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Am I the only one who doesn’t love Harbeth P3esr?

I purchased a pair of P3’s a month ago based on their
uniformly rave reviews online. I have tried them with 
3 different amps, in two different rooms, and with and without a sub, and am just not overly impressed,
using a variety of music. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I expected more OMG moments.
They certainly aren’t bad. Very detailed. But to me they sound bright which I never expected. And I just can’t get them to sound really good.
I have other speakers I gravitate to for listening sessions- KEF LS 50 and Klipsch RP 600ms.

rambo21
f917025
81 posts
 
there is a company that does break in for guitar amp speakers
it takes them 40 hours of playing specific frequencies and testing.
 break in is critical for speakers .after 100 hours you can make a judgment.
the schiit loki (180$) or ifi itube2 (350$) can add bass without dsp or side effects. what preamp are you using? does it have tubes? if so ,late 60's blackburn mullards have the best bass .putting an ifi i purifier 3 before the dac (or jitterbug)also helps
tell us how it went
good luck
rambo21 OP
11 posts
 
Try calling the Needle Doctor. I’ve called many times, only message is that this mailbox is full.
Also don’t answer Emails.
Someone on Facebook from Minnesota said they 
shut down.


rambo21 OP
11 posts
 
I will keep you guys updated as to my 
progress with the P3s.
Thanks for the suggestions and help.
For a frame of reference, the other speakers I have at home currently are:
KEF LS50s
Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary 
Klipsch RP 600ms
Snell Type E iii
Totem Arros
jkuc
181 posts
 
Oh, boy. The rule is 150 hours minimum, on everything. After 60 hours... they are at the bottom of their performance. Patience. Give them a chance.
https://www.monoandstereo.com/2017/08/lessloss-c-marc-cables-review.html
You’ll find a burn in curve, a curve that can be applied to anything. Time can be different but min. 150 hours required. Can streach to 400 or 700-800 even in some cases, for some equipment.

60 hours....It’s a joke. I thought you are better educated. It’s a fu.. n joke.
helomech
1,694 posts
 
The LS-50s are indeed the warmer speaker, especially if their tweeters are below ear height with little or zero toe-in. Their tweeters also have less metallic signature than the Harbeth aluminum IME. 

IDK that I'd consider the P3s bright once broke-in, but they do have a "cool" midrange tone that I hear in every Harbeth. Many consider this tone the ultimate in neutrality, my ears find it a bit cold. They'll never produce as much bass as a pair of run-in LS50s. 
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