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Harbeth P3ESR vs Fritz Rev 5 vs DeVore Gibbon 3XL

Ok, here's the deal.....

I'd like to assemble a secondary two channel music system in my small den. It is only 11.5 ft by 11.5 ft .....so not only is it very small, but also square! Also, because the room is so small, the speakers will have to be placed quite close to the wall that resides behind the back of the speaker. Yikes!

The music I'd like to listen to in this room would be vocals, violin/cello sonatas, piano, and anything acoustical in nature.

Tone and timbre are of paramount importance to me. I do not want to use a subwoofer.....hoping one would not be needed for the above listed music types.

There are no Fritz dealers, but he does allow an in home trial....very nice!
The closest DeVore dealer is several states away from me.
The closest Harbeth dealer is a 12 hour round trip car ride for me.

So, if anyone here has had any experience with the above mentioned speakers and could share any insight of how they may perform in my small and non-optimum room.....it would be greatly appreciated.
no_regrets
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
+1 on the AXPONA suggestion. And perhaps you could hit other Hifi sellers in Chicago, like Decibel who sells Harbeth.
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drubin
3,274 posts
 
I've owned 4 different models of Harbeths and the P3ESR is my favorite. It is magical. But if you like a big sound and a decent effort at bass, it might not be the best choice.
alexander717
5 posts
 
Donvito, could you please elaborate on the Spendor 3/5R. It is not much mentioned and less favored than than the Harbeth P3; the price, however, is much more reasonable.
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
And if you are thinking BBC monitor tradition, I'd check out the KEF LS50s. Some reviews seem to suggest that they better the Harbeth P3ESR. Check out reviews by Stereophile and Steve Guttenberg (his speaker of the year).

I have a pair on the way. Very excited...
no_regrets OP
523 posts
 
Hi Drubin,

Thank you for your response.

What is it about the P3ESR that makes it your favorite of the other Harbeths you have owned?

What makes the little one so magical...more so than the others?

Do you have an opinion on how the P3ESR or any of the other Harbeths would work in my small den of 11.5ft by 11.5 ft?

Also, most importantly......do you feel that the P3ESR miniaturizes the sound of instruments compared to the other Harbeth models?

Sorry for all the questions, but it seems as though you may have much experience with the Harbeth line.

Any thoughts you could share with me would be greatly appreciated.
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