Harbeth owners past and present - How do they sound at low volume ?

joeinid

joeinid

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Since the majority of my listening is at low to medium volume, can anyone tell me how your Harbeth's sound at low volume? I'll eventually find out but I'm curious now. Thanks!
 
To be honest with you....Not the best but not that bad either. However as you already know if you like to listening at low volume you need a high efficient speakers.

First time in my audio life I was able to listen at 7 O'clock position but mind you its a 96 db speakers.
 
But I have to admit that regardless of volume level you will absolutely love that speakers with your Naim & CJ gears. :)
 
joeinid said:
Since the majority of my listening is at low to medium volume, can anyone tell me how your Harbeth's sound at low volume? I'll eventually find out but I'm curious now. Thanks!
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Hi Joe,
My experience with Harbeth SHL5 that I owned for ~ 6 months. Driven with good quality solid state at average volume of 80 db (at listening position). Midrange to die for (no speaker has ever bettered the Harbeth mid range for me). The deal breaker for me was sub par dynamics (especially in lower frequencies).
Anshul
 
Hi Joe,

Wanting to understand what all the buzz is/was for the Harbeth sound I was able to listen to several tracks at RMAF 2013 with a pair of Monitor 30.1 driven by a Bricasti and Metronome front end.

They sounded best at lower volume levels and were quite involving with beautiful midrange and surprising bottom end too. As the setup was pushed a little louder (people behind me asked for more volume....I was in the sweet spot controlling the volume) it became brash and compressed sounding to my ears. Not the most pleasant experience IMO. Yes, it could have been the room or front end, but I walked away pretty unimpressed.

I too do most all my listening at lower levels (60-80db) and in that regard the 30.1's were outstanding. However, there are occasions when more volume is required and for me that setup blaring at louder levels would drive me out of the room sooner than later.
 
Thanks Mike. I have a pair of 40.1's coming so I'll learn for myself. I am sure that in the volumes that I listen, I'll be very happy.
 
I purchased my Harbeth M40.1 specifically for their performance at reasonable volume. I listen at 70-85 db with 90-95 when I get the Who or Zeppelin on the turntable. I hope you enjoy them.
 
dan31 said:
I purchased my Harbeth M40.1 specifically for their performance at reasonable volume. I listen at 70-85 db with 90-95 when I get the Who or Zeppelin on the turntable. I hope you enjoy them.
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Hi Dan,

Thank you so much.

BlueMcIntosh said:
So when is the D day Joe ?
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Hi Paul,

Not sure, maybe 3 weeks. My Skylan stands come next week.
 
Joe. That will be the best 3 weeks and you will be honored with sounds and you will be hooked with big boxy sounds come from Britain and I'm seeing you busy with selling all your other speakers :D. I'm so excited :woot:
 
Joe
One thing I found out about British loudspeakers. They love tubes:audiophile::heart::audiophile::heart:
 
I'm really ready guys. My Naim gear is incredible. I absolutely love it.
 
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