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JBL 43xx va Harbeth 40.x

I owned a pair of Harbeth 40.1, and recently listened to a pair of JBL 4343.  While I really like the Harbeth, I also like the JBL very much.  To the best of its own, the JBL sounds more dynamic, more lively, and bigger slam at the bass.  The Harbeth is one word - smooth.  
I think for vocal, Harbeth wins.  But JBL will be able to play all kinds of music, I feel.  What do people think comparing them?  Which one do you prefer and why?
gte357s
aj523
373 posts
 
The JBL is like a Rollercoaster. In your face exhilarating, fun, but rocks your brains and you feel fatigued after riding them for awhile. So depends what you want. If you want serious engaging vocal and musical reproduction that you can listen to for hours, keep the Harbeth. If that doesn’t float your boat then look elsewhere and JBL is as good as any.
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,977 posts
 
These two speakers are both very different, but both great in their own ways. It's wonderful if you can afford both and use them according to mood, but if not, you need to choose the one that meets your sonic priorities most closely.
mr_gray
61 posts
 
never owned harbeth but i encourage you to go for the 4343.  i won 4344 and have installed new xover and bi-amped them.  the sound is huge, powerful, resolving and sweet with right equipment.  great stereo and great movie 2.1 system.  i love it and highly recommend.  15 inch woofers for life!
au_lait
338 posts
 
if you like 4343 you'll LOVE 4344 ;-) but you need to bi amp the 4344 to maximize performance. or depending on what you listen to, 4345 even, 18" woofer!
6119
32 posts
 
Ninety % of my listening is classical --big orchestra stuff: Mahler,Beethoven, Shostakovich, etc.,through Van Alstine tube preamp, the iconic all powerful Proton 1200 amp,And Magnepan MG12/QR speakers.Very dramatic through the Maggies,but massed violins always have a dry gritty edge. Have tried other amps and speakers-- have a Musical Fidelity M6sPRX amp on the way.But I keep hearing about Harbeth.Very expensive,many different models.Appreciate any feedback.Also thinking about the Magnepan 1.7i. Thanks.
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