Can the Harbeth 40.1's boggie ?????

Garbear, I tend to agree with Onhwy61. Its hard to get the ideal sound from one system on all genre's and I run 4 systems, mind you with budget equipment. Perhaps a set of Wilson Audio speakers might whn well matched.

I own a 40.1 and they do have endearing qualities but sadly they do not rock. A change out on cables and equipment helps but still.....not quite there. Very noticeable when you listen to a drum kit playing through them, a tad slower than i'd like them to be.

Alan Shaw said once they dont rock but I am not sure whether he means they cant develop the required spls or they are just not cut out to deliver the ideal rock sound.I think the latter. Drop him a line at the Harbeth user forum. I am told he used to be a bit of a rocker himself!!!

If you do find the equipment which can deliver a healthy boost of steroids to the 40.1,please do share. I'd be keen to know.

I had the Cremona before the M and did find it a tad dark and requiring some considerable current to control the bass drivers otherwise bass came out one note and lumpy. The M is a considerable improvement.

I sold the Cremona and it was a toss between the Cremona M or the 40.1. I bought the 40.1 and for a while I wasnt quite sure whether it could boogie. In a state of denial? another boo boo.... in boogie? Hats off to you Garebear for being incisive in your decision.

After these long months and much experimentation with different equipment, my conclusion is it doesnt boogie but will allow you a jig with the right equipment.

I am inclined to agree that the tweeter may be abit tame to allow it the "speed" to boogie but thats my view.

I really shouldnt be suprised with my conclusion as some of the boys on the Harbeth site including Alan Shaw the designer are now having a go at defining fast and slow speakers and PRaT. Of course the conclusion is, its all a figment of an over analytical approach to music or a neurosis as suggested in the past.

Hi Donjr....bold statement but beg to differ. Make it a point to listen to live performances as often as I can. Swan Lake at the Hermitage in St. Petersburg a week ago, before that a jazz quartet at a jazz bar in Melbourne and before that the sound check of a professional system in an open field for indie and rock performances later that night. A live band was used for the test.Incredible sound....exhilarating. And before that....I forget.....perhaps one of the many gigs my brother was playing in.

Harbeth make some good speakers which are easy to listen to but do they reproduce the sound of a live performance? in my view....far from it. I have heard quite a few Harbeth setups and none have yet come anywhere close to reproducing one. In fact, I try not to listen to my system after a live performance as it pales, pales, pales in comparison.

Well one could say, perhaps its the equipment upfront but that would run counter to what they tell me that with a Harbeth, any reasonably decent amp will do.

Just my view.