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Harbeth C7ES3 vs Spendor SP2/3R2

I recently acquired some beautiful Harbeth C7ES3 stand mount speakers and some Sound Anchor stands.

I normally wouldn't purchase speakers unheard, but I went against my own advice this time and let all the internet hype sway my risky decision.

The Harbeths are currently in the break-in period, and so far I'm not terribly impressed. In fact, the only trait I prefer over my MA Silver 8s is the midrange tone, everything else is inferior thus far.

I realize that comparing some medium sized, metal cone floor standers to BBC style 2-ways is apples to oranges, but I was really hoping the Harbeths would captivate me, if by completely different merits. 

I hope that some break-in will change my view in the coming days. However, the dealer I bought these from claims that the Spendor SP2/3R2 might be the better speaker for my room and preferences. The Spendors are another $500 on top of the Harbeths which already stretched my budget.

Anyway, I'm curious if anyone here has compared these two models and can give me some feedback.

I think I'd be very pleased with the Spendors if they offered better bass extension and dynamics over the Harbeths.

I know this is all subjective, but the dealers near me have trouble accommodating in-home trials. They're nice guys but very busy. 


helomech
digsmithd
913 posts
 

Cool...good to hear "pun"...spendors would have definitely been a short list...knowing there pedigree...it is something that i would have like to try as well...

Its nice to know right from the start that you have entered into something thats going to be right match for you.

...what model did you end up with?...curious
helomech OP
1,692 posts
 
The SP2/3R2 
fjn04
1,561 posts
 
Sounds like you have some good synergy going with your amp. I have enjoyed both Spendor 3/5R's, and Harbeth P3esr.  At the moment, the latter is singing with a Croft phono integrated amp. Silly good at it's price point. Congrats on a great speaker.
digsmithd
913 posts
 

Friend had same speaker some years ago...nice choice...alot of "not so little speaker"...should be getting some lowend out of those...Handfull of little English made stand mounts are to beat...

Kind of ashamed to admit I have the atc 19's for some time...until recently I removed the grills thinking that these things aren't clothed and how much difference could it make anyhow since they are perforated...holy shtuff...

Wow...its like a wayyy! different animal...what took me so long...doh

helomech OP
1,692 posts
 
Thanks fjn04, these British monitor brands are great.

Digsmthd, 

The lower cycles fill the room with ease, but the midbass can be somewhat anemic still. I need to experiment with placement. I think my room is difficult for most speakers in one way or another. With my MA Silvers, it was a fine line between bass boom and too little bass, so my hunch is that I've got some null effects going on. These speakers are worth moving my system to one of my auxiliary bedrooms if necessary.
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