I owned the original Blue Herons and, if the BH IIs are similar, I'd wager almost no 2 way bookshelf comes close. Purists may quibble about the extra crossover/phase and driver integration issues of a 3 way but, properly designed, a 3 way can add much more realism than almost any 2 way (short of line arrays).
Want to accept the Harbeth 7's, but...
I divide my time between two residences, and have two systems (see below).
System 1 is crisp, clean, full, and I think I hear the music/instruments without coloration, and there is no listener fatigue.
System 2 is much less crisp. Almost muddled at times. I keep straining to hear the sound/notes/inflections I know are there. It is almost as if the sound has been pushed back into the area behind the speaker and is coming through a filter.
I use the same discs (female/male vocals, classical, soft rock) for both systems, both rooms are well furnished and curtained (although not 'treated per se' and system 2's room is smaller (12' x16' x 10')
I feel it is the Harbeths that are not coming into play like I wish. I do not live near any dealers and therefor have a difficult time auditioning. I cannot switch systems components (250 miles apart) to A vs. B, and would like other's input re: other choices in speakers for system 2 or other suggestions.
System 1
Music Fidelity Trivista 300 integrated
Sony SCD-1 cdp with van Alstine Ultra DAC
Meadowlark Blue Heron II
Straightwire Seranade speaker, Au-24 ic's
System 2
McCormack DNA-1 Platinum upgrades SS amp
Gill Audio Alana Pre
Esoteric DV 50s cdp
Harbeth 7es-3 on Skylan stands
Nordost Baldeur Speaker, ic's.
System 1 is crisp, clean, full, and I think I hear the music/instruments without coloration, and there is no listener fatigue.
System 2 is much less crisp. Almost muddled at times. I keep straining to hear the sound/notes/inflections I know are there. It is almost as if the sound has been pushed back into the area behind the speaker and is coming through a filter.
I use the same discs (female/male vocals, classical, soft rock) for both systems, both rooms are well furnished and curtained (although not 'treated per se' and system 2's room is smaller (12' x16' x 10')
I feel it is the Harbeths that are not coming into play like I wish. I do not live near any dealers and therefor have a difficult time auditioning. I cannot switch systems components (250 miles apart) to A vs. B, and would like other's input re: other choices in speakers for system 2 or other suggestions.
System 1
Music Fidelity Trivista 300 integrated
Sony SCD-1 cdp with van Alstine Ultra DAC
Meadowlark Blue Heron II
Straightwire Seranade speaker, Au-24 ic's
System 2
McCormack DNA-1 Platinum upgrades SS amp
Gill Audio Alana Pre
Esoteric DV 50s cdp
Harbeth 7es-3 on Skylan stands
Nordost Baldeur Speaker, ic's.