From what I have seen so far, Harbeths are so chock full of cheap parts on their crossover boards, you’d have to build a double crossover board and mount it externally to rid them of all their $.18-$.50 cent Chinese parts. They use over 30 of them on a 2 way bookshelf and the overly engineered crossover rack takes up the entire back wall of the removable speaker back. In fact, Danny of GR Research advises Harbeth owners to start over with a different speaker if they want the improvement quality parts guarantee. Yes, Danny guarantees cheap parts degrade the SQ, regardless of how high the SQ is. It simply would be a lot better if Harbeth didn’t use the absolute cheapest parts going. Literally.
Attractive Bookshelf - Under $3k
I'm looking to upgrade my Dali Ikon IIs for a living room, where the aesthetics are a big part of the decision. I'm heavily leaning towards the SF Sonetto IIs, but I've never heard them, and that is purely based on the appearance and a few reviews. I plan to drive these with a Belles Aria integrated. I know it's a long list, but I'm just hoping for some thoughts, or perhaps a good reason (or not) to go with the Sonettos. While I'd love to listen to them all, It's unlikely that I'll find them on display. I've already heard the Vandersteen CT which was when I auditioned my amp and think they're awesome. I'm just not sure they're "pretty" enough for the room.
Thanks!
Triangle 40th Aniversary Comète
Sonus Faber Sonetto II
Dynaudio Special 440
Dynaudio Evoke 20
Focal Kanta no 1
Focal Aria 906
Vandersteen VLR Wood
Vandersteen VLR CT
Dali Rubicon 2
Harbeth P3ESR XD
ProAc Tablette 10
ProAc Tablette 10 Signature
Fyne F500 SP
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- 52 posts total
tin_p, unfortunately monitor audio doesn't have the Rosewood anymore because it's the Santos Rosewood is on the endangered list but African Rosewood looks very close to it, and I agree with you I have the platinum 200 Gen 2 with the Rosewood and it has 11 layers of hand polish locker absolutely gorgeous and also with that front leather baffle. |
@ skeptic66 posts“ ….@akg_ca Those may sound glorious, but they’re nowhere near $3k, or did you miss that part of the title? ….” my apologies sir, no…I did not miss it, but I erroneously omitted the paragraph suggesting that he look to a pre-owned purchase with a modest stretch in budget. . The “special” 40th Anniversary 30.2 model had the speaker upgrades from prior 30.2 and 30.1 models, that are now standard fare in the new 30.2XD models. The 40th Anniversary models pop up regularly pre-owned |
- 52 posts total