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In Reply to: Re: Whats Next after Ref 3A de Capos? posted by hujorgen on May 26, 2003 at 19:52:16:
Thanks. I had been thinking about Harbeth speakers. However, I had a chance to hear the Compact 7ES last Fall, when someone in town was selling a pair. Listened w/ a Belles SS amp, unknown CD player, cables. While it was "nice" sounding, I didn't hear the same sort of "magic" I've heard w/ Spendors. I also didn't find it quite as transparent or dynamic as my Ref 3As, and my goal is to improve on both those qualities. But, that may not have been a fair test. Could have been the amp, the stands, the source, the cabling, the set-up, the music or the room. Planned to take my amp and some CDs over to his house to listen again, but was swamped at work during that time, and the speakers sold before I could get back over there.
Follow Ups:
Hi.I have a pair of the Harbeth Super HL5s which have a cabinet very similar in size to the Spendor 1/2s. I have owned the Spendor 1/2s in the past and know exactly the pros and cons you are referring to. I'm afraid to say that I have been unable to find the same "magic" midrange in other speakers I have auditioned (and I have auditioned quite a number recently).
I am quite happy with the Harbeth SHL5s now though. I use tube amplification (Audiomat Prelude Reference) and a REL Storm III with them and together they have warmed up the sound in a way that suits my ears quite well. In terms of transparency and dynamics I can't quite understand how you found the Harbeths lacking in these areas. I have not heard the Compact 7s, but they use the same RADIAL material that I have in my SHL5s and M30s and they both exhibit those two traits in spades.
well, that's interesting. Many say they feel the strength of the Harbeth is that it is more transparent than the spendors and more "accurate" (whatever that means!).I actually used to own the Reference 3a De Capo i and I sold them because they did not sound exciting enough for me. Not that they were "neutral". Just that they didnt seem to have any boogie to them.
When I compared them to the Neat Critique standmounts, the Neats were much punchier and more "fun" to listen to. The 3a's had a greater sense of ease to my ears (they are bigger) but sounded like they were being driven by a small tube amp when in fact it was a big solid state model. The bass was a bit flabby (they have that great big port!)
I owned Spendors (2/3 and 1/2) and found both very good, but the 2/3 was a bit too warm for me. The 1/2 was great, but I had a crappy system at the time.
I now have Neat Mystique floorstanders and have been quite satisfied with them. They are not for everyone, being less tonally accurate than Spendors, but they have more "jump" to the sound and seem to carry a tune better.
well, that's interesting. Many say they feel the strength of the Harbeth is that it is more transparent than the spendors and more "accurate" (whatever that means!).I actually used to own the Reference 3a De Capo i and I sold them because they did not sound exciting enough for me. Not that they were "neutral". Just that they didnt seem to have any boogie to them.
When I compared them to the Neat Critique standmounts, the Neats were much punchier and more "fun" to listen to. The 3a's had a greater sense of ease to my ears (they are bigger) but sounded like they were being driven by a small tube amp when in fact it was a big solid state model. The bass was a bit flabby (they have that great big port!)
I owned Spendors (2/3 and 1/2) and found both very good, but the 2/3 was a bit too warm for me. The 1/2 was great, but I had a crappy system at the time.
I now have Neat Mystque floor standers and have been quite satisfied with them. They are not for everyone, being less tonally accurate than Spendors, but they have more "jump" to the sound and seem to carry a tune better.
There's something to be said for the "boogy" factor, and perhaps this is a little of what the de Capos are missing (and the Spendors to a lesser extent). On the other hand, speakers like the Naim/Epos/Linn tend to make some sacrifices as well, to my ear, in tonal accuracy, lushness, fullness, and true dynamics, which I value, so it is always a trade-off. The Living Voice OBXs mentioned above are about as close to doing everything as I've heard, but even they would probably disappoint a true Linn/Naim devotee. A few years ago, just before I got into Spendors and tubes (and after largely giving up on the mainstream Stereophile recommended components), I had a pair of Linn Tukans, and almost bought a Nait and LP12. I sometimes wonder which would have been the best choice. Personally, I have viewed the Spendor or 3A etc./PP tube amp route as one of three choices; the other two being Linn/Naim (perhaps Neat falls into that range), or going head-long into SETs/true high efficiency speakers. If I were to do anything other than try to "tweak" my current system (as discussed above), it would be to choose to go down one of those other two roads.One other option I've considered lately, somewhat between all of those options, is a system my main local dealer set up for another customer: a Sonneteer integrated amp (British SS class A, but bridges the gap between SS and tubes more than any other amp I've heard); Spendor 1/2s, soon to be Living Voice Avatars; and a Roksan Xerxes. I have heard it once at his home, and like a lot. It boogies, but also is rich & lush when the music calls for it, and the Xerxes is incredibly dynamic w/out losing out on PRAT.
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