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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
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
1,208 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
timo62
280 posts
 

We have recommended the M40.2 version for your room because it is much more room friendlier than the M40.1


 I would not recommend the M40.1 unless one has plenty of room to move them out in the room away from walls.

Ag insider logo xs@2x
bhvf
209 posts
 
The only thing I have to add here is I found the SHL5 quite different from the 30.1 so please listen to both. It's not the same presentation. I found the SHL5 to be less dynamic than the 30.1. I listened in 2 different rooms and 2 different systems, one of them being my own. I bought the 30.1. If I found a pair of used 40.1 or 40.2 somewhat close to where I live, I'd buy them in a second. The only 2 other speakers I've really loved were Vandersteens and Gallo Reference 3's.
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