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RE: Harbeth Compact 7es Sound - Congested? Question

107.19.156.8

In Reply to: RE: Harbeth Compact 7es Sound - Congested? Question posted by gkirkos on May 04, 2016 at 07:24:17

From Robert E. Greene's original Compact 7 review in TAS:

"The other aspect of the Compact 7's voicing is along traditional British lines. It is a bit warm in the mid-bass by prevailing audiophile standards. But, in practice, speakers with this kind of warmth are in fact more accurate than leaner ones. Audiophiles have accustomed themselves to the leaned-out sound of speakers that do nothing to defend themselves against the inevitable floor cancellation. Without some deliberate attention to the floor effect, all speakers will exhibit a suck-out, often in the order of 5 dB, in the 100-300 Hz region. This is often described as "precision" or "transparency" or the like. But, of course, it is utterly wrong, and makes music that is accurately recorded sound innervated, lifeless, and lightweight." (Source link below.)

At first, I think I detected the "boxiness" you mentioned. I have now come to find it integral to the C7's natural presentation of unamplified instruments playing in free space. Very fond of mine.
-Bob
http://www.regonaudio.com/Harbeth%20Compact%207.html (Open in New Window)

Follow Ups:

Agreed. - mlsstl 20:08:30 05/07/16 (0)
I find that many (but certainly not all) of the modern "audiophile approved" speakers to be lean when reproducing naturally recorded, unprocessed voice -- particularly male voice.

BBC's original efforts in this area did focus heavily on the natural reproduction of voice since so much of what they broadcast consisted of people speaking. That work shows in the Harbeth and Spendor speakers.

But, different people listen for different things. And, so much rock & roll and other popular music is anything but "naturally" recorded, which leaves people simply listening for what impresses them.
Robert E. Greene relates a very applicable story... - MWE 08:30:22 05/05/16 (0)
in the third footnote in that review.Very perceptive.
I have Compact 7es2's and SHL5's, and they certainly are placement-sensitive- but sound marvelous when optimized.

Mark in NC
"The thought that life could be better is woven indelibly into our hearts and our brains" -Paul Simon

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