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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
helomech
2,007 posts
 

 

 

This experience with Harbeth will likely open my mind to consider a broader variety speaker designs in the future.  

FWIW, I do believe you purchased one of the best speakers in Harbeth’s catalog. That is, a version of their M40 monitor, which is their all-around best series if the room can accommodate them. I think you’ll be pleased with them. 

 

wester17
77 posts
 

In my opinion, you're going the wrong direction. I've been through a dozen speakers and ultimately settled on the Harbeth SHL5plus speakers. I loved and enjoyed them for 5 years, but a year ago I purchased a used pair of Wilson Sabrinas and found they are better than the Harbeths in pretty much every way. I have never known a Wilson speaker to be bright. The M40s are an excellent speaker, so I hope you'll enjoy them, but my money is still on the Wilsons. 

tommypenngotti's avatar
tommypenngotti
226 posts
 

smart decision....I was in a hifi never ending rabbit hole that ended at Harbeth. Had some help, but it's the best 🤫

jferro
16 posts
 

I’ d be very interested in you opinion after a few weeks with the Harbeth’s.  
I've had Wilson Sophia 2 ‘s for the past 10 years and am having a tough time finding a speaker I’d like to replace them with.  Some speakers image better or have a more airy treble - but a least 50% of the music I listen to is big symphonic and nothing does a big symphony like the Wilson’s.  
Will follow this  thread closely and good luck!

dhite71 OP
453 posts
 

@wester17 

Your note about Wilson and brightness is exactly what I was saying in an earlier response.  The sound they produce in my room does not match expectations.  I have an all tube system with Transparent cabling so nothing that stands out to cause this.  Vinyl produces the best sound while streaming can often be brighter, depending on the recording and solid state amps also produce a brighter sound, regardless of the speaker.

 

@tommypenngotti 

Thanks....obviously really looking forward to the experience and definitely no regrets if they don't work out.  I have been curious for years so knew this would happen some day

 

@jferro 

Have you tried any other Wilsons?

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