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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
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 

@avanti1960 

we all hear differently

i am simply reporting what the manufacturer intended with the update

xd = 'extended definition'

happy listening

acdvd
122 posts
 

Do any of you have the shl5 plus in tiger ebony. Is that a sought after colour ?

oyie2000
13 posts
 

Recently acquired a used set of mint SHL5 Plus 40th Anniversary with TonTrager stands at a decent price which I consider a much better value compared to buying both speakers and stands brand new.  Purchased the set without ever auditioning any Harbeth speakers prior. I based my decision primarily on the collective experiences of everyone online and understood the strengths and weakness of the brand. Most importantly, one needs to know their priorities and preferences for sound. My music preferences mirrors the OPs and listening habits not needing SPLs beyond 85dB, Even when demoing to F&F, there's no need to crank it up to show how great a system sounds unless you and your friends are into same loud concert SPLs. 

Harbeth brand is not for everyone. Luckily, it is for me. 

No regrets here.  I can see myself enjoying this kit for years to come. 

 

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mrip
7 posts
 

I bought p3esr xds and based on what I’ve read was prepared to be wowed but ended up selling them after a few weeks. I thought they sounded like a good small speaker, for a narrow range of simple acoustic or vocal music. I thought rock sounded flat, compressed, and a bit muddled. I also felt there was a bit of a treble edge which was unexpected. Maybe what bothered me the most is that the box vibrates like a cello and bass sounds like the product of a vibrating box rather than the driver. At first i tried them on some hollow stands and the stands literally rang like a bell. I gave them a go replacing genelecs in my desktop setup and the sound was noticeably stuck in the boxes in comparison, and they vibrated the desk. I might have kept them at maybe half price.

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