Preview: Harbeth P3ESR 40th Anniversary speaker review

Here’s my review of the standard Harbeth P3ESR I did for Inner Fidelity in 2012.
www.innerfidel...
Watch Vinnie Rossi's video on nearfield listening, • For better sound try n...

[@dream_emulator]

I'm not a full blown audiophile and definitely not financially capable of pulling off the high end gear that passes through this channel, but I just love watching this guy get super excited and trying to explain something so ethereal as the colors and character of soundwaves. Brightens my day 😎👌

[@mikeuk4130]

I totally agree on two key points of Steve's review. For a metal dome, the P3's tweeter is pure and detailed like an electrostatic. What's really astonishing about the bass is that, while you can hear it's not hugely deep or powerful, you don't even slightly miss what it's not doing because all the music is still there. Anyone needing a great but small speaker should listen to ESR, 40th and XD and judge for him/her self. That will put the price into context.

[@uweboll8833]

Yes! This speaker ist phantastic! Especially with Croft or Lavardin!

[@hushpuppykl]

I just love the finish on the P3ESR 40th. When I auditioned it, I found the 40th to be slightly different. I purchased the standard P3ESR due to my personal preference of music. But I won’t say the standard P3ESR is better. Just a matter of personal preference. Yeah ... using them near field is so amazing. Can’t wait for your review!

[@samc269]

The standard P3ESR is definitely sonically better, more natural that is. This is not just your personal preference but most music lovers.

[@eugeneniemierzycki6490]

Buy a pair of headphones for a fraction of the speaker price!

[@hushpuppykl]

@@eugeneniemierzycki6490 ... its not the same. Apples and oranges. 😂

[@darrelgustafson2507]

I've said it ( and posted it ) many times, in many places. No matter what speakers you have, playing with speaker and / or listening position can do magical things to your listening experience. And, IT'S FREE.

[@lewismetcalfe3156]

How do you know where to start - or just blind experimentation? I have Dali Rubicon 2's... and they sound incredible! But I wouldn't know if i'm getting the most out of them

[@mkwilson38]

I’ve now owned 40.2 anniversary edition speakers for about six months now (finally heard Harbeth and purchased them)... I agree with the incredible transparency of these tweeters. More than I expected from years of reading comments about Harbeth.

[@noahman27]

You make me want to buy every piece you review.

[@trailchasing5081]

Looking forward to your final review of these speakers! I own the original P3ESRs and love them to death. I have an audition of the 40th anniversary later this week. Something tells me I may be walking out of the showroom the new owner of a pair of 40th anniversaries!

[@awdadwadwad1723]

Do annies really sound better? Or alteast different?

[@ralex3697]

Trail Chasing They bring you off the merry go round. No more searching after owning these.

[@m_DT]

I listen primarily near field with my Totem Rainmaker speakers. It is an absolute pleasure. I love Harbeth's too, and hoping one day I'll be able to upgrade to the P3ESR. To me, there's something very seductive about small, stand-mount speakers that over achieve.

[@mickeycoughran735]

Agreed.....seductive indeed....one EXPECTS to be blown away by fridge-sized speakers, but is STARTLED to blown away by small, stand mounted over achievers.

[@itsmorphed6416]

I like these comments. I can relate.

[@mikevincent6332]

I have never heard these but they are a 'sealed baffle' which always have beautiful tight bass from my experience

[@carlfuggiasco7495]

Great speaker from one of the top speaker makers of all time. That said your idea of placing them on stands in a bigger away from walls space although not new is perfect for this kind of speaker. I have heard smaller PSB speakers shine with this spacing arrangement as well.

[@martinallen6412]

I recently bought a pair of Harbeth P3’s . I have plenty of cash for a new amp, but I have been using my NAD 316bee and have been very happy with the sound. I agree with Alan Shaw, these are easy to drive speakers. I find myself focusing on listening to music and not on upgrading my equipment.

[@xaviborrell9078]

Which source (turntable, cd player, etc) do you use?

[@martinallen6412]

I use a Planar 3 with Ortofon blue cart. I also have a NAD 515 CD player. I am very happy, the Harbeth even make CD’s sound good due to the excellent mid range sound

[@socratesbsd]

Steve we're on the same page! Brooklyn, LS3/5As nearfield and yes I own a pair of Klipsch Heresey for when I want to go big

[@joedavenport3263]

Steve, how do you do anything in your apartment. We need a tour of your place. How do you live in your apartment without any visible furniture.

[@carminedesanto6746]

Great review. The best of the holiday season to you and yours.

[@sudd3660]

a sealed speaker, im am impressed that they did that. that tells me that they set quality of sound first :)

[@DanRobards]

Oh they do! You should hear an interview with the man that runs the show, Alan. Search up the one with Spitfire Audio

[@dippin1523]

that is one hell of a speaker. heard it today. Have to listen to the Compact 7 first but I really like that there is no port.

[@AndrePrudhomme]

Wow - what a coincidence. Hearing Bill Callahan on the Harbeth 30.1 is what sold me on them. It was a pretty amazing experience that I haven’t matched since!

[@mutantbaby1672]

LS3/5a type speakers are designed for nearfield. So it's no surprise that they perform best that way.

[@adotopp1865]

Thanks baby

[@yournightmare9999]

I like this original wood color

[@512bb]

You nailed this perfectly Steve! I have owned many pairs of LS 3/5a's over the years but the Harbeth's are the one's you want to live with. If you never have owned one of these then you should give it a try at least once, they are a classic for a reason.

[@razisn]

You should try the Proac Tablette 10 Signatures. You will save a pretty penny too.

[@orvarino]

Harbeth is insanely good at getting desired sound curve by insanely complex crossovers. Two pronlems: * This by using small and cheap components due to size/cost restrictions * If you want a perfect curve - use a high resolution DSP (miniDSP/Dirac Live) on the digital source - it will take care of the room as well. When comparing my Genelecs with Direc Live (same size) fitted to a Harman-curve there is no contest, takes care of phase issus and keeps the curve intact I dependant of volume. Perhaps to revealing.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Yes, the problem with perfect sound is you hear everything! The good, the bad, and the ugly. Unfortunately most recordings aren't that good

[@Kulumuli]

Unless it's high end I feel that speakers today are much less hands on. Hand made stuff is very expensive today. That is why I love vintage speakers. You can get them for a fraction of what it will cost to buy similar speakers today. So on a tight budget I would defenetly go vintage. I got two pairs; Rega Kyte and Epos ES11. And I don't think you can get anything below $1000 new today that is better.

[@AP-qc9hi]

Have you heard the Proac Tablette 10 Signature, I wonder how they sound compared to these small harbeths

[@m.j.s.3838]

I saw somewhere recently about nearfield listening that putting the speakers on the foor, angled up at your ears virtually eliminates floor bounce. (worse ceiling bounce though, I imagine)

[@bengrz8046]

Hi Steve, As soon as I saw this video, I thought of my Shahinian Acoustics Original Elfs. I would love to hear your thoughts on them...

[@jmohd]

Much appreciated ..Already sold my SHL5 30 Annv (Tiger Ebony) and M40.1 (Rose wood)... moving to a smaller house. May b will get the Harbeth "Baby"

[@reginaldburnbridge2217]

Thanks a mill, wishing you a happy Christmas and New year.

[@MK-rn2hm]

1:53 - when you place a pair of ANY good quality speakers in free space and you sit 4 feet from them, you are actually using them as giant headphones. In that position, they will ALL disappear because you are essentially sitting almost between them.

[@ebanksms]

Steve you have me lusting for the sound that you described. The looks are a bit meh tho. Interesting comparison to the LS50. The price you mentioned for the Harbeth is a bit more than 3x what I paid for my LS50's and I have to confess that if I dropped that kinda dough to replace my LS50s, I would swear up and down that they sounded a hell of a lot better too ;-) I wonder what other folks opinions are on the price/performance ratio between the two. ..

[@69Muscle]

I am buying a pair of these legendary speakers soon. Quite possibly my last speaker purchase. These are my grail speakers.

[@draganantonijevic2441]

''There is something magic happens here''... the sound of Harbeth (and not only here, but from 70' to these days, more or less)... but, they are expensive... yes, very expensive... but... the sound matter, yes? Same with ProAc, PMC... nothing special to be seen, but the sound... Thanks, Steve.

[@pekkatervala8476]

A pair of Harbeths, that's my life goal. I suppose I'll never find a pair at used market, these are too good...

[@salvadorrodenas3071]

I owned Harbeth M-30 for five years, they never actually liked at my home. Something in the bass didn't satisfie me, lack of pace? Everything else was very musical but if I moved a little out if the sweet spot, the highs dulled noticeably.

[@69Muscle]

Love to buy a pair someday.

[@mostirreverent]

I have heard a pair of Harbeth Monitor 40.2 speakers powered by some pass labs stuff and a simaudio moon 260d cd player. It was exceptionally clean, almost "clinical" compared to my ADS L800s (through an Adcom GFA 555 and same cd player).

[@billybastar4022]

Great video Steve. I own these speakers. I too am in love. I know these trolls, and haters love sitting in their parents basement adjusting their super tight Superman underwear tossing their opinions without a shred of experience with most of these products. Most of these opinions come from an entirely antisocial place these days. Sorry, I digress, my question is what front end would yield near perfection? I am currently using a Musical Fidelity M3si, it sounds very good, but I am left feeling trapped in between the speakers for the most part. My room is on the modest side, and somewhat limited in moving them into the room much further than 2’. If I had a $3,000 what would you recommend or an amp?

[@louisperlman8030]

Yesterday it was 'Horns Rule' , what happened since then?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Horns rule in what they do well dynamics and life -- the Harbeths are better in terms of tone and imaging. I'm a reviewer, I cover all sorts of speakers.

[@philpembroke5373]

Pularity

[@salvadorrodenas3071]

We must acknowledge Steve is a good seller. Is totally normal for salesmen to sell one day Ferrari's as the best of the best and the next week change their minds and say that Lamborghini is unsurpassable. We end users are the target.

[@scottlowell493]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac I have to admit, horns are good at dynamics and immediacy, but that's it. They are unitaskers. They just don't have the dimension, depth, nuance and tonal/timbral accuracy of other dynamics. I like horns for HT, but they just come up lacking for music in many ways.

[@carlfuggiasco7495]

good point....horns are fantastic, but any opportunity to listen to Harbeth's well that's gold!

[@michaelmcintyre9179]

I was shocked when i came across review of possible upgrade from GR Research, They play relatively smooth , but when he checked the internals , he found a mammoth crossover , and i quote filled with the cheapest components he had ever seen, considering the price of the speaker , whats up ? also the binding posts were steel , which is a no no , he could have improved on the crossover but it would have to be an external one , due to lack of space. He also commented that they added so many parts to achieve a relatively smooth response and that it would not be worth it to do anything , but to start fresh

[@ryanchenoweth5673]

Love the purity of near field!!!

[@JohnDoe-np3zk]

They may be more beautiful and sound better than the KEF LS50 but that gold driver on the KEF is probably more fun to watch.

[@colinhathaway9493]

Have you ever heard the Harbeth Super hl5 Plus. If so what did you think. I love em and they are more than likely gonna be my next speaker. To my ears they blew away the Klipsch Forte III that I also heard that day

[@TFWandyzilla]

The LS50 sound super constricted and narrow. I returned them because of that. I compared them to cheap studio monitors, and the width wasn't even close.

[@Nightjar726]

Speakers nowadays are interesting. I say interesting because for some reason I personally see some “ snobbery” to music and most speakers are made for jazz or some sort of “ polite” music. I guess that’s why most speakers have a relatively small woofer design and deep bass. Very very few that I hear are good for rock. Not metal rock. Harbeth are amazing. Amazing subtle sounds. But again they are very specialized. While I get it no speakers are made for all genres. They are way too polite. I hear most focus on sublime highs and deep lows. I don’t hear great low mid punch. Nice vids. Cheers

[@rmabgoi]

All distributors are greedy. Here in Europe we pay almost 3 times more for american hi fi. An example, americans pay $2.500 for the McIntosh MA252, we pay more than 6 K euros, 6.300 € ( $7182,88 ) to be exact. For the McIntosh MC275 LIMITED EDITION we pay 9.800€ ( $11.173,37 ) and you pay less than $5 K (suggested retail price: $4,500). The Harbeth P3ESR 40th Anniversary costs £2,415 ( $3053,42 ) in England, on the rest of Europe we pay 3 K € ( $3422,14 ). So, you guys are very lucky on the prices !!!

[@playbackvintagehifihunter9669]

Hi Steve, I am loving my Linn Kans Mk2s right now. Glorious. Have you compared the Harbeth sound to the Linn Kans?

[@UberPilot]

Can you run them with a ten watt 300B amplifier?

[@michaelgreco8614]

How would you compare these to the Dynaudio special 40s you reviewed?

[@MrPeeBeeDeeBee]

Great presence - yes

[@glichasasha750]

How do compare these speakers to Focal Utopia Scala EVO?

[@chrispendergast7792]

Any comparison to the Dynaudio Special Forty or are they to drastically different speakers?

[@inabit1956]

So when listening in near field and/or lower volume, how does the Klipsch compare?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Klipsch and other horn speakers aren't well suited to nearfield listening.

[@oldguitarguy59]

Good review! I'm curious how this speaker would compare to the Totem Model 1?

[@DonHamlin]

Would love to hear some of your thoughts about the Harbeths in the context of your recent interest in horns.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Horns rule in what they do well dynamics and life -- the Harbeths are better in terms of tone and imaging.

[@DonHamlin]

Steve Guttenberg Audiophiliac Thanks Steve!

[@qux55]

Any opinion on Fluance?

[@HenrikScheel_]

Steve, are the other Harbets sounding as the p3esr? I am thinking about the super 5HL plus?

[@jmohd]

get the SHL 5

[@awdadwadwad1723]

I have both and p3esr do not sound like SHL5+. More like 30.1. And I prefer p3s

[@mikeuk4130]

I find SHL5+ has much of the good character of the P3ESR, plus more of everything, especially openness and scale, and a truly astonishing top end. A really grown-up speaker. I too prefer the P3 to the 30.1 which, to me, sounds comparatively restricted. Not conscious of missing any bass, but not sure how that is possible!

[@eugeneniemierzycki6490]

Don't know about any of this. Great speaker that needs careful, painstaking placement care!

[@sickjohnson]

You should hear the bottom end off the 40.2's Steve...they are something special! I was looking for a sub. Merry Xmas Steve.

[@gasolin75]

You should also try Bob James The New Cool or SuperBass (Recorded Live At Scullers) (Ray Brown John Clayton,Christian Mcbride) they also have good bass

[@matrixsynth]

Steve, have you ever heard of the Human 81 based on the classic EPI 100? I'm hearing they are comparable to the P3ESR. They run $540 a pair. Hard to believe, so I am curious. Anyone know?

[@reginaldjames7975]

Love my c7es-3

[@thisnameisit]

How would these compare to Kef LS50, thanks

[@carlitomelon4610]

Sean Flynn 2:25?

[@garryhall8696]

Sorry but it looks like a speaker I Built in 1973 but mine was larger with a 15 inch base horn mid range and a tweeter it sounded really really good.

[@Cocteau61]

I am a former carpenter/woodwooker and now audio reviewer: that P3ESR speaker Steve was holding up is the best crafted loudspeaker I have ever ever seen

[@garryhall8696]

Herb I was a cabinet maker also and study Electronics I am now 62 years old. I bet my speakers that I built over the years sounds good store-bought and why do I think that because I’ve have Store bought speakers that John Akin’s recommend in stereophile and and you also Herb.

[@garryhall8696]

Love what you do Herb and John Akin’s. I talked to John a few times on the phone over the years very nice gentleman and you are too Herb keep up the great job. Merry Christmas

[@Saboda53]

Herb Reichert These are, indeed, beautiful speakers. The high level of carpentry craftsmanship is what I’d expect from a speaker at this price.

[@denniswaske8705]

am i the only on that thinks that for three grand, they could hide the screws? they are really distracting.

[@JohnDoe-np3zk]

I am thinking for 2k I can have a pair of Magnepan 1.7i

[@MattRichardsonX]

$1K of the price goes towards advertising, so no, Harbeth can’t afford to hide the screws.

[@JohnDoe-np3zk]

@@MattRichardsonX well at least they used the cheapest brown phillips head no less throughout. Good ol' mmerikn made right here.

[@ebanksms]

Lol exactly I was thinking the same dammed thing! I kinda "loose respect" (if that makes any sense) for a device with fit and finish that resembles one of my (usually disastrous) efforts. Interesting that Steve mentioned the LS50 because I got mine for the sound but when I opened the box the looks just blew me away. There is no way that I could ever get anyway near that kind of beauty with my two bumbling mitts. Now give me a good mechanical keyboard and I will touch-type the hell outta that mofo.

[@JohnDoe-np3zk]

@@ebanksms yes the LS50 is a pretty speaker. I don't know if you have a subwoofer but I got two of the REL T5 one used one new (T5i) and the look and sound like they "belong together" with the piano black.

[@trekjudas]

In the words of Spongebob Squarepants, “I NEED IT!!!!!!”

[@MrStingraybernard]

I’m sure it’s nice but what makes it worth that price ? That’s 1 hell of a profit margin

[@adilsokolovic12]

Please give me a couple of recommendations for a pair of fast speakers that present drums very well under 300$ ? I like the sound from my iphone 6s more than my infinity reference 10 speakers in some genres of music (metalcore to be specific)...

[@markthambas2713]

I prefer ensemble pa1 than harbeth p3esr. Same price..and very big sound.

[@josesantiagoortiz5341]

I like better for me Revel speakers.

[@veroman007]

how can they cost that much! they are not much to look at and the componenents surely arent that costly.

[@JohnDoe-np3zk]

those dark brown philips head #2 deck screws add up

[@musicman8270]

Hand made in England...

[@adotopp1865]

What about the factory,employees,research, building them ,packaging, printing, warranty, distribution,and retailers profit margin etc.?

[@JohnDoe-np3zk]

@@adotopp1865 somehow you can get a pair of KEF LS50 for under 1000 delivered to your door. 2900 for those speakers? Yeah somebody is raking it in with the profit.

[@adotopp1865]

@@JohnDoe-np3zk What about the factory,employees,research, building them ,packaging, printing, warranty, distribution,and retailers profit margin etc.?

[@packers1m704]

Yes there is something magical going on here like forking over 3 grand for these ,I better call the psychic hotline and find out what should I do!!!!

[@garryhall8696]

I let my Brother Mike use my set of speakers at his high school graduation at the Lincoln community center and they played them all night long and they never blew them up with over 100 people there dancing and playing music loud as they Could Play it With speakers I built .With 15 inch woofers. Horn mid range and I inch tweeter. inch what’s the

[@saeedrahimi5121]

♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@charlesludwig9173]

I prefer my JBL L20t3's.

[@julianjunishev7703]

“nearfield monitors” to be read “no bass”

[@SteadyRolling]

if you don't care about the warranty, you can order Harbeth straight out of the UK for a lot less. The American distributor is quite greedy.

[@rmabgoi]

All distributors are greedy. Here in Europe we pay almost 3 times more for american hi fi. An example, americans pay $2.500 for the McIntosh MA252, we pay more than 6 K euros, 6.300 € ( $7182,88 ) to be exact. For the McIntosh MC275 LIMITED EDITION we pay 9.800€ ( $11.173,37 ) and you pay less than $5 K (suggested retail price: $4,500). The Harbeth P3ESR 40th Anniversary costs £2,415 ( $3053,42 ) in England, on the rest of Europe we pay 3 K € ( $3422,14 ). So, you guys are very lucky on the prices !!!

[@commane21]

How, exactly?

[@Audfile]

Exactly how I listen to speakers, way out from the walls. Wall = giant vat of mud.

[@adotopp1865]

mine are plaster

[@Audfile]

@@adotopp1865 you're blessed!

[@adotopp1865]

@@Audfile Thanks!

[@odincoulombe706]

wow 2900 dollar speakers with 300 if that worth of drivers lol,,,

[@richardsinger01]

Odin Coulombe why do people think the retail price should somehow equal the cost of the parts?