What Is So Special About Harbeth?

This thread is really not helping the brand. It seems that if you want to experience distortion, er um sorry, no distortion, whatever, that the only way to really hear this schitzophrenic speaker is with a Hegel amp

Lol! Harbeth has been around for 40 years and has a sizable customer base. I really don't think it needs to be 'helped'. I'm running the SHL5+ with a 50 watt class A tube amp, never heard better sound in my listening room. Obviously, it's not for everyone and is not perfect. Which speaker is?

I think it's the marketing prowess of the distributors more than Harbeth as a company, but effective marketing doesn't require an army of marketing majors. It really only takes one person who understands the market and what drives sales. 

I hardly see any commercial marketing of Harbeth. I think it is the influence of the fanbase more than anything else (e.g. look at discussions here on Audiogon).

For myself, Harbeth is excellent for my listening (mostly classical music), and I do consider myself a fan. However I can see that Harbeth isn't ideal for all types of music.

@jjss49 ,

I lost somehow a long reply to you so I'll try again a shorter version.

I have no 'stake' in this!

I have an opinion, just like anyone else and just like you.

Do I think Harbeth are overpriced? ...Yes

Do I like their overly complex crossovers and the explanation for such? ... NO

This is my opinion.

I am not competing with anybody and have absolutely no agenda. You have been around this forum for a long time and will not be able to point to any of my posts where I have tried to sell anything. Most of my posts are about acoustics, speaking of which, looking at your room perhaps you could consider adding a few more treatments  😉

I have been asked to custom design and have. Mostly for bands, gigs and clubs. Also for an audio outlet. I do the prototyping and if approved sell them the design which includes dimensions of the cabinet and XO details. Am I in competition with Harbeth? LOL

I called out tomic601 for posting stuff on XOs that just makes no sense and is misleading.

It was not my intention to piss anybody's battery wet, but every single product on the market has those who think it's great and those who disagree. Just the way it is, is it not? 

To me I find Vandersteen's speakers to be better value. He does not indulge in aggressive marketing, they are sensibly priced, sound great and perform well with any genre.  Again this is my opinion. and opinions are the reason and backbone of a forum.

Lastly, you are welcome to pop over for a visit to hear first hand my designs. I mean that sincerely. I live in Ireland.

Will I buy harbeth speakers again?-No .I found them limited

Why I bought them?because I got interested in them reading various positive posts abaut them here on audiogon and elsewhere 11years ago.Creating such posts might be one of the ways of hidden agenda-secret marketing tool.It cost nothing- just time:)

Is there better speakers with midrange bloom,better dynamics,same price?yes it is:)

@extravaganza, you make a very good point 👍