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Author Topic: Harbeth Speakers  (Read 5123 times)

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donunus

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Re: Harbeth Speakers
« Reply #20 on: December 23, 2013, 09:47:50 AM »
There was a speaker that I heard at the 2000 CES that sounded really nice and had an enclosure that was made to sing with the music too. I think it was made by Phi. I am not 100% sure but I think this is the one. http://www.phi-audio.com/history_cyclops.htm
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MuppetFace

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Re: Harbeth Speakers
« Reply #21 on: December 23, 2013, 01:05:38 PM »
The KEF LS50 sounded really good to me when I heard it. If I were going to get a brand new sub $2k speaker, that would probably be it. The Blades also sounded really good when I heard them, but then I found out their price and was less enthusiastic. I assumed they were a bit lower-priced. Would only be tempted by a used pair. Their Muons sounded fucking incredible, but then a six-figure speaker should right? I know someone who might be selling his pair, but I'm not going to even ask for the price. It'll break my heart.

I've only tried one pair of Harbeths... can't remember their designation, but they were small and desktop-ish. Priced at around $3000 or so I think. They sounded OK but didn't really do it for me.



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Hroðulf

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Re: Harbeth Speakers
« Reply #22 on: December 23, 2013, 04:50:21 PM »
I fully concur about the LS50 - I've heard some floorstanders that can't manage to sound as grand as the small LS50. Somehow despite using metal drivers they manage to sound anything but metallic.

They do need good a good amp tho.
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LFF

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Re: Harbeth Speakers
« Reply #23 on: December 24, 2013, 12:02:10 AM »
I always thought the Harbeth speakers sounded ok - sometimes way too bright. Definitely not worth what they ask for them. I actually think Purrin's DIY design sounds leagues better than the Harbeth monitors.


There are definitely much better and cheaper options available.
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Maxvla

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Re: Harbeth Speakers
« Reply #24 on: December 24, 2013, 01:01:30 AM »
I listened to Morbidtoaster's Harbeths (can't remember model, 8" woofers) powered by a Leben for several hours one night at his apartment. Far from ideal room, etc. They sounded alright, but the mids were sucked out, and I wouldn't have liked them for anything but pop/electronica, which was almost all of what we played.

I threw on a jazz piece and a vocal jazz piece and they collapsed. Not good at all. The bass from the little 8" drivers was impressive, subwoofer quantity bass. Lacked a little on bass control, but not as bad as you might think with the quantity vs driver size.
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DaveBSC

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Re: Harbeth Speakers
« Reply #25 on: December 24, 2013, 06:29:53 AM »
Quote from: Maxvla on December 24, 2013, 01:01:30 AM
I listened to Morbidtoaster's Harbeths (can't remember model, 8" woofers) powered by a Leben for several hours one night at his apartment. Far from ideal room, etc. They sounded alright, but the mids were sucked out, and I wouldn't have liked them for anything but pop/electronica, which was almost all of what we played.

It's possible that your ears were 1" above or below perfect axis with the tweeter. If that's the case, they have major midrange suckout problems. Not joking.
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ader

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Re: Harbeth Speakers
« Reply #26 on: December 25, 2013, 01:18:57 AM »


^ What am I looking at in this picture, exactly?  Does all that sit directly behind the drivers, or is this deeper in the cabinet?
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firev1

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Re: Harbeth Speakers
« Reply #27 on: December 25, 2013, 02:07:29 AM »
In the case with the P3 at least(I have seen repairs done) the cabinet and driver unit is just utterly stuffed with foam and all.

The 30.1s I have heard at least seem to do fairly well in home environments(the demo room was untreated and all) but yeah they suck off-axis. They don't do everything well either.
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