Opinions? Revel Studio2 vs Harbeth 40.2?

thankyou paul for those lovely pics , they look great , I just worry slightly if they are easier to knock off on those ss . one reason I like the iso pucks is they only cost 200 . I have them under my humble proac floor standers at the moment and they really made a big difference to the treble which is sweeter and more balanced sound generally . I may in years to come get some 40.2 but not without major surgery to make room for them
 
I like the Harbeth 30.1s and .2s a lot.

Have heard the 40.2s twice at shows but not once in a good setup. The two occasions at either Axpona and/or RMAF the 40.2s were setup so poorly it was not an enjoyable experience.

Can't wait to hear the 40.2 anniversary editions at Mike's in the near future.

As for Studio 2s VS. 40.2s, these are very different speakers. Both legendary Joe, as you know. Comes down to taste and music preferences.
 
Agreed. Nothing will happen this year, just keeping options open :)


Ritmo said:
I like the Harbeth 30.1s and .2s a lot.

Have heard the 40.2s twice at shows but not once in a good setup. The two occasions at either Axpona and/or RMAF the 40.2s were setup so poorly it was not an enjoyable experience.

Can't wait to hear the 40.2 anniversary editions at Mike's in the near future.

As for Studio 2s VS. 40.2s, these are very different speakers. Both legendary Joe, as you know. Comes down to taste and music preferences.
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How big is your room? Big room, go 40.2. Small room? Go Studio 2 or SHL5+.

What kind of music do you listen to? Rock? Go Studio 2. Everything else, Harbeth 40.2.

What electronics?


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hifinutt said:
Richard , did you ever try the 40.2 with your audionote oto ?
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No I did try the Audio Note SORO with the 40.1 which is similar in sensitivity and it wasn't enough (and the SORO has more balls than the OTO - though I prefer the sound of the less expensive OTO over the SORO). The AN E is roughly ten times more efficient than the 40.1 so it sounded far more "alive" with the lower powered amps. Allan Shaw of Harbeth has written that he feels more watts is always better - and for his speakers I kind of see that. Of course the OTO can drive the speakers just as they can drive B&W N801s - but I feel like - if you are going to pay $15,000+ for a loudspeaker you really have to have the ability to play loud with good bass output - otherwise you're kind of throwing your money away on the speakers (and for the matter the amp).

I mean I suppose if you only listen at low moderate levels in a smaller room it "could" work pretty well - the OTO has surprised me over the years at what it can do but still Harbeth just isn't designed for SET amps.

I'd probably look for amps from the likes of Octave, Prima Luna, Melody Valve, VAC, Line Magnetic in the 50ish watt range and see how that works out. From Audio Note - I would really like to try one of the ANKits EL34 monoblocks - 70 watts per channel autobias pure class A triple C core transformers and not a lot more money than the OTO (but you need a preamp).

Stick these suckers on those Harbeths - I'd like to hear that http://www.ankaudiokits.com/EL34-70-70watt-Monoblock-power-amplifier.html
:D
 
The M40 series really need lot of care of isolation and placement. Once you have done it right. They sounds amazing. I’ve owned probably most speakers in my age , triple or four times price tag speakers over the Harbeth M40 series but I’m still keeping them in my speakers collection. They won’t go anywhere. I seen so many people tried and let them go without hearing their full potential. So sad..... I hope Mike’s will hear what I hear on my 40’s. :)


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RichardAusten said:
No I did try the Audio Note SORO with the 40.1 which is similar in sensitivity and it wasn't enough (and the SORO has more balls than the OTO - though I prefer the sound of the less expensive OTO over the SORO). The AN E is roughly ten times more efficient than the 40.1 so it sounded far more "alive" with the lower powered amps. Allan Shaw of Harbeth has written that he feels more watts is always better - and for his speakers I kind of see that. Of course the OTO can drive the speakers just as they can drive B&W N801s - but I feel like - if you are going to pay $15,000+ for a loudspeaker you really have to have the ability to play loud with good bass output - otherwise you're kind of throwing your money away on the speakers (and for the matter the amp).

I mean I suppose if you only listen at low moderate levels in a smaller room it "could" work pretty well - the OTO has surprised me over the years at what it can do but still Harbeth just isn't designed for SET amps.

I'd probably look for amps from the likes of Octave, Prima Luna, Melody Valve, VAC, Line Magnetic in the 50ish watt range and see how that works out. From Audio Note - I would really like to try one of the ANKits EL34 monoblocks - 70 watts per channel autobias pure class A triple C core transformers and not a lot more money than the OTO (but you need a preamp).

Stick these suckers on those Harbeths - I'd like to hear that http://www.ankaudiokits.com/EL34-70-70watt-Monoblock-power-amplifier.html
:D
Click to expand...

The link you posted is for a pair of Class AB amps, not pure Class A.
 
RichardAusten said:
No I did try the Audio Note SORO with the 40.1 which is similar in sensitivity and it wasn't enough (and the SORO has more balls than the OTO - though I prefer the sound of the less expensive OTO over the SORO). The AN E is roughly ten times more efficient than the 40.1 so it sounded far more "alive" with the lower powered amps. Allan Shaw of Harbeth has written that he feels more watts is always better - and for his speakers I kind of see that. Of course the OTO can drive the speakers just as they can drive B&W N801s - but I feel like - if you are going to pay $15,000+ for a loudspeaker you really have to have the ability to play loud with good bass output - otherwise you're kind of throwing your money away on the speakers (and for the matter the amp).

I mean I suppose if you only listen at low moderate levels in a smaller room it "could" work pretty well - the OTO has surprised me over the years at what it can do but still Harbeth just isn't designed for SET amps.

I'd probably look for amps from the likes of Octave, Prima Luna, Melody Valve, VAC, Line Magnetic in the 50ish watt range and see how that works out. From Audio Note - I would really like to try one of the ANKits EL34 monoblocks - 70 watts per channel autobias pure class A triple C core transformers and not a lot more money than the OTO (but you need a preamp).

Stick these suckers on those Harbeths - I'd like to hear that http://www.ankaudiokits.com/EL34-70-70watt-Monoblock-power-amplifier.html
:D
Click to expand...

thanks tim . next year i am hoping to hear how my msb class A amp sounds with harbeth shl5plus
 
Joe, The Revels and Harbeths are so different. Both great. Live with both for a few years and then decide.
 
joeinid said:
That will be an awesome combo. I’m sure you’ll love it.
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yes thanks . one thing i am curious about is . the 40.2 monitors cost about 25% less than the domestic version [ £7.5k vs £11k] now the monitors may be gray and have handles but its a way of listening to a beautiful amp at a cheaper price . or am i missing something ? do the pro audio ones sound any different?

http://www.harbeth.co.uk/studio-monitors/monitor-40-2-pro.php
 
Mike said:
How big is your room? Big room, go 40.2. Small room? Go Studio 2 or SHL5+.

What kind of music do you listen to? Rock? Go Studio 2. Everything else, Harbeth 40.2.

What electronics?


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Click to expand...

Ive heard this statement before, regarding rock music and Harbeth. But also have heard statements from a few peeps saying everything they played through Harbeth, even rock, sounded the best they had personally heard...
So what is it about Rock that the 40.2’s have trouble with? Is it just the volume some feel rock needs or is it the grunge and/or distortion present in a lot of rock guitar that give them trouble for some reason?
I would think that there are aspects and hints of some of the same sounds in “everything else” that would pop up on occasion. Besides full orchestra and electronic music, there is only so many instruments. Can the 40.2’s handle electronica and orchestra music? Or are they limited in their presentation to only sound ‘best’ with easy jazz, blues and acoustic?
Im sure I’m simplifying a more complex subject here... truly just looking to understand and pinpoint the aspect of SOUND (not music) that eluded to when the “no rock music” statement is made about Harbeth...

thanks all
Jason
 
hifinutt said:
yes thanks . one thing i am curious about is . the 40.2 monitors cost about 25% less than the domestic version [ £7.5k vs £11k] now the monitors may be gray and have handles but its a way of listening to a beautiful amp at a cheaper price . or am i missing something ? do the pro audio ones sound any different?

http://www.harbeth.co.uk/studio-monitors/monitor-40-2-pro.php
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its been pointed out to me that the £7.5k price does not include tax [20%] so that briings it very close to the domestic version
 
jriggy said:
Ive heard this statement before, regarding rock music and Harbeth. But also have heard statements from a few peeps saying everything they played through Harbeth, even rock, sounded the best they had personally heard...
So what is it about Rock that the 40.2’s have trouble with? Is it just the volume some feel rock needs or is it the grunge and/or distortion present in a lot of rock guitar that give them trouble for some reason?
I would think that there are aspects and hints of some of the same sounds in “everything else” that would pop up on occasion. Besides full orchestra and electronic music, there is only so many instruments. Can the 40.2’s handle electronica and orchestra music? Or are they limited in their presentation to only sound ‘best’ with easy jazz, blues and acoustic?
Im sure I’m simplifying a more complex subject here... truly just looking to understand and pinpoint the aspect of SOUND (not music) that eluded to when the “no rock music” statement is made about Harbeth...

thanks all
Jason
Click to expand...

i played a wide variety of music through the smaller shl5plus with superb results including rock so i am sure the bigger version will be just fine
 
hifinutt said:
i played a wide variety of music through the smaller shl5plus with superb results including rock so i am sure the bigger version will be just fine
Click to expand...

I haven't heard the 40.2 yet, but from what I gathered its like a bigger brother to the 30.2. The 30.2 and SHL5+ are two different sounds with very different synergistic qualities. The tone varies quite a bit and I find the SHL5+ needs quite a bit more power to really begin to open up. I say this to suggest that it might not be fair to draw a comparison between the 40.2 and SHL5+.

To me, I find the SHL5+ to do fairly well with rock - much better than the 30.2. I feel like the bass is more linear in the SHL5+ which benefits itself to the 'heavier' genres like rock.
 
DSkip said:
I haven't heard the 40.2 yet, but from what I gathered its like a bigger brother to the 30.2. The 30.2 and SHL5+ are two different sounds with very different synergistic qualities. The tone varies quite a bit and I find the SHL5+ needs quite a bit more power to really begin to open up. I say this to suggest that it might not be fair to draw a comparison between the 40.2 and SHL5+.

To me, I find the SHL5+ to do fairly well with rock - much better than the 30.2. I feel like the bass is more linear in the SHL5+ which benefits itself to the 'heavier' genres like rock.
Click to expand...

Thanks DSkip. This does help me understand one possible reason why people have made the “everything but rock” type of comment. I also think these coments were made more about the 40.1’s and not as relevant with the .2 iterations.
 
M40.1 and SHL5 : They sounds good every genre of music including Rock and even with Heavy Metal.

All the rest : Best with Vocal , Jazz ,Classical and pop music.


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