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Harbeth again…or other speakers for acoustic music?

Hi!

I’ve been without any decent hifi setup for a few years now but lately had the thoughts of investing in a good system again. Let me tell you little about my background and what I’m searching for. I live in a place far from any hifi-stores, I’ve not so much experience of listening to a lot of different systems or visiting hifi shows, but I’ve been playing music myself, mostly jazz, for about 20 years and have been in many performances both as musician and as audience.

About 5 years ago I first bought a pair of Harbeth P3 second hand along with a Rega amp. Pretty soon I wanted something bigger in scale so I swapped the speakers for a pair of 30.1 and the amp for a Croft 25/7 combo. The sound was really really good in so many ways, best sound and midrange I’ve ever heard before! Even though my apartment back then was not optimal with concrete walls the vocals was very lifelike. But after a while I feeling somehow that something was missing. I’m no bass junkie or so but I was tempted to try something that had little more depth and covered the bass region better, so I was started looking at SHL5+ and C7ES3. I also thought about integration some subs but never tried that route. Swapped the 30.1 for C7 but I was immediately disappointed. I never got them to sound good at my place. I thought they lacked the magic I felt 30.1 had.

 

I ended up selling all my gear, but the sound of 30.1 and Croft combo really etched back in my mind. It was more emotional to listen to music as I ever before had experienced. I prefer listen to acoustic music, jazz, small groups ensembles but occasional big band and some lighter pop, but looking for something that excells with vocals and acoustic instruments. It can absolutely be little on the warmer sound, I can’t stand harsh and cold sound.


So now I’m looking for a system again and would like to hear what suggestions you have. I listen to low to modest volumes. No heavy rock or metal. I need something that can play good on low volume. HE speakers and a SET amp would be an alternative but also is Harbeth. I know there’s 30.2 now and XD. Integrating with subs could be Ok. My living room is about 15x12 feet and the speakers cannot be to big and dominant, ex Quad ESL is not an option. There is a few softer walls and I think 1 concrete wall.

 

Happy to hear your thoughts..

philsons
verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,469 posts
 

Harbeth are wonderful speakers, as are Spendors.  Both pair extremely well with Hegel which is a warm and clear integrated amp. If you want something with more harmonics and is a bit more musical, I like AVM as the kind of opposite end of the integrated spectrum. 

There is this whole explanation about small apartments in London and the need to sound good at low volumes explaining the design choices of brands like Harbeth and Spendor.  

You could certainly do something like a Tannoy or Fyne but you will want to make sure you are at the very warm end of the amp spectrum to make sure you don't drift bright.  I like AVM or a tube amp with these sorts of speakers.  

I am a dealer for Hegel and AVM, I have no affiliation with any of the speaker brands here.  

sbank's avatar
sbank
3,378 posts
 

Devore Fidelity is another speaker brand that sounds like it meets what you're after. While designed and tested to work well with both SS & tube amps, SET are a good match. John Devore does some excellent youtube videos sharing great insights into his philosophy, priorities, etc. Compatibility with modest sized rooms is one of those priorities. 

They are one of the few speaker brands that I've got in my sights if ever moving to a small space incompatible w/ my large electrostatics. Cheers,

Spencer 

timo62
279 posts
 

philsons,

In a perfect world , the Harbeth M40.1 , or M40.2 would be your next best logical choice to try. This is considering the fact that you really enjoyed the Harbeth 30.1 sound and are looking for something that has little more depth and covered the bass region better.

The M40s is just a larger version of the M30s. As you stated you have a smaller room and are not looking to place large speakers in your listening rooms , so I would imagine the Harbeth M40s would be too large. 

 

Since you really enjoyed the M30.1 ,  it might be worth trying to integrate a sub with them.

The Harbeth SHL5+ do have a more full range sound and would give you that lower bass extension with the Harbeth house sound. They do sound different from the M40s and M30s though. It would be something you would have to try to learn if you would enjoy them. Probably better to find a used pair in mint condition ,so you could sell without having a big loss ,if they were not to you liking.

avanti1960
1,411 posts
 

I had the C7ES3 and while I liked them they were a touch too rich and occasionally lacking detail.  

I went through a few other brands and eventually came back to Harbeth with the SHL5+.  They have different sound compared to the C7.  More detail and an incredibly transparent midrange as well as better bass.  They are my long term speaker.   Like any, they thrive when you set them up properly and will respond well to quality amplification and sources.  

Good stands, proper placement and toe-in, etc. are critical.  

I used tube amps with excellent results- e.g. a Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum and Stereo 100.  Currently running a Cary tube preamp and Pass Labs solid state amp.  

fiesta75
1,378 posts
 

Harbeths are too colored for my taste.

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