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Harbeth vs JBL/Altec/Klipsch

toddalin said:
My Yamaha pushes 170 wpc into 6 ohms, (520 WPC dynamic power into 2 ohms), so plenty of power. Sundays usually work and 4/29 is a good day for me at this point in time.

If there is anyone in the Orange County, CA area that would like to join us, you are welcome.
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Way cool what you're doing here. This is what makes the AK community so amazing:trebon:.
 
Roadrash said:
...they have what is commonly referred to as the East Coast sound. Which is more laid back and smooth, compared to the Altec, and JBL West Coast sound which is brighter and more forward...
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I wouldn't call golden-era Infinity speakers laid back.
 
quanghuy147 said:
...I can listen to music for hours without being tired. Nonetheless, I am looking for upgrade because of its bass. Harbeths only reached 50hz so when it plays cello, timpani, kick drum, ... it showed it weak points right away.

By the way, my room is small, 12 ft x 12 ft and I play music at low to medium level. I am in Orange, California.
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I'll second the notion of a very good sub, or pair of subs. Maybe even add an active crossover.

I'm using smallish bookshelves (nowhere near as upscale as yours) in a room just a hair bigger. Same volume levels and I like all music styles. The speakers also bottom out at around 50 Hz and the addition of a sub was exactly what they needed. In a small room they sound surprisingly good IMHO.

FWIW, I also have a pair of Klipsch Chorus II and although they are in daily duty in an HT system, they are just missing something. If I ever get my tube amp set up again I may have to try them with it. Maybe they don't like Class D amps.
 
Large format means the exit diameter on the horn drivers is 2" while the small format horn drivers are 1". On Altec gear it's 1.4" for large format and 1" for small format.
The large format drivers are about the size of a bowling ball and probably 30 pounds in weight. There big! Usually used in pro sound. Think stadiums, arena's and places like that.

BillWojo
 
toddalin said:
If there is anyone in the Orange County, CA area that would like to join us, you are welcome.
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Anyone up for a Harbeth listening session in the Old Dominion?
I'll supply the beer if you supply the Harbeths
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Heck, for Harbeths I'll supply cognac.
 
Yesterday we had the listening session for the Harbeth 30.1 vs the JBL L200/300. We spent over 2 hours spinning CDs, SACDs, and even vinyl!

The JBLs certainly had the advantage of dynamics and volume being over 8 dB more efficient and running at about 1/10th of the power.

But, I have the ability to compensate for that and when played at the same volume level, the Harbeths sounded clearer, more "open," and less colored with better vocal rendition. Joni Mitchell did not have that "dark cloud" on her voice. Guitar, both acoustic and electric, was very convincing. Perhaps the sax was more realistic on the JBLs, but the Harbeths did a great job here too, probably better than the L112s (but not used in the comparison).

The real suprise was that when played at the same level, the Harbeths had a tigher bass that was very full and convincing. Certainly a subwoofer helps, but the Harbeths did an outstanding job for their size and heft.

Huy also got to listen to a whole different genera of music, loved it, and it would not suprise me at all if in the near future the sound of Joni Mitchell and Loggins & Messina permeate through the Little Saigon area of Orange County, CA.
 
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toddalin said:
Yesterday we had the listening session for the Harbeth 30.1 vs the JBL L200/300. We spent over 2 hours spinning CDs, SACDs, and even vinyl!

The JBLs certainly had the advantage of dynamics and volume being over 8 dB more efficient and running at about 1/10th of the power.

But, I have the ability to compensate for that and when played at the same volume level, the Harbeths sounded clearer, more "open," and less colored with better vocal rendition. Joni Mitchell did not have that "dark cloud" on her voice. Guitar, both acoustic and electric, was very convincing. Perhaps the sax was more realistic on the JBLs, but the Harbeths did a great job here too, probably better than the L112s (but not used in the comparison).

The real suprise was that when played at the same level, the Harbeths had a tigher bass that was very full and convincing. Certainly a subwoofer helps, but the Harbeths did an outstanding job for their size and heft.

Huy also got to listen to a whole different genera of music, loved it, and it would not suprise me at all if in the near future the sound of Joni Mitchell and Loggins & Messina permeate through the Little Saigon area of Orange County, CA.
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Totally agree with Todd's post.

Now I know that I need a sub. The records are different with subs.

There comes a question. Should I have 2 subs or 1 sub, which one is the budget-wise :)
 
quanghuy147 said:
Totally agree with Todd's post.

Now I know that I need a sub. The records are different with subs.

There comes a question. Should I have 2 subs or 1 sub, which one is the budget-wise :)
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Maybe that depends on the balance of your gear, and the size of your space, but one good sub is probably better than two of lesser quality.

I run a single sub that allows speaker level in/out if I'm not running a pre-amp or receiver that has a sub-out. Not all sub-woofers offer speaker-level pass through. This works fine in a small space (13' x 15' or so). Two subs wouldn't fit if I tried.

If you have gear that can drive two subs, both L and R channel, and have the room, and the budget, I would imagine that would give you the best sound. That's a lot of "ands".

The theory that bass is omni-directional because of the length of the sound waves probably holds true much of the time, but there is content with definite L/R bass notes. You don't need two subs, but may realize your goals with two.

Good luck with your quest.
 
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