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

Kudos to you Garebear for admitting your mistake. Far too many people try to talk themsevles into a product that they don't really like down deep. Denial for sure. But you have accepted that they may not be your cup o'tea in a public forum. Admirable....

Shakey

It's a hit and miss thing when it comes to choosing the right speakers based on reviews and advice on the forums. Sorry to hear that the 40.1's did not work out for you. One point to note is the Classe are smooth amps. I don't know about the Delta series but having owned the CAP-100 and listened to the Classe separates I have a general idea of how Classe sounds like. When matched with the equally warm and smooth Harbeth it can be too much of a good thing -smooth, flat, uninvolving and lacking in dynamics. An amp change will improve things, and the real question is whether the degree of improvement is significant enough to transform the whole presentation of the 40.1s, or the difference is subtle at best. That only the listener can answer for himself.

If you want the Harbeths to rock and boogie, Naim amps will provide that edge, and I have tried half a dozen amps. If the 40.1's still fail to rock and boogie with the Naims then the Harbeths are not the speaker for you and remain as a pregnant girlfriend.

A friend of mine, a 40.1 owner who tried a plethora of amps on the speakers(Leben CS600, LFD LEIII, Pathos Logos, Rega Elicit, Sansui, Hungarian-made tube amp and a couple more) also had the same predicament. He couldn't enjoy his music from the 40.1's with these amps as music lacked sparkle and life. He now owns the Naim 32.5 with Avondale boards and 135 amps and is now keeping the speakers. Having said that there also few Harbeth users who changed to other speakers despite using Naim amps on them.

If you want to salvage the 40.1s you might want to consider the Naims. Judging from your response above I think it is a safer bet that you sell them. The 40.1's will not sound like your previous Avalon Eclipse even when driven by the Naim.

Shadorne made a good point. The Compact 7ES3 may be the most successful speaker in the Harbeth line that is quite versatile across a wide genre of music.

Yes it seems that Harbeth designs vary a lot from model to model and the 40.1 is not the star in their line up - I'd say the Compact 7ES-3 is their best at the moment.

.....okay, would like to use this opportunity to follow up on my original post. I have now owned the Harbeth 40.1's for a month and they were bought demo so they were broken in. I asked if these speakers can '' boogie'' and without any hesitation I can now say ...NO. They do have their moments but are few and far between but for the most part I find them very un-involving, flat and I guess just plain....blahhhhhhh. I bought them with only a quick listen and also used reviews and also the great members here on Audiogon. My electronics are top of the line Classe' Delta series, Esoteric P-05 and D-05 and all Pursit Audio 2Oth Anniversary Cables ...all equipment is on HRS Platforms and the room has been ASC treated......I guess they are now like a pregnant girlfiend. They are mine for awhile as I have three more big monthly payments to make on them. I should have kept my old 2-way Avalon Eclipse's that were 12 years old as they can run circles around the Harbeth's.....big mistake and like the proverbial pregnant girlfriend - I'm stuck with them for now

Here's a url fyi:

http://www.harbeth.co.uk/usergroup/showthread.php?312-Harbeth-Monitor-40.1-specific

Airegin - what are saying as I am not in a position to read what Allan Shaw has said about the 40.1's.....please let us / me know

I have the Eucalyptus SHL5's. Spent time with the 40 and 40.1's. Besides the HL5's I also have a pair of the Compact 7 ES-3 Anniversary sets in (very light blond color) Maple. If you're going to rock Tom, the extra bass of the 40.1's is a good thing. You have read Alan Shaw's posts on the Harbeth users group - right? He's is one the most non-BS people in the speaker biz. See if you can buy used from a 40.1 seller who also has the correct stands to match.

Airegin, which harbeths are you using? My findings with the 40.1s and R&B, Soul, and blues are that they really shine with this type of music.

Consider the economy and the protracted recession which may be
pushing some people to sell items they would not have during the good times. Audition any gear thoroughly before buying. Disclaimer: Love my Harbeth's more than any speaker I've owned and I say that with the tube and SS gear I've used them with. Listen mostly to classical, Jazz, vocals, and solo acoustic. If the bulk of my listening was to rock, R&B, blues, etc. I would probably have bought another brand of speaker.

I listen to some of everything you have on your list and they sound great. This is s good time to buy used, take advantage of it, They dont always come up in bunches like they are now.

The answer is yes,yes,YES!I auditioned about six of my favorite CDs with them, including Live Cream, and other rowdy stuff, and for sure they are bold as you please with rock. Very special, and I wish I owned them.

I think the word your looking for is Boogie!! I heard these fine speakers powered by Audio Research equipment at a dealer and yes,the boogie factor was indeed high.