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A move from Harbeth to... Wilson?

Hi gang, hoping for some thoughts. 

I'm very happy at the moment with my system, but getting a slight itch for an upgrade. So many options and directions I could go, but the one I'm pondering at the moment is moving from my Harbeth C7ES-3 speakers to Wilson Sabrinas. (The Sabrina X is now out, which may bring the Sabrina down to my budget... maybe.)

My room is approx. 10'6" x 15'6" with the speakers along the short wall and my listening chair is about 2/3 back from said wall. The C7s plus their stands are just about the right size for this room, and the Sabrinas on their floor spikes are similar in "overall" size, though obviously the speakers themselves are bigger.

Current amp is a Pass Labs XA30.5 which doubles down at 4Ohms (plus lots of headroom) and comes just within Wilson's "recommended" amplifier power. The room is on the smaller side, and I don't listen loud; I've never "wanted" for more power with the C7s. (Though every once in a while I wonder what a pair of XA60.5s would sound like in here, but that's an entirely different thread.)

Eh? Any thoughts?
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soix
9,456 posts
 
What areas would you like to change or improve upon over your current speakers?
mlsstl
1,436 posts
 
I've always found the Wilsons I've heard over the years to be very forward, "hi-fi" sounding speakers. Conversely, I've found Harbeths to be a very neutral and more accurate presentation of unprocessed vocals and unamplified acoustic instruments (my personal reference point) -- in other words, more natural.  

As such, I'm a little surprised that Harbeth --> Wilson is your flight path. But, speakers are a very personal choice and Wilson certainly has its followers and advocates, so maybe Harbeth was never the best choice for you in the first place. All one can do is listen (ideally in your own home) and then go with the one that best suits you. Forget what impresses anyone else. 
big_greg
6,623 posts
 
Why don't you move up the Harbeth food chain if you like your current system, but want "more"?  The 40.2 is amazing.
photomax
169 posts
 
For a room that size there are a lot of options. 
This is of course a very personal thing. I find the Wilsons to be somewhat forward and clinical sounding. The other thing is that the industrial design can be a turnoff for some. I have a lot of wood in my living space and I find the Wilson’s to resemble a mix of school lunchroom garbage can and Transformers robot.

That being said I did hear the Sabrinas played with a very expensive Linn Klimax DSM and Solo amps. Lots of detailed info, but maybe too much depending on your preference?

Your Pass Labs XA30.5 might reduce the hi-fi sound nicely though? I have a XA30.8 with a Linn front end and Spendor D9 speakers and am very happy. 
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