Are Harbeths really "all that?"

NOPE!
(way too polite, or for me to be polite, I should say, not for me) :)

I had a startling experience in hearing some very expensive gear recently with huge credentials and reviews, and it was boring as the dickens. And it has received raves from reviewers I seem to like.
LESSON---trust your own ears and heart...

check out the thread of bob neil of amherst audio on positive feedback, or maybe audio asylum...anyway, he went the early spendor route, then harbeths, then audio note. he does a pretty good job of laying it all out there. he also says what works for you is what works for you, and no other. couldn't agree more.

Oh oh, so much for good ol bob....
A friend said that Peter Q of AN would play bad metal really really loud. Well, Artie likes them anyway...I have yet to hear em. The corner thing doesn't bother me, I'm sure they have great centerfill. They do get a little pricey as you keep adding quality goods in the cabinets. My friend suspects I wouldn't stick with them, same as the harbeths, same as the sockoverthespeaker spendors.