Ah, we all hear differently. Very differently.
I have not had the pleasure to hear speakers by Harbeth, but have read many fine things about them. I own the DeVore Silverbacks and have heard the DeVore 9's, Super 8's, 3XL's, & former 3's. I do not find them thick or closed in at all. Quite the opposite, actually, along with being the most musical and the best value at their respective price points, which includes many, many speaker offerings, but again, not any by Harbeth.
I have not had the pleasure to hear speakers by Harbeth, but have read many fine things about them. I own the DeVore Silverbacks and have heard the DeVore 9's, Super 8's, 3XL's, & former 3's. I do not find them thick or closed in at all. Quite the opposite, actually, along with being the most musical and the best value at their respective price points, which includes many, many speaker offerings, but again, not any by Harbeth.