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Harbeth

Thinking of a new compact design speaker for my bedroom system. Currently using cambridge audio ht receiver with quad 11L. Fine setup but just want a change. I'm considering Harbeth 7es-2 preowned with a YBA 201 integrated versus merlin tsm-mxe with ars filharmonia amp, I already own. The harbeth/yba combo with cost around the same as a new set of TSM-Mxe's. Anyone a/b'd these? I'm mostly into jazz/standard singers/acoustics.
jamesw20
madfloyd
411 posts
 
Are Harbeths dark sounding? Is the bass warm to the point of being inarticulate? Do they have any air?

I hear lots of accolades but also enough adjectives that scare me off of them. I'm looking for very detailed & airy speaker that has articulate bass and warm midrange.
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
I'm looking for very detailed & airy speaker that has articulate bass and warm midrange.

You are asking for an oxymoron. In essence an articulate tight bass will tend to strip the midrange of some warmth or softness. A warm sloppy bass will mask the midrange to a fair extent (due to masking) and soften everything.

Masking is the way low frequencies hide higher frequencies to our hearing.
madfloyd
411 posts
 
I don't think you can't have both. For example, Vandersteen 5As have very articulate bass without the side effect of making the midrange lean or masking the highs.

I used to own VR 4.5's that had very flat, articulate bass and extremely warm midrange. OK, these weren't airy in any way...

I'm looking for clarity in all frequency ranges without being OVER lean.
curio's avatar
curio
305 posts
 
I have owned the Harbeth C7ESII for 6 years and it's a fantastic loudspeaker!
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
Madfloyd,

I think you will like B&W more than Harbeth but you could try the SuperHL5 (it might fit in a small space). I suspect the reputed B&W N802's might be the sound you are looking for.
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