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Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Harbeth HL P3ES-2 Speakers by Robby

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REVIEW: Harbeth HL P3ES-2 Speakers

212.187.197.237


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Model: HL P3ES-2
Category: Speakers
Suggested Retail Price: $1250
Description: Stand mount speakers
Manufacturer URL: Harbeth
Manufacturer URL: Harbeth

Review by Robby ( A ) on January 21, 2002 at 07:38:27
IP Address: 212.187.197.237
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for the HL P3ES-2


This is a review of the HLP3ES-2 - the latest incarnation.

The search for the perfect pair of speakers will probably be a never ending one. When you consider the constraints that are placed upon ones purchase – budget, room size, equipment, WAF etc – as with all hi-fi choosing the “right” speaker can be very much a game of pot luck and compromises.

I have been undertaking this game of pot luck for about five years now and have gone through 5 pairs of speakers and auditioned dozens more.

Unfortunately I have been unable to get a local dealer to lend me a pair of speakers to trial at home and so all my purchases have been based on a 20 minute demo in the listening rooms of one or two establishments.

It doesn’t take you long to realise that these circumstances are by far the worst possible in attempting to properly audition a new system component. I have never seemed to be able to enjoy the speakers at home as much as I did in the shop. The element of the speakers which attracted me in the shop either becomes tiring or whilst that element is still impressive you slowly realise that it is at the expense of other parts of the performance.

Anyway, in nor particular order these are the speakers that I have owned: Monitor Audio Silver 5, JPW Mini Monitors, Mordaunt Short MS20i Pearls, Tannoy Revolution R2 and Kef Q35.2. Speakers I have audtioned include AVI NuNeutron, Various Missions, Acoustic Energy AE1, Rega, Opera, Dynaudio etc.

Most of the above ramble is irrelevant to the review but I just wanted make it clear the struggle I have had trying to find the best speakers I can afford.

Which brings me onto the Harbeths. Now these speakers are not the cheapest or the most expensive speakers that I have auditioned but IMHO none of the above speakers come anywhere near the quality available form these amazing monitors. The only elements lacking is the bass and you can’t make your ears bleed with full volume thrash metal - which is not surprising with speakers of this size. Everything else to my ears is perfect.

The tonality, soundstaging and naturalness of the speakers has to be heard to be believed.
The soundstage height width and depth is awesome. It is as though the recording venue is there for you to step into and have a little walk around. Even pat the lead guitarist on the back. You feel that you are part of the recording process. Unless you experience it is very difficult to describe. Only one word truly sums it up: emotion.

The greatest thing for me is the amazing quality of vocals through the Harbeth's. I have listened to a song by Beth Nielsen Chapman called Sand and Water though my old speakers (Tannoy R2) and have been touched by the sentiment of the lyrics. It wasn't until I heard the song through the Harbeths that the real emotion of Beth's voice came flooding into the room. I have to say that it brought a lump to my throat.

On the first weekend of owning the speakers I went through dozens of CD's rediscovering each one as if hearing them for the first time.

I could write page after page about these speakers but I won't - I don't want to waste the time that I could be listening to great music.

I only wish they were sold at more dealers (in the UK at least). The only selling problem I can see is that for £800 you don’t seem to get much of a box for your money. For the same price (or a lot less) you can pick up a big pair of three way floorstanders which will shake your foundations. What you will not get is the poise, subtlety and finesse of the Harbeths.

Finally I don’t believe that there is a definitively best hi-fi product out there. All (or at least most) are a jumble of compromises. These speakers are IMHO the best in their price at this juggling act.


Product Weakness: Deep bass. Need a good powerful amp to drive them properly.
Product Strengths: Natural, neutrality, soundtaging (+ see text).


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Musical Fidelity X-A2
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): None
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Musical Fidelity X-RAY
Speakers: Harbeth HL P3ES-2 (83db/6ohm
Cables/Interconnects: Musical Fidelity NuVista
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Folk, Rock, Classical, Blues
Room Size (LxWxH): 15 x 13 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments: None
Time Period/Length of Audition: 9 Months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Lynwood Advanced mains Conditioner
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Harbeth HL P3ES-2 Speakers - Robby 07:38:27 01/21/02 ( 1)