HARBETH Speakers??

Toolfan66
Toolfan66 Posts: 17,296
in Speakers
Anytime I’m browsing TMR or Audiogon these speakers always pop up somewhere in the mix, they seem pretty pricey, what are your thoughts on these for those of you who have heard them? I believe someone here has a set but can’t remember who, but I can picture the room..

This is more out of curiosity, not looking to buy them..
Polk Audio SDA 2.3tl Fully Hot Rodded. 😎

SVS SB16 X2

Cary SLP-05/Ultimate Upgrade.
Cary SA-500.1 ES Amps
Cary DMS 800PV Network
OPPO UDP 205/ModWright Modification
VPI Scout TT / Dynavector 20x2
Jolida JD9 Fully Modified

VPI MW-1 Cyclone RCM

MIT Shotgun 3 cables throughout / Except TT, and PC’s
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,300
    At one time I had a Harbeth dream. Mainly because they were elusive for me to listen too

    That dream was answered, and they were only so so...IMHO not worth the price

    Cabinet resonance was noticeable and not in a good way, which imho effected the the bass which also rolled up into the midrange
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • aprazer402
    aprazer402 Posts: 3,149
    You may want to talk with @steveinaz

    He sold his a few years back.

    https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/178411/for-sale-harbeth-hl-7es-3-speakers#latest

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,894
    txcoastal1 wrote: »
    At one time I had a Harbeth dream. Mainly because they were elusive for me to listen too

    That dream was answered, and they were only so so...IMHO not worth the price

    Cabinet resonance was noticeable and not in a good way, which imho effected the the bass which also rolled up into the midrange

    The thin/resonant cabinet is, AFAIK, purpose- built; an homage to the classic BBC nearfield monitor specification(s), like the LS-3/5A (although the thin cabinet of those classic minimonitors was/is damped with bitumen sheets).

    http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/rd/pubs/reports/1976-29.pdf
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SIHAB
    SIHAB Posts: 4,955
    The P3ESRs are a nice little mini monitors. I've owned and lived with 2 different pairs.
    They are easy to listen to, pair with, and dial in. For what they do, they do it well.
    As you point out, there is a lot of $$$$ sitting there.

    Speakers: Polk Lsim, ATC SCM19 v2, NHT SuperzeroSpeaker Cables: DH Labs, Transparent, Wireworld, Canare, Monster: Beer budget, Bose ears
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • decal
    decal Posts: 3,205
    I heard a pair of Monitor 40's with an all Audio Research rig several years ago. It sounded great. I didn't notice any cabinet resonance at all.
    If you can't hear a difference, don't waste your money.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    Harbeth midrange/treble blending/realism is reference standard, but they are not a very "exciting" speaker to listen to, IMO. That's why I sold mine.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    steveinaz wrote: »
    Harbeth midrange/treble blending/realism is reference standard, but they are not a very "exciting" speaker to listen to, IMO. That's why I sold mine.

    +1 on this. I though they lacked some excitement and dynamics. Clean but, just didn't grab me.
    Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,296
    edited December 2021
    Thanks for the info guys, not sure way they follow me when looking around but they do.

    The JWM’s are the speakers I would love to have, and they don’t follow me.. 🤣
    Polk Audio SDA 2.3tl Fully Hot Rodded. 😎

    SVS SB16 X2

    Cary SLP-05/Ultimate Upgrade.
    Cary SA-500.1 ES Amps
    Cary DMS 800PV Network
    OPPO UDP 205/ModWright Modification
    VPI Scout TT / Dynavector 20x2
    Jolida JD9 Fully Modified

    VPI MW-1 Cyclone RCM

    MIT Shotgun 3 cables throughout / Except TT, and PC’s
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SeleniumFalcon
    SeleniumFalcon Posts: 3,831
    One of the most satisfying systems I've ever put together consisted of a pair of Harbeth model 30 speakers, Hegeman HAPI 2 preamp, a modified Quad 405 and a Well Tempered turntable with a Shure M97e with line contact stylus. I've also used the Conrad Johnson MV75a-1 amplifier with excellent results. It helps if you have lived with speakers such as the Quads, Spica, Magnapan or other low coloration speaker designs before experiencing the Harbeths.

    t2d5ehdxiceh.jpg
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,563
    It’s one of those that seem to draw my attention, there’s something special about Harbeths.
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    I've always loved the 'look' of the BBC style speakers, but I've never had the pleasure of listening to the Harbeths.

    They must be perfect for a lot of Jazz fans with their smooth presentation. I'd love own a pair one day.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SeleniumFalcon
    SeleniumFalcon Posts: 3,831
    mdnwjm50qfv2.jpg
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,554
    edited December 2021
    SeleniumFalcon wrote: »
    mdnwjm50qfv2.jpg

    Tease!

    What is that triangle looking sucker to the right.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SeleniumFalcon
    SeleniumFalcon Posts: 3,831
    Spica TC50, another satisfying speaker.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TEAforONE
    TEAforONE Posts: 1,026
    I’ve never had the opportunity to hear any Harbeth models,but they have always intrigued me. A couple years ago I was actively seeking a pair of P3’s on the used market. At the beginning of my search,a pair of Spendor S3/5’s came up at a very reasonable price,so I grabbed them. They were about a third of the price of a used pair of Harbeths. This was a test,and I was definitely thrilled with them. Enough so I decided to buy the next pair of P3’s that came up. Well,along come a pair of Graham Chartwell LS3/5’s,(not the 5a’s),and I buy those instead. I sometimes like to take the path less traveled. I do a side by side comparison of the Spendors and Graham’s, the Graham’s are currently in house,and the Spendors are in a new home. Depending on room size and requirements of your speakers, I think any of the British mini monitors are probably a great choice in the right situation. Yes, they do have limitations,but what speaker or gear doesn’t?
    See my profile for list of gear.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    Here's a pic of mine when I had them:
    182d7ubdj517.jpg
    vtkcz61h22ri.jpg

    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter