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Why do Harbeth P3ESRs sound different?

Hi all,  My audio friend has a pair of Harbeth P3ESRs in the rosewood finish. After I heard them I wanted a pair even though I have ProAc 1SCs and Tablette Reference 8 signatures and Spendor S3/5s. I went on Audiogon and found a pair in nice condition and a great price in cherry finish. When they were delivered I put them on the stands and played them. They sounded nothing like my other speakers, kind of dull. So I played them as much as I could for a month and they finally sounded better. After another month of playing I brought them over my friend's  place for comparison. His Harbeths sounded more open and with better bass. Not huge but there was a difference. I brought them home and played them every day for another month and brought them back over my friends. Same thing. My LR numbers are in the high 400s and his are in the high 1600s. He thinks it's the wood finishes like a guitar. I'm wondering if it's an improved production run like ProAcs claim they  can do with their products. Any thoughts? Thanks.
speaker2
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drubin
3,265 posts
 
If you're in or near the SF Bay Area, you can compare to my mid 800s rosewoods.

You might want to pose this to the US distributor, Walter Swanborn of Fidelis AV, or join the Harbeth User Group through the Harbeth UK website and ask there. And if you have a local Harbeth dealer, take your pair in to conpare with theirs.

Dan

sfall
346 posts
 
Your ProAc's have a more forward and direct sound to them. If you're used to listening to them, changing to a different speaker can show this quality in a very abrupt way.

You also need to take your room, electronics and placement into consideration. The 1sc's are far more forgiving of placement than the Harbeth. Try placing them closer together and moving your listening chair to a more nearfield position.
speaker2 OP
12 posts
 
Thanks to all for your help. My friend and I had gone over the speakers and there is no evidence that the front or rear screws were removed. The speakers don't have a mark on them, not even the bottoms. The seller was a true gentleman. I received the original box, manual and proof of ownership with the numbered stickers sheet. He put gift ribbon behind the grills for easy removal and there were no marks on the wood from removing the grills. He even called me to make sure they arrived safely! Don't get me wrong, they still sound and look wonderful in my small room. (My friend's room is three times larger.)  The difference is minimal so rushing to sell them (and the basic cherry finish with the pinkish hues is nice)  isn't necessary but I will give it a shot and call Walter. Cheers.
speaker2 OP
12 posts
 
Yogiboy it seems I have the same speakers you had. May I ask what speakers you replaced the P3ESR's with? PS I am still ProAc Man.
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yogiboy
5,454 posts
 
speaker2
After trying the Harbeth compact 7, I went back to the Harbeth P3ESR. I have owned many LS3/A type speakers including Spendor,Kef,etc. The Harbeth is my favorite among the others that I have owned. I have never heard a ProAc,so I can’t comment on them!
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