The Best of the English Sound

Jax
Looking at Spendor/Harbeth for a desktop set-up could run into some serious money. If you want to try the "British" sound how about a pair of KEF Monitors like the 101 or 102's?
They pop up often and always sell. Price is reflective of condition.
As for the other 2-4 sets for various locations there are
bookshelf,stand mount,floostanders and others to consider.
People either like or dislike the British sound. Once you get bit by the mid range and the sound of vocals,you too will be a believer! You can listen for hours and rediscover
your whole music collection.
There is a ton of history on the designs of these speakers,
most having to do with the BBC.
Also, Spendor has had a monster sized price increase so used is the way to go. Good Luck & Happy Listening.

Get Wharfedale Diamond 9.1s. Currently on Amazon direct from the company for $269. They are quite small but have had excellent reviews in the British press. I currently have 8 pairs of British speakers myself and would get a pair except that my wife would kill me. I have been both a Spendor and a Harbeth dealer, as well as B&W, Leak, Musical Fidelity etc. so I like the British sound myself.

Jax
Looking at Spendor/Harbeth for a desktop set-up could run into some serious money.

The Harbeth's he's looking at are, I assume, the new HLP3 mini-monitor. There's currently a pair right here for $ 1350.

Perhaps I'm not understanding, but I'm not in the market for a desktop setup...I was just giving CWLondon some impressions. I'm not particularly a fan of the English sound myself, nor do I dislike it...just prefer a more forward presentation than Harbeths. I'm very happy with the Ohm Micro Walsh shorts that I'm currently using for desktop/nearfield. You may be confusing me with the OP, who suggested his interest in those speakers.

Thanks everyone.

Jax2, as usual, I appreciate your analysis and comments.

What is changing from the photos you saw is that I am going from 2 to 4 or even 6 bigger (32") computer monitors, so the speakers will be even farther apart.

Re ATCs sounding forward or aggressive...as much as I like them (and also their rosewood cabinets) I would have never guessed British ATCs might sound hot, and thus, always assumed it was my cheapo Behringer amplifiers, not any forward or aggressive sound on part of the speakers.

So maybe the Harbeths would be a significant upgrade?

As I have said in other threads, I have never really loved the midrange and/or musical sound of any system or speaker to only add that I wish they had more "inner detail" or "resolution" both of which I now - after 30 years of this - believe to be synonymous with listener's fatigue.

Particularly in this nearfield, desktop configuration, I am listening to them all day, every day, at home and at the office with music, computer sounds, streaming video, and cable TV as the input.

For the dedicated rig, I am keeping the Tympani IVa's but will upgrade the electronics, bi amp, and add analogue when I have the time to enjoy.

Glad you liked the room - it is indeed a lot of fun and even my wife and her friends think it is beautiful and interesting.

cwlondon

Re ATCs sounding forward or aggressive...as much as I like them (and also their rosewood cabinets) I would have never guessed British ATCs might sound hot, and thus, always assumed it was my cheapo Behringer amplifiers, not any forward or aggressive sound on part of the speakers.

The ATC's I heard were the very expensive 20's with their own internal amplification. I don't think they're much like the model you have, but can't say for sure.

As I have said in other threads, I have never really loved the midrange and/or musical sound of any system or speaker to only add that I wish they had more "inner detail" or "resolution" both of which I now - after 30 years of this - believe to be synonymous with listener's fatigue.

I think I know what you mean, but have some contrasting experience. I'm listening to a pair Grado GS1000 headphones as I write this, on a good HP amp. Tremendous inner detail and resolution, right up to my ears...yet they are not in the least fatiguing. I have heard systems that do excel in bringing out inner detail, yet are indeed fatiguing...not sure what the key is though. Interesting subject.

Particularly in this nearfield, desktop configuration, I am listening to them all day, every day, at home and at the office with music, computer sounds, streaming video, and cable TV as the input.

A. I want your job!
B. You deserve a great system.

Glad you liked the room - it is indeed a lot of fun and even my wife and her friends think it is beautiful and interesting.

I want your wife too! :-) Really, nice integration of living/working/passion. My hat's off (doesn't fit over the headphones anyway!