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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
musicaddict
370 posts
 

Years ago at RMAF I heard a Bricasti Design DAC and (?amp, not his) power a large three-way pair of Harbeths (ported as I recall) that looked like big monitors.

Classical music is okay and I own some (not enough) and work at it but hearing that setup with classical music made me want to stay for hours. It was stunning sound due in no part to those speakers as well as electronics.  It was one of a very few show moments (over a dozen years) that I never forget....

donvito
395 posts
 

The Harbeth P3 is one of the best sounding small monitor type speaker that I have owned. IMO, there are many others that don’t come close!!

 

b_limo's avatar
b_limo
2,273 posts
 

There are others that compete with Harbeth and are better in some regards but Harbeth has a unique sound.  Very smooth, sparkly, just delicious sounding.  I haven’t heard them at high volumes but low to moderate volumes, they sound really sweet.

big_greg
6,567 posts
 

I was enchanted by the Harbeth sound after hearing the P3ESR and Super HL5 Plus at a friend's house.  The detail and soundstaging were amazing, and as others have said, the midrange.  It was easy to close your eyes and imagine Jennifer Warnes a few feet away and hearing every breath as she sang.  My friend went on to the 40.2s, which were incredible.

I ended up buying both for my home.  I'm still in love with the P3ESR which are set up in a small system near field with a small sub.  The Super HL5 Plus don't hold up (in my room, with my gear) when pushed to loud volumes.  I usually listen at moderate volumes but like to rock out once in a while, and that's when things get a little bright.  I also have a pair of Stirling LS3/6 which are based on the same design as the Super HL5 Plus.  They are not quite as detailed but are a little easier to listen to at higher volumes and are soundstage champs.  You have to hear them to appreciate them.

deadhead1000's avatar
deadhead1000
711 posts
 

I love my Harbeth’s, but would not recommend them for hard rock, they are in my opinion, not ‘fast’, they do not “rock”, by which I mean AC/DC sounds polite. Amazing for vocal, acoustic, classical, blues, jazz, but if Pantera or Ghost is your cup of tea, I’d suggest other speakers. They don’t sound bad with hard rock, but I have heard much better with other speakers for that type of music. 

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