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What Is So Special About Harbeth?

SLike probably all of you, I just received notice from Audiogon of a 20% discount on Harbeth XD. I clicked on the tab and found that the sale price is about $2700. I have read so many glowing comments here about Harbeth — as if just saying the name is the password for entering aural nirvana. I admit, I haven’t listened to Harbeth speakers. But looking at these, they just look like smallish bookshelf speakers. I’m not questioning how good others say these speakers are, but HOW do they do it out of an ordinary-looking box?

Is it the wood? Is it the bracing? Is it the crossover components? Is it the cone material? What is the reason why these Harbeth’s are such gems compared to other bookshelf speakers? What is it about the construction or technology that makes these speakers a deal at $2700 on sale versus the $800, 900 or $1,000 that others normally cost? What is the secret that makes audiophiles thrill to get such a costly bargain?

bob540
kahlenz's avatar
kahlenz
276 posts
 

 weakest things of harbeths are these.Far away from natural

drum set, cymbal shimmer, bowed bass

I respectfully disagree.  Just got done listening to Zuill Bailey's most recent attempt at the Bach cello suites (Octave Records OCT-0008), and while not a bowed bass, the sounds I heard expressed the humanity of both the performer and the composer with spine-tingling authenticity.  Earlier today I had on Basie "Live at the Sands" (their performance in 1966 before Sinatra took the stage – MFSL 2-401).  When Sonny Payne cracked his drums I just about leapt out of my seat.  I had to play it again to believe it.  I was there (who needs Frank anyway when the Count's in town)!  That on a humble set of PSesr speakers (with a little help from an REL T/5).

Now I'm sitting in a smallish, well damped room (13' x 21') about 9' from the speakers listening at about 80dB (pretty loud for me, but my wife wasn't home).  The speakers behaved admirably (as usual).

Note that these speakers require some juice to get going (I've got 2x 110W with 120,000µF caps).  Not really huge, but more than you would expect you would need for such small speakers, and enough for my needs.  My old 60w amp didn't have the punch to drive them.

PS:  Frank would always request Sonny Payne whenever he played with Basie (yeah, he's that good)!

avanti1960
1,508 posts
 

another thing - Harbeth speakers are special because they never sound irritating!

never a harsh note, startling shout, edgy glare or cringe moment. the best speakers for walking the fine line between forgiving and detailed.

pesky_wabbit's avatar
pesky_wabbit
1,183 posts
 

trouble is, some music is meant to be offensive and when it is I want to hear it, hence my preference for ATC

bob540 OP
415 posts
 

My own tastes run more to mellow music that Harbeth’s are noted to excel at.  I rock out in my car or via headphones while working out at the gym.  Gotta give these things a listen. 

prof
3,479 posts
 

I sometimes think that the Harbeth 40 could be my ultimate speaker.   (The Super HL5plus didn't quite make it when I owned it, but I've heard the 40 do some remarkable things).

Unfortunately the form factor (aesthetics etc) just won't work in my set up.

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