1. Home
  2. speakers
  3. 197398-93199

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
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?

tommypenngotti's avatar
tommypenngotti
226 posts
 

@dhite71 

 

I have the 40.3XD's paired/x-over'd with some Emminence 18's when I wanna bring it...best clarity ever...

jferro
16 posts
 

@dhite71
Yes, I listened to most of the line at a dealer, not in my home.  If I do upgrade it would be to a Sasha or Alexia but I am in my rush.   I found the sonic signature similar to the Sophia‘s - just bigger.  Surprised you found the Sasha/ Alexia bright, esp with your ARC gear and room treatments.
I have my Sophia’s 64 inches out from the front with well treated front and side walls.  Not bright at all and a cavernous soundstage.

wester17
77 posts
 

I've had second thoughts about my comment that you might be going in the wrong direction. I apologize. The bottom line is this: We all have our personal preferences. Some like chocolate ice cream, some prefer vanilla. Some like bright and lean, some like warm and full. Others like something in between. One is not better than the other. Harbeth makes wonderful speakers, and if that's what you prefer, then I say congratulations! Enjoy them without reservation! It's rare when we reach that point in this hobby, so savor it. 

dhite71 OP
453 posts
 

@wester17 

I am really thinking these could be just what I have been searching for because I think everyone can agree that Harbeth are anything BUT bright.  With me being so sensitive to brightness I may have opened the door to climb the 40 series ladder.

@jferro 

That is exactly the experience I have had.  I listened casually at LMC Entertainment and then spent a few hours at Evolution Home Theater in Atlanta.  All the Wilson speakers sounded amazing.  The largest they had were the Alexia V.  They all sounded incredible down to the Sabrinas.  I am over trying to figure it out.  It doesn't matter....the ones I purchased did not work in my system for my ears.  I was not willing to change everything else to try and make a particular speaker work.  I love my ARC system and want a speaker that is compatible with my room and system.  The Sophias do a great job but I know it can be better.  The best demo I have ever had was visiting EgglestonWorks and sitting in Jim Thompson's office/sound room.  He has the big Ivy Signature SEs set up probably about 15 feet apart in a huge space.  They created the most amazing wall of sound I have ever heard.  The old Sears building here in Memphis has a Listening Lab with vinyl you can check out and sit at a variety of stations with a turntable and headphones.  Jim set up some of the same Ivy speakers there playing music in a big sound room and they have special listening events as well.  I took my daughter there a few weeks ago and she said, I always like your stereo at home but that just sounded different...it was really good!  It was warmer and more lifelike/natural.  That's what I am searching for.  Jim uses Bryston amps in that Sears system.  I can't remember what he had in his office.

More to discover