15 ohm speakers yea or nay?

I may need a bigger speaker for the area. The listening area is 9x13 but it opens in behind the listening area and to the side of the listening chair. How do you determine if a larger speaker is needed?

@brianportugal

I think a larger speaker in that size room would be overwhelming. I have owned the Harbeth C7 and the M30.1 and I preferred the P3 in my 20x15 room sitting 8 feet away. About 3 weeks ago I pulled the trigger on a used pair of the HL5 with TonTrager stands figuring if they didn’t work out I could resell them without a loss.

To my surprise these are the best sounding Harbeths that I’ve owned. The seller found them bright but I sure don’t. You never know until you try a speaker in your room and gear how it will sound!

BTW, have you ever listened to the P3ESR?

I’ve listened to them in a showroom a several years ago. When I went up the line the compact 7s sounded better..

What did you think of the Q7s compared to all your other speaker history. I’ve read nummerous posts by you and you certainly have a great ear. Rebbe also used to post a lot. Any summary of your journey and what systems you miss? Synergy is so important !

 I have an Alan Eaton set 45. A Belles 22a with a 150 ref  2, a nait 2 , a quad 405;with an 303 and an Ampzilla 2. None have speaker assoc with them now. I had the omega 3xrs with the aalan Eaton. Lrs with the David belles. Now I’m using the Q7 with The Belles equipment. Any suggestions?

@brianportugal

It sounds like you have fine gear with those Falcons so I really can’t suggest changing anything. I prefer 2 way standmount type speakers. It surprised me that I like the HL5. I haven’t had a 3 way speaker since Vandrsteens many moons ago. I really don't miss any of the speakers that I have owned but I must say that I had a Spendor 2 1/2 way floorstander that I should have kept. BTW, those Falcons are a bargain compared to the many other she box size speakers out there. Enjoy them!

Yogiboy, I’m glad the SHL5 Plus has lived up to your expectations. They are good speakers. I suspect the Quicksilver tube amp brought out the best in the Harbeth. I have used solid-state amps with the Harbeth all my life, about 12 years and the speakers sounded good but not exactly spectacular. Apart from the Quicksilver, the Harbeth also sounds great with Leben.

I’ve recently moved on from the Harbeth to Graham LS5/9. I find the Graham to have better clarity, detail and openness than the SHL5+. I am currently driving the Graham with a Luxman solid state.

Enjoy the Harbeth SHL5+.