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I haven't been this excited in a while!

I have been growing my system for 8 years going through 8 preamps, 6 amps, 5 phonostages, 8 DACs, 8 streamers, 6 turntables and 7 sets of speakers.  Lots of long drives pulling a U-Haul haha.  I live in Memphis and have been to Dallas, Bethesda, DC, Jersey, Charlotte and Asheville.  

My Wilson Sophia 1 have been the speaker that keeps making the most musical sound in my system through all the electronic upgrades.  Other Wilson(Yvette/Sasha DAW/Alexia 1) had an overly bright/harsh sound that I could not enjoy.  EgglestonWorks Viginti and Focal 1038Be did the same.  I often have an experience with gear that doesn't fit the mould of what is expected.  Wilson and dealers all were in disbelief that my inverted metal dome tweeters in the Sophias play smoother than the soft-dome, but it wasn't just me...had a couple local audiophile friends over and I will never forget, one used the expression that they make you want to run out of the room.

A few weeks ago a friend  let me listen to his Harbeth Compact 7ES-2s and I was blown away.  All the assessments and reviews were spot on.  They were so musical and natural sounding.  This medium sized speaker was also super impressive in how the bass filled my large space.  

I started looking for some older model 40s and am going in about a week to pick up my M40.1s.  I was never a huge fan of their aesthetics with the old school box design.  I do love wood however it may be used in a home and with that sound they are looking more and more beautiful to me.  

Sonus Faber have a similar reputation and with their sleeker and more modern design, I had thought they would be my next contender but at the price point and the reviews of these 40.1s, as I said...I am just giddy over getting them home and seeing how they can perform.

I listen to all genres of music and will report back in a couple weeks on how things work out.  I was curious of others that are new to the Harbeth sound.

Cheers,
Dana

dhite71
zlone
1,344 posts
 

Congrats, that will be an interesting change. Be sure to report back once things have settled in.

 

jjss49's avatar
jjss49
6,924 posts
 

going from larger wilsons to the big harbeth is like going from double shot espressos to a diet of lukewarm chamomile tea -- quite refreshing and remarkably easeful from one perspective -- but over time, discerning ears generally seek a middle ground -- see through transparency with musicality and organic tonality in more equal doses

i would also imagine the speaker change will elicit other system changes as the user’s bent will be to move the transducer’s innate sonic signature to a more suitable ’middle ground’

the joy is in the journey -- enjoy!

dhite71 OP
454 posts
 

@zlone 

Thanks, I will definitely come back with my 1 song, 1 day, 3 day, and so on assessments.  Those quite often vary as I get settled in and used to the new sound.  Love your clean and sleek systems!  Is that an REL sub behind the R speaker? 

@jjss49 

I have a perfect spot to roll the Sophias out of sight so will likely never sell those.  They are special to me as I bought them cheap used with cracks in the finish.  I called Wilson and asked for advice on how to repair/hide and they said well actually that is the result of a short run of speakers with defective glue so we will take care of that for you.  I shipped them out to UT and they completely refurbished them and sent them back like a brand new pair!  What customer service....simply amazing.  I reviewed your system....WOW!  As one person noted, definitely an audiophile playground.  You have several different style speakers for endless musical bliss at your fingertips...well done!

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