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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
big_greg
6,670 posts
 
The Super HL5 Plus should work well in that size room.  My room is about 24 X 20.  Since it is a "living" room with an odd shape, placement is less than ideal, about 2 1/2 feet from the front wall, about 4 feet from sidewalls, and about 9 feet from my listening position.  I had Legacy Audio Focus 20/20 speakers before and they had a lot more impact than the SHL5 Plus, but the imaging, soundstage, and level of detail the SHL5 Plus provide more than make up for that.  I would think the 40.2 would sound great in your space also, but I've not heard them.  I echo the advice of speaking with a dealer and getting a recommendation from them.
bthemann
14 posts
 
With the right music, my SHL5s were extraordinary in an 11x17 space, 3 feet from the rear wall with exceptional dimension and fine detail but with larger sound they could get bass-y overwhelming the room. In a larger, 2 story 20x20 room, they became all that for all music from Massey Hall to Live Rust. With the breadth of your space, I can’t see how you’d go wrong. That said, I heard the 40s in a small room at the NY audio show fed by some big amps and they were the best in show. Safe to go SHL 5 but maybe time to take a chance?
audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
2,018 posts
 
Will be listing my p3esr 's (cherry finish) here if anyone may be interested. I understand they may not be what the OP is looking for, but thought I'd give a heads up to their availability. 
They are new and never used, box opened to inspect and admire and placed back into storage. They were strictly an impulse buy on my part. Should be live New Years Day. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
pdreher's avatar
pdreher
1,216 posts
 
I own 40.1's and have successfully used them in three different rooms, two of which are smaller than yours.   Your room is large enough to easily accommodate 40.1's or 40.2's.  

I've also owned the SHL5 (non-plus version).  In my experience, the 40.1's are superior to the SHL5's by a healthy margin.  I strongly recommend you go the 40.1/40.2 route if availability and funds allow.   

BTW, there's a pair of 40.1's available on US Audio Mart for only $4,800 which is a fantastic price.
dsper OP
663 posts
 
Hi All,

Thanks for the advice. It sounds like a two foot minimum is critical. This is possibly doable in my space (how I hate unnecessary furniture!).

You all have definitely confirmed that I should try to hear both the SHL5's and 40.1/40.2's before opening my wallet!

The Fidelis AV site has a Harbeth dealer locator, which indicates there are two or three choices within a four hour or so drive to the Indianapolis area.

Thanks for listening,

Dsper
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