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Harbeth Owners Thread

They do a pretty good job. The quality of the sound is very good. I use a JL Audio sub to reinforce the bass a bit...I set the crossover between 40-50 hz....it ends up being a pretty seamless integration. I have always been a fan of smallish British 2-ways. To my ears, in my room, these are wonderful. When you find yourself in the Columbus area, ping me. You are welcome to come over to hear them.
 
This may not be a big deal to a lot of people, but one thing that i have noticed and really like about Harbeth is that at low volume levels they sound very detailed and refined. Maybe a little bit hard to explain but it seems like I don't have to turn the volume up to hear all the music
 
Will do Stuart. My Kef 105 s have the British sound, though not in the same league of course. On most music a sub is not needed. Harbeth has always caught my attention but I’ve never heard a pair . Would be nice to hear them.
 
I am still surprised that there is not more activity associated with this line of speakers. My 30.1s have just gotten better and better over time while breaking in. They are refined with no hint of harshness. Some say that Harbeth speakers are for the “pipe and slippers club”, but I totally disagree. I played in bands in the 70’s and 80’s, my hearing is probably not great but I cannot tolerate harsh, edgy speakers. These are so easy to listen to at any volume. I am very pleased with this speaker.
 
Yeah I'm always susprised not more activity in this thread and also the Tannoy thread. I just acquired some Tannoy Ardens and LOVE them. I'm sure I would LOVE Harbeth speakers as well, just never had the opportunity to hear any yet. Definitely on my "list!"

Enjoy!
 
kenrothman said:
I'm a relatively recent owner of some P3ESRs.
Love 'em.
Click to expand...

Hey Ken
Welcome to the world of small British speakers.
I’ve owned my P3ESRs for a few years. Recently I moved them on to Sound Anchor stands with my Counterpoint gear. Should have done this long ago. Set up for nearfield listening, the imaging and soundstage is outstanding.
I’ve powered them with a Fisher 400, Scott LK-72 and Levinson 28/27.5
None were the least bit disappointing.
Enjoy!
 
DOBIEGUY said:
Hey Ken
Welcome to the world of small British speakers.
I’ve owned my P3ESRs for a few years. Recently I moved them on to Sound Anchor stands with my Counterpoint gear. Should have done this long ago. Set up for nearfield listening, the imaging and soundstage is outstanding.
I’ve powered them with a Fisher 400, Scott LK-72 and Levinson 28/27.5
None were the least bit disappointing.
Enjoy!
Click to expand...

Thanks!
I picked up a pair of the Skylan stands and am happy with them so far!
I'm using a Croft Phono Integrated with a modded P5 / Nagaoka MP200 and a HiFi Berry Roon Endpoint going into a Schitt Bifrost MB
Pretty happy :)
 
2018-09-13%2022.53.35.jpg
 
I've had my C7ES3s for about a year and they are by far the best speakers I have ever owned. Immediately preceding them were Klipsch Choruses all modded out that sounded unrefined (to be kind) in comparison. Having said that, the experience with these speakers has been so positive I wonder how much better the SHL5 Pluses would be? I can't afford (nor fit) the 40s, so the Supers are aspirational Harbeths for me. Anybody make that move, and what were the differences?
 
I just ordered a pair of P3ESR 40th Anniversary speakers. These will be the last speaker I buy. Retirement looms and I know that barring a lotto win the size of my listening room will not ever be much larger if at all. Looking forward to getting them. I owned the standard version several years ago.
 
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Art K. said:
I just ordered a pair of P3ESR 40th Anniversary speakers.
Click to expand...

I am literally frightened to listen to the Harbeth, I could probably afford them though with the $AUD exchange rate they are very, very expensive in my view, but that said I fear listening to them would make me buy them.

My favorite kind of speaker is the sealed bookshelf. My high end speakers are Axis Voicebox S and the emphasis on their design by John Reilly and Brad Serhan was to produce a contemporary LS3/5a inasmuch the overriding principle was "if you get voices right, the rest will follow". They are a small bass-reflex design with a very well integrated ribbon tweeter and the mid-range is excellent. I got them as ex-demo at a Christian price and is the most significant amount of money I have spent on hi-fi ever.

The Harbeths are a price jump for me that I can't really contemplate and I refuse to put myself in the situation of being tempted.

I briefly heard a pair at a social occasion playing in the background but that is a while ago and I have assiduously avoided hearing them again because for that brief few moments I knew that was the sound I had been looking for.

Can I ask Art K. what do the Harbeths provide that is missing in the LS50's, is it something specific that is quantifiable or is it something more encompassing than a particular parameter?

Congrats on the purchase, what finish did you select?
 
posvibes said:
I am literally frightened to listen to the Harbeth, I could probably afford them though with the $AUD exchange rate they are very, very expensive in my view, but that said I fear listening to them would make me buy them.

My favorite kind of speaker is the sealed bookshelf. My high end speakers are Axis Voicebox S and the emphasis on their design by John Reilly and Brad Serhan was to produce a contemporary LS3/5a inasmuch the overriding principle was "if you get voices right, the rest will follow". They are a small bass-reflex design with a very well integrated ribbon tweeter and the mid-range is excellent. I got them as ex-demo at a Christian price and is the most significant amount of money I have spent on hi-fi ever.

The Harbeths are a price jump for me that I can't really contemplate and I refuse to put myself in the situation of being tempted.

I briefly heard a pair at a social occasion playing in the background but that is a while ago and I have assiduously avoided hearing them again because for that brief few moments I knew that was the sound I had been looking for.

Can I ask Art K. what do the Harbeths provide that is missing in the LS50's, is it something specific that is quantifiable or is it something more encompassing than a particular parameter?

Congrats on the purchase, what finish did you select?
Click to expand...

I’ll tell you more when they arrive. From memory with my last Harbeth’s I would say that tonality is the biggest difference. I will keep this thread updated as the speakers arrive. I will keep the LS50’s until a thorough comparison is complete.
 
Congrats on the Anniversaries Art! They would probably be the ones I would get too, the olive wood finish is very nice, and as a package, a very special, long term speaker. A potential move to an apartment has me contemplating a pair myself-providing there will be any left at that point....
 
I would be interested in your comparison of the small Harbeth and the KEF LS50s. I am thrilled with my pair of Harbeth 30.1s. They work great in a very difficult room that has embarrassed a handful of highly regarded speakers....
 
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