Paul, he might think you're serious.
I'm the only one with the big red button.
Sometimes Joe makes me press it. So let's blame him. [emoji6]
What amp on Harbeth speakers ?
- Thread starter Paul
- Start date
Paul, he might think you're serious.
I'm the only one with the big red button.
Sometimes Joe makes me press it. So let's blame him. [emoji6]
opcorn:
How could I forget Vivid? D'oh!
Seriously though. People move on from lots of things. Especially in this hobby. The only thing that separates Harbeth from many other manufacturers in this industry is that they've managed to cultivate a group of loyal fans who are extremely passionate (read: biased) towards Harbeth product. This in and of itself isn't a bad thing. The only problem is that fans have a tendency to hype up whatever it is that they love, which in turn, can mislead (ignorant) people into believing something that probably isn't true. And therein lies the onion.
Now when it comes to product turnover, the rule of thumb is simple: The most popular and hyped up products will usually yield the highest turnover rates. Let's take ELAC for example... You know, the speaker company that's been getting a ridiculous amount of praise across the interwebs. Well, as it turns out, not everybody feels the love. Within' the past month, I've received five e-mails from people who bought the ELACs and subsequently returned them. Why? Because they effing HATED them.
So the question is... is this ELACs fault? Is their product not all it's cracked up to be? Or is it the buyers fault for getting drawn into the hype and setting unrealistic expectations?
Seriously though. People move on from lots of things. Especially in this hobby. The only thing that separates Harbeth from many other manufacturers in this industry is that they've managed to cultivate a group of loyal fans who are extremely passionate (read: biased) towards Harbeth product. This in and of itself isn't a bad thing. The only problem is that fans have a tendency to hype up whatever it is that they love, which in turn, can mislead (ignorant) people into believing something that probably isn't true. And therein lies the onion.
Now when it comes to product turnover, the rule of thumb is simple: The most popular and hyped up products will usually yield the highest turnover rates. Let's take ELAC for example... You know, the speaker company that's been getting a ridiculous amount of praise across the interwebs. Well, as it turns out, not everybody feels the love. Within' the past month, I've received five e-mails from people who bought the ELACs and subsequently returned them. Why? Because they effing HATED them.
So the question is... is this ELACs fault? Is their product not all it's cracked up to be? Or is it the buyers fault for getting drawn into the hype and setting unrealistic expectations?
I take full responsibility Paul!
kkfan
New member
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- Feb 24, 2015
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- 143
Great perspective! [emoji4]
Regardless of what amp(s) you use, if you want to get the most out of your Harbeths, you need to get these:
http://spec-corp.co.jp/e/audio/RSP-901EX/index.html
http://jeffsplace.me/wordpress/?p=7...atedposts_origin=8716&relatedposts_position=1
http://spec-corp.co.jp/e/audio/RSP-901EX/index.html
http://jeffsplace.me/wordpress/?p=7...atedposts_origin=8716&relatedposts_position=1
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mazzialk
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- Dec 11, 2015
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Hi Mike
The reason I bought them is because they came up my path second hand and I really wanted to spend some time with them to see what the harbethiers experience and Why they are in such ZEN in the audio community.
Wel thats actually the reason I bought most of my stuff , pure out of curiosity.
Holland is a pretty small country and u have lots of audiophiles here (lets say from top to bottom 200 Miles, en east to west 150 miles ) Germany/Belgiëum are within 1.5 hout reach. So its verry easy to pick up beautifull stuff here on the second hand market for a reasonable price and selling them again within fast time.
lots of Peaple in small area =fast business.
So if I see something at the right price than im on the highway to a New experience.lol
What I have noticed about harbethiers is that they are pretty mutch down to earth Peaple , with simple thoughs and not really into details of looks and sound. (They are more into the music than scale of soundstage and pinpoint accuracy and decay of the hall reflecttions when listening to "music". ,) .
I can see the harbeth owners giving me the thumbs2 up here...
I dont see harbeth Peaple as audiophiles. They are for me more of Music lovers that want a good sound in theyre living room.
(In exeption of m40 owners, they have the audiophile flew, but just cant get out of the "CLOSET".
Moste I know have normal Jobs with normal incomst and do not have the privilege of making mistakes in theyre purchase.
So they are pretty much like white papers that need filling.
And when u search a forum and u are looking for good sound within resonable budget (speakers +amp+source+cable) and u need to hit the hifi spot with a few grand of cash than u end up with harbeth.
THe hype with harbeth is , and thats the part of marketing what they have done a good job in , IT SOUNDS GOOD/EASY TO DRIVE and u dont need rediculouse high end (expensive)stuff to make them sing.
IT'S LIKE U CANT GO WRONG with a HARBETH.so put down the BIGGEST CHUNK OF YOUR BUDGET FOR THE SPEAKERS because AMPS dont make diffrent when u have the harbeth.
And that really happens in the world of harbeth, lots of Peaple dont even know what theyre harbies can achieve with a grate amp.
Not knowing or having the chance to change gears makes the harbeth community HERE pretty stable. In theyre mindsetting they have good sound so there is no reason for looking further. (Not really audiophile), just down to earth and simple thinking.....thumbs up for that if u are one.
Dont get me wrong these speakers do sound verry good , and the ones that have the privilage of knowing what a wel chosen setup can do end up with a set like our friend here with his MAJESTIC M40 AND AIR TIGHT GEAR..
Would be nice if u leaved a bit closer. ... love ro hear that setup....[emoji7] [emoji7] [emoji7] [emoji7]
SO I have seen 4k (euro) shl5 being driven by 350 euro gear and the owner was pretty happy with it because his while budget was just that and he didnt want to buy 4 cheaper gears that didn't make noticable price diffrent from what he actually had.
And yes it did sound ok.
But than so did my Quad 12l2 . At 300 euro. I think he wil never find out what his harbeth can actually do when paired with a nice tube amp.
I think he wil end up selling his car.lol
The most harbeths that I have listened to were pretty EASY listening , I myself liked the harbeth sound (shl5) (the only harbeth I liked) a lot when paired with an tube amp.
The shl5 was a verry forgiving speaker that tended to make everything sound pretty good and thats something that u have to like about a speaker.
And for "MUSIC LISTENERS"thats a verry good quality in a speaker, every music sounds pretty good with "anny cable " lol . Even a coat hanger .
The m40 I have not yet had the pleasure of listening to ubfortunatley ,but having loved the shl5 im shore they are grate speakers.
If they would have them boxed like a DECENT looking speaker thats catwalk looking , than I would buy them when I am finished fooling around and hobbying.
When I am older (with all respect to the elders)and looking for peace and zen in my audio quest I shal buy a m40 , if they can change the looks of it. Hahaha
mazzialk
New member
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- Dec 11, 2015
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I think u forgot something about harbethiers theyre gears already sound goodRegardless of what amp(s) you use, if you want to get the most out of your Harbeths, you need to get these:
http://spec-corp.co.jp/e/audio/RSP-901EX/index.html
http://jeffsplace.me/wordpress/?p=7...atedposts_origin=8716&relatedposts_position=1
.This are for high end Peaple whoe are never satisfied with their stuff.
If u are looking for a sale , than the harbeth forum is the worste place to be.hahah lol
Gladly I dont own a harbeth anny more so I would like to have a try on anything that can "CHANGE"/BETTER my sound and equipment.lol...even if its a feathere from a bird in africa that is stikken out of my preamp .
Verstuurd vanaf mijn GT-I9505 met Tapatalk
mazzialk
New member
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That ones u can buy here @ every corner in the weed shop.
Its The best sounding upgrade money can buy.
If actually gives u an unparalleled feeling when listening to anything though anny speakers. Lol
Nice post. I think you have a pretty good feel for Harbeth, their audience, and their marketing. I'm going add a little bit to your post, if ya don't mind...
- It usually takes most designers 2-3 years to really get to know their own product. There's this idea that the designer has seen the top of the mountain with their own gear, and that usually isn't the case.
- The whole "all amps sound the same" mantra from Harbeth is more political than anything else. Alan and the crew are not nearly as closed-minded about that as they lead the public to believe. I wish they'd loosen their belt on that matter - especially on their own forum.
- It usually takes most designers 2-3 years to really get to know their own product. There's this idea that the designer has seen the top of the mountain with their own gear, and that usually isn't the case.
- The whole "all amps sound the same" mantra from Harbeth is more political than anything else. Alan and the crew are not nearly as closed-minded about that as they lead the public to believe. I wish they'd loosen their belt on that matter - especially on their own forum.
Paul
Senior Member
- Thread Author
- #94
Harbeth Monitor 40.2
The number one rule for loudspeaker manufacturers is to be neutral. Harbeth is a long time manufacturer of loudspeakers that try to keep the sound as pure as possible. Great success was achieved this year with the Super HL5 Plus, but the latest and biggest monitor from the brand surpasses all other products that company owner Alan Shaw has made. The 40.2 could be considered the domestic version of the 40.1 that is often found in studios. The main reason for adding the Harbeth 40.2 to my list of best components of 2015 is the pureness of the sound and the natural way the music blends with any other sound in the listening room. Where a lot of loudspeakers are easily recognised as audio products, the 40.2 transduces voices and instruments as part of the environment. A little unavoidable bass coloration adds in a positive way to the character of the instruments, the midrange is as pure as can be for voices while the highest notes are always clear and never harsh in a wide stereo image. This big monitor may look old fashioned, even outdated in an era where small active and DSP driven speakers keep appearing on the market, but once you experience the 40.2 you may be addicted for ever. To preserve the unique character of any Harbeth I strongly recommend putting them on German TonTräger stands, since they have minimal effect on the sound, almost like a Harbeths floating on the air.
Rene van Es
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Thank you Paul,
I know we all have our preferences but the 40.1 could not compare to my beloved Strads in my room.
Some here have Strads and some here have had them and sold them.
I could actually see 40.2 in my room sometime next year depending on what happens with 2 (maybe 3) other speakers that I am looking forward to getting to know.
I admit to preferring slightly warmer yet full speakers or those that respond well to that kind of amplifier. I can give a little to get a little.
I know we all have our preferences but the 40.1 could not compare to my beloved Strads in my room.
Some here have Strads and some here have had them and sold them.
I could actually see 40.2 in my room sometime next year depending on what happens with 2 (maybe 3) other speakers that I am looking forward to getting to know.
I admit to preferring slightly warmer yet full speakers or those that respond well to that kind of amplifier. I can give a little to get a little.
Joe. Yes, I preferred the M40.1 over 40.2. but the change wasn't as much as SHL5 +. They use all same drivers anyway on this speakers.
I would love to see you with M40.2 in your room with wonderful CJ monos. Also, I truly trust your ears very much
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Paul
Senior Member
- Thread Author
- #100
Yes, Joe that's why they have so many products available. Some will prefer the Strads and some one will buy the M40's over the Strads. Since I had the Westminsters ( which cost more than triple of M40's) Elipsa ( double ) , the Music ( almost triple ) I would still prefer the M40's more than anything. I still think its the most natural speakers in the world and I don't fooling around the speakers anymore... completely.
If you like the SHL5 Plus sounds I'm sure you will enjoy the sounds of M40.2
What other speakers are you interested in ?