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To Harbeth or not to Harbeth, That is the question...

Whether it is nobler in the ear when listening primarily to vocals and acoustic music at 55-65db max?

Whether the 30.2 or the HL5+ produces the most magical sound in a mid sized room?

These are my questions.  

I like British Speakers. Not really sure why. Respect for the the duration of their businesses?
The uppity nature of some of the makers? I enjoy the sound of Tannoy, Harbeth, Graham, ProAc, ATC.

So Friends, Romans, Harbethians please share with me you HB experiences as it relates to low volume
listening. And please explain your passion for black screw heads. 


chorus
hleeid
219 posts
 
I have the SHL5+ 40s in a 13' x 16' room.  No experience with the 30s.
For low to mid volume listening, they clearly are better than my LS50s, LRSs and B&W Matrix 801S2s.

My 1970s Rogers LS3/5As however, are right up there with the SHL5+ 40s for low volume listening.
voodoochillin's avatar
voodoochillin
61 posts
 
hleeid, 

Please share what amp you are using with the Shl5+. Thanks.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
6,187 posts
 
Low listening ,vocals, acoustic music. The P3ESR is the Harbeth you should be looking at! 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqFIaiPT_kY
chayro
3,092 posts
 
I've owned the SHL5, Monitor 30 and P3s. IMO, the SHL5s had a bigger, smoother sound and are more tolerant to equipment and cables than the others.  That said, I would definitely use a good cable, stands and amplifier with some guts.  I happen to love my P3s right now.  Very well balanced with satisfying bass and good at lower levels.  Using with a Heed Elexir 50 wpc integrated.  
arafiq's avatar
arafiq
1,790 posts
 
I've owned the P3esrs in the past, and currently own M30.1 (home office) and SHL5+ (media room). As much as I love Harbeth, I don't think they are particularly satisfying when it comes to low level listening. They're not bad per se, but if that's your goal I think Klipsch Heritage series might be a better option. Personally, I don't care for the Klipsch sound (or most high efficiency speakers for that matter), but they really do shine at low listening levels better than other speakers I've heard.
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