Harbeth Speakers: What Keeps Them Relevant and Special?

[@robk5745]

The new xd series takes the rich sound we love from Harbeth and adds more “audiophile” sound in subtle ways. Amazing stuff

[@2ChannelListening]

Yes sir, thank you

[@josephfranceski1041]

Actually I like the sound of the 30.1 more than the 30.2. That warm and relaxed sound is very appealing for some people, including me.

[@robk5745]

@@josephfranceski1041 it’s nice once in a while for certain music no doubt, but for most music it’s boring unfortunately

[@MK-rn2hm]

I absolutely loved the history you added in the review and in such an interesting and humorous manner

[@timothyfreeseha4056]

I'm glad you gave some time to system synergy, which is part of any speakers sound.

[@2ChannelListening]

Absolutely, thank you for watching.

[@davidmartin8187]

Great to see you back finally, hope all is well. Another well thought out video.

[@2ChannelListening]

Glad you enjoyed it David, much appreciated!

[@salvadorrodenas3071]

No, it hasn't a metal tweeter. The Seas Excel is a fabric dome tweeter.

[@marcgoldin8937]

Jason, it's so nice to see you back my friend. I must have missed the notifications for the videos after your move. I have already checked those out too. I wish you the best of luck setting up you new listening room. I've been told that square rooms can be quite difficult to work with. But, I'm sure that you will find a way to make it work and work well. Best of luck to you and your family in your new home. (BTW I lived in Grove, Ok back in 2001.) Take care and as always happy listening. I'll look forward to more great videos!

[@2ChannelListening]

I've been reading it is the new KZbin algorithm, each video has to be an instant hit or it will not distribute to remaining subscribers - defeats the point of having subscribers really. Yes, this room is a bit tricky. I have been slowly applying treatments and adding layers. The M30's add their own unique challenges. The P3ESR's are not an issue. I even squeezed the big Avalons in for one last go before sending them off with new owner - ha ha, talk about bass loading a room! I always appreciate your kindness Marc, thank you, I wish you and yours well. 😊👍

[@Anand.Asrani]

Thanks Jason, Absolutely my favourite speaker line up .. Looking forward to understanding the sonic differences between S HL XD & 30.

[@2ChannelListening]

Thank you

[@martlet530]

GREAT topic! Many thanks!!!

[@2ChannelListening]

My pleasure!

[@donaldchamble6897]

You where missed but I'm glad you are back in full form. Looking forward to seeing every review. Thanks

[@2ChannelListening]

I appreciate your sentiment Donald, thank you.

[@poetryonplastic]

I found similar things to love in my 30.2 XD. People try to portray Harbeths as "jazz/acoustic" speakers, but I had just as much success playing them with metal and hard rock. I didn't have issues with bass bloat using my Hegel (which tends to emphasize bass), but then again I imagine the sound signature has changed somewhat from the 30th anniversary to the new XD line.

[@2ChannelListening]

Thanks for sharing. Yes, my understanding of the 30th Anniversary were before that transition period where Alan Shaw was made aware audiophiles aren't stuck in the past listening to only Jazz and Classical. The 30.2 have had a couple of X-over tweaks to help M30's sound more dynamic. I certainly hear the differences with the P3ESR-XD and C7ES3-XD. Keep on rockin that Vinyl PP!

[@2ChannelListening]

@Lloyd Stout why so much music genre discrimination?

[@berjohansen]

@@lloydstout7901try listening to dream theatre or newer dimmu borgir. Migth not be your kind of music but the work, time and quality that goes into those records are immense, quite good fun listeni g trough as well😊

[@richardherbert3519]

Very very interesting video

[@2ChannelListening]

Thanks for visiting

[@trevornmartinmartin2756]

great review

[@2ChannelListening]

Thank you

[@davidgill2520]

Hello from Montreal, very thorough and in-depth. Part of my journey I had the C7s a while back and loved them but I had an interest in horn speakers. When I first heard a Harbeth it was the SHL5s at a show. I was very impressed and it could play anything but I couldn’t afford it at the time and I didn’t understand what I was really after. Anyways now I own a used pair of Verity Parsifals a higher end speaker from Quebec City, a Canadian niche company. They are beautiful and they check all the bases. Now I would love to compare a Harbeth with the Parsifals. Funny that you mentioned Rush and Permanent Waves. Basically Rush is my band and that album started the brain washing…. I live a hour from Le Studio where they recorded that album. We are blessed to have a band like this who has given us years of amazing music. Take care

[@2ChannelListening]

Isn't is a requirement of citizenship in Canada that you pledge fealty to Rush? (lol, just kidding, I would anyway!). Yes, very aware of Verity, neat designs and uber expensive in the states. I agree, I would love to review anything from Verity. They do have rear firing woofers though, might be challenging for my smaller room. Curious, what are the dimensions of your room? Canada has something going for it when it comes to speaker designs. I love Totem Acoustics as well. I appreciate you watching and commenting, more Rush fans are always welcome!

[@davidgill2520]

@@2ChannelListening Hi, we’ll not all canucks even know about Rush. There’s quite a few who love the Hip, Tragically Hip. Gord Donnie is god to some same with Ann Murray, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Bryan Adams KD Lang etc. But there’s a few newbie’s not gods but new bands like the The Dam Truth, JJ Wilde and Shawn Murphy. And another Canadian fact, you would think all kids play hockey but more kids actually play soccer… Enough already. Regarding British speakers, have you ever compared any from Graham? They are generally more expensive than Harbeth. I’m fortunate there’s quite a few shops in Montreal that sell a good number of brands including the british makes. Regarding Rush, have you ever listened to the Something for Nothing podcast? It’s great and recommended. Take care

[@davidgill2520]

@@2ChannelListening Regarding the Verity Parsifals, the base and top are independent and can be rotated. I haven’t tried that yet. My system is in my rectangular living room 20x12, the speakers are positioned on the narrow end wall at about 30” away with nothing between them, so there’s lots of room to play with them. My listening chair can be moved, I have lots of flexibility.

[@markmiller8486]

AR-3 was one of Acoustic Research’s earliest speakers, introduced in 1958.

[@2ChannelListening]

Yes sir. I'm a fan of the big AR9's.

[@think2023]

Wow! I never knew...but I too used wifes voice. Was working part time in audio and knew the neuman U87 sonic signature. Would record her. In the stereo shop with neuman and revox reel to reel. Next have her say a phrase, then play back on speakers...careful of level matching. Result? Quad ESL 57 did the best....on axis

[@2ChannelListening]

Thanks for sharing!

[@jonlavelle]

I had a pair of SHL5's for 12 years and early HL's driven with McIntosh tubes and solid state and I love the Harbeth sound. They excel at natural voice reproduction and are sweet for vocals, acoustic jazz, baroque chamber music, etc. I found myself listening to these genres more and more. They throw a huge soundstage and sound great at low volume. I found that the bass was tighter and more accurate with solid state amps. I heard Monitor 40's with 200w Classe ss amps run mono in Montreal and they were amazing. What I missed however, was the visceral impact of pipe organ and large symphonic pieces. Alan Shaw says, "Don't demo Harbeths with pipe organ recordings." LOL To that end, I find the B&W's a better all 'rounder. B&W does not have the gorgeous, natural midrange of the Harbeths which are a niche speaker for natural voice reproduction. I sold my SHL5's and I do miss them. One other quirk with the Harbeths is that they are just so huge for a stand-mount speaker. They really need to be 3' out from walls and corners so they take up too much space. I prefer a floorstander.

[@ron521]

Thanks... I suspect in a room that small you're going to prefer speakers that sounds good when placed close to the front wall.

[@2ChannelListening]

Indeed, flexibility of a smaller speaker, or a more forgiving placement scheme.

[@hushpuppykl]

I loved my P3ESR and the SHL5+ but the P3ESR got replaced by the M30.2 40th Anniversary and the SHL5+ was replaced by the Graham Audio LS 8/1. The M30.2 40th is just lovely, so much better than the P3ESR. However, the Graham Audio LS 8/1 is just awesome. It beats the SHL5+ with ease. Has better presentation for vocals and music reproduction than the Harbeth. I still love my M30.2 40th. It’s a keeper along with my LS 8/1.

[@2ChannelListening]

Thanks for the info! Have not come across any 8/1’s.

[@hushpuppykl]

@@2ChannelListening ... I'm sure you can get access to at least the LS6. Compare its presentation of vocals and acoustic instruments against a Harbeth. Try the Graham Audio or Rogers LS 3/5a against the P3ESR XD. You will be surprised. 😉

[@AdamsOlympia]

I'd give my left nut to have a system like this at a semi-affordable price. The audiophile gods were smiling down on you that day! Just recently dipped my toes back into 2.1 audio , with some KEF q150s as a starter set. Rush: PW sounded almost like a 3D Atmos track just now; "holographic" .. What a superbly produced album! Looking forward to hearing it on something at the level of a Harbeth. Was looking at R3 Metas as my next upgrade, but maybe I should also be looking into some Harbeth bookshelves.

[@charleskatz2606]

Goung back to this one the question is would one rather the HL5CD or the 30.2XD with a pair of REL 5 or 7 subs?

[@2ChannelListening]

I think with extra time spent on the room set up, dialing in the M30.2 perfectly with a set of REL T/9X's and you have some magic. However, I have not heard the 30.2 version so I might miss the extended depth of the SHL5+.

[@kevinwest1607]

Nice!

[@2ChannelListening]

Thanks!

[@Jason-vi2pj]

my first hand me down was from my uncle. Allegro and a fisher stereo. can't remember the model of stereo but it was smaller and had a 5 or 6 disc changer and those disc's were in a cassette you pulled out. miss that thing so much. been looking for years for another one. But those Allegro's I loved

[@2ChannelListening]

You had the upgraded Fisher, ha ha, mine had the built in turntable. I used it too, Chicago, Jethro Tull 20th Anniversary LP...crazy how we got started versus today. Thanks for sharing.

[@Jason-vi2pj]

@@2ChannelListening if you ever see one please let me know. I'd love one again for sentimental reasons

[@Jason-vi2pj]

@@2ChannelListening I can't even find a picture of it.

[@seanb3303]

Great video. My Spendor Classic speakers were the most natural sounding speaker I have heard with regards to human voices. However I perceived them as slow and boring so I let them go. I wonder how much of that is due to the poly prop woofer. If I still had them possibly I could EQ them to sound more present and alive. They were so polite.

[@2ChannelListening]

Thank you for sharing Sean.

[@ganck1147]

That’s the essence of the british or rather BBC sound. Much emphasis is put on the midrange to the detriment of dynamics, transparency & leading edge transient ability. So the BBC sound is mostly suitable for people who listen alot to classical & acoustic jazz. Beautiful portrayal of tonal colors & subtle shadings. What these BBC spks lack is the jump factor present on certain music that makes the listener sit upright & get goosebumps. But the midrange of these BBC spks is sublime. Lush, warm, beautiful & smooth if a tad slow & lacklustre. So pick your poison.

[@seanb3303]

@@ganck1147 yeah I suspect there is a dip in the upper midrange lower treble where the crossover region is…giving that really polite sound. Magnepan seems to have it too. EQ would be really interesting. Most budget speakers from companies like Triangle and Klipsch boost the upper mids and make already forward recordings unbearable for me…almost like headphone listening.

[@dan-qe1tb]

Harbeth really nails timbre. It's some of the most natural you can find. My Martin Logans have high resolution, especially for the price, but I feel they have a hyped up midrange and a bold sound that isn't as natural as most British speakers. Most aluminum drivers I have tried, have had this quality. All planar and electrostatic drivers have a more unnatural timbre as well. I just find Harbeth too pricey as someone living in the US. I would only buy their small monitors used and use them exclusively for nearfield listening. Many speakers from the UK, look pricey when imported (and not exclusively about the exchange rate either).

[@2ChannelListening]

Fair take. Most British monitors are more costly to North Americans. Lucky for them they do nail vocals and mid band so darn well! I have to agree with your assessment of ML speakers as well, though I would still like to try the Montis. Thanks for watching 👍

[@ajavbjb]

Hi. Which Harbeth models have you seen that have 4 connectors? I saw some time ago HL5S Plus, but now I can't find anything.

[@2ChannelListening]

You are thinking of the 30th Anniversary edition models. A. Shaw did away with biamping in the last two generations I believe.

[@WheeledandWellArmed]

Great video and unexpectedly diving into Harbeth speaker history was a plus. The speaker's inside is nicer/cleaner than the outside. How did the door close? Without residence, it must have a lot of screws and some seal/gasket to total close it for the proper closure.

[@2ChannelListening]

12 screws holding the back plate down, with inset brace. Super tight fit, I did not detect any leaking, but there is no grommet or seal other than MDF on wood. Thank you friend.

[@rcmanoj]

Very interesting video. Have you anytime tried KEF reference speakers. No offence meant but I always feel that Harbeth is snake oil ( but I do love their Classic wooden boxy look ) and KEF uses some serious tech especially with their new Meta series. Again just my perception and reality may be different..

[@jeffkalina7727]

Share your test playlist sometime please

[@2ChannelListening]

It may or may not help, but I added my test playlist link 👍

[@jeffkalina7727]

@@2ChannelListening I looked and saw nothing on the site.

[@2ChannelListening]

@@jeffkalina7727 I put the link just above in the description section, below the BBC reference material. I'll try here too... music.amazon.com/user-playlis...

[@aceofspades6667]

Just sold my tekton double impacts.. Saving up for some Harbeth 30.2 40th anniversary. They just have a tone that is special. The tektons were fine even great for the money but never matched my personal taste.

[@2ChannelListening]

I fully understand. I have two B-stock units on hand, I certainly would keep an open mind with the fact these are still hand assembled speakers, imperfections can be found if you look hard enough. I think my HL C7es-3 are the bees knees (so far). Good luck.

[@rotorfix]

I have the Lore Ref with Be tweeters and like them a lot more than any Harbeth I’ve heard. They play cleanly at SPLs that would literally destroy C7ES3s

[@johnraven5093]

i have spendor bc2 speakers they sound wonderful with mine Audiolab 8300MB mono amplifiers

[@2ChannelListening]

Nice, I have not seen any Audiolab mono's stateside yet.

[@think2023]

Latex coating INCREASES woofer/mid frequency response? How?

[@run_taurus7635]

Dudley Harwood did not listen to music because of his religion. Any music outside of the church would have been forbidden to him. However he did work at the BBC and would have heard music but he was not the person who initiated the playback of the music. I guess he found a loop hole.

[@2ChannelListening]

That is a very good point RT, I did not find any specific material linking his religion as the reason, so I did not want to speculate there. I would agree, one hell of a loop hole!

[@bencausey]

Thanks. But…super long intro. 😊 Thanks for the time stamp.

[@2ChannelListening]

😉

[@kenhodgdon7015]

Camera eye touche!

[@jeffkalina7727]

The human voice is the gold standard test sound for audio reproduction. UK has owned HiFi until the Danes got it figured. Shaw strikes me as a bitter man. You should either send one 30.1 to Iowa City TX or as you are close, drive over and spend a day with Danny Richie. Let him fix the 30.1 XOs. Add some No-Rez. Cost is not going to be much. A good learning opp too.

[@Hitme-hx1eb]

Think that Danny will say:"The crossover parts are very cheesy".

[@2ChannelListening]

Thanks Jeff, yep, I'm aware of Danny's open invitation. I've only kept two pairs of speakers for longer than one year; AR9 LS model and ZU Omen Def MKII with Radian tweeters. I struggle with putting money toward aftermarket upgrades. Coming off of the Dali's, I can tell you the Danes can still learn a thing about voicing - I am very curious about the Buchardt A700, if they can overcome what I heard with Dali and Q Acoustics active speakers. I appreciate your post and time. Thank you. 😉

[@2ChannelListening]

Lol, I would tend to agree at these prices! Compromises everywhere we look, name of the game.

[@jeffkalina7727]

@@Hitme-hx1eb He did with the P 7

[@johnsimmons5056]

Do you need a subwoofer with these ??

[@2ChannelListening]

I would say yes, especially in a back corner to help correct and fill in what is missing. One would have to listen to the M30's at elevated playback levels to hear rolled off lower registers, not convenient, especially if not living in a single family residence.

[@Michael-xz1nk]

Har-Beth is like Spen-Dor....both great Brit brands started by couples...

[@2ChannelListening]

Indeed!

[@HD-Tech]

Recently found your channel. Watched a couple of your vids. Commented and you responded. I appreciated that. You mentioned the all mighty power trio from the great white north??? Now I'm subscribed!!!

[@2ChannelListening]

Welcome aboard! I appreciate you subscribing John, I do my best to respond to 99% of comments left for me, there may come a time when it is not feasible, but now is far from that time! Cheers!

[@rotorfix]

Hughes should arguably be credited more with the development of the polypropylene cone. Hardwood was just happened to be his superior. We all know how superiors have a tendency to take credit for the work of their subordinates. 😉

[@2ChannelListening]

I have no dog in that fight mate. Thanks for watching and contributing! :-)

[@jw-lk1pe]

can anyone comment on their cabinets? I don't understand the engineering of the front baffles on their speakers....why do they make them as a screwed on surface rather than making them a permanent part of the cabinet? They don't look well made because of that....in my opinion of course

[@2ChannelListening]

This is pretty much the authority on why the BBC uses this design and Harbeth sticks with their version of "lossy cabinets". downloads.bbc.co.uk/rd/pubs/reports/1977-03.pdf

[@rmeyer52]

Harbeth does make good speakers but they are overpriced. A recent teardown of the 7 XDs showed how cheap the crossover was.

[@carljung9230]

tell me you can't afford Harbeths without telling me you can't afford Harbeths.

[@oluhamilton2121]

In MY mind, Harbeths are speakers for older ppl. They RULE the midrange realm.

[@2ChannelListening]

Very possible this plays a role as well as the cost of the speakers themselves. However, I would say the access and exposure played a role for me. If more younger enthusiast could hear them and had the financial means, then age might be nullified.

[@billbryant1288]

So are you saying that younger ppl want speakers that don't sound as lifelike?

[@RennieAsh]

Why did they call it xD though, now it just seems funny xD

[@2ChannelListening]

That's where Alan's marketing experience comes in - "Extended Definition" - the thing is, most Harbeth owners (I included) would have to say there is a bit of proof in the pudding. I've owned a lot of speakers and with each new pair arriving to my door, they have to pass a series of Harbeth comparisons. Thanks Rennie.

[@RennieAsh]

@@2ChannelListening that's cheesy lol, Sony had extended definition in the 90's and it was "ED". Would like to try a pair of newer Harbeth, but they're kind of expensive

[@staudio6487]

Đẳng cấp

[@2ChannelListening]

?

[@davidcottle7346]

What keeps them relevant is they just sound fantastic they did twenty years ago they will twenty years from now good sound doesn’t go bad over time

[@2ChannelListening]

Great comment, thank you 😊

[@ec6843]

27 minutes of 😴😴

[@2ChannelListening]

ha ha, thanks.

[@jackbrugts330]

Considering the overall build quality and the extremely bad quality of the crossover and the absolute bottom of the barrel components used. I have to consider your story as an cynical joke. Man this is overpriced garbage shoe box design.

[@2ChannelListening]

I have to say Jack, your biased opinion has been formed against BBC designs long ago. There are half a dozen derivatives just like Harbeth, following the same basic guidelines set long ago, by a very well intentioned and logical governing body. If you hate these types of speakers so much, why do you even bother watching reviews on them? You mentioned you own products from the brand Audio Note, well, how is the AN-K superior to a Harbeth or Spendor? What is logical about a $68,000 preamplifier? Is there proof that a silver wire wound transformer bests a copper wound transformer? It is always nice if someone who has a very negative opinion of something comes back with a very well informed counterpoint with examples. I have no dog in the fight with speaker box build types or materials - the designer either makes them work well within a given spec, or they don't. You are basically saying tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of audio enthusiasts over the last four decades can't tell good sound from bad sound. The floor is yours.

[@jackbrugts330]

@@2ChannelListening You have a good point in many ways, but..... I hear and see what it is. Its antiquated and crap design for way to much money. That many People dont see it that way is because of marketing and lack of real knowledge. This so called Britse design is completely out of date an unacceptable to me. For me its Just old junk with new marketing and ridiclous prices.

[@milesdufourny4813]

And the Audio Note speakers are an overpriced pirated rehash of the Snell E.

[@ajv802]

Awesome socks man, are they Holeproof Heros? Look so comfortable.

[@DavidGraeberWasRight]

Listening to Rush made me fall out of love with music again

[@2ChannelListening]

Just sad 😔