Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Harbeth HL Compact 7ES Speakers by digiphobe

Model:	HL Compact 7ES
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$2,400
Description:	2 way stand mount speaker
Manufacturer URL:	Harbeth
Model Picture:	View

Review by digiphobe on May 12, 2008 at 21:34:25
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for the HL Compact 7ES

The Harbeth compact 7ES-3 are the first Harbeth speaker model that I've owned. At first listen, I was surprised at how different they sounded from every thing else that I had owned / heard. The beths have a wonderfully warm, and engaging sound, that tends to draw me into the music - whatever style of music that happens to be playing. They definitely have a laid-back presentation, compared to the B&W's and proacs that I've owned, and that presentation seems to couple quite well with my slightly foreward perspectived Naim Nait 5i. By the way, this is a magical combo, regardless of having a 1.4K amp driving a 3.5K loudspeaker, there is honest to goodness synergy going on here......I find myself listening contently without any intruding thoughts of upgraditus - I'm certain all you gearheads know of what I speak. I can't say that everyone will be delighted as I, but I'll venture a guess that most folks would be more than happy with the harbeth sound; they truly do have a magical way with vocals, and such a warm, purring bass. Speaking of bass, the C7's have plenty of bottom end, that doesn't quit hit the lowest organ notes, but really delivers the goods where it counts - the lower end of a bass guitar, and does this with very good pitch definition. Anyone that thinks that these speakers don't, or can't rock, needs to have there head examined; the little Nait through the Beths' sounds positively HUGE, and powerful, which might be due to the fact that the Beths' are so easy to drive.
The C7's sound organic. I'm never aware of any seams in the presentation, that indicates tweeter, woofer crossover; this, in of itself is quite amazing. I think Allan Shaw really knows his craft, and this makes me question of manufacture's design decisions - do they really believe that the audio buying public needs another screachy, top heavy, and in yer face ear shreader ? If your listening biases are anything like mine, i.e. You want to be swept away by the music, and actualy share the emotional intent of the artist without over analysing the content, here's your speaker.
So, in summery: The Harbeth Compact 7's are very, very good loudspeakers, and actualy worth the money ( this, comming from a guy who thinks that most everything audio, is a rip-off of the highest order )
Hope this was of some value, thanks.

Product Weakness:	Some may find the look old fashioned. Me?... I love em'
Product Strengths:	Pure musical bliss!

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Naim Nait 5i
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): none
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Audia Flight, Flight Two CDPlayer
Speakers: Harbeths!
Cables/Interconnects: Naim naca 5
Music Used (Genre/Selections): All types sound great
Room Size (LxWxH): 18 x 13 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments: This and that
Time Period/Length of Audition: 3 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): N/a
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition): N/A

Amplifier:	Naim Nait 5i
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Audia Flight, Flight Two CDPlayer
Speakers:	Harbeths!
Cables/Interconnects:	Naim naca 5
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	All types sound great
Room Size (LxWxH):	18 x 13 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	This and that
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	N/a
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):	N/A