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My Harbeth C7ES-3 story...

I’ve been using Zu Omen DW’s for the past 2yrs and really enjoy them.

every time I go to RMAF I find myself enjoying the Harbeth and Spendor speakers, so I started researching them, stumbled upon the “bbc midrange magic” touted and everything thing I read pointed to something I thought I’d like.

my first step was to grab a pair of used Spendor S3/5’s. My thinking was if I enjoyed them I would then look for a bigger style. I was first looking at the Spendor A4 and A6R’s and as I kept reading I ran across the Harbeths. In particular the C7ES3 (Compact 7’s).

At this point I had researched like crazy and had my eye on a pair of used Spendor A6R’s. It was really hard to find used C7’s so I was leaning towards the Spendors.

I had a work trip coming up to Toronto and one day the week before as I’ve been scouring the audio marts a pair of C7’s popped up, and low and behold they were in Toronto!! 1 mile from the hotel I was staying. So I pinged the guy and we started talking. Told him I’ll be in town etc. so I setup a time to go over to his house. They were mint condition with original boxes, consecutive serials etc so I grabbed them! Best part the dollar is strong against Canadian so ended up getting them for 50% off new.

Another great part is the boxes are not too big and was able to check them in on the plane, so shipped them back with me for $60.

Got them home and now I have them setup on some Skylans.

my biggest fear was the low end was not going to be full enough but boy was I wrong. First impressions from just 1hr of listening... the Zu’s will be hitting the market. Everyone says the Zu’s are very forward which I was fine with and they have their place, but after hearing the magic sound of the Harbeths it suits my style better.

I’ll follow up with more impressions later.
128x128kray
ianrmack
227 posts
 
Had an LFD NCSE II driving Harbeth C7s for 2 years. Always needed a sub to get where I wanted it to go. The LFD had an issue one day and I took it to the best private stereo repair place in Chicago.

He opened it up and laughed out loud. 
It was like a heath Kit radio. I was shocked. 

I had an LFD III tyhen a IV then an NCSE.
Always thought good for classical and jazz but lacking for rok to Harbeths.

I have a Belles Soloist 1 driving Dyn S-40s and FOR ME it works.. Fuller more dynamic sound.
fjn04
1,561 posts
 
Heard the LFD and Harbeth combo lacked the drive for Harbeth before. This person actually suggested a lower priced integrated in favor of LFD for just that reason. The name is escaping me... a british line but not Naim. Also looking to pick up a pair of 7’s. I enjoyed my time with the P3’s, but I want to play in a larger room ( 23 X 12 X 8), and the 3’s got lost in there. I also hope my Croft lights up the 7’s a bit more than it did the 3’s. I would think with the 2.5 DB difference it should be better. As far as good for rock, that may be another question. Kray- interested to hear your findings with some healthy tubewatts running the C7’s. I hate to say this but I’d like to hear a Cary Sli-80 in to the 7’s...the older version with all tubed PS. Enjoy the ride!
kray's avatar
kray OP
229 posts
 
@fjn04 i had no issue with full sound driving the C7’s with the LFD MK IV. I’ve heard from another friend that owned several LFD’S that the MK IV was the meatier of the amps he had. So much that he sold his NCSE and went back to the MK IV. 

Ive since found my fav amp with the C7’s. A Line Magnetic 518ia, 22wpc of class a SET. so much so I’m done with amps for a while, and moving on to trying out DACs. 

For your room size I also would not rule out the Rogue Cronus Magnum II. It was my second favorite and pushes out 100wpc with the KT120’s
rocray's avatar
rocray
1,448 posts
 
Congratulations on finding the right integrated amp! 
fjn04
1,561 posts
 
Oh wow...that would be awesome if I could go low power tubes with my C7's. I should have mine in a few days. Good for you Kray. (-:
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