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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
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 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
5,318 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. 


avanti1960
1,508 posts
 
i have the shl5+ in a similar front half of the room configuration and they work really well.
you should be file with a minimum 24" rear baffle to wall which puts the front baffle 8 feet perpendicular to your listening spot. if you position in an equilateral triangle then the speakers will be 11+ ft from your spot which would be excellent- they like to be listened semi nearfield.
i also owned the C7ES3 and rave about them too. I do not care as much for the 30.1 or 30.2, they have a noticeably smaller sound. The 40’s would definitely be too large for your listening area.
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