Which Harbeth would work in my room?

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

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.

Harbeth speakers are truly wonderful. One of those rare cases where the hype is justified. However, from my own experience of owning the 30.2 - they need more breathing space than the size would suggest even comparing to other equivalent speakers.

My living room of 12'Wx17L'x9'H, 30.2 without room treatment (but with Lyngdorf digital room correction), was harsh sounding. After adding significant room treatment to both first and second reflection point, front and back wall, ceiling and heavy floor to ceiling bass traps, I could hear them in their full potential.

With just digital room treatment, they sounded great esp with light acoustic stuff, vocal, etc. But with rock/electric guitar/heavy bass were little muddy and harsh. The famous Harbeth thin wall vibration makes the wall proximity worse in my experience.

I think some Harbeth owners won't know the true capability of this british monitor unless you add SIGNIFICANT room treatment. Especially if you listen to bass heavy/rock/average quality recording.

I've since moved on to better speakers (Joseph Audio Perspective Graphene). However, Harbeth speakers are really special. But make sure you are thorough with room treatment.