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What Is So Special About Harbeth?

SLike probably all of you, I just received notice from Audiogon of a 20% discount on Harbeth XD. I clicked on the tab and found that the sale price is about $2700. I have read so many glowing comments here about Harbeth — as if just saying the name is the password for entering aural nirvana. I admit, I haven’t listened to Harbeth speakers. But looking at these, they just look like smallish bookshelf speakers. I’m not questioning how good others say these speakers are, but HOW do they do it out of an ordinary-looking box?

Is it the wood? Is it the bracing? Is it the crossover components? Is it the cone material? What is the reason why these Harbeth’s are such gems compared to other bookshelf speakers? What is it about the construction or technology that makes these speakers a deal at $2700 on sale versus the $800, 900 or $1,000 that others normally cost? What is the secret that makes audiophiles thrill to get such a costly bargain?

bob540

Showing 2 responses by ctwith3

ctwith3's avatar
ctwith3
71 posts
 

Are you looking for a certain sound, or an accurate representation of the music as recorded? How many professional live performances have you attended in a proper acoustically balanced environment have you attended?

i own a pair of 30.2 XDs connected to a Belles Virtuoso power amp and have can tell you that what is so special about them is that they present the music, not a brand’s house sound. If you like a brand’s house sound you should buy that speaker, because our hearing can be subjective if we don’t know what we really are supposed to be hearing, not what you like hearing.

My 30.2XDs are accurate, and never tiring to listen too. I used to enjoy a pair of top-tier B&Ws and thought they sounded great, until I retired and had the time to sit and actually listen to them for long periods of time- they turned out to be bright and fatiguing. I found similar fatigue when auditioning many other speakers.
 

Love my Harbeths.

 

ctwith3's avatar
ctwith3
71 posts
 

@jjss49 Well said.

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