Harbeth HL C7ES3 XD: The Sweet Spot with few Caveats

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System Tested With:
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[@2ChannelListening]

Hello M30.1 and M30.2XD owners, I know you are going to be upset with what I said, however, I implore you to look at the X-overs in your speakers and compare them to the 40th AE speakers…the current line of M30 XD boards are almost indistinguishable from the 7ES-3XD - therefore comparing an XD to my 30th Anniversary is not a leap. My review is my preference and I prefer the additional bass extension to the somewhat warmer, enriched mid-range of the M30’s. I thank you for your enthusiasm and passion!

[@christopherfox735]

Great adventure. Love the history and how you always find something interesting.

[@daniellustgarten5857]

Great review as usual , Im an expat , and Im moving all the time , and because of that I had to left my "expensive" audio system at home, so I want to set a new system ,and you gave me a lot of good ideas on how to start to build it from zero , thank you very much ...

[@seanb3303]

Great video. I could see you delivering a good sermon on Sunday.

[@playbackvintagehifihunter9669]

Love your honest in deoth reivews and opinions! Great job!

[@mikeuk4130]

Great review, thanks. You clearly love your music and know how to listen to it. I agree with your very detailed and thoughtful analyses. I had a pair of M30.1 when they came onto the market. I never really got on with them because they seemed to me to be less open and not breathing as easily as my previous C7s and SHL5s. I later concluded that this had likely been due to my inadequate power amp. They need something with a lot of bottom-end grip and control. I have also heard that the later C7s have been progressively voiced to appeal more to the younger/more modern listener, as a way of attracting more new Harbeth users. I have subscribed, and look forward to reading more from you.

[@brianpmiller_bpmxphoto]

I recall an interview with Alan Shaw, where he discussed testing his speakers and he had the x-over laid out in front of him where he could change parts at will. In this interview, he mentions that the part he deems best isn't always the most expensive, rather sometimes it may be the cheapest (or cheap) part that is the best match. We can't always assume performance based on the price tag of some parts.

[@xfloodcasual8124]

Came back to this video again. The crossover PCB is from 2007 and is a layout intended to support many designs. The crossover for 7XD has changed slightly from previous generation - one film capacitor is removed on the low pass. The coils are cheaper than M30, but they are still ferrite core if you look carefully. There are many ways to upgrade Harbeths - remove the PCB and point-to-point wire the crossover. Improve film caps and resistors, internal wire, coils, solder the transducers directly, remove sound-destroying washers and 0 Ohm resistors, etc. The sound can change a lot, so it's up to you to find what you like. For maybe $1500 you can compete with >$10k speakers.

[@giangvu7902]

Great review. Thanks!

[@enrage6073]

I’m never going to sell my C7ES3 from 2008. I love them and listen to them everyday

[@xfloodcasual8124]

Good detailed review. You can get massive improvements on the C7 by modifying the crossover and internal cabling. Harbeth works hard to make people believe otherwise, even deleting posts on their message board and Alan Shaw denying components "make a difference' (despite that SHL5+ contain caps labeled "Harbeth Audio Grade"). Its very subjective tweaking, but you can dial these loudspeakers to your taste.

[@stuartboros7693]

BTW, the first version of the C7 (which I still own and use in my bedroom/tv system) is actually a touched recessed in the presence region but a tad edgy on top (which I like).

[@WheeledandWellArmed]

I agree with you on Chris Isaac. And Gurf Morlix Last Exit to Happyland is on my list. The Harbeth at $5k is priced out of consideration compared to other options for less money.

[@run_taurus7635]

I owned a pair of harbeth M30.1 about 3 years ago and the were really really good. I had and still have prima luna pre amp and mono blocks. i traded the harbeth to get a vpi prime turntable. i truly did not realize how much i liked the m30's until they were gone. i will probably move on to a pair of Graham Audio LS8/1 which are very similar to harbeth hl5. both derive from the BBC LS3/6

[@frisbiet]

Thanks for your experiences.

[@NinJa-yg7kh]

I have compared the HL Compact 7ES2 and the old Super HL5 side by side extensively. My listening room is well treated with acoustic panels and diffusers at the back that can go down to 280hz. It is a big room 8 Meters by 5 Meters with a 3 Meter ceiling. Both speakers have the characteristic midrange of the Harbeth speaker. Both speakers are voiced differently. The Compact 7s are forward sounding speakers whilst the HL5s are backward sounding speakers with a really great bass which is really deep. You can hear a lot of nuances on the compact 7s than on the Shl5. I really loved the Compact 7s unfortunately I had to let it go. The only reason I kept the SHL5 was its personal attachment to me, but if I dont have a harbeth speakers yet, I will definitely get those Compact 7s in a flash with a subs and to me it will sound perfect

[@poetryonplastic]

Here’s my impression owning the 30.2 XD and listening to the c7 xd in some showrooms:

[@JaccoSW]

A few years ago (2018) I went into a showroom together with my then girlfriend to try the pair of Elac Debut B6 (€169) speakers with a Rega Brio amplifier. We picked that one because it was one of the few narrow amps that were reviewed well.

[@HD-Tech]

Glad to see you open the 7es-3's. I was thinking about what Danny would say right before you mentioned it. There is some work to do in that xo with the iron core inductors and sandcast resistors. Im considering these and the ATC SCM19's which I saw Danny open Have you heard them too? Would like to hear your thoughts if you have

[@DANVIIL]

Well done! It's always nice to know what kind of music you listen to because there's a UK guy that listens to what I call "Electro-Pop" noise, I mean music and that is meaningless to me.