2. speakers
  3. 161352-8057

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?
don_chisholm
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,424 posts
 
good value and are one of audio's best kept secrets.


I'd have to argue that point, If you are even remotely interested in high end audio, Vandersteen is a household name to you.

Oz



soix
10,357 posts
 
Sorry, but I think that the Sonus Faber are very bright.
@decathlon1991 — which SF speakers have you heard? At this level I was implying the Olympica line with my recommendation and not the lower-level Venere or Sonetto lines if that’s what you’re referring to. I’ve never heard anyone categorize the upper-level SF speakers as bright sounding.

ihcho's avatar
ihcho
612 posts
 
I have C7-ES. I thought about upgrading to Wilson Watt Puppy which was (and still is) my dream speakers. I ended up choosing Gershman Grand Avant Garde. As I grow older, being able to move speakers around by myself was a concern, and Wilson was too heavy for me.
Now C7-ES and Gershman sit side by side. There is no comparison. Gershman is every bit better, except Gershman needs more power. C7-ES is just fine to drive with 40W amp, but Gershman needs 100W or more. C7-ES is nice when I listen to a less volume. Gershman shines when you listen to loud.
I still miss Wilson. I might try to have one before too late though.
jjss49's avatar
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
Richard Vandersteen's designs are extremely good value and are one of audio's best kept secrets.

wow -- and porsches are the secret of the sports car world LOLOLOLOLOLOL
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,327 posts
 
The few times I've listened to Vandersteens, they struck me as having a rather "forward" presentation.  By this I'm not referring to tonal balance, which was fine, but rather to where the plane of the sound stage started, which was well in front of the plane of the drivers.  Tastes will differ, but I prefer a more "distanced" presentation, where the front of the sound stage coincides with the front plane of the speakers or even starts a little behind them.  The Harbeths are 100% satisfactory in this regard.
More to discover