2. speakers
  3. 126623-12990

Electronics for Harbeth, Especially Monitor 40 series

Hello,
Has anyone tried matching "fast" solid-state to the big Harbeths. Something like Goldmund, Soulution, Spectral, etc. The speakers have great tone but can be a little stodgy. I was wondering if this would open them up a bit. Also, has anyone tried using an LDR passive such as Tortuga or Lightspeed for the same reason
paullb
redwineaudio
32 posts
 
Hi Jason,

I have them toed in so they cross at my head (not in front of it, not
behind it). 

And as you'll see from my measurements above, the two speakers
are separated farther apart than the distance from each speaker to
ear.  I believe they cross at my head to form an approx. 90 degree angle. 
This works very well for near field listening.

The soundstage is very wide with a strong center image, and the depth is also excellent.

Vinnie

jayrossi13's avatar
jayrossi13
183 posts
 
@redwineaudio 

I experimented a bit this weekend with this config; it worked really well with my SHL5+. 

The depth of sound stage and the presence of the performers is really amazing. I also have three Argent Roomlens (one in between the speakers, approx. 6' behind, and one flanking each speaker). 

Thanks for the insight, I can see why an "off the grid" amp would perform really well this close to the speakers (I can hear some noise that I couldn't previously hear from 7' away). 

Jason


redwineaudio
32 posts
 
Hi Jason,

Very cool!  Glad you tried it and are enjoying it!

Vinnie
redwineaudio
32 posts
 
Hi Jason,

oops - i gave you the dimensions above that I wrote down for the P3ESR's.

For the 40.1's, it should be:
71" tweeter to tweeter
50" ear to tweeter

I double checked this last evening ;-)

Of course feel free to experiment!

have fun!

Vinnie
larryi
3,982 posts
 

I have only heard the 40.2 with tube amps.  It sounded particularly good with a new re-build of the old Western Electric 124 amp.  This amp puts out about 12 watts; I don't think high powered amps are a requirement with these speakers. 

If speakers sound stodgy and lacking in speed or life, I don't necessarily thing solid state is the way to go.  Yes, solid state can deliver a lot of power, but, that means playing the speakers at much higher volume to bring them to life.  With good tube amps, you get a livelier sound at lower volume levels.  If the sense of speed and liveliness is a priority, you should also look into output transformerless tube amps.

More to discover