Thread: A move from Harbeth to... Wilson?

Hi gang, hoping for some thoughts.

I'm very happy at the moment with my system, but getting a slight itch for an upgrade. So many options and directions I could go, but the one I'm pondering at the moment is moving from my Harbeth C7ES-3 speakers to Wilson Sabrinas. (The Sabrina X is now out, which may bring the Sabrina down to my budget... maybe.)

My room is approx. 10'6" x 15'6" with the speakers along the short wall and my listening chair is about 2/3 back from said wall. The C7s plus their stands are just about the right size for this room, and the Sabrinas on their floor spikes are similar in overall size, though obviously the speakers themselves are much bigger.

Current amp is a Pass Labs XA30.5 which doubles down at 4Ohms (plus lots of headroom) and comes just within Wilson's "recommended" amplifier power. The room is on the smaller side, and I don't listen loud; I've never "wanted" for more power with the C7s. (Though every once in a while I wonder what a pair of XA60.5s would sound like in here, but that's a different thread. )

Eh? Any thoughts?

Tough choice to make - especially if you really like your system now. My room is a tiny bit smaller than yours, and I seriously considered the Sabrinas. (was before the new X came out) I ended up deciding to get speakers that are a bit more sensitive/efficient, to match the lower wattage Firstwatt DIY amplifiers that I like tinkering with.

I will be interested to hear the story if you upgrade.

Totally different sound if you asked me. I would just add the REL sub into the mix and keeping the Harbeth. I am biased tho

I concur with Joe, Stephen and Paul. But then we all know certain 'itches' need to be scratched ..................

Originally Posted by Mikado463

I concur with Joe, Stephen and Paul. But then we all know certain 'itches' need to be scratched ..................

And therein lies the rub, haha. Like I said, it's just an itch at this point. I've heard the Sabrinas numerous times - a couple/few times at a local dealer, and many times at various shows (Axpona, RMAF) the past several years.

Don

If I was a Harbeth fan and had an itch for something different in a room that size with a "similar" sound profile I would look at Reynaud. This would be my first choice if they would work in that room.

VOCE GRANDE

If not the Abscisse Jubilee or Bliss Jubilee. I own both and both should work in that room as they are front ported transmission line speakers as are almost all Reynaud's. Though it is better if you have it they don't require a lot of space to the sides and behind per their designer. Down side is there are only a few dealers around including the US distributor Bob Neill. I just picked a pair of C7ES'3's (my first Harbeth) a couple of months ago so still haven't had time to do a complete comparison but enough to see the similarities in the two lines especially in the midrange.

If you are really happy with what you have, then I would be very cautious changing up.

The Wilsons and Harbeths are such different sounds. I can see why you could love both.

I love my 2 systems - different brands but probably just as different as the Wilsons and Harbeths. Magico and Avant Garde in my case.

Don - Both brands are excellent. They do have different sound signatures. As others suggested, try in your room before buying.

Originally Posted by Ritmo

Don - Both brands are excellent. They do have different sound signatures. As others suggested, try in your room before buying.

Are there actually Wilson Dealers willing to setup a pair of their speakers in a customer's home for a listening trial?

Yes, I know of at least one. Depends on the customer relationship with the dealer.

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Personally, I would not make any purchase decisions about speakers in the price class of Wilsons without hearing them in my own room, first.

Just my 2¢....

Unheard of where I come from....

Originally Posted by Ritmo

Yes, I know of at least one. Depends on the customer relationship with the dealer.

I would think you would have to be a really good customer who has already spent significant sums of money with the dealer and live fairly close to said dealer. This is no insignificant deal to have a Wilson dealer deliver and setup a pair of Wilson speakers in a customer's home for a trial listen. Some people act like this is no different than ordering take out from Grub Hub.

I don't expect a dealer to do pre-purchase in-home speaker demo's. But if they don't do it, can't justify charging MSRP.

Originally Posted by mep

I would think you would have to be a really good customer who has already spent significant sums of money with the dealer and live fairly close to said dealer. This is no insignificant deal to have a Wilson dealer deliver and setup a pair of Wilson speakers in a customer's home for a trial listen. Some people act like this is no different than ordering take out from Grub Hub.

Don’t disagree. Having owned Wilson’s, it can be a very time consuming endeavor. But the OP is thinking Sabrinas which are not very heavy and fairly easy to setup.

I know of another dealer that has done home demos with Harbeths, B&W and Magico.

Originally Posted by Ritmo

I know of another dealer that has done home demos with Harbeths, B&W and Magico.

Sounds like a dealer I know.

Originally Posted by Mikado463

I concur with Joe, Stephen and Paul. But then we all know certain 'itches' need to be scratched ..................

Yes but, sometimes you scratch and you create a big red rash.

Next thing you know your in a room with some doctor answering many uncomfortable questions. :-0

Originally Posted by mep

Sounds like a dealer I know.

And MBLs; which I kept.

Originally Posted by brad225

Yes but, sometimes you scratch and you create a big red rash.

Next thing you know your in a room with some doctor answering many uncomfortable questions. :-0

Haha, maybe it's more like picking at a scab rather than scratching on itch?

Yes, very different "house sounds" between them, though ones I am familiar with.

There is a well-known local Wilson dealer (about an hour away), though I do not (yet?) have an established relationship with said dealer. I would not necessarily "expect" an in-home demo/trial, though I would assume some sort of guarantee that if I bought them and then hated them after two weeks or 30 days or something that they would work with me to find a solution, whatever that may be.

It's still just an academic inquiry at this point, but I do appreciate (a lot!) the discussion and thoughts so far.

Originally Posted by brad225

Yes but, sometimes you scratch and you create a big red rash.

Next thing you know your in a room with some doctor answering many uncomfortable questions. :-0

now Brad ..................

Originally Posted by Don C

Haha, maybe it's more like picking at a scab rather than scratching on itch?

Yes, very different "house sounds" between them, though ones I am familiar with.

There is a well-known local Wilson dealer (about an hour away), though I do not (yet?) have an established relationship with said dealer. I would not necessarily "expect" an in-home demo/trial, though I would assume some sort of guarantee that if I bought them and then hated them after two weeks or 30 days or something that they would work with me to find a solution, whatever that may be.

It's still just an academic inquiry at this point, but I do appreciate (a lot!) the discussion and thoughts so far.

Still-One (Jim) knows him well. You may want to PM him.

Everyone should own a pair of Wilsons once in their audiophile life- go for it!

Originally Posted by KeithR

Everyone should own a pair of Wilsons once in their audiophile life- go for it!

I did, and then I discovered Magico. I'm now on my 3rd pair of Magico speakers (S3, Q3 and now M3).

I used to own the Harbeth SHL5’s and got the itch. After a lot of searching I ended up with the Tannoy Turnberry. To me, I thought it was a step up although not a radical departure from the things I liked about the Harbeth sound. The 10 inch woofer in the Turnberry added some needed bottom end. And I just love the classic looks of the Tannoy Prestige series.

Originally Posted by a.wayne

See if he has an listening room similar in size to yours for a demo ...!

That small, huh? Maybe his office?

Seriously though, that's not a bad idea - if they have a smaller, somewhat over-treated room, it may be a good comparison.

Welcome!!!


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Originally Posted by Noam

I've been reading here quit a lot and slowly feeling more confident to share my thoughts... So hallo everybody! And to the topic... I think that I would have considered Audionote if I were in your position... The Sabrinas are using a top notch scan-speak Relevator driver (had it) making very impressive and transparent midrange, BUT! They didn't move me... At all. They are doing everything perfect, almost. Audionote on the other end are quite the opposite and much more reassembling the Herberth philosophy

Welcome! Speaker selection is such a personal decision. Thx for your perspective.