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Considering Harbeth C 7ES-3

I am considering purchasing Harbeth C 7ES-3s. Have PSAudio Stellar amp and preamp. I would appreciate thoughts on sound quality and character. I listen to everything except heavy metal/ thrash. Are there other speakers I should consider in their price range? @$4000.
jlm51
skiroe's avatar
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skiroe
131 posts
 
@jim51     I have a pair,  bought them used on the Gon and saved a bit of money.   Something I learned from spending time on Harbeth website is a substantial amount of speakers are using the polypropylene cone material.    Long story short--good for low cost for the builder but not so good for best sound reproduction.   Harbeth does not use poly for cone material--at least not on these.    
I've had mine now for 3 or 5 yrs or so and they remain in my main system.   I sold my ML's and others as well.  What I have left are speakers that are primarily for low wattage amps.   The workmanship is outstanding  as well as the sound.   highs can be etheral depending on material played.   Most life like presentation I have heard in my system to date and no need to spend more.  I think I spent 2200 for mine.  excellent midrange and bass adequate for my needs.  I dont use a sub.     Good luck,  give them a try.
amps currently used.    Emotiva  xpa100 monos.    Pass   XA30.5.       
tobes's avatar
tobes
436 posts
 
10-11-2019 3:50am
The C7ES3 treble is incredible and best in the Harbeth line IMHO.  
Possibly the nicest sounding application of an aluminum dome that I have ever heard- natural but with a shimmering amount of air that adds trailing edge detail without going too far.  
The P3ESR and 30.1 / .2 use the soft domes and they are too rounded off for me.  
The SHL5+ have a super tweeter that while impressive does have some cancellations with the main tweeter that give the C7ES3 the edge.  
The 40.1 /2 sound overly natural with a rounded off top end and dominating bottom end.
Again with the right system synergy and room setup the C7ES3 are spooky good speakers.
I owned the C7ES3 for 2yrs and the m30.1 for 6 years. I found the 30.1 to have a more sophisticated and refined treble than the ES3.

I always enjoyed listening to the ES3, but music sounded richer and more complex through the m30.1.
Since moved on to ATC, which I find more neutral and dynamic than the Harbeth. 
Definitely compare the ATC SCM19 to the C7ES3 and see which you prefer. Very different speakers. I sold my m30.1's after comparing to SCM19's - but many don't favour the more neutral ATC sound.
jlm51 OP
10 posts
 
thanks for the comparative info. I’ll give a listen to ATC. 
gryphongryph
357 posts
 
Maybe consider the Graham Audio line too, I have had a pair of LS 5/9 from them for nearly 2 years now, very good speakers and totally no listening fatigue, I liked them better than the Harbeth 30.1 
biscorbit
143 posts
 
Atc are very amp finicky, just so you know.  That's probably why people go with the active versions.   I personally enjoyed the harbeth sound more with my mc452 in comparison to the atc19 with Mac.  That said, I just couldn't justify pulling the trigger on the 19scms unless I was starting off from scratch.  It was approximately 2000. dollars more in price and it wasn't necessarily better just different.  If I did go atc, I would go actives and save money on not needing an amp.  Plus you won't need to worry about amp pairing and wondering if you're optimizing these speakers.  That's just my opinion.   I also prefer solid state gear with both speakers.  I did try a tube with my Harbeths and they were dull.  The details came alive more than ever, when I added a SS preamp c52.  It was crazy the difference imho.  
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