Harbeth P3 vs KEF LS50W


About to pull the trigger on ls50w but I'm also interested in a used pair of Harbeth 3 or maybe 7.. How would you compare them with ls50w?

I don't have any amp for the moment but if I decide and find the Harbeths, I would maybe look for a used LFD zero.. I live in an apartment, the living room is about 5 x 3.5m.

How does the ls50w sound with low volume playing?

Please give me all the details about these speakers!
128x128philsons
I finally decided to go with a pair of used Harbeth P3esr.. Sound wise perhaps the Kef speakers is better for me, in my room etc, but I really am attracted towards the Harbeths, the design appeal to me, the KEFs colors I don't like at all. Of course sound comes first but the P3 I think isn't a bad speaker of all reviews I read and have experience with 30.1.

I also was thinking IF I do want to go with something different later on, I think I don't loose that much money on Harbeths.

Now I have to find a good amp to them and possible a DAC as well..
I noticed Rega has released an updated version of the Brio-r amp. Have you listened to it yet?



If you're going to do analog, I think the Croft is a nice choice for the P3.
Good choice!  I have had both the P3s and the KEF LS50 and far preferred the Harbeths.  Different sounds for sure, and I can see others preferring the KEF.  Any of the British integrated amps would be excellent with the Harbeths.
@fjn04 makes a great recommendation with Croft.  The Croft Phono Integrated would be a wonderful match (if you are ok with a volume control for each channel and no remote).  Many people like the Brio, but I can't comment on that as I haven't heard it.  Naim is always a good pairing with Harbeths - the 5i, 5i-2, or 5si (current model).  Exposure is another fine British brand that sometimes gets overlooked.

You're going to have a blast with the P3s.
Best, Scott   
Thank you Scott! I haven't started my analog journey yet but I'm more and more tempted to try that route.

For now I'm after an SS with a tube like character.. I've read many good things about LFD and Harbeth. I'm looking for a used one in Europe region. Is it big difference between Mk III, IV, V?
I'll look for naim too. Alsi rega, maybe elex-r and elicit-r could be a fine match? 

How about minimum power of the amp, should it be 50W at least or more than that? I see that P3 have pretty low sensitivity..



With respect to power - the P3s are lower sensitivity but a pretty easy load for the amp.  My room is about the same size as yours and I'm in an apartment where I have to consider my neighbors.  50 watts from the Naim 5i-2 and Simaudio i-1 were more than enough for me.  Yes, more power will get you slightly better dynamics and a bit more volume, but the P3s aren't really made for extreme high volumes.  

Here are my thoughts on the amps I've heard:

1.  If you're looking for a tube-like character, then LFD is a great choice.  It's more expensive than the others I mentioned, although I'm not sure about the pricing in Europe.  I've heard the Mistral and the IV, and both were excellent. I actually preferred the Mistral with the P3s.  Seemed like the IV was a bit bass light, but that could have just been system synergy.
  
2.  Croft is great because it's got a tube pre and Mosfet power section.  Rather than the Phono integrated, I'd recommend their Micro 25 preamp.  It's got a fantastic build-in phono.  It's not too expensive, so you could go with separates.  And the Phono Integrates is a nice all-in-one solution.  Downsides - no remote.

3.  In the Rega range I briefly owned the Elicit (not -R), and it was nice but I found it a little forward and tonally lean compared to the other British brands. Reviews suggest the Elex-R and Elicit-R are similar sounding.  The reviews also say the Brio-R has less of that leanness and had a decent phono amp.  It also pairs well w/Harbeth.  Used, the previous Brio-R model is very affordable.

4.  Exposure:  I've owned the 2010s2.  It was a very nice, refined sounding amp.  I don't know if I'd say it's tube-like, but it certainly didn't have the typical solid state sound, either.  It's 75ish wpc, so you'd get slightly more power.  The 3010 series is over 100 wpc, and the current 3010s2d is getting very good reviews.

5.  Naim + Harbeth is a very traditional pairing.  I have owned the 5i-2 and the XS, and I preferred the 5i-2 in my setup.  Both have a very engaging presentation.  The treble is a touch smoothed/rolled off, and I loved it.  I tend to bristle at any added sibilance or brightness, and I could just relax into the music.  I'd highly recommend their speaker cables NAC-A5 - cheap and a great match (obviously) with Naim.  Some older models of Naim require these cables due to the electrical characteristics of the amps, but recent models don't have this restriction.  And older models may only have DIN connectors.  The Supernait 2 is apparently a fantastic integrated, but you pay for it.  

Anyway, as you can see, although I'm from the US I'm big fan of the British sound.  I think you're in for quite a treat when you find the right pairing.  

Best, Scott