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Presenting some Harbeth SHL5 in room measurements

I have just gotten a used Harbeth HL5 this week, current model. I'm pretty thrilled after years of goofing around on Agon trying this and that. This is the best speaker I've had in the house.

I've been using a Velodyne DD12 sub. Many will recognize it as one of their models that will present a graph on TV in real time. The graph goes to zero and up to 200Hz so it it just for bass integration. One good thing about this measurement system is that you can turn down the sub and take a look at the response of your main speakers.

I am using a combo player modified by VSE going to a Cary Theater 11 processor/preamp feeding Channel Islands D100 mono blocks. Set up in my 12 X 20 room with opening off a couple sides is not far from what Harbeth recommends. About 22" from the rear wall 6 1/2 feet or so apart, 2-3 feet from the side wall. My listening chair is 9-10 feet back. They are elevated on temp stands 17" high.

What I have observed is that the response of just the front speakers is reasonably even down to a bit above 40 Hz then it rises gently 2-3 Hz peaking at 40 and falling rapidly from there. The single 12" sub brought up under to continue the response down to 25 Hz is not putting out a heck of a lot of info. I can't say enough about Velodyne's system. You can scoot the speakers in and out and watch the response change. Same when you are integrating the sub and stereo front speakers.

I'm not absolutely sure but it appears that one of the new entry level Rels might just work in this situation. I ordered the largest in the T series retailing for $999. I would like to be able to run the HL5s full range with sub for two channel and actually crossed over for movies. The Rel is set up to do this. I will post my findings on the Rel after the test drive.

Larry R
Seattle
jcilarry

Showing 1 response by shadorne

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shadorne
7,467 posts
 
It all depends on what SPL levels you desire. Remember that at 20 Hz a signal at 75 db SPL is just at the threshold of audibility...you need copious energy to even hear clean ultra LF sound.

I doubt that the small DD12 will get you much above 100 db SPL below 40 Hz....with room gain you may be up to 105db SPL. To me this is a good match for your Harbeth's.

The Rel's max out at much lower SPL levels - so I would be interested in your findings but I suspect a small model REL would only work in a small appartment in a small room with smaller speakers...I seriously doubt if it could keep up with the Harbeth HL5 below 40 Hz unless the Harbeth's are already doing a lot in this range already and you just need a "top up".
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