Byrne was most recently managing director of NHT at Vinci until his departure from the company in September, and began negotiations in early December to effect a managed buyout, which was just finalized. The two other partners to the buyout are longtime NHT executive John Johnsen and Jim Pyle, a Silicon Valley business entrepreneur heretofore unconnected to the consumer electronics industry.
Byrne said that the company will keep its headquarters in Benicia, Calif. Future product direction will be made clear, he added, in a few months. “We will start product development in eight or nine months,” he said, “but we really want to get our legs underneath us first and make sure our customers are happy and everything’s taken care of before we do too much new stuff. We’ll get the sales structure going first, and then add the engineering in about a month.”
Byrne said the game plan is, in essence, a return to NHT’s roots – “cutting things that were experimental and non-core” – so the company will sell off the balance of its stock in the DSP-corrected Xd product while maintaining full service and support for products already in the market. Additionally, he said, “we’ve discontinued the electronics the Vinci folks brought to us, although we’re retaining one of their employees so we can support it going forward. There will be no customer or dealer issues, and we’ll be able to take care of that product as long as it’s in the field.”
The product lines NHT plans to continue with include Classic, its traditional speaker line, the Architect series of in-walls, in-ceilings and subwoofers, and the Verve lifestyle/flat-panel-oriented on-wall/tabletop line. He added that the company will also retain its Pro Active lineup. “Part of keeping the pro business has to do with the love of the music business from our standpoint and also, it’s a great marketing tool to use on the consumer side.”
What do you think about this move? Talk about it in the Dealerscope forums.
Companies Mentioned:
 |
As a recent sales representative of NHT and long time associate of Chris since the 80's, it is good to hear that there is still a individual who truly cares about this business, back again.
Im with you i have the following from the 90s and they are still great
VT1 fronts Sw2p Powered sub
I forget the cneter channel model.
Super 0s rears and a pair of super 0 as remote speakers in another room powered by Denon 3808 and its great stuff still today
Are they going to be made here in the states like the older stuff ?
This is good news! In the 10 years I've had my 2.9/AC-2/1.5 HT setup, I've yet to hear anything close without resorting to a 2nd mortgage. Looking forward to good things.
Please take the company direction back to the 90's Ken Kantor era. The supers, VT1-A's, etc were some of the best speakers ever produced. Bring back the real NHT. When are the new products going to roll out?
Hi Chris,
Glad to find you and that you have recaptured you vision. I was there at the begining I knew your your passion for your idea and concept. I wish you all the best. Will you be at CEDIA? I would love to reconnect and catch up. Take care and I wish you great success.
Bob
Is the Vinci person retained to support the electronics going to be able to provide the HDMI ver 1.3 upgrade path that was promised when I bought my Controller during your initial product rollout? I sure would hate to think that all of the efforts Esa made toward that end will be all for nothing. Please tell me that you won't be abandoning those placed their faith in NHT's ability to deliver on their promises made.
Understand the company returning to its "roots' but as a buyer who has been impressed by the promise of Xd, it's sad to see all the great efforts and the promise of its results go by the wayside.
It's still the future for audio most likely and NHT was a lead in brining this to the fore.
Hi Chris,
It is great to hear that someone who cares is at the helm.
I am a VT-3 owner (full) and know what the NHT company is capable of. They provided me with a world class product and exemplary service! Thanks
Sincerely,
Martin
I too am happy to see a return to core business at NHT. I am still loving my NHT 1.5/AC1 setup for my HT. Bring back the angles!
Congratulations.
I am a long time satisfied cutomer of NHT. I presently own a pair of VT-2 Towers bi-amped with a Yamaha RXV-1800 A/V Receiver. I recently upgraded the center and surround speakers with the Classic 3 Center and the suroound with a pair of Classic 3 Bookshelf speakers. I recently had an occasion to speak to mr. Johnsen who was most accommodating and helpful with a dealer prolem I experienced. Needless to say, I am thrilled with this development. My son and some of his friends all swear by NHT. Please continue the excellence you have provided throughout the years.