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Harbeth vs JM Reynaud

Hoping for some input. I come from a Spendor perspective (my daughter recently inherited my BC-1s) and currently use Spendor s5e's with a Unison Unico hybrid integrated amp. Sound is wonderful. I have seen all the discussions/reviews of Spendor, Harbeth, Stirling, and ATCs, and I am partial to getting the midrange 'right' (the 'BBC' sound). With a 60th birthday coming up, I've been looking into one last speaker upgrade. With all the rave reviews of Harbeth's, I got to spend some time auditioning the Compact 7's, M30.1s and Super HL5's (not the plus). All sounded great but the 30.1's really seemed like something special. I was able to take a pair home for a weeklong audition, and truly fell in love of what these do. So now the problem. I have recently come across a several reviews of JM Reynaud speakers, including some recommendations on this forum as an alternative to Spendor and Harbeth. These really look like possible option for the BBC sound, but there is no opportunity for an audition, and that's a lot of $$ to buy completely unheard. Can anyone provide some thoughts feedback on how the JMR Bliss Silver or the Offrande Supreme's might compare to the Harbeth 30.1s or Super HL5 plus? My living/listening room is 15 x 25 (speakers on short wall), hardwood floors and plaster walls.
ihor
wim1983's avatar
wim1983
221 posts
 
@Jtnicolosi: It seem it is more musical color on Reynauds than Harbeth, the 30.1 monitor flat, colorless, neutral and transparency could be a bit too much, which happen to be too analytical and clinical I suppose?
fjn04
1,561 posts
 
Interesting thread. There is review of the JMR Twin and Cantabile in Positive-feedback issue 25. It's the same review, both speakers.... The reviewer compares the JMR's to the Compact 7ES in the review. I only say this based on specs, but perhaps the JMR is also a more tube friendly speaker.
taters
1,149 posts
 
Wim 1983,

I have never heard Harbeth speakers described as analytical or clinical. That has to be a first.
irish
32 posts
 
I own a pair of Reynaud Bliss Silvers with Magic Stands.

Warm, fast, and detailed in one package, which is difficult to achieve.

They should be more popular, but are rarely at audio shows and only a handful of dealers in the US.
wim1983's avatar
wim1983
221 posts
 
@Taters: hmm, it could be due to a lot factors, monitor exist for a reason, that is people need to hear everything in recording. I dun think every model of Harbeth sound the same, which eventually result in different user choice, having say that the sound that make a user think it already cross the red borderline, is no standard measure, even sound slightly bright treble, could lead to user irritations. The larger the music collections you listen to, it's harder to get a speakers to present those music that pleasure in every way. I think both Harbeth and JM Reynaud got their own weaknesses, just that whether the listneners are able to accept
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