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Spendor 2/3r2 vs. Harbeth 7es3

I'm in the market for new speakers and narrowed it down to either the Spendor 2/3r2 or Harbeth 7es3. I like both a lot and looking for fans or detractors of each. To me, they're somewhat similar but have some different merits: beautiful mid-range and sweet highs, but the Spendor is livelier with bass -- if a little uncontrolled -- and the Harbeth has more balance throughout the spectrum but a little more polite.

I listen to mainly rock, reggae, world, electronic, funk/soul and jazz, and my listening space is 13' w x 25' d x 10' h. I have a REL sub but would rather not rely on it too much. The rest of my system is a Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum int. amp/Rogue Ares phono and mainly listen to vinyl with an Audio Note TT1/AN IQ3.

If you have opinions please let me know.
shumazing

Showing 2 responses by shumazing

shumazing OP
25 posts
 
I should clarify that I'm looking for feedback from people who own or have had experience with either or compared the two side by side. I was only able to hear them on separate occasions and with different electronics feeding them.
shumazing OP
25 posts
 
Yes, agree that the C7ES3 is more forward than the other Harbeth models. I can also see that the Spendor 2/3r2 is slightly less even or slower in the upper-bass/lower mids. But the Spendor also seems to do rock and reggae with more impact and feeling, IMO -- at least that's how I felt when auditioning them. But to your point, I do have a slight feeling I could get annoyed by this slowness or slight inarticulateness in the long run, particularly coming off of using some really quick monitors, like the Sonics Anima I'm currently using.
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