Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I bought these speakers as an alternative to my Audio Physics Virgo, which I really treasure. My first impression was not positive, compared to the Virgo's they sound very thin. But the longer I listened to the Harbeths , the more I felt attracted to them. They do not sound "nice" as another reviewer wrote, but they do sound "beautiful", even so much that I keep listening to them. I am not an audiophile, but a melomaniac, and I really enjoy listening to these speakers, so they are very musical indeed. I do not think that they do not involve me, I had the B&W 804 before and they did not involve me at all. Ideally, I would like to have a combination of the Virgos and the Harbeths, but I am afraid that this does not exist, at least not at my budget level. The bass issue is an "american" issue as far as I am concerned. For me, the furniture in my apartment does not have to tremble while I am enjoying the music. I gave a 4 because the Harbeths are not perfect, but they are wonderful.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Given the number of glowing professional reviews for the Compact 7 ES3, I thought sure I'd find some here as well. Interesting that there are none. I had these speakers for a month after being seduced into buying them by a series of female vocals I played at the dealer showroom. Wonderful stuff. However, the 7's ultimately proved rather mercurial and confounding in my listening room, and I decided to sell them. I have owned over 20 sets of speakers in 35 years of this hobby, so it's not my "first real pair of speakers" by any stretch. I have enjoyed electrostatics, planars, esoteric designs, and good boxes all. The Harbeths were another creature entirely.

They are as clear as rainwater, and the RADIAL driver is a great technical feat. The inner detail is at times staggering, without being etched at all (I mean, I could hear what people in the audience at Sara McLachlan's Afterglow Live concert were saying - people waaay in the back!). And the harmonics for the mids and treble were, in my listening experience, about the very best I've ever heard. Very natural, very believable. Also, I agree with reviewers that these speakers have an uncanny ability to put the music in the venue in which it was created (although the soundstage in absolute terms was not as large as many lesser speakers). All of these comments track the reviews.

Where my experience differed was in two areas. First, bass response. Although the bass was wonderfully defined and free of mid-bass bloat, it a) didn't appear to be sufficient in volume to match the rest of the spectrum - it was all there, but seemed to lag several decibels behind the mids and treble, which means that on a lot of music there wasn't sufficient drive, and 2) was somewhat on the "woody" side, especially with electric bass. As to the first area, I will say that this was not always true; which is why I can't really say that the speaker was voiced wrong or anything - but on more than half of my collection, the bass was of deficient volume, although of good quality. I used them with dual subs, so it was not the depth of bass that was off, but the amount in the (I'm guessing) 60 -200 range.

Second, there was (to me) a homogeneity to the sound, together with a lack of mid-treble snap and general lack of energy that was in direct conflict with the analytically perfect presentation. For example, Stevie Ray Vaughan's well-recorded Tin Pan Alley track should have a slight electic guitar metallic "catch" at the leading edge of his notes on his solos - it's what gives the piece it's drive and fun. It was completely lacking with the Harbeths. Yet in terms of absolute treble extension, the Harbeths were wonderful. They were ,for me, a mystery.

The closest analogy I can think of is taking your amplifier and running it through a line conditioner. Does it sound "better"? Usually, yes. But what is the cost? The cost is usually a loss of involvement. Now the reviews of the es3's usually do talk about the fact that speakers this analytical can often sound dead and uninvolving, but they all say that the Harbeths retain their musicality. Well, I disagree. I agree that they retain their musicality in the sense that they are not dry or etched (they have wonderful tone), but I do not agree that they avoid the pitfalls of ultimate boredom. In the end, as beautiful as the notes were, I was looking at my watch. On two separate nights of classical listening, I fell asleep. Literally.

I could find no "jump factor" with these speakers. We all have favorite cuts we like to play for the spooky "wow, that's in the room with me" effect. Well, on my rendition of those cuts, as clear and precise and beautiful as they were....they just were not in the room with me at all. Frankly, this isn't that important to me, but it again demonstrates a certain lack of energy in the presentation.

It is hard for me to agree that the speakers are neutral. As I noted, I don't believe they have proper bass weight (spectral balance). Whatever I did with the subs, at the point where the crossover or volume was too high, they let me know - it just wasn't happening with the mains.

Although it doesn't matter much to me what a speaker designer says on his website about speaker design (it is wonderful that there are so many different slants on making speakers), I will say I found the Harbeth website slightly cult-like. If you visit there, you will find that Mr. Shaw does not believe 1) that the quality of you gear and ancillaries will have much of an effect on your listening experience (as Harbeths are just that good); 2) there is no such thing as burning in speakers (we all just adjust to sound over time) and 3) it doesn't matter much what stands you stick you Harbeths on - including inverted plant pots. I don't agree with any of that stuff, but would gladly fuggedabowdit if the speakers were truly that good. But as I didn't find them to be involving or fun, I have to say I was slightly put off by these positions, which are clearly not shared by the vast majority of audiophiles. And although Mr. Shaw was nothing short of civilized and congenial in his response to me on one of these issues, I took it on the chin from some of his "Harbethians" for daring to disagree.

As these speakers have received universal praise, I expect my comments to be taken skeptically. And that's fine. Look, the 7 es3's have tremendous strengths - I mean, tremendous! And many people rightly love the things. But electrostatic clarity and quickness I can get from ....an electrostatic! What I crave in a box speaker (because I see it as a box speaker's strength) is moving air in a realistic way. This is as important for a piano forte as it is for a blues solo. If the only adjective left to a depict a peformance is "nice," the heart hasn't been moved. Other than for female vocals and some massed vocals (whiich were, within the voice range, really riveting), I just couldn't get jiggy with the Harbeths.

Of course, your results in your room with your equipment may be entirely different, and as I said, even if you agree with me, you may not care about the areas of my concern. Many don't. I would suggest, however, that if you're considering these speakers, you audition them with a large variety of music for at least a couple of hours. They make a wicked good first impression, which stays for many, but wanes for some (such as I). You need to get past that and listen for a while to make certain the wonderful strengths of these speakers are enough to keep you in the game long term.

I understand that my review may engender responses and defenses, which are always welcome on this forum. These speakers deserve more comment here one way or the other anyway. They are remarkable in what they do well.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
These are superb speakers. My first venture into a pair of speakers that would have been over 2000 dollars new, and possibly my last venture into any pair of speakers, until forced into a change, then it will probably be Harbeth. Previous reviews speak for themselves,but i had to add my approval. The best hi-fi investment i've ever made. Anyone out there who gets a chance to pick up a used pair of these will be very impressed.

Strengths:
Natural sound, non-fatiguing, transparent, superb vocals, realism!!!

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
Heybrook, B&W DM17, Spendor.
Speakers used with Quad 34\306, Marantz cd-17 mkii, Van Den Hul budget interconnects, PAD Colossus mains lead, budget Nordost speaker cable.

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Price Paid:  $3995.00 from Dealer

Summary:
This is for the SHL-5. OK, you've read about what a fantastic speaker the 7 is, but the SHL-5 just takes all of these qualities further. It is more coherent with more bottom and a sweeter midrange. I have auditioned speakers costing up to 50K and none of them presented vocals as well as the SHL-5s. The bass is full and euphonic and the top end never spits, even with the supertweeters. Is the SHL-5 the most accurate Harbeth? Probably not. It just sounds fantastic and that's all I care about. One more thing - although these speakers can definitely exploit fine electronics, they do not highlight equipment flaws in the chain. You can drive them with a $300 CD player and $300 receiver while you're saving up for something better. Try that with Dynaudios! They are more expensive than some, but they are made in England by people getting real wages, so that's what happens. Meanwhile, the Far East can't get Harbeths fast enough. Go figure.

Strengths:
Absolutely fantastic vocal presentation.

Weaknesses:
Not the speaker for those looking for hyper-detailed, equipment-flaw-finding speakers.

Similar Products Used:
Spendor S5e, Paradigm Studio 40s.

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Price Paid:  $1200.00 from Winter Tree Audio

Summary:
What I will disclose herewith is the truth , the whole truth and nothing but the truth. On September 2, 2003, life gave the most surreal wake up call imaginable as I suffered a massive and near fatal stroke to the right hemisphere of the brain, When I arrived at the hospital 16 hours later I was in a deep coma and in severe respiratory distress , a tracheotomy was performed in my throath permitting me to breathe thru a tube. I did not see a blinding light or my life flashing in front of my eyes. It was simply a total void of will I survive or will I be a vegetable. 3 weeks later I emerged and had the entire neurological staff at my side with their inferior jaws almost touching the ground. They pronounced me a miracle. I had absolutely no clue that I had just entered the twilight zone of the mentally unwell. The following 6 months was wall to wall therapy facing the rest of my life confined in a wheelchair. I was fighting a battle against the most complex entity in the universe, and it possesses a door lock for which there is no key. I have to become my own locksmith. To this day I have not witnessed a single hint of improvement Given my total incapacity to climb stairs I had no other alternative but to terminate my lease and take my entire life savings and purchase a condo unit in a building with elevator service. As if a stroke was not enough on May 5th 2004 I suffered my first of 10 epileptic seizures that will require that I be medicated for the rest of my life. being denied the permission to drive a motor vehicle.I needed that like I needed a bullet in the head. Given that my condo floors are made out of reinforced concrete doing physical therapy with an epilepsy condition becomes a very risky endeavor. Imagine living the rest of your life with a 2 by 4 instead of a left leg .I am the proverbial leaf in the wind. For me walking 200 feet with my quadripod cane is like running 5 consecutive Boston marathons. I wake up every morning seing life in a foreign brain with emotions that I dont recognize. Thank god for me in 1998 I had the foresight to upgrade my Rogers LS7t speakers for a pair of Compact 7 SE2.I also had the foresight to upgrade my YBA Integre DT integrated amp, to the then brand new YBA Integre Passion integrated. The foundation for pure musical nirvana was in place.I think of these 2 components as the Romeo and Juliet of high end audio. The radial driver is an exceptional piece of acoustical engineering. Specs claim 46 Hz to 20 Khz. With my YBA amp the bottom end feels much more like 40 Hz. When using the fine YBA Diamond speaker and interconnect cables in a by wired configuration. They will melt the harshest heart on earth. You will be very hard pressed to find a more pleasant and pristine sound. At any price. These speakers are not to be analyzed but appreciated as exceptional musical instruments. Need I say more we are in presence of greatness here.Wait until you listen to Yo Yo Ma. You will recognize genious and passion for the artform. Put your seatbelt on as you will be jumping with joy and have entered the qualitative dimension of the universe. Close your eyes and immerse yourself in the ocean of wellbeing and serenity.

Strengths:
Cello's wind intruments, classical guitar , harp are to die for. Piano is not an orphan with these speakers, piano peddles have a gorgeous weight and piano keys exhibit exemplary behavior with a beautiful and progressive decay. Dont imagine that this investment is of service to classical music only. Kenny G. will send shivers down your spine. Wait until you listen to Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman, you will fall in love again. These speakers are only meant to do service to humanities greatest legacy and invention by bringing order to chaos
and removing all the clutter and noise we hear every day. From now on everything musical will be immensely coherent to your ears.These speakers are also meant to remind us to stop and smell the roses to truly appreciate the wonders of life.
I would never have believed that audio gear could have brought me to tears but It as on numerous occasions.The compact 7 is the most engaging and hypnotic instrument I have ever heard in my life. I can listen to them 24 hours a day, they are musical windows to my soul.They give and give and never ask anything in return. When I play my Loreena McKennitt The visit CD I am transported to the lush green pastures of the Emerald Isle. They are today the most cherished presence in my life. I could not live without them. Intimacy and neutrality is the operative word. Break in is short. They are like the finest bottle of red wine improving with time. I am on cloud nine with these babies.Performance to price ratio is expressed in stratospheric terms. Best physical placement is 5 feet from the rear boundary and 9 or 10 feet apart. I matched mine with top of the line Sound Anchors Pro Monitor stands wheighing about 100 lbs each and dampened. A very beneficial addiction is the dividend this investment pays to it's enlightened owner.

Weaknesses:
None whatsoever.

Similar Products Used:
Why bother I am in pure musical nirvana as it is.

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