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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 ddafoe

ddafoe
238 posts
 

For my last round of speaker purchase (maybe 5 years ago at this point) I had Harbeth SHL5+ and 40.2 on my demo list along with Spendor, B&W, and KEF.

I was most excited to hear Harbeths as I had never heard them before. I demoed both Harbeths in a smaller room to match what I use at home (12x17) and I liked the sound of both and get why so many folks like their house sound, but for me what they don’t excel at out weighed their strengths (yes, I really liked their midrange...).

Anyhow, at that time the SHL5+ was US ~$6700+stands and the 40.2 was $14,999+stands and I thought the SHL5+ was decent value, and 40.2 relatively not so much at least in the room that size, but imagine its strengths show up more in a larger room. I ended up with Spendor D9s which had an MSRP of $10K back then and I remember at the time thinking compared to the 40.2 were pretty amazing value for a big top of the line UK built speaker, that I really liked the sound of.

Fast forward to 2021 and the Spendor D9.2 is $12K and the 40.3XD is $22.5K+stands. That is now a very big difference! I believe Spendor is made in Sussex (right?) and the D9 also has a decent surface area with fine quality wood veneer, custom drivers, etc.; and the big box Spendor Classic 100 is ~ $13K.

 

 

ddafoe
238 posts
 

For those that say they are overpriced I would be interested in which less expensive speakers sounded better to you.

It goes without saying in this hobby that 'better ' is pretty arbitrary and about personal preference, especially for speakers.   

That being said, when explicitly looking at US MSRP, to me the outlier in the Harbeth line is the cost of the 40.3XD.

e.g.

https://store.acousticsounds.com/d/132377/Spendor-SPENDOR_CLASSIC_100-Speakers

vs

https://store.acousticsounds.com/d/154678/Harbeth_Speakers-Monitor_403_XD-Speakers

I've seen some used 40.3s recently going for prices I would feel comfortable paying for them if I thought I could make them work in my smallish room.

It is not like there are no other high quality speakers that MSRP around its used prices though.   Here is my current upgrade list and I've been able to demo 3 of them so far with more to come shortly hopefully.

I'm not going to argue any or all of these are 'better' than the $24.5K 40.3, but I think it is safe to say the 40.3 has some serious competition at its current price point in the US...

Vandy Quatro Wood CT $18K

Vivid Kaya 45 $18K

Joseph Audio Perspective2 $15K

Yamaha NS5000 $15K

Spendor D9.2 $13K (currently own D9s when MSRP was $10K and 40.2 $15K).

Fleetwood Deville $12.6K

Fyne F1-8 and 7 series $10 to $14K

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