidly constructed and typically finished in a high-gloss black lacquer or white laminate, giving the speakers a premium appearance that matches many home theater setups. The speakers also include wall-mounting capability, making them easy to install on side or rear walls where surround speakers perform best.

In practice, the HDP-2 is designed to integrate seamlessly with other NHT speakers, particularly models from the company’s classic home theater lineup. When paired with matching front speakers and a center channel, the HDP-2 helps produce a cohesive soundstage where surround effects flow smoothly around the listener.

Even years after their introduction, the HDP-2 remains respected among vintage home theater enthusiasts for its innovative driver layout, excellent build quality, and spacious surround presentation. While modern systems sometimes use direct-radiating speakers for surround channels, dipole designs like the HDP-2 are still appreciated for their ability to create a spacious and immersive listening environment.

Example Review Quotes

• One enthusiast praised the speakers for their “gorgeous piano black build quality and diffused sound.”

• Another comment noted that it is “quite difficult to guess exactly the point of sound,” highlighting the speaker’s effective surround dispersion.

• Users also report that the HDP-2 offers unusually deep bass extension for a surround speaker, improving the realism of panning effects.

Product Specifications

• Speaker type: Hybrid dipole surround speaker

• System design: 3-way acoustic suspension (sealed)

• Driver complement:

  • 1 × 6.5-inch long-throw woofer

  • 2 × 4.5-inch midrange drivers

  • 2 × 1-inch fluid-cooled soft-dome tweeters

• In-room frequency response: 57 Hz – 20 kHz (±3 dB)

• Sensitivity: 87 dB (2.83 V / 1 m)

• Nominal impedance: 6 ohms (3.2 ohm minimum)

• Recommended amplifier power: 10–125 W per channel

• Dimensions: 9 in × 18 in × 7.5 in (H × W × D)

• Weight: 18.5 lb each

• Finish options: High-gloss black or white laminate

• Mounting: Wall-mountable surround speaker design