I checked on images of Harbeth crossovers and was shocked. I dont care about the quality of the parts so much as the design itself. Check out some of the crossovers on Thiel speakers.
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@audition__audio were you shocked by the number of parts or their love of non air core inductors? |
@fsonicsmith wrote:
Thank you.
We're definitely in agreement here :) That analogy however comes as a more easily quantifiable scenario on the one side with the "exotically expensive camera" being very likely the objectively better one (but it actually only strengthens your point), which I don't necessarily find to be the case with speakers fitted with expensive drivers, cross-overs, terminals and what not compared to alternatives with cheaper components and less luxurious cabinet finishing; it's all about the implementation of the overall design, system set-up, acoustics and physics.
It's certainly a more "technocratic" market today with audiophiles now inclined to scoff at cheap or somewhat scruffy looking drivers because of a paradigm shift and that it's an easy marketing trick and selling point luring in potential buyers with expensive componentry, irrespective really of perceived sonics. It's not necessarily to indicate more expensive drivers (and cross-overs) can't have sonic advantages in certain areas and be well implemented, but it's no guarantee either. Same with finishing and a sad current tendency of lacquer galore to make stuff look "exclusive." Whatever became of oiled real wood finishes that actually looks, smells and feels like real wood? Harbeth speakers may be one of the brands to counter the current tendency with their thin paneled (but wisely dampened) cabinets walls, cross-overs that don't look like much (there it is again..), and drive units that don't sport huge magnets or large diameter voice coils. In light of their sonic presentation I don't really care about that. To my ears they sound very good, not least tonally, with very natural sounding voices and commendable coherency. If one likes how they sound why not leave it at that? Seems to me they'll deliver decades of trouble free performance. |
Well there is no denying that the best speaker for the individual is the one they like best. However, when you read some of what the Harbeth "guy" says most doesnt make much sense. Much of what Harbeth appears to do is create a sound that appeals to a certain listener. No problem with this provided that you understand that the sound coming from every Harbeth speaker, to my ears, is the antithesis of neutral or accurate. Now I would rather listen to a Harbeth than say any number of other designs that are etched, rough or not organic in nature. But I dont think that creating a "house sound" is really what good loudspeaker design is about no matter ones preference. Coloration should be designed out not in. Just an opinion. |
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