Considering Harbeth C 7ES-3


I am considering purchasing Harbeth C 7ES-3s. Have PSAudio Stellar amp and preamp. I would appreciate thoughts on sound quality and character. I listen to everything except heavy metal/ thrash. Are there other speakers I should consider in their price range? @$4000.
jlm51
I would suggest speakers that are built to represent the recorded material truthfully before you enter into the more coloured world. ATC 11, 19, 20, PMC Result 6 (active) and Quested H108 are fine and affordable examples (all english). Also easy to complement with subs using a good room eq management system like ARC or Dirac.
I am a C7es3  owner for about 2 years. For what its worth I like them very much but like many in this hobby, always wonder what else or 'better' is out there. As a generalization, I would describe them as a 'warm' sounding speaker and they are very natural, with a laid back presentation. On comparison to many audiophile systems I think they have a roll off at the top end (though perhaps many 'audiophile' speakers are just tipped up and aggressive or hard sounding, to my ears), though what is presented I think is very sweet and enjoyable, and resolving.

Take this for what you will - I recently A/B/C compared them to the 30.1 and for kicks, the Heresy III, in the same system with 'good' electronics (though not exactly what I would pick. I think it was a tube vintage McIntosh pre into one of the recognizable name solid state amp though I cant remember what it was) and the same digital source (also dont remember what it was. Not a 100k blow you away type of DAC and not a piece of junk either..). I was thinking I was going to want the 30.1 and that it would present more high-end energy and have a more 'resolved' or detailed sound, but strongly preferred the c7. They just had a 'right' sound about them, more laid back and natural, whereas the 30.1 was a 'tighter' type of presentation (though no more treble energy), with smaller images. Perhaps more of a 'monitor' sound. I don't meant to suggest the c7 is loose or unresolving. My impression was that the c7 was equally resolving and transparent, but just flowed naturally. It made me love my speakers that much more. Then we put on the Heresy. I appreciate why people love those speakers but, there was no comparison to my ear. Although the Heresy (not surprisingly) had a more exciting dynamic presentation, the c7 was fuller, warmer, and far more resolving in terms of representing the sound of instruments. Perhaps its just the sound I am used to but I came away really loving the c7 that much more.

I would also comment that electronics are very important with this speaker. Over time I have auditioned and purchased tube pre and solid state power amps with lots of power. My preference with these speakers is with all solid-state. I think the amp you pair them with should lean toward a lively presentation to give them some life. I found at one point that a pre using Mullard 6sn7 with the harbeths was VERY soggy and dark sounding and just not to my taste. I suppose some may enjoy this. 

I landed on an LFD integrated amp. It is a great match, IMO.

As a takeaway I would say these are as advertised. There are certainly more dynamic or fun (e.g. horns), in your face speakers, perhaps speakers that offer greater detail, but IMO these are great if you like jazz, classical, choral, and pop music. If you want to pump metal or rap, probably not at the top of your list.
you truly don't know what you've got until it's gone with the C7ES3.  they gave me so many moments where I just marveled at the sound and never anything to be irritated about.  but like a bonehead i had to complain about some slightly excessive enclosure warmth on some recordings and at the same time falling for the hype of faster, more efficient speakers so i sold them.  
although the new speakers i bought were clearly an upgrade in sound they simply did not sound natural and did not deliver the same amount of moments to marvel at.  
Harbeth is my brand for life.  

How hot do you like your porridge?

I heard the SHL5+ in a room with solid brick walls and driven by high-end Naim equipment, and they were brighter than I had expected.  I commented to the salesperson and he replied (don't know if truthfully or just placating me) that he considered that model the brightest in the whole Harbeth range.

I've heard the 40.2s and 30.2 under a variety of conditions, and they always sounded "just right" to me.

YMMW.

I have the 40.1's and think they produce as accurate a sound as one can achieve in this hobby. I always compare them to the original Quads that I had for 30 years....so natural but without the limitations of the Quads. But they do benefit from powerful amplification. You may be able to find a used pair on the internet that would save you some bucks. As a caveat, I've only heard the 7's several times in short listening sessions but they should sound reasonably similar to the 40's