Compact speaker PERFECTION? Harbeth P3ESR XD

[@dajikbatarang1]

Loving the speaker reviews! Keep them coming!

[@PassionforSound]

I've got lots more planned, Neil 🙂

[@paulgreen2303]

I have the Harbeth P3ESRs in my small office/listening room. I've had them for going on 3 years and I love everything about them. I've used them with tube amps and solid state amps and each has been terrific sounding with these speakers. They are almost magical in how they present tone naturally with wide and deep sound stages. I have paired mine with a Golden Ear Forcefield subwoofer and the sub just fills in that lower bass perfectly. Honestly, I can't imagine replacing these speakers. In the past I've had Klipsch, Totem, B&W and even Magnepan's in this room. Only the P3ESRs bring the music to life.

[@PassionforSound]

That's a great description of them, Paul! So glad you're enjoying them.

[@BillyKueekSG]

Can you please share what amps y-u use them with? I am looking for a good bookshelf speakers for my study room. Thank you!

[@paulgreen2303]

@@BillyKueekSG Currently, I'm using a Naim Supernait3 solid state integrated. Before the Naim I used a Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum 2 all tube amplifier. Both are 100watt and higher. But I'd use these speakers with anything above 25watts.

[@WeeWeeJumbo]

I’m a loudspeakers guy-my ears are too big for cans and shaped wrong for buds-and I love the experience of music playing in rooms. I’m delighted to learn that you are dabbling in loudspeaker reviews

[@PassionforSound]

Glad you're looking forward to some more speaker content. Lots to come!

[@Joel-m777]

Wonderful to see you reviewing speakers and it appears speaker amps in the future. Thanks 🙏

[@PassionforSound]

Glad you like the speaker content and yes, lots more coming (along with headphones of course)

[@sebanambrus9265]

I owned the P3ESR 40th anniversary speakers and paired them with an Accuphase e212 amplifier, resulting in a top-tier audio experience with exceptional clarity for natural tones and instrumental music. The sound was completely transparent. However, when it came to bass-heavy genres and modern music, it didn't quite meet my preferences. Consequently, I decided to sell them and switch to the KEF LS50 Meta speakers, which offer a more versatile performance and outstanding resolution. Nevertheless, I still find headphones to be superior for my music listening needs.

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks for sharing your experiences, Seban! I'll have to try some Kef passives. I've had no luck at all with their actives ☹️

[@ganck1147]

Harbeth like any other spks in the BBC genre tends to favour tonal purity & subtlety over everything else. Their thin wall cabinet works like a charm for classical, vocal & simple acoustic music. However, they cannot play bass heavy or fast paced music effectively. They are not designed for that type of music. If u want your music to shake your house, these & all the BBC variants are not the spks to do that.

[@PassionforSound]

I agree. For that matter though, very few speakers of this size will do much better (except maybe the Klipsch Fives)

[@johnshore3095]

@@PassionforSound Kef LS50 foam bungs in with a pair subs do pretty well .. too well the windows rattle 😀

[@dane4453]

It's not for people that just want to play club rat house music, don't appreciate the subtleties of music and want to just hear bass. @@ganck1147

[@timothyfreeseha4056]

I have a similar type of speaker in my system, though I cannot say that Spendors sound anything like Harbeths because I have not compared them. I was suprised to see a speaker review here, and I was pleased to see the Harbeths as the subject of your review. There are trade offs with any system configuration, and there is a journey that goes beyond a relative few absolutes to the discovery of what works for any individual in the pursuit of enjoyment. As usual, thank you for your review. Your experience here bares out my own experience with set ups.

[@PassionforSound]

That's so true about the journey beyond the absolutes. I've got plenty more (compact) speaker content planned so hopefully this is just the beginning of a new chapter. I'm not discarding headphones though. 🙂

[@0-60STYLE]

This speaker would be so awesome for people who are 12 inches tall

[@PassionforSound]

LoL

[@aceofspades6667]

Love the harbeth sound.. the 30.2 or 40.3 are on my bucket list speakers to own one day.

[@PassionforSound]

I'm yet to try the larger ones, but hope to one day when I have more space to work with

[@richardatkinson4452]

Love my P3 40th's driven by Schiit Tyrs w/ a sub. Great review, Thanks

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks for sharing your experiences, Richard! Glad you liked the video

[@maymanist]

Good to see a review of P3ESR XD. If possible please do a comparo between this and a LS35A. I have the Falcon Gold LS35A while my friend has the P3ESR. I found the Falcons to be slightly sharper and airier (but not shrill) in the highs as compared to Harbreths.Mids very more or less same. Pairing either of them with a SET or Single Ended Class A Solid State amp, is pure magic. I want to try pairing the LS35A now with a NuPrime Class D amp to see how would it sound. Thanks once again and great job!

[@PassionforSound]

Glad you liked the review. I'll be sure to see if I can try to get my hands on the LS35A to try 🙂

[@spamcan9208]

Usually I'd hear a price like that and immediately balk. However, I was roughly adding up the money I spent on audio gear the past 3ish years since starting my audio journey and it's approaching the P3ESR's price. One frustration with audio for me is all the money I've spent searching for the sound/experience I'm after. Research only takes you so far. There are so many variables between people from comfort to sound, that you have to listen for yourself to know if you like something.

[@PassionforSound]

Absolutely! Sometimes spending more up front is a good idea, but sometimes it just leads to disappointment if you can't try it first.

[@jonathandavis9507]

As they say, buy cheap, buy twice 😛

[@PassionforSound]

Very true!

[@matty74123]

I want to try these with my Prima Luna prologue classic

[@martijn_nl]

I have two pairs, the older P3-ES2 and its follow up P3-ESR, both pairs in rosewood. You don't need an expensive amp. The best results I get is driving them with een old Sony amp model TA-FA50ES.

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks for sharing your experiences

[@dan-qe1tb]

I just heard them at AXPONA. All Harbeth speakers have a very natural timbre. My US speakers are more lively in comparison. P3ESRs if you sit close, can sound bigger than they are.

[@PassionforSound]

I agree. That's what I like about them 🙂

[@myhifinews363]

Yaaaaaay! You are now more into speakers. Go go go!

[@PassionforSound]

Yep, plenty more to come too. Burson Timekeeper GT mono block review coming soon 🙂

[@myhifinews363]

@@PassionforSound … go go go! Always enjoyed your reviews. Love the detailed content. Many YT reviewers have become marketeers … it’s sad. May you hit 100k subs soon!!! As for SET, just get an 805 SET … min of 45 wpc hehehe

[@tedsparks3964]

if you love the Harbeths you really should audition the Falcon 3/5a gold badge

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks for the tip!

[@mrg1911]

Great review! I own the P3ESR-XD and run a McIntosh MHA150 Headphone Integrated Amplifier with 50 watts-per-channel driving these external speakers when not using my Focal Stellia Headphones. I've been into stereo gear since the early 1970's and at my age and listening purposes I've never been happier. FWIW.....I am NOT into home theater and almost anti-sub-woofer, and would never have one for my music purposes or to connect with any Harbeths. The P3s are wonderful speakers!

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

[@johnshore3095]

I have a pair of Kef LS50 MK1 blacks near field on my desk. I have adjustable shelves either side of my IKEA Jerker desk at ear height. As they're only 0.7 m from my ears the concentric drivers help with stereo image.

[@PassionforSound]

They would be great for that!

[@johnshore3095]

@@PassionforSound They are 😊 £400 SH when the metas came out. Driven by either an original Musical Fidelity A1 or a modified Rotel integrated. ~20w is enough near field. Optional subwoofer.

[@geoffreydebrito7934]

I have no issue with the Harbeths in a nearfield setup. I do question them in a desktop setup. Why not in a desktop? Any speaker with multiple drivers in which the listener is just a few feet away is going to have issues with driver spacing so close to the listener. The only speaker configurations that can avoid that issue are single driver speakers and speakers with coaxial drivers.

[@PassionforSound]

That's an interesting point. There aren't a lot of single driver and coaxial to choose from though so we need to work with what we have.

[@geoffreydebrito7934]

@@PassionforSound Did you eliminate my reply? or does youtube not allow a reply, to a reply?

[@PassionforSound]

I never delete comments so that would have been KZbin doing that. Sorry!

[@seanb3303]

Real nice review. I would have preferred less amp talk and using that time to discuss the Revel and Harbeth without EQ.

[@PassionforSound]

I'll be able to discuss the Revel vs Harbeth comparisons more in the Revel review, Sean. I felt that the amp content was important here to give people a proper understanding of the Harbeth's power requirements while the Revels are far easier to drive. Discussing what I hear from the speakers without EQ is a little bit tricky in an untreated space, but I'll see what I can bring into the Revel video.

[@seanb3303]

@@PassionforSound thank you. to clarify EQ below say 200hz is just fine…although your desk reflections that reinforce lower mids is probably typical of what most will experience on a desk. EQ that changes the mids and treble is basically creating another speaker. In near-field you are mostly getting direct sound so the uncorrected sound you experience should better match what other Harbeth P3 owner’s experience.

[@PassionforSound]

I'm relatively new to serious speaker setups so this question comes from a place of curiosity, not argument: if you're already adjusting the frequencies below 200Hz, why not apply a full range correction?

[@seanb3303]

@@PassionforSound great question. Because probably less than 5% of Harbeth buyers will use EQ…so you’re tuning the speaker in a way that they won’t ever experience…most Harbeth owners want the sound as Alan Shaw intended…even if he didn’t quite get there. 😉

[@BillyKueekSG]

I am thinking of getting a pair of speakers for my study room for a while now. Wanted the Polk R200 with REL sub but hasn’t pulled the triggers. So. This review comes in handy, now to find a local seller. Another great review Lachlan, thank you. This is your first passive speakers review, isn’t it?

[@PassionforSound]

Yes, this is my first proper review in the sense that I had these in my home for an extended period and could test with multiple amps, compare to other speakers, etc. Glad you liked it

[@BillyKueekSG]

Woah, I just saw the prices!

[@PassionforSound]

Yep, the Harbeths aren't cheap, but the Revel M105s stack up quite well for half the price.

[@BillyKueekSG]

@@PassionforSound thank you Lachlan! Billy Kueek

[@adsph]

Great review.

[@PassionforSound]

Glad you liked it!

[@EricRosenfield]

I think the real question is not only how the P3ESR stacks up against other BBC-style speakers in the same price category, but also how it compares to something like the cheaper Kef LS50 which seem to be the reigning champs as far as nearfield speakers are concerned, at least if reviews are to be believed.

[@PassionforSound]

I'm hoping to try some Kef passives at some point. The actives didn't go well for me due to some kind of issue with power or something at my place.

[@EricRosenfield]

@@PassionforSound Interesting!

[@vv247]

I paired my p3's with the Perreaux Audant 80i , saaaaaweeeet

[@PassionforSound]

Glad you're enjoying them!

[@theaustralianconundrum]

Oh nonsense. LOL. @@PassionforSound

[@peterzapp2091]

I listened to Harbeth during a show and in a friend's system, but I consider active nearfield monitors as far better value for money. Unless you want veneer and the LS 3/5 pedigree.

[@PassionforSound]

I used to feel the same, but I'm finding myself really enjoying the ability to mix and match amps and speakers for different sounds. That said, I'm also in a slightly unique position of having multiple products here at one time to compare for reviews.

[@lazzzzze1]

How do you think a class D amp will pair with these? I've heard you should opt for the standard P3ESRs as they're a little warmer in that case.

[@PassionforSound]

I'm yet to delve into Class D amps so I can't help on that one yet - sorry

[@net_news]

looking forward for your review of the Rebel M105s!! I had them and I hate them!!! xD Very curious about your take.

[@PassionforSound]

Interesting! What do you hate about them? (Don't worry, it won't alter my review)

[@net_news]

@@PassionforSound super boring!

[@r423sdex]

​@@net_newssuper boring !

[@r423sdex]

And Hate !

[@net_news]

@@r423sdex "Hate" is too strong, you are right. I didn't like 'em, indifference would be the right word instead of "hate". Thanks!

[@jchborg90277]

Good job.

[@PassionforSound]

Thank you 🙂

[@michalzukowski1683]

Is it worth getting rid of the older model for this P3 XD ?

[@PassionforSound]

I haven't heard the older one - sorry

[@user-xg6zz8qs3q]

I think the Closer Acoustics OGY are better and for less money. They’re very sensitive too at 91db.

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks for the tip. I'll see if I can check them out

[@surf6d769]

Great review, and very well articulated. How did you find these controlled the sibilance region - any brightness or edginess?

[@PassionforSound]

Glad you liked the review. One of the things I most love about these is their treble quality. Lots of sparkle and detail, but zero harshness or edginess. And that's with or without applying EQ - they're fantastic straight from the box.

[@hdsarma]

@PassionforSound A bit of a complain from few other reviewers about the Enleum 23R is the mid range is not so great, do you agree with that impression.

[@PassionforSound]

No, not at all. I think it's not as textured in the upper mids as some other amps (e.g. Zahl HM-1), but that doesn't make it bad to me - just different. Instead, it offers a lovely rich and full midrange (not thick) and I appreciate it for that.

[@rodm1949]

Very off topic, my first 5 min with a WOO WA3. What low impedance issue, swimming in sound with old amps and new DAC.

[@PassionforSound]

What do you mean about the low impedance, Rod?

[@rodm1949]

@@PassionforSound Every forum I have looked at states that OTL amp's don't like or work with Headphones under 300 ohm. Even in the bottlehead forum-IEM's aren't recomended with an OTL. My DAC has a volume comtrol and with both at 1 o'clock are working sweet.

[@PassionforSound]

Ah yes. It's not so much that OTL amps can't work with lower impedance 'phones. It's more that the matching of the amp and lower impedance 'phone can cause the transfer of power to become inefficient and result in distortion (moreso with slightly difficult headphones) or the more common issue is that the mismatch leads to a change in the sonic performance and frequency response of the 'phones. This can be desirable for some products and undesirable on others depending on taste.

[@rodm1949]

@@PassionforSound He lies my complexity, as you made the L plate to output to your headphones and there are headphone modules you can add to an AMP. Has not anybody created an impedance matcher - is it possible? My theoretical mind thinks so. Possibly even an auto detecting unit that used a back circuit simular to a multi meter. The Woo with IEMs sounds great with very minor snow when its quiet, my only concern is damaging the AMP.

[@PassionforSound]

There are definitely circuits that help. Brands like 64Audio and CustomArt (among others) have IEMs that present a consistent load to the amplifier, but that doesn't fix the whole situation because there's also damping factor which is how well the amp is able to control the driver. I'm not aware of any circuits to present a higher impedance to the amp.

[@urbenkam]

really good review. Question would Burson timekeepeter 3ir would be able to drive these in near field setup? plz

[@PassionforSound]

Glad you liked the review! Yes, the Timekeeper will do a great job with these.

[@urbenkam]

@@PassionforSound You recommendations are always top notch. I am thinking about upgrading my dynaudio evoke 10 desktop speakers. Do you think these will be good if i am all about midrange. I do have a rel subwoofer as well with high level input if these are short on bass thank you

[@PassionforSound]

I don't know the Dynaudios so I can't give a direct comparison, but the quality of the Harbeth midrange is lovely - articulate, clean and rich (in terms of harmonic detail, not thickness). I do think they need a sub for some low end reinforcement, but where they do play, they play beautifully and have great tonality to start with if you have a treated room, but can also be EQ'ed to account for the room of course.

[@urbenkam]

@@PassionforSound I actually got these from a friend. I have not applied any filters yet. These are close to the wall. I do find the sound fatiguing with in 15 mins mark.

[@PassionforSound]

It could be your room causing issues with high frequency reflections or they might be that sort of speaker. It's a tricky thing to properly identify, but you could try moving them around a bit (just temporarily) or place some damping like blankets over any hard, flat surfaces to see if the treble gets better. That will at least tell you if the room or the speaker is the source of the fatigue.

[@NeilBlanchard]

I am curious how you are applying the DSP? What is the hardware involved? This is very large effect on the sound, to have the (on axis?) response be "corrected" to this degree.

[@PassionforSound]

I'm using convolution filters created in REW and then applied via Roon or JRiver. The only challenge is that I can't run the test tones via either software to measure the end results ☹️ Room treatment would obviously be preferable were it possible.

[@NeilBlanchard]

@@PassionforSound Okay, got it. This is a step that is quite different than almost all speaker reviews I have seen, for what it's worth. REW could be used to measure the results, possibly?

[@PassionforSound]

I haven't explored yet to see if the filters can be applied to the output of the test tone/sweep. I'll have to explore. As I began writing up this review, it occurred to me that a speaker review is kind of only as good as the treatment of the room it's in unless it's EQ'ed to suit. This seemed like a better alternative to discussing the impact of the mid-bass bloom of my office on each speaker. 🙂

[@NeilBlanchard]

@@PassionforSound Maybe a sweep can be made into a file and then played through Roon/JRiver? Or maybe not ... possibly "measured" with the RTA tool?

[@PassionforSound]

RTA could work perhaps.

[@roncarreon1]

Too many fasteners. This comment has nothing to do with sonics but they would look a lot better and more proportionate to the cost if Harbeth figures out a way to build assemble with reducing or eliminating all of the fastners in the front.

[@PassionforSound]

You can always leave the covers on

[@dangerzone007]

Suddenly I'm getting lots of ads for bras. Does KZbin think I'm a chick.

[@PassionforSound]

That's strange because audiophile content also has a very low female viewership 🤷

[@dangerzone007]

@@PassionforSound yep

[@WeeWeeJumbo]

@@dangerzone007these ads are compelling though

[@veraluxmundi2032]

They look awfully like the original LS3/5A

[@PassionforSound]

I think that's just the way BBC studio monitor designs tend to look. 🙂

[@josechacharles5646]

Feature content on oldest speakers😢😢😢

[@PassionforSound]

It's still one of the more popular speakers of its type for a reason. There'll be plenty more other reviews in the future.

[@ioancristianus]

Harbeth is absolutely stealing you. They only cash in on history. Have Dynaudio & Genelec bookshelf powered speakers that demolish these at a fraction of the cost. These are only OK for mid-range and treble, but so are many more other cheaper speakers. They lack severely on the bass department.

[@PassionforSound]

I agree on the bass front. I'll withhold judgement for now on the rest until I try them...

[@petarst]

3000 dollars for this? LOL you guys have so much money for waisting...

[@r423sdex]

Stop with the speaker reviews, leave it to Erin's audio.