Harbeth goes XD

Mike

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Harbeth will be ramping down production of the Anniversary Series and ramping up production of their new XD series starting in April. However, at this weekends Bristol show, Harbeth was showing off their new XD series.

What’s the changes? All new parts in the crossovers.

No US pricing has been announced.

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Comments from people at the show:

“As far as the P3s are concerned. Alan Shaw has extensively redesigned the crossover (18 of 26 components have been changed or modified). For the other 4 speakers yes, the XD version carries over the 40th anniversary crossover improvements but, like the P3, have had the WBT binding posts replaced with ones more similar to what went before. This last item has had no audible effect.”

“The P3ESR XD are fantastic! If you already like the P3 you will adore what the XD version does I promise you. extended Definition actually describes the sound improvement pretty well! The Rosewood veneer is lovely...”


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The XD/ 40th Anniversary crossover brings a significant benefit from sound perspective.

The 30.2 40th Anniversary is considerably better than the 30.1 IMHO.


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I was working at the Bristol Show and had the opportunity of hearing the P3XD. What Alan has managed to do is create a flat frequency response across most of the range. Sounded very coherent to me and that ease of listening presentation I love.
 
Thank you for your update. I’d love to hear the new speakers.
 
For the people who don't know, the 40.2XD is the exact same speaker as the 40.2 Anniversary minus the WBT binding posts and the Anniversary badges of course. Probably looking at a price increase as well.
 
For the people who don't know, the 40.2XD is the exact same speaker as the 40.2 Anniversary minus the WBT binding posts and the Anniversary badges of course. Probably looking at a price increase as well.

Wouldn’t you also expect maybe some crossover changes? I don’t know.

I’d love to hear a side by side comparison.
 
This is what I have been told... the 40.2, SHL5 and 30.2 anniversary already have what is now considered the XD upgrade. All the other speakers that never received upgraded components/modified crossovers and wiring will now receive the same and will be called XD. Is it possible that some other small tweaks were made... sure, lets wait and hear directly from the source when they're ready.
 
This is what I have been told... the 40.2, SHL5 and 30.2 anniversary already have what is now considered the XD upgrade. All the other speakers that never received upgraded components/modified crossovers and wiring will now receive the same and will be called XD. Is it possible that some other small tweaks were made... sure, lets wait and hear directly from the source when they're ready.

I’m hearing that all models are getting the XD treatment - all new parts in the crossover, new crossover design, etc. But yes, let’s wait and hear from Harbeth directly. I’ll try to find out more. THAT BEING SAID, just because the XD comes out, doesn’t make the Anniversary suddenly a bad speaker. SOME manufacturers feel they need to keep improving on things, even a little here or a little there.
 
A little more info: P3 and C7 will be the first models to get “XD’d”. Expected that the 40 will be the last to get the XD changes.
 
Comments from people at the show:

“As far as the P3s are concerned. Alan Shaw has extensively redesigned the crossover (18 of 26 components have been changed or modified). For the other 4 speakers yes, the XD version carries over the 40th anniversary crossover improvements but, like the P3, have had the WBT binding posts replaced with ones more similar to what went before. This last item has had no audible effect.”



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So it does sound like the new XD versions are carrying over the 40th Anniversary crossover improvements into the new "standard" model aside from the P3s which did not have the crossover improvements in the 40th Anniversary model? So very likely the new C7 XD and the C7 40th Anniversary will share the same crossover that improved on the prior C7-ES3?
 
This is what I have been told... the 40.2, SHL5 and 30.2 anniversary already have what is now considered the XD upgrade. All the other speakers that never received upgraded components/modified crossovers and wiring will now receive the same and will be called XD. Is it possible that some other small tweaks were made... sure, lets wait and hear directly from the source when they're ready.

I don't know for sure IF the innards of the .2 series is the same as the .3, as I've seen and audition a pair of the new 40.3 XD, thats the label on the speaker and it had only single amp input. Price was quoted at about S$25k, while the 5 Plus XD is at $8k (both rounded up). This is the first time I left an audition of the 40.3 XD very, very impressed. Lucky I have a 9W amp that won't drive these beauties (the walnut veneer is simply gorgeous, never seen one like that). My apologies if I did caused some "itch" ... better still, go get "itchier" by listening/auditioning a pair. :D
 
If you are comparing the original .2 variants to the newest, and yet to be released, XD variants then you are correct. They will be different. I have owned the 40.2 Anniversary and the regular 40.2, I prefer the original 40.2

If you are comparing any of the Anniversary models to the XD then no, they will be the same speakers with cosmetic differences. I consider binding posts cosmetic
 
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