What Is So Special About Harbeth?

Something I've noticed today as I've tried my AR 5SE preamp and AR 150SE amp class A tube amps with my Harbeth 30.1's is that they seem to drive the 30.1's better on the 16 ohm speaker taps, than on the 8ohm speaker taps.  They seem to have a bit faster sound with greater clarity on the 16ohm taps, and a bit slower, thicker, muddy sound on the 8ohm taps.  

Don't know why that would be?  

That was the primary reason I got the Hegel H590 to drive the Harbeths - because it had so much greater clarity with them, than with the AR tube amps, when I first tried them.  But, using the 16ohm taps seems to clear them up - more like the H590, but with a bit of tube air.  

That was my one issue with the Harbeth 30.1's and 40.2's I have - until I got the H590... and... now having discovered their sound using the 16ohm taps of the AR tubes amps.  

jjss49

03-09-2022 at 10:31pm 

"according to harbeth/alan shaw, the xd models are supposed to give a very slight treble lift and midbass lean-out compared to each respective models' prior versions (mon 30, 40, super 5 and compact 7)"

That is why I got the Hegel H590 to drive my 30.1's and 40.2's - because I wanted more of a treble balance and leaner mid-bass sound, as the new models seem to have.  The H590 cleared them right up, as does the 16ohm taps on my AR tube amps seem to.  

very much agree w comments by @bassdude ​​​​@prof

@bassdude great call on hegel h590 - the 590 in particular has a little extra sparkle over the warmer voiced 390... and it is not an accident that alan shaw uses hegels in development and at audio shows, he ain’t no foo’... 😁

not to say there aren't other amps that make these harbeths sing beautifully

Probably hade made with well quality parts.  As for the looks, I'll pass...

Heard them…dull and lifeless like a Brit!