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To Harbeth or not to Harbeth, That is the question...

Whether it is nobler in the ear when listening primarily to vocals and acoustic music at 55-65db max?

Whether the 30.2 or the HL5+ produces the most magical sound in a mid sized room?

These are my questions.  

I like British Speakers. Not really sure why. Respect for the the duration of their businesses?
The uppity nature of some of the makers? I enjoy the sound of Tannoy, Harbeth, Graham, ProAc, ATC.

So Friends, Romans, Harbethians please share with me you HB experiences as it relates to low volume
listening. And please explain your passion for black screw heads. 


chorus
avanti1960
1,553 posts
 
Harbeth C7ES3, had them for about 3 years, when fully broken in they were rich sounding without losing too much detail.  often magical sounding.  
SHL5+ for about a year, perfect for me.  Sensitive to toe in.  More transparent and neutral but still slightly rich and forgiving.  A near perfect balance of transparency and recording forgiveness with a pure, natural life like tone.  No sibilance or edginess.  Finished.  
s7horton
1,077 posts
 
Everyone has different taste.  I’ve auditioned Harbeth a number of times.  I have lived with the P3 for a short time. I have always found them very much recessed on vocals. Because of that, they are not for me.  So…. I say not to Harbeth.
richdirector's avatar
richdirector
269 posts
 
Not sure Harbeth in US is value for money... I would go Devore first. In fact if they were cheap in UK I wouldn't have bothered with the 30.2 I had. Now have tannoy dual concentric and I couldn't be happier. 2.5 yrs now and never feel like I am missing anything... Any genre and level
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Sounds like you should get Quads.
conlad
36 posts
 
I had C7ES3s for five years and was happy with them, whether powered by Creek Evo 100 or Parasound Hint amp. I had considered upgrading to Monitor 30s or SHL 5s. Late last year, I found a good deal on Monitor 30.2 XDs and sold the C7s. The 30.2s sound somewhat more refined to my ears, and I too play at modest to moderate volumes. I play the 30.2s sometimes with and sometimes without support from Rythmic F8 subwoofers. I plan to continue enjoying these Harbeths for many years, although I would not pay full U.S. retail price for them. 
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