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Which Harbeth would work in my room?

Hi,

Harbeths have been on my radar screen for a few years now and I am looking for advice from Harbeth owners regarding which model will work in my listening room.

This is going to be a big change from my Thiel CS5's, which I have decided are a bit too big for my space, so I want to aim for the best suited Harbeth model.

My listening space is about 16 foot wide with nine foot ceilings and an open stairway on one side. Due to room logistics and WAF, my front wall is about eleven feet from the listening position but there is another fifteen feet of open space behind me.

My thoughts are that I should consider the SHL5 Plus or possibly a 40.1/40.2.

Can anyone share their thoughts regarding recommended distances between speakers and listening position for the various Harbeth models?

Thanks for real world advice!

Dsper
dsper
snackeyp's avatar
snackeyp
455 posts
 
I have 40.2 Anniversary's now, and previously had 40.1's.  Prior to that I had 30's.  I was worried about the 40's being too big for my room (12' x 14') but I like the 40's better than the 30's, even in my relatively small space.
I have the speakers set up about two feet from the back wall and two feet from the side walls as well.  My listening chair is 7.5 feet from the speakers.  This is close to near field, and I like this presentation.  
I have had my 40's set up in my living room for a while.  I enjoyed them in a larger room but I still enjoy them more in my listening room.  
The 30.1's are amazing speakers but I had to add a subwoofer to be fully satisfied.  The 40's have never needed a sub.  
I have not heard the C7's but I don't hear the rave reviews for those as much as the 30's and 40's.  This is not to say that you shouldn't consider them, but if you're buying speakers without auditioning you might go with one of the models that seem more universally loved. 
You might want to call Gene Rubin Audio and ask Gene for advice.  He has heard all of the Harbeth speakers and can speak with authority on this topic.  Cheers 
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,320 posts
 

I've posted this link before, but worth repeating.

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/harbeth-monitor-40-2.25222/

Scroll down, and down, for the photos.

Frankly, this may be pushing it, but as just said, with a minimum of 2' behind and 2' to the sides, I'd seriously consider the 40.2's, as those Thiels weren't exactly small.

I've heard both, and to me the SHL5's have a different acoustic presentation (though some would tell you they are more size-appropriate for your room), and I preferred the 40.2s.

snackeyp's avatar
snackeyp
455 posts
 
@twoleftears 
Thanks for reposting the link to your review.
I remember reading this review a while back, and it helped me in setting up my current listening room.  
Very well written.  Thanks!
Peter

twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,320 posts
 
Thanks! but just to be clear, it's not my review, it's someone else's, but I think it exemplifies well the size of room that 40.2's can work in, even if that size is not optimal.

Vu of Deja Vu in Wash DC, a Harbeth dealer, told me they needed a minimum of 2' each side to be able to breathe OK.
timo62
281 posts
 
The M40.2 is much more room friendlier that the M40.1. I would not recommend the M40.1 unless one has plenty of room to move them out in the room. The M40.2  will work in more rooms that most people realize. 

I was told the same thing by Vu ,from Deja Vu Audio also. At least 2 feet out from front wall ( Wall behind the speakers).  My M40.2 are a little less than 2 feet out from the front wall and I have no issues. Room treatment can also help with limited listening rooms.

dsper ,   Do you have a local Harbeth dealer you can work with to help you decide which model you might prefer? You might want to go and listen to the line up first. 


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