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.
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.
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.
- ...
- 40 posts total
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 |
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. |
That’s why i went with atc/no port...lower end im little room way boomy...placement and room treatment is everything...got mine placed as well as im ever going to get...friend came over for a listem his jaw dropped...right from the start he commented that they were placed really well/even toned it sounded...do have bass traps in each corner of the room/no side reflection...thats it since i have axis pointed pretty much right at me...fwiw.enjoy! Will add that my room is the smallest room (12.5’ by 10’) I have ever had to work with...I was cursing the audio death sentence...much to my chagrin...could not be more surprised. as it is right now its the best sound stage I have ever had...its all there...really satisfying to nail it as close as I did... |
I have the C7s since last May and went through the same thing you are. Not quite a year later and NO BODY is taking these things from me. They are speakers for life and amaze me on a daily basis. Give them some time, the bass does get much better and appreciate what they offer in the mean time- an impressively natural and realistic sound. You can read about my trials and complaints here- http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/new-harbeth-c7es-3-some-questions.536298/ |
- 40 posts total