My Harbeth C7ES-3 story...

[kray]

I’ve been using Zu Omen DW’s for the past 2yrs and really enjoy them.

every time I go to RMAF I find myself enjoying the Harbeth and Spendor speakers, so I started researching them, stumbled upon the “bbc midrange magic” touted and everything thing I read pointed to something I thought I’d like.

my first step was to grab the Spendor S3/5’s that were for sale here on AK. My thinking was if I enjoyed them I would then look for a bigger style. I was first looking at the Spendor A4 and A6R’s and as I kept reading I ran across the Harbeths. In particular the C7ES3 (Compact 7’s).

At this point I had researched like crazy and had my eye on a pair of used Spendor A6R’s. It was really hard to find used C7’s so I was leaning towards the Spendors.

I had a work trip coming up to Toronto and one day the week before as I’ve been scouring the audio marts a pair of C7’s popped up, and low and behold they were in Toronto!! 1 mile from the hotel I was staying. So I pinged the guy and we started talking. Told him I’ll be in town etc. so I setup a time to go over to his house. They were mint condition with original boxes, consecutive serials etc so I grabbed them! Best part the dollar is strong against Canadian so ended up getting them for 50% off new.

Best part is the boxes are not too big and was able to check them in on the plane, so shipped them back with me for $60.

just got them out of boxes and setup today on diy stands until I can get some Skylans.

my biggest fear was the low end was not going to be full enough but boy was I wrong. First impressions from just 1hr of listening... the Zu’s will be hitting the market. Everyone says the Zu’s are very forward which I was fine with but after hearing the magic sound of the Harbeths it suits my style better.

I’ll follow up with more impressions later.

 

[Sound Dragon]

Nice! My goal is a pair of Super HL5 Plus! Enjoy those C7’s bud!

 

[StuartB]

Congrats. Exquisite British 2-way speakers are just magical for me. I have a pair of 30.1s and I am so happy with them. I am sure there are other speakers out there that do some things differently, or in some cases better, but the organic, balanced and relaxed sound of my Harbeths is just delightful.

 

[kray]

Thanks guys.

@Sound Dragon that would definitely be a next steps I decided to move up the Harbeth ladder

These guys throw a crazy depth and disappear easily. The Zu’s had a nice pinpoint soundstage but the C7’s definitely beat them in depth. Zu’s top end is a littler more prominent but the midrange can’t compete.

@StuartB completely agree. Something so organic about them

I also find micro details great as well. See my signature for my chain

 

[StuartB]

Micro-details...YES. Sometimes I am completely surprised by the amount of detail I hear at low volume.

to be completely fair, the C7s list price is 4X the DW.......you would expect that a well executed $4k speaker would out perform a well executed $1k speaker. Even so, the Harbeths are special.

 

[kray]

Micro-details...YES. Sometimes I am completely surprised by the amount of detail I hear at low volume.

to be completely fair, the C7s list price is 4X the DW.......you would expect that a well executed $4k speaker would out perform a well executed $1k speaker. Even so, the Harbeths are special.

yes I’m surprised how well and full it sounds at lower volumes. I’ve had to turn the volume up with other speakers to get that.

and you are correct. The Zu’s are great in their own way but for their price point, but obviously you get more with the higher priced C7’s.

 

[opnly bafld]

to be completely fair, the C7s list price is 4X the DW.......you would expect that a well executed $4k speaker would out perform a well executed $1k speaker.

I understand what you are saying, but keep in mind that UK speakers usually sell for considerably less in the UK.
When I bought some (used) ATCs a few years ago I noticed they were about 40% + cheaper in the UK, I could have bought a brand new pair cheaper than I was able to get used ones in the US.

 

[kray]

Having a listening session tonight and I don't want to leave my room. Been very enjoyable and throwing all kinds of music at them.

Stacy Kent's voice is sublime.

These C7's seem to do an amazing job at disappearing and front to back stage is easily hearable.

I've been playing with positioning, toe in, etc. and can hear the differences. I have some Skylan stands on the way, so I'm sure they will affect the sound in a positive way over my DIY's

 

[kray]

Wow kray,you have some beautiful speakers in the stable! I have always been curious about the Zu's,and the Harbeths. Are the Spendors still in the mix?

thanks! The Zu’s are a great speaker for $1k especially if you can EQ them a tad.

the s3/5’s are still here but might part with them to help pay for these Harbeths. If I had another smaller room setup I’d keep them for sure but it was because of the Spendors I ended up with the C7’s and that’s a compliment to Spendor.

 

[Sound Dragon]

Those little Spendors are a true gateway drug!

yea they are!

 

[kray]

Those little Spendors are a true gateway drug!

truth!!

 

[kward]

I've had my C7ES3's for about a year now. PLENTY of bass and listenable for hours on end without fatigue. It's funny, I was planning on getting some different speakers specifically Focal Aria's, but lessons learned from the past, I will not purchase a pair of speakers without first hearing them on similar equipment to my own. I went to great lengths to find a dealer and listen to those Focals--driving clear to LA to audition them on a Primaluna tube amp. I didn't care for that combo at all. So while there, I found another dealer who had some Harbeths in his showroom...and the rest is history as they say.

Anyway, I listen to my C7ES3's with a 14 watt single ended tube amp, and that combo is truly magic. Mine are the 40th anniversary edition which have the upgraded wood veneer, retuned crossovers with upgraded passive components, as well as the WBT binding posts. These are speakers I plan on keeping for a very long time.

I also need to get some proper stands. I'm told ToneTrägers are the ultimate stands for Harbeths, with Skylan coming in a close second. But man are those Trägers pricey.

Enjoy your Harbeths!

 

[StuartB]

I also need to get some proper stands. I'm told ToneTrägers are the ultimate stands for Harbeths, with Skylan coming in a close second. But man are those Trägers pricey.

Sound Anchor also builds stands specific to each Harbeth speakers. I use a pair with my 30.1s. Very solid, heavy and understated.

 

[kray]

Talked to Noel at Skylan and he is starting to make a new 4 post 20" with slimmer posts as opposed to the super thick posts on current models. I just ordered those... Look like this:

 

[kray]

Got my stands today. Filled with rice (much cleaner to deal with and recommended by Noel at Skylan)

nice it firmed up the bass response. They are very nice kit. Easy to even them up on the floor. And look great. Very nicely packed and speedy FedEx 2 day shipping.

 

[kray]

So after buying the Harbeths I thought I’d search for some amp synergy. Been reading up on a lot of the same culprits that keep popping up like Naim (not a fan of the looks so no go for me)

My current combo is a VTA SP9 pre that uses 4x Telefunken 12AX7’s into a Bob Latino ST120 with 6550’s. I was fairly happy with the combo but thought I’d try some solid state since the ST120 is rated around 40wpc in triode mode.

first amp I snagged a deal on was a Audiolab 8300a integrated. 75wpc in dual mono configuration. First off I think it’s a beautiful piece!! Clean/sleek/modern/silver. Love it.

First impression was very good. It handled bass better than my ST120. It was right clean and punchy. Dead quiet and a smooth non fatiguing sound. Since my ears had been use to my tube combo, I thought I’d take advantage of one of the many features of the 8300a. You can use it as a Pre or amp or integrated.

So I started by using my tube pre into the 8300a as an amp. First thing I noticed was there was just something more. There seem to be more “air” around and a more holographic soundstage. I’m attributing this to the awesome Telefunkens.

Next up I setup the 8300a as a pre and fed the ST120. This combo came across as more clinical and less dynamic for some reason. Bass was a little wooly.

so basically the Tube pre with 8300a as amp was the best combo surprisingly.

if I didn’t have the tube pre I would have been very happy with the 8300a as an integrated, but tasting and knowing the depth the tube pre adds I can’t rid of it.

as beautiful as the 8300a is, I’m on to my next demo. This time looking for a dedicated solid state amp. I feel I’m wasting the extra features of the 8300a if I were to keep it.

so what’s next? I’m thinking I’ll try to snag a used version of the following to try:
- Schiit Vidar
- Belles 150

Any other suggestions?

 

[StuartB]

The most pleasing separate set up I had was a Sonic Frontiers SFL-1 Signature preamp (tube) and a McCormack DNA-1 amp. I really liked both of those pieces separately and together, but never had them with the Harbeth speakers. Conceptually I like the idea of tubes somewhere in the front of the system using a solid state amp.

if you want to continue on your current path, look at a British amp like Naim, Rega, Exposure....etc. and if you want to take the big leap, an LFD integrated.
Enjoy the hunt. Those stands look great.

 

[Hyfi]

Dealers and MFGs like to pair Harbeth with Luxman. I am planning on buying a Luxman 505uxii soon and hoping to audition it next Saturday with some Harbeths. I will be driving Dynaudio 82s for now, but I know I am going to like the Harbeths.


BTW, I need some temp stands for some large bookshelf speakers and may try your cinder block method. I have used blocks wrapped in towels before but see you caulked the 2x12s on.

 

[kray]

Dealers and MFGs like to pair Harbeth with Luxman. I am planning on buying a Luxman 505uxii soon and hoping to audition it next Saturday with some Harbeths. I will be driving Dynaudio 82s for now, but I know I am going to like the Harbeths.


BTW, I need some temp stands for some large bookshelf speakers and may try your cinder block method. I have used blocks wrapped in towels before but see you caulked the 2x12s on.

I’d love the Luxman but out of my price range at the moment

the cinder block stand worked out great for temp solution. I actually used that kitchen drawer rubbery mat stuff you line the drawers with between block and wood. Worked good. No movement. Was going to eventually glue/bond them together but the wood I used wasn’t perfectly flat (it was cheap)

 

[kray]

The most pleasing separate set up I had was a Sonic Frontiers SFL-1 Signature preamp (tube) and a McCormack DNA-1 amp. I rally liked both of those pieces separately and together, but never had them with the Harbeth speakers. Conceptually I like the idea of rubes somewhere in the front of the system during a solid state amp.

if you want to continue on your current path, look at a British amp like Naim, Rega, Exposure....etc. and if you want to take the big leap, an LFD integrated.
Enjoy the hunt. Those stands look great.

I’d love to go LFD or Luxman but out of range right now. Trying to stay in $1k used territory.