Citing consumer demand for a high-quality, simplified speaker for...

Citing consumer demand for a high-quality, simplified speaker for PC audio, gaming systems and electronic drums and keyboards, NHT introduced the SuperPower, an active desktop speaker built largely on the platform of the company’s SuperZero speaker, according to John Johnsen, partner, marketing, on a press tour Thursday in New York. The SuperPower is NHT’s first powered speaker for the consumer market as it shifts its product mix toward a 50-50 split between active and passive loudspeakers, Johnsen said. The move to active speaker technology to play back computer audio began in the late 1990s when Johnsen and NHT co-partner Chris Byrne saw a need on the pro audio side for powered speakers to work with computer-based music, and the company launched the M-00 speaker for the studio mix market. That product is nearing the end of its life cycle, Johnsen said. The SuperPower ($199 each), to be sold direct from NHT and through J&R Music World, has a 90-watt Class D digital amplifier, which Johnsen said is Energy Star rated and uses “less power than a D battery” in standby mode. At full power the speaker uses 90 percent of supplied electrical energy, which results in more efficiency and less heat from wasted power, he said. The SuperPower, which can be paired with NHT’s current Super 8 subwoofer, will be available in late December, Johnsen said. The company will support the SuperPower with upcoming wireless accessory products for streaming music directly from mobile devices, he said. The company has chosen not to add AirPlay capability because it would add $100 to the cost of each speaker, Johnsen said. By using an outboard wireless module, consumers don’t have to pay for technology they might not use, he said. Wireless accessories are due within the next 6 months, and a second powered speaker will debut within the year, he said.