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Harbeth Owners - What do you think?

I just heard from someone who said he finds Harbeths " a little clinical sounding " but admits he only heard them in a store. I'm looking for a 2nd system speaker and was seriously considering one of their finely reviewed products but would not have the opportunity to audition as no one carries them near me. What's your opinion of the various models? How low power tube friendly (in a small room) are they? How do they get the supposedly smooth sound with metal dome tweeters? Do they sound better with or without grilles? Thanks in advance, people.
tomryan
dodgealum's avatar
dodgealum
1,408 posts
 
Drubin. I listened to the SCM 35 as part of my search. Nice speaker. Nothing extraordinary there, IMHO. The Harbeth's are better by a significant margin. I'm trying to find something that will exceed the Harbeth's by a good margin--otherwise, why bother? The ATC has that nice midrange dome but I think it sounds better coupled to their monitor designs, like the SC50 or 100 which I heard while I was in England and like a lot. Again, however, these are big box monitors that don't move me toward the more wife friendly appearance I'm looking for. Thanks so much for your interest and please, keep making suggestions!
tomryan OP
797 posts
 
Drubin - Your accessment of the ProAcs is like mine. I absolutely loved their musicality and ability to draw me in for hours but ultimately wanted more inner resolution, but this took over 7 years to happen! I think it may be the large cabinet like you said and am very curious about the Harbeths in this regard. I'm trying to find some way to audition the 30s and would be willing to pay shipping both ways (no dealer in area) if need be.
dodgealum's avatar
dodgealum
1,408 posts
 
Tomryan. Try John Rutan at Audio Connection in Verona, NJ. He may be willing to help.
paullb
134 posts
 
Dodgealum,

If you hang out at HUG, you should know that there are no speakers that are significantly better than Harbeth :-). Seriously, there are different listener priorities and different product strengths and weaknesses - there isn't anything that will "exceed [Harbeth] by a large margin", especially if you like the Super HL5s. As you know, the Harbeths are very natural with great tonal balance, but they aren't the last word in PRAT, don't have spectacular imaging, and the monitor 30 and 40 speakers use the better Seas tweeter. It's all about priorities and having fun trying new things.
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