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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.
farmdoc

Showing 2 responses by shadorne

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shadorne
7,467 posts
 
If you play loud or at close to realistic levels then I doubt the compact speaker can keep up with the Meadowlark's.

Nothing wrong with the Harbeth's but basically most good large box three ways are going to defeat a good small box two way in terms of clarity. In general of course...horses for courses.

At lower listening levels the Harbeth's are impressively detailed - one of the best midranges out there but I don't think they will excel on percussion as your larger speakers probably do.

The bigger room may play a roll too...small rooms do tend to sound cluttered and claustrophobic and there is not much you can do about it.
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,467 posts
 
If the Harbeths are close to the wall(s), you might try moving them out away from the walls and see if that helps. Early reflections and/or too much boundary reinforcement can muddle the sound.

Good point. I heard them in a demo and they were setup like you setup panels - far out into the room. The bass was plenty strong for me - even totally without any room boost - my thought is that they could be overwhelming in the bass at higher levels or just as Duke suggests - when placed too near a room boundary.
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