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JA Pulsars vs Harbeth 30.2

Well still investigating different speakers. In the used world these speakers are similarly priced and both have great reviews.  Does anybody in the Audubon family have familiarity with these two speakers. Which one would you recommend and why.  I have a dedicated room approx 20x 15 with no special acoustic treatments. Wall to wall carpet. I mostly stream with bluesound node 2. I have a Hegel 390 Integrated amp and project turntable and Yamaha CD player both around $300 - $400.  Mostly listen to blues, folk and rock. Some classical too.

look forward to hearing from you

tjraubacher
arafiq's avatar
arafiq
1,662 posts
 

One more thing, Harbeths will never sound thin. Whether you like them or not, one thing they’re not is thin sounding. 

rsf507
2,313 posts
 

I've heard the Pulsars many years ago but they burned a very good impression in my brain, was very impressed (although don't think they are made anymore). Harbeths are very soft sounding IMO not my cup of coffee.

arafiq's avatar
arafiq
1,662 posts
 

Harbeths need a beefy amp to drive them. If they sound thin or soft, usually because the amp is not powerful enough to drive them. But yes compared to Joseph Audio or Focal etc, they’re not treble-focused. 

bigkidz
3,381 posts
 

Revival Speakers better than the Harbeth and they have bass to go with them!
$5K and you are all set.  Easy to drive also.

 

 
2tuby's avatar
2tuby
26 posts
 

Something I wish I knew ahead of time-

You should check to see if the JA Pulsar model you are interested in has a Magnesium cone woofer.

i purchased a pair of Opera Callus bookshelf speakers that have SEAS  Magnesium cone woofers. The speakers sound wonderful. However, over time the magnesium cones have corroded. (Magnesium is a highly reactive metal) A Google search confirmed that others have had the same problem. SEAS claims that the corrosion does not affect the sound. I hear no difference.

The problem is that I cannot sell the speakers if I want to change my gear. Would you buy used speakers with corrosion on the woofer cones?

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