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Harbeth again…or other speakers for acoustic music?

Hi!

I’ve been without any decent hifi setup for a few years now but lately had the thoughts of investing in a good system again. Let me tell you little about my background and what I’m searching for. I live in a place far from any hifi-stores, I’ve not so much experience of listening to a lot of different systems or visiting hifi shows, but I’ve been playing music myself, mostly jazz, for about 20 years and have been in many performances both as musician and as audience.

About 5 years ago I first bought a pair of Harbeth P3 second hand along with a Rega amp. Pretty soon I wanted something bigger in scale so I swapped the speakers for a pair of 30.1 and the amp for a Croft 25/7 combo. The sound was really really good in so many ways, best sound and midrange I’ve ever heard before! Even though my apartment back then was not optimal with concrete walls the vocals was very lifelike. But after a while I feeling somehow that something was missing. I’m no bass junkie or so but I was tempted to try something that had little more depth and covered the bass region better, so I was started looking at SHL5+ and C7ES3. I also thought about integration some subs but never tried that route. Swapped the 30.1 for C7 but I was immediately disappointed. I never got them to sound good at my place. I thought they lacked the magic I felt 30.1 had.

 

I ended up selling all my gear, but the sound of 30.1 and Croft combo really etched back in my mind. It was more emotional to listen to music as I ever before had experienced. I prefer listen to acoustic music, jazz, small groups ensembles but occasional big band and some lighter pop, but looking for something that excells with vocals and acoustic instruments. It can absolutely be little on the warmer sound, I can’t stand harsh and cold sound.


So now I’m looking for a system again and would like to hear what suggestions you have. I listen to low to modest volumes. No heavy rock or metal. I need something that can play good on low volume. HE speakers and a SET amp would be an alternative but also is Harbeth. I know there’s 30.2 now and XD. Integrating with subs could be Ok. My living room is about 15x12 feet and the speakers cannot be to big and dominant, ex Quad ESL is not an option. There is a few softer walls and I think 1 concrete wall.

 

Happy to hear your thoughts..

philsons

Showing 3 responses by ryder

ryder
1,682 posts
 

As a long time owner of SHL5 (7 years) and currently SHL5+ for about 5 years now, the SHL5+ is the brightest sounding speaker in the Harbeth line to me. I’ve listened to the P3ESR, C7ES3, M30, M30.1, M30.2, M40 and M40.1. I actually find the rest of the Harbeth speakers to sound too warm for my preference, particularly the M30 series. Hence the SHL5+ gets my vote.

I actually find the SHL5+ to sound warm, dull and lacklustre when matched with several amps. I swapped several amps on the SHL5+ in an attempt to make it sound brighter at the top and more lively and dynamic.

While waiting for a response from Arafiq on the comparison between the M30.1 and SHL5+, here’s my take. M30.1 sounds more intimate, warmer and fuller in the midrange with a rounder and slightly rolled off treble. To me the 30.1 has a warmer sound but it sounds more forward than the SHL5+. The sound leaps out more from a silent background with the 30.1. The SHL5+ sounds more even and balanced.

30.1 sounds great with vocals and intimate music, not so much with rock and larger scale music. The sound is too controlled and lacks airiness in the treble. SHL5+ is more versatile and a better all rounder. Bass on the SHL5+ is much better than 30.1 as expected. There’s heft and wallop, and the bass sounds more defined too. Moving from SHL5+ to 30.1 you will feel a chunk of bass missing.

I guess this will apply too when switching from SHL5 to 40.1 or 40.2.

In the end, it’s a matter of preference as usual. The differences are all relative. The SHL5+ can still fit in a 12’ x 15’ room.

 

 

ryder
1,682 posts
 

Have you had any chance to hear 30.1 or .2 with sub?

 

No I haven’t.

The M30.2 or 30.2 XD may be worth considering as I find the newer iteration to sound better than the older versions. Personally I find the original M30 to be underwhelming. It’s the warmest Harbeth speaker with significantly reduced air and rolled off treble. The clarity is poor with the M30. I find the M30.1 to sound much better with improved clarity and detail. I much prefer the 30.1 over M30.

The 30.2 sounds even better, more open and brighter with an extended treble (although I note that few prefer the warmer presentation of the 30.1). If the 30.2 XD sounds even more open at the top with improved clarity and detail, it may well be a winner. Bass isn’t everything as the size of the M30 would be appropriate for small to medium sized rooms (where larger speakers fail to fit).

ryder
1,682 posts
 

Personally I would just skip the XD and go with used M30.2 Anniversary combined with a sub which to me is best value, based on your positive experience with the 30.1. I prefer the added clarity and openness of the 30.2 to the warmer and slightly recessed treble response of the 30.1. Less risk to consider a Harbeth based on your previous experience, more risk with other speakers. You could do a lot worse with more expensive speakers. For acoustic music and jazz, very few speakers can match the Harbeth at the same price range for a natural and realistic presentation.

Good luck.

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