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Warm romantic & detailed

Good morning Gentlemen & ladies... 

I'm just starting to toy with idea of replacing my Focal 1038's... No matter how I treat my room, or what equipment I throw at it I just can't seem to tame the harsh highs on this speaker. 

I'd like to stay in the same price range of the Electra's (7/8k), I don't mind buying used, the musts for me at this point are: Warm, romantic, yet detailed... It would be beautiful to just sit and listen and not have ear fatigue after 15 minutes of listening. 

Can you please recommend something? 
jeffinnh76
big_greg
6,632 posts
 
I've only heard the 40.2s (amazing!), so can't comment on the differences between .1, .2 and .3, but I would be surprised if they were significant.  I'd suggest checking out the Harbeth User Group - https://www.harbeth.co.uk/usergroup/.  There may be some folks there that have heard the different versions.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
@jeffinnh76  There are significant differences between the .1 and the .2/.3.  The crossover in the 40.2 was changed to make it more living-room friendly.  The 40.1 could boom in too small rooms or when not carefully positioned.  The differences between the 40.2 regular, 40.2 Anniversary, and 40.3 XD are insignificant, and have more to do with marketing than performance.  A NOS/NIB/demo 40.2 is the purchaser's sweet spot.
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,780 posts
 
I heard the 40.2 at the New York Audio Show and they had them pulled well out into the room...literally in the middle of the room. 
pdreher's avatar
pdreher
1,211 posts
 
I owned 40.1's for 8 years and currently own 40.2 Anni's.  The 40.1's are considerably warmer and more full bodied / organic sounding than the 40.2's.   The 40.2's are more neutral and detailed.   
If you prefer warm and romantic, go with 40.1's.   If you want detailed and exciting go with 40.2's. 
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,780 posts
 
They sounded pretty good playing Tusk.
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