harbeth p3esr or usher be 718

Late last year, I was searching for new speakers after living with a pair of Diapason Adamantes for a number of years. I had the Harbeth Compact 7ES3 in home audition for more than a week, then the Usher 718. I ended up returning the C7 and kept the Usher. I felt that although the C7 perhaps sounded more neutral, the Usher certainly sounded more lively and exciting. Instruments sounded a bit more palpable and weighty with the little Ushers.

My system is in the family room, and often I have the music on but sitting in the living room to relax. The Usher sounded better to me sitting in the living room. I would say if you primarily listen front and center 7-8 ft from your speakers, then you might like the neutral sound of the Harbeth better. But moving a bit farther, I felt that the Usher sound carries better.

Oh, and the Usher seems to project a deeper sound stage.

I have a very simple system: Oppo BDP-83SE is the source (a fantastic player), NAD Master M3 integrate feeds the Usher.

Richard

I'm using NAD M3 integrated amp with 180w. The little Ushers sound great with this setup.

I forgot to mention that although the Usher lists at close to 3K, you can find them at discount, probably closer to 2k new. At that price, it's a killer value for the sound you get. And you certainly get more sound from the Usher than from the little Harbeth, given the proper amplification horse power as others have mentioned.

Now that I have listened to both the Usher and Harbeth extensively in the same room, using the same gears, here's what I concluded:

* the P3 has a more detailed sound, but the sound is on the dry, lean side. BE718 puts much more meat on the bone.

* BE718 sounds more like a full-range speaker. It can fill a mid-sized room with ease. If you are into the impact of music, go with BE718, period.

* BE718 is at least 3 db more efficient.

* if you are into rock or anything amplified, go with BE718.

* if you are into quiet music, acoustic, small ensembles, late night listening, go with the Harbeth.

To me, BE718 compete more against C7 rather than the P3.

P3 has it's delicate magic. But after listening to it for a while, I would miss the other qualities of BE718. And vice versa.

BE718 has a much more contemporary styling, but you know that already.