Are Harbeths really "all that?"

I was wondering about them too.. I mean they are OUTRAGEOUSLY priced for what you get (or so it appears to me) and what, the similiar Spendor configurations are about half priced?

I had a startling experience in hearing some very expensive gear recently with huge credentials and reviews, and it was boring as the dickens. And it has received raves from reviewers I seem to like.

This doesn't necessarily mean this well praised gear sucks,3but rather the setup you heard sucked.

Many will say the Harbeth's can be in the love/hate camp; I heard the 40.1's at a show last year and they sounded great; I heard the HL5 (supers ?) at the same show this year and was disappointed, BUT I also believe a better (or different) setup may have helped.

Brian

I tend to agree in it being taste..I had the HL Super 5 in my home for a week and couldn't live with them at all.I found them a touch boring..But many love them so you have to decide by hearing them live only .....

NO!!!I just heard the 40.1 demoed a couple weeks ago...Old technology and extremely overpriced compared to whats out there

When I look at them, driver configuration, cabinet size, etc., I have trouble reconciling the price with what I see. I suspect its a boutique type sound that some will love and not be able to live without. But the fact is I have never heard them. Would like to though.

There is an A'goner who just acquired a pair of nice Harbeths to replace some very nice large Dynaudios. Results reported are mixed so far. HE reports that the Harbeths are more satisfying at lower to moderate listening levels. That is not the greatest strength of Dyns in my experience so I can believe that. Using a good higher power, higher current, more efficient amp can often solve that problem with many speaks though I have found, including Dyns.