[skyline889]

Those Harbeths look amazing! How do they compare to the Thiels?

 

[tom hankins]

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyline889 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Those Harbeths look amazing! How do they compare to the Thiels?

Not quite as resolving, but much more realistic. Both are pretty nuetral with the Thiels being a little on the cool side and the harbeths a little on the warm side. Bigger soundstage, both width and depth with the Harbeths. Both have super sharp, defined imaging. Harbeths have the Best midrange of any speaker i have owned. They are equal as far as both being very coherant. Not quite as extended in the treble as the Thiels. Much better bass now with the REL in the system. All in all, the most musical, and enjoyable speaker system I have owned. It was getting to point with the Thiels that i was only listening to a limited amount of music. Now i play alot more records that were in limbo because they are not the best recordings.
The harbeths are much easier to place in my room, and are not as sensative to upstream gear as the Thiels. The harbeths have a natural weight and texure to them thats much more enjoyable and realistic on almost every record or CD I play.
EDIT: One other thing about the harbeths, at low volume listening they are really nice. Alot of speakers really start to loose imformation at low volumes. Not the harbeths.

 

[markmaxx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom hankins /img/forum/go_quote.gif Not quite as resolving, but much more realistic. Both are pretty nuetral with the Thiels being a little on the cool side and the harbeths a little on the warm side. Bigger soundstage, both width and depth with the Harbeths. Both have super sharp, defined imaging. Harbeths have the Best midrange of any speaker i have owned. They are equal as far as both being very coherant. Not quite as extended in the treble as the Thiels. Much better bass now with the REL in the system. All in all, the most musical, and enjoyable speaker system I have owned.

Hi Tom. I did a quick Audiogon search, and are the Herbeths only $4000.00?

Your Thiels must have been over $10,000.00.

and the Herbeths must be in high demand there are not any on Audiogon.

Looks like I need to find a local dealer, as I hate my "shouty" (spell check said it,s not a word

sorry, but:.. it is descriptive) B&W 703

 

[tom hankins]

Quote:

Originally Posted by markmaxx /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi Tom. I did a quick Audiogon search, and are the Herbeths only $4000.00? Your Thiels must have been over $10,000.00. and the Herbeths must be in high demand there are not any on Audiogon. Looks like I need to find a local dealer, as I hate my "shouty" (spell check said it,s not a word sorry, but:.. it is descriptive) B&W 703

Mine are the SHL5 in eucalyptus. I got them new at acoustic sounds for $5.4K. The stands were 650.00. (sub was 1995.00) There are some really good deals for used models on audiogon right now. its a buyers market out there. The Thiels were demos when I bought them and came to around $9K. So they ended up being close in price. However getting the amps to make the thiels sing was alot of $$$. The harbeths can sound good with just about anything. and power isnt a big of deal. There are some used on Agon for $3-4K, but not in the premion finish. There is a pr. of older M40s with stands for only $4K that look like a great deal.

 

[ical]

Another Harbeth user.

 

[tom hankins]

SHL5s, Sound Anchors, and tubes! I like your style. Beautiful room.

 

[jigster]

Me likes too

 

[vcoheda]

gorgeous setup.

 

[starcat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by markmaxx /img/forum/go_quote.gif Looks like I need to find a local dealer, as I hate my "shouty" (spell check said it,s not a word sorry, but:.. it is descriptive) B&W 703

Mark, why don't you try something like the 800/801/802 B&W speakers?

 

[markmaxx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by starcat /img/forum/go_quote.gif Mark, why don't you try something like the 800/801/802 B&W speakers?

I have Meridian GO 8> Cary Audio SLP 05 (with 1940 Sylvania 6SN7 tubes)> Cary Audio CAD 500 mono blocks>$4000.00 to $6000.00 this winter for speakers.

I never turn the system on

not happy with it yet. I asked Tom a while back about vinyl, but i think it,s the speakers I don't like. I am a little lost and ran out of money last winter. Audio is a winter sport for me as we are so busy in the summer.

I am looking forward to saving some more money and my Christmas bonus!!!

I want my speaker rig to sound like my Supra and Senn 650. to me every thing is just right. OK my headphone rig, lacks a little detail and the cymbal's don,t shimmer like my speaker rig!

Sorry this doesn't belong in this forum

 

[skyline889]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom hankins /img/forum/go_quote.gif Not quite as resolving, but much more realistic. Both are pretty nuetral with the Thiels being a little on the cool side and the harbeths a little on the warm side. Bigger soundstage, both width and depth with the Harbeths. Both have super sharp, defined imaging. Harbeths have the Best midrange of any speaker i have owned. They are equal as far as both being very coherant. Not quite as extended in the treble as the Thiels. Much better bass now with the REL in the system. All in all, the most musical, and enjoyable speaker system I have owned. It was getting to point with the Thiels that i was only listening to a limited amount of music. Now i play alot more records that were in limbo because they are not the best recordings. The harbeths are much easier to place in my room, and are not as sensative to upstream gear as the Thiels. The harbeths have a natural weight and texure to them thats much more enjoyable and realistic on almost every record or CD I play. EDIT: One other thing about the harbeths, at low volume listening they are really nice. Alot of speakers really start to loose imformation at low volumes. Not the harbeths.

Man, they sound like the perfect speakers! I've always wanted to try a pair of BBC speakers, but they're so expensive.

I've been considering the Spendor 1/2Es but the reviews generally say that they're only bridges to the real thing, i.e. the Harbeths.

 

[markmaxx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyline889 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Man, they sound like the perfect speaker

Yes they do.

 

[Stikk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ical /img/forum/go_quote.gif Another Harbeth user.

Is that sound deadening material over the TV? I like it, clearly the sound is the star in this room

 

[ical]

Yes, sound quality is everything to me. The one on the TV and above are actually reflector to improve imaging.



Quote:

Originally Posted by tom hankins /img/forum/go_quote.gif SHL5s, Sound Anchors, and tubes! I like your style. Beautiful room.

Nice room you've there too. I like the finishing of your Harbeth. Looks great!

 

[markmaxx]

I though that, I have heard the name "Harbeth" before.

Harbeth HLP3ES-2 Speakers Eucalyptus - Speakers | HeadRoom Audio