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You went from Harbeth P3's to Compact 7's, and...

As the title suggests, tell us how this change was, and if you no longer have Compact 7’s, what you have moved on to.
My scenario is I have sold the P3’s, and since doing so, my 2nd system has been down. It’s an analog based system with a Croft phono integrated. As much as I like the Croft, I would like to have the option to go full tube...something like a Cary SLI 80 for example. It’s because of this that I’m also thinking smaller floor stander  like Spendor or ProAc, the latter an often used match with the Cary. The Spendor "A" series for example has higher efficiency than C7, and I believe are 8 Ohm, compared to the C7's rated 6 Ohm.  
fjn04
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,701 posts
 
@kevinkoc64
I found them overly detailed to a point of fatiguing. I prefer the warmer sound of the standard model. I gave them a try for about two months and I just could not enjoy them. Many of the reviews rave about them but they just did not do it for me! Many might like them but they were not my cup of tea!
This guy says it all!
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=harbeth+p3esr+review&view=detail&mid=3F266B02DF70B252F6...

kevinkoc64's avatar
kevinkoc64
30 posts
 
Thanks for the response yogiboy my last set of speakers were Thiel SCS4 which were on the bright side and gave me listening fatigue so these Harbeth seem much more laid back to me. Also both in my amp and preamp I use nos mullards which add some warmth. And the detailed part about them I love. 
extravaganza
373 posts
 
I went from shl5 when I built horn speakers with planar horn twetter and 15inch mid driver (even more dynamic and detailed sound)and still have  dynaudio contour s1.4LE which sounds with krell amp kav500i as  if using premium tube amplifier  
avanti1960
1,480 posts
 
I owned the C7ES3s for almost 3 years and was sorry AFTER I sold them.  Their sound can be near the most pleasing of any speaker I have heard regardless of price.  My room was medium / large and they loved the power of my Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum, an outstanding match.  
Compared to the P3s the 7's sound much bigger especially in the bass, sound stage is super large, slightly richer sounding but still keeps the transparency.  
The C7ES3 are among the best sounding speakers available.  
I have the SHL5+  now and could have been very happy with the 7's had I known better.  
pdreher's avatar
pdreher
1,212 posts
 
There's a nice pair of Spendor SP-100R's on US Audiomart for $3,800 (with stands) that I would jump on if I were in the market for speakers under $6K.
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