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Why are so many companies like harbeth making old speakers designs and charging thousends?

Hi everyone I am a little confused about the speaker market. I had been two dealers that sell totally different products. The one I had been to which I bought my forests from sells Totem And Monitor Audio and B&W. though I went to the other that sells Harbeth And audio note speakers which they recommended me buying. And the problem I have trouble understanding Is when I spend thousands on a speaker. Especially my next big purchase. That has no real new technology and is the size of my dads old conerwalls and never use to cost Thousands to build. With no technological advancements. to a product such as the totem that is small compact and modern for the wife approval , and to be more exact. The new Element line and technologically advanced like the torrent driver. Which I can get the same speaker as the same cost or less of the audio note and Harbeth and dose not need to take up the whole room or look like the 70's. Whats your opinion? Would you buy a product that is a 30 year old design that costs 5 times as more with the only diffinceses as upgraded silver wire and upgraded crossover components. To a thousand dollar woofer that is machined not stamped and has so much magnetic flux that it ca lift a car and no crossover?
128x128jakecanada
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,182 posts
 
There were some Harbeths in a room at CAF.  I would have loved to hear them but they were not running at the time.  

They definitely have a nice and unique aesthetic charm and seem to get good reviews so why shouldn't people want them.
spinnin
5 posts
 
USD to Pound exchange is part of the price difference because they are manufactured in the UK.

derrickengineer
36 posts
 
I agree with you Jakecanada on the harbeth speakers as they look like something I can make in my garage. I prefer some science into cabinet structure and resonance compared to a box that may sound ok but when you open it up theres not much to it other than a wooden box. Legacy Audio and B&W among others do tons of research and design for a great sounding speaker that has the perception that your getting a great product for your hard earned dollar. Cheers. D.
extravaganza
373 posts
 
but this wooden box works fantastic with acoustic guitars recordings like " "Angus and Julia stone" or "Jack Johnson"

ryder
1,689 posts
 
Hi Jakecanada,

As some have pointed out, the Harbeths look old-school but the technology is not exactly old. The Radial drivers are made in-house in the Harbeth UK factory and the tweeters are sourced from SEAS. The cabinet of the speakers is made and assembled in the UK (British workmanship). The speakers may look "old-fashioned" or cheap to some, but upon closer inspection the build quality of the speakers is high. The new Super HL5 Plus and Compact 7ES3 are my favorite speakers in the Harbeth line.

In the end, it is the sound that matters. The Harbeth house sound will not appeal to all, though the speakers are generally a pleasing listen. They are not exactly costly speakers and are considered as mid-end.
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